The Gardner Policy Institute provides data-driven, context-specific insights about Utah’s economy. We prepare in-depth studies on key Utah issues in partnership with stakeholders in the private sector and state and local government. The institute employs a diverse group of economists and analysts with specialties that include healthcare, energy and natural resources, tourism, and real estate and construction. Our research provides vital information decision makers and the public use to help Utah prosper.
Housing, Construction, & Real Estate
The State of Utah’s Travel and Tourism Industry, 2025 (Tri-fold Brochure)
Visitors spent a record $12.71 billion in Utah’s economy in 2023, generating 159,800 total jobs and a record $2.35 billion in state and local tax revenue. Utah ski resort visitation was the second highest on record during the 2023-2024 season (6.7 million skier days).
Medicaid Funding 101
Medicaid funding and CHIP (the Children’s Health Insurance Program) fund health care services for about 340,000 low-income Utahns (about 11% of Utah’s population). As a jointly funded state/federal program, funding shares vary by state.
Measuring Economic Diversity/Hachman Index
Utah ranks among the top 10 most economically diverse states in the U.S., maintaining its 2022 position as having the 7th highest Hachman Index score in 2023.
The Economic Impacts of Utah’s Fintech Industry
Many factors, including strong economic multipliers, position Utah's fintech industry to grow and play a larger role in the state's economy.
U.S. and Utah Economic Overview
The remarkably resilient U.S. economy continued flying high in 2024. Labor markets softened somewhat off all-time low unemployment, yet overall upward momentum persisted in both the U.S. and Utah economies.
Utah Social Indicators
Utah fares comparatively well on many social indicators. Selected measures come from five domains: economic, demographic, socioeconomic, health, and safety.
