Recent Research
Recently Published
The most recent research published by the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute
A Visual Guide to Tax Modernization: Individual Income Tax in Utah
Utahns share a common interest in a state and local tax system that provides for our needs, keeps the economy strong, and remains viable over the long term. This visual guide, which is the fourth in a series, illustrates key components of Utah’s income tax – the fastest growing and most volatile major tax.
An Economic Summary of Salt Lake County’s Cultural Industry, 2023
In 2021, Salt Lake County’s cultural industry, including the design, education, entertainment, fashion, film, humanities, and traditional arts sectors, generated $6.2 billion in output (direct spending).
Storytelling through Data: Utah’s Rental Market Presentation
Utah’s renters, like much of the renters across the country, faced dramatic increases in housing costs throughout the pandemic. For the renters across the four Wasatch Front counties, average asking rents increased more in the two-year period between 2020 and 2022 then they increased between 2010 and 2020.
Utah’s Rental Market
Utah’s renters, like much of the renters across the country faced dramatic increases in housing costs throughout the pandemic. For the renters across the four Wasatch Front counties, average asking rents increased more in the two-year period between 2020 and 2022 then they increased between 2010 and 2020. At an annualized rate, between 2010 and 2020, asking rents increased 2.6% in Salt Lake County, between 2020 and 2022 the rate of change was 11.0%
April 2023 Utah Consumer Sentiment
Utah’s consumer sentiment was essentially unchanged in April (70.5) compared to March (70.2), according to the Kem C. Gardner Institute’s Survey of Utah Consumer Sentiment. A similar survey by the University of Michigan found sentiment rose slightly from March (62.0) to April (63.5) among Americans as a whole.
Policy Brief: Utah’s Energy Industry
Heading into 2022, energy experts debated the speed and timing of a return to “normal” energy demand following a tumultuous 2020–2021 as the world responded to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Utah’s Life Sciences Workforce and Industry Growth: 2012 to 2021
industry was a source of economic stability from 2012 to 2021. Job growth remained strong compared with other industries and states. Increasingly, life sciences companies provide a large share of Utah’s employee workforce relative to other states with significant life sciences sectors.
Hachman Index of Economic Diversity, 2021
The Hachman Index measures economic diversity. Using indicators such as gross domestic product (GDP) or employment, the index measures the mix of industries present in a particular region relative to a (well-diversified) reference region.
March 2023 Utah Consumer Sentiment
Utah’s consumer sentiment was essentially unchanged in March (70.2) compared to February (70.4), according to the Kem C. Gardner Institute’s Survey of Utah Consumer Sentiment. A similar survey by The University of Michigan found sentiment fell from February (67.0) to March (62.0) among Americans as a whole.
State and County Population Estimates FAQ
This document specifically discusses state and county resident population estimates for Utah, discussing and comparing two main sources: the Utah Population Committee estimates, and the Census Bureau estimates.