Latest Research
New Americans in Salt Lake County: A Qualitative Study of Service Providers to Immigrants and Refugees
Salt Lake County is home to over half of Utah’s new Americans. This population is ever-changing; the number of arrivals, major country or region of origin, and reason for moving to Utah can fluctuate in any given year. There is no monolithic population of new Americans in Salt Lake County – Salt Lake City’s foreign-born population has different characteristics and needs than that of West Valley, South Salt Lake, or Herriman. The diversity in these communities continues to grow, change, and impact the entire county as people place roots and grow their families.
April 2020 Economic Summary
Utah’s nonagricultural employment increased an estimated 2.6%, or 40,300 jobs, between March 2019 and March 2020. Nationally, employment increased 1.0%, or 1.4 million jobs, between March 2019 and March 2020.
Economic Contribution of University of Utah Health
University of Utah Health (U of U Health) serves as the state’s only academic medical center and provides patient care for the people of Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, and much of Nevada. In 2019, U of U Health directly and indirectly supported 47,500 jobs, $3.0 billion in earnings, and $3.9 billion in the Utah economy. These impacts, and the services provided by the tripartite clinical, research, and academic mission, create an academic medical center that makes a profound and positive impact on people’s lives and the state of Utah.
Economic Contribution of the University of Utah
The University of Utah directly and indirectly supported 83,100 jobs, $4.6 billion in earnings, and $6.3 billion in GDP in the Utah economy in 2019, making it one of the largest economic assets in the state. The U’s direct employment of 39,300 jobs makes the U the largest employer in the state. In addition, the U’s 2019 education and patient care reach includes 32,994 students, 8,268 degrees and certificates, more than 550 buildings in 16 counties and 38 cities in Utah, and approximately two million patient visits. As an institution of higher learning, the U also imparts significant societal benefits.[...]
Moving Toward Evidence-Based Programs: Medication-Assisted Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder in Utah
Drug overdose is the leading cause of injury death in Utah, and opioid-related drug overdoses are a significant contributor to the rise in drug overdose deaths in recent history. In 2018, close to half of all opioid overdose deaths were prescription related, and 47% involved illicit opioids such as heroin. Fortunately, opioid use disorder (OUD) can be treated. Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) is “a combination of psychosocial therapy and U.S. Food and Drug Administration– approved medication”iii and has positive, evidence-based effects on OUD.
Salt Lake and Utah County Subcounty Estimates, 2010-2019
Utah’s ongoing growth perpetuates the need for current housing and population estimates for cities and neighborhoods. This analysis provides these estimates for Salt Lake and Utah Counties, which are home to over half of Utah’s population and have contributed 54% of the growth that has made Utah the fastest-growing state this decade. Salt Lake County grew 1.0% from 2018 to 2019, Utah County grew 2.8%, and both counties experienced their largest growth in housing units of any year this decade.
Measuring Economic Diversity: The Hachman Index, 2018
Utah is a leader among U.S. states for industrial diversity. A Hachman Index analysis using 2018 GDP data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis and aggregated to the two-digit NAICS code, reveals that Utah’s industrial distribution is very similar to that of the United States.
COVID-19 Pandemic Resources
The Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute’s mission is to develop and share economic, demographic, and public policy research that sheds light and helps people make INFORMED DECISIONS™. In times of uncertainty, we seek to share our expertise by providing economic leadership as well as practical and common-sense commentary related to the public’s well-being. We hope the information provided by our seasoned research team will both inform and comfort Utahns as we navigate the impacts of COVID-19 in Utah.
Ivory-Boyer Construction Report, Year-End 2019
In 2019, the value of permit-authorized construction in Utah totaled $9.8 billion, the highest year ever in both current and inflation-adjusted dollars. Sixty percent of the total construction value was in the residential sector, which rose 12.5% from 2018 to $5.8 billion. The strength of the residential sector is a result of robust growth in multifamily development. Apartments alone experienced an 80.6% increase in units from 2018. Nonresidential construction value in 2019 was $2.6 billion. Activity in the office and professional, and industrial and warehouse sectors drove commercial construction value in the state at $693.2 million and $671.9 million, respectively.[...]
February 2020 Economic Summary
Utah’s total personal income reached $156.1 billion* in the third quarter of 2019, rising 6.0% from the third quarter of 2018. Utah’s growth ranked 3rd in the nation. Nationally, personal income increased 4.5% over the same period.