Demographics
The Gardner Institute provides demographic decision support to the Utah State Legislature and Office of the Governor. We produce population estimates and projections, as well as applied demographic research focused on Utah. We represent the state in work with the Census Bureau, including the State Data Center Program and Federal-State Cooperatives for Population Estimates and Projections. We work with the Census Bureau in the production, distribution, and analysis of their product.
We are your demographic resource.
Highlighted Research
U.S. Census Bureau Estimates for Cities and Housing Units, 2023
On May 16th, 2024, the Census Bureau released population estimates for incorporated places (cities and towns) and housing units at the state and county level for July 1, 2023.
Utah Demographic Characteristics: Disability
National surveys estimate that between 12% and 25% of Utah adults have a disability. A new summary analysis from the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute finds that data across different surveys show that Utahns with a disability are more likely to have less income, lower education attainment, higher housing cost burdens, lower access to health coverage, and poor health.
Wasatch Front Subcounty Estimates, 2020-2023
Utah added 55,989 residents in 2023, and three-quarters of this growth occurred in communities along the Wasatch Front in Salt Lake, Utah, Davis, and Weber counties.
Utah Demographic Characteristics: Age
Despite Utah’s standing as the youngest state in the nation, its population also continues to age. In 1980, less than 8% of Utah residents were over 65, but by 2020, this share increased to nearly 12%. Projections indicate the state’s retirement-age population will likely be more than 20% of Utah’s population by 2060.
State and County Population Estimates: Comparing Census Bureau and Utah Population Committee, 2020-2023
The Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute chairs the UPC and is the lead entity in Utah for Census Bureau data, estimates, and products. As part of this work, the Institute formally evaluates and provides input to the Census Bureau on their Utah population estimates.
Shifting Households: Decadal Growth and Change in Salt Lake City
More renters, fewer family households, and more people living alone continue to distinguish the capital city from the rest of the state.
Utah Population Committee Estimates Methodology: Estimates for 2020 and Beyond (January 2024)
The Utah Population Committee (UPC) produces annual state and county population estimates for Utah and its counties. This document describes the methodology for the postcensal population estimates produced by the UPC following the release of the state and county-level 2020 Census results.
State and County Population Estimates for Utah: 2023
July 1, 2023 estimates produced by the Utah Population Committee indicate a total Utah population of 3,456,482, adding 55,989 residents to the state since July 1, 2022.
Utah Population Committee Postcensal Estimates Accuracy Analysis, 2010-2020
Compared with the count from the 2020 census, the Utah Population Committee (UPC) population estimate of 3,259,792 underestimated the state count by 11,824 people or .4%. When considering the individual methods used in UPC, the Housing Stock method was the most accurate, while the LDS method was the least at the state level. The performance of the UPC estimates compared to the 2020 census and the individual UPC methods varied by county.
