Public Policy
The Gardner Institute provides data-driven, context-specific insights about public policy in Utah. We prepare in-depth quantitative and qualitative studies on key Utah issues in partnership with private-sector stakeholders and state and local government. Our research provides vital information decision-makers and the public use to help Utah prosper.
Featured Research
Great Salt Lake Data and Insights Summary, January 2026
In 2025, Utah continued to make progress on the health and long-term future of Great Salt Lake. The lake remains below healthy levels, but conditions have stabilized. Actions to ensure a healthy Great Salt Lake remain necessary, urgent, and possible. This report synthesizes essential data and insights to inform the recovery of Great Salt Lake.
Fact Sheet: Early Literacy in Utah
Reading proficiency in the early grades plays a critical role in Utah students’ academic trajectories and future opportunities. This fact sheet highlights current early literacy outcomes and evidence on what improves reading success.
The Future is Watching: Understanding Utah’s Early Literacy Landscape
Nearly half of Utah’s current young students do not read at grade level. Research shows that this can be improved with evidence-based instruction and coordinated support.
A Profile of Affordable Housing Programs and Funding in Utah, FY 2022
Nearly 30 programs provided hundreds of millions of dollars in housing assistance to Utah homeowners and renters in FY 2022.
A Portrait of Agriculture in Utah
Utah’s 17,386 farm operations, covering nearly one-fifth of all land statewide, sold a variety of products totaling $2.3 billion in 2022.
Northwest Valley Datapoints: Northwest Salt Lake County Demographics
Northwest Valley, home to 331,328 Utahns, includes five communities ranging in size from 36,000 residents in Kearns to nearly 140,000 in West Valley City. Between 2020 and 2024, populations grew in Magna and the west side of Salt Lake City but declined slightly in Kearns, Taylorsville, and West Valley City.
The Economic Contributions of Utah’s Ski Industry, 2025
Utah is home to 15 ski resorts, including the nation’s largest ski resort (Park City). Ten of the state's resorts are less than an hour from Salt Lake City International Airport.
Degrees of Opportunity: Aligning Education and Workforce for Utah’s Prosperity
Boosting educational attainment, reducing persistent gaps, and ensuring alignment with workforce demands can help expand opportunity and sustain Utah’s economic momentum.
Educational Achievement and Workforce Development: A Review of Community-Based Approaches
Community-based partnerships engage parents and families and align schools, service providers, and communities around shared goals and outcomes; when designed and implemented effectively, they offer a promising way to improve education, health, and economic opportunity for Utah youth.
The State of Utah’s Travel and Tourism Industry, October 2025 (Tri-fold Brochure)
Utah’s travel and tourism industry is a significant contributor to the state’s economy, fostering job creation, supporting local businesses, and generating tax revenue. The industry comprises private and public entities that promote leisure and business travel and provide tourism-related goods and services.
