Recent Research
Recently Published
The most recent research published by the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute
The State of Utah’s Travel and Tourism Industry
Utah's travel and tourism industry remained resilient in 2024 as inflation and gas prices calmed and recession fears dissipated over the year.
Utah/Federal Government Nexus Data Summary: Federal Public Education Funding in Utah
Utah’s FY 2026 state budget includes about $600 million in federal funds for public education, which makes up about 7% of the state’s total public education budget.
Utah/Federal Government Nexus Data Summary: Federal Housing Assistance
Federal housing assistance programs provided $482.6 million in financial support for Utah renters, developers, public housing authorities, and state and local governments in FY2022.
Salt Lake City Data Book 2025: Utah’s Capital City Demographic Resource
Salt Lake City accounted for 6.1% of Utah’s overall population in the 2019-2023 American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates. These 5-year estimates serve as the denominators for the percentages presented throughout this book and are presented for this reason.
Utah’s Marriage Trends: Young, Married, and Changing
Utah has the nation’s youngest median marriage age and the highest marriage rate, but younger Utahns are waiting longer to marry.
Marriage Penalties in Utah
Though relatively few and limited in scope, marriage penalties exist in both Utah's tax structure (primarily through income tax credits) and benefit programs.
Utah 2025 Peer Support Specialist Workforce Survey
Peer support specialists play a foundational role in Utah’s mental and behavioral health systems. Survey results suggest ways to address challenges related to retention, burnout, and turnover.
How Income Measures Shape Policy
No standard definition for income exists, making it essential to use the appropriate definition for a particular application when conducting policy analysis.
Household Income in Utah
After adjusting for localized cost-of-living differences between states, Utah’s median household income of over $98,000 ranks highest in the country.
Utah’s Regional Universities: Definition, Benefits, and Reach
Regional universities offer a wide range of open admissions programs, including academic, career, and technical education, undergraduate associate and baccalaureate programs, and select graduate programs.
