News Release

August 2, 2022 (Salt Lake City) – Utah’s multiracial (two or more races) resident population added the most residents and was the fastest-growing racial or ethnic group regardless of Hispanic or Latino origin between 2010 and 2020, according to a report from the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute. The report uses the 2020 census redistricting data to provide insights into Utah’s multiracial population, including ethnicity, youth and adult populations, and where people live.

Considering race alone without ethnicity, the multiracial (two or more races) population increased by 276% since 2010 in the United States and 269% in Utah. Utah’s multiracial population growth ranked 13th fastest in the nation. This increase accounted for an additional 203,495 Utahns and drove approximately 40% of the decade’s statewide growth.

“Both in Utah and throughout the US, the multiracial populations grew significantly in the last decade,” said Gardner Institute Director of Demographic Research Mallory Bateman. “This report is intended to provide an additional level of insight into this important category that represents many different identities of Utah residents.”

Key highlights from the report include the following:

• Multiracial Utahns drove approximately 40% of this decade’s statewide growth, adding 203,495 residents since 2010.
• Multiracial Utahns identify as 57 different combinations of the five available race options, with the largest including White or Some Other Race.
• Over 90% of the multiracial population identified as a combination of exactly two race categories.
• Over half of Utahns identifying as multiracial also identified as Hispanic or Latino.
• The American Indian or Alaska Native share of the total population more than doubled when adding multiracial residents who include this group in their identity, from around 1.3% of Utahns (41,644) to 2.7% (87,234).
• Grand, Salt Lake, Utah, and Weber counties have higher shares of the population identifying as multiracial than the state.

“I am grateful for the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute’s efforts that help us understand our changing demographics,” said Nubia Peña, Director of the Utah Division of Multicultural Affairs and Senior Advisor to Gov. Spencer Cox on Equity & Opportunity. “This report highlights and affirms the vibrant diversity that exists in Utah and the immense opportunity we have to develop deeper relationships across our growing multicultural communities. The data also provides insight into our present and future workforce, which can help employers better prepare to attract and retain diverse talent by integrating principles of inclusion and belonging within their organizations. This can further support efforts that seek to expand economic, health, education and housing opportunities for all Utahns and help foster a community of belonging for those who call this great state their home. ”

The full research brief is now available online.

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