October 30, 2024 (Salt Lake City) – Salt Lake County’s life sciences industry is experiencing robust growth, contributing significantly to the region’s economy. A new research brief from the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute at the University of Utah shows the industry generated an estimated $5.8 billion in GDP in 2023, representing 5.1% of the county’s total GDP and $9.3 billion in total output. […]

October 23, 2024 (Salt Lake City) – Short-term rental (STR) growth accelerated dramatically across the United States as the COVID-19 pandemic shifted consumer behaviors, thus increasing their market demand. A new report from the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute summarizes the recent trends in the growth of STRs across Utah. The purpose of the report is to provide state and local leaders with an account of the size of the STR market and how it relates to the total housing supply. […]

October 8, 2024 (Salt Lake City) –Short-term planning projections released today indicate Utah will grow from 3.5 million to 4 million residents between 2024-2033, an average annual growth rate of 1.5%. Additionally, employment is expected to grow from 2.5 million jobs in 2024 to 2.8 million in 2033 (1.4% annually), and households are projected to grow more rapidly at 2.4% annually (1.2 to 1.4 million). These short-term demographic and economic planning projections inform decision-making at the state and county levels for a ten-year planning horizon. […]

October 3, 2024 (Salt Lake City) – Utah’s population continues to grow, age, and diversify. A new report from the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute shows that compared to national declines beginning in 2025, the state’s college-age population is projected to begin decreasing in 2032 and decline for over a decade before rebounding. If current approaches remain unchanged, this demographic dip will impact enrollment and revenues at Utah’s eight public colleges and universities, as well as eight technical colleges. […]

October 2, 2024 (Salt Lake City) – Utah’s consumer sentiment decreased by 6.1% in September (from 83.0 in August to 77.9 in September), according to the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute’s Survey of Utah Consumer Sentiment. A similar survey conducted by the University of Michigan found a 3.2% increase in sentiment among Americans as a whole during the same time (from 67.9 to 70.1). […]

September 16, 2024 (Salt Lake City) – National Hispanic Heritage Month is annually celebrated from September 15 to October 15 to recognize the contributions and influence of Hispanic Americans to the history, culture, and achievements of the United States. The Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute recently released a detailed analysis of Utah’s Hispanic population in the fact sheet “Exploring Utah’s Hispanic or Latino Groups: A Detailed Analysis.” […]

September 5, 2024 (Salt Lake City) – Utah’s consumer sentiment increased by 2.3% in August (from 81.1 in July to 83.0 in August), according to the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute’s Survey of Utah Consumer Sentiment. A similar survey conducted by the University of Michigan also found a 2.3% increase in sentiment among Americans as a whole during the same time (from 66.4 to 67.9). Neither monthly change was statistically significant. […]

September 4, 2024 (Salt Lake City) – Utah currently suffers from a housing crisis. While this crisis directly affects people’s ability to secure affordable quality housing, the indirect impacts could be more long-term and potentially long-lasting. A new policy brief from the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute summarizes research detailing how housing affordability has both direct and indirect impacts on health outcomes. […]

August 14, 2024 (Salt Lake City) – On the November 2024 ballot, voters will decide whether to amend the Utah Constitution to allow income tax revenue to be used for any public function, contingent on maintaining certain school funding provisions. A new policy brief from the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute summarizes current and proposed uses of the income tax and impacts on K-12 funding. […]

August 9, 2024 (Salt Lake City) — This month, the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute released three reports detailing aspects of Utah’s population. They were: Demographic Insight: Utah’s California In-Migrants – One in five movers to Utah were Californians in 2022. This report highlights where these movers are living in Utah, as well as the differences and similarities between this population and other movers to Utah. California in-migrants were the largest domestic source of migration into Utah. Approximately half of California in-migrants were born in California, and almost one quarter of California in-migrants were born in Utah. Utah County attracted [...]