Recent Research
Click on the links below to view the most recent research published by the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute.
Utah Population Committee Postcensal Estimates Accuracy Analysis, 2010-2020
Compared with the count from the 2020 census, the Utah Population Committee (UPC) population estimate of 3,259,792 underestimated the state count by 11,824 people or .4%. When considering the individual methods used in UPC, the Housing Stock method was the most accurate, while the LDS method was the least at the state level. The performance of the UPC estimates compared to the 2020 census and the individual UPC methods varied by county.
Salt Lake City: Utah’s Thriving Urban Center
Salt Lake City is the foremost flourishing center for commerce, sports, entertainment, culture, and education in the Mountain West. Utah’s capital defies the trends of many urban centers as the forces of decentralization pull people, jobs, and commerce away from the urban core, resulting in urban decay. In the next decade, even as Utah’s capital city grapples with growth challenges, Salt Lake City will welcome thousands of new residents who will benefit from a new Temple Square, may secure a new professional sports franchise(s), will host a second Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, and will grow entertainment, cultural offerings, and [...]
A Look into the 2010-2020 Decline in Salt Lake City’s Youth Population
Salt Lake City's under-18 population decreased by almost 5,000 residents last decade, while its adult population continued to grow.
Public Health Practice: Effective Technical Assistance Modalities to Support Chronic Disease Prevention Programming
Stakeholders pursuing Medicaid coverage of the National Diabetes Prevention Program (National DPP) lifestyle change program must engage in intensive and intentional activity. Effective technical assistance (TA) can support stakeholders in reaching the activity level necessary to gain coverage and successfully deliver the program to Medicaid beneficiaries.
Utah Travel and Tourism County Profiles, 2022
The Gardner Institute produces leading travel and tourism research in Utah. We produce reports, profiles, research briefs, fact sheets, data sheets, and blogs on Utah’s visitor economy. Our research informs the Utah Office of Tourism, destination marketing organizations, policymakers, and the general public.
Economic Impacts of Utah’s Life Sciences and Health Care Innovation Industry
Utah’s life sciences and health care innovation industry creates substantial economic impacts across the state.
November 2023 Utah Consumer Sentiment
Utah’s consumer sentiment rose 6.4% in November (from 69.1 in October to 73.6), according to the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute’s Survey of Utah Consumer Sentiment. A similar survey by the University of Michigan found that sentiment fell 4.0% among Americans as a whole during the same time (from 63.8 to 61.3).
Opportunity Knocks: The Fiscal Impacts of Declining School-age Population in Utah
Utah’s changing demographics, marked by a projected decline in the school-age population, present unique fiscal impacts and opportunities for state and local leaders.
Relational Health: The Connection Between Adult and Childhood Mental Health
Childhood mental health is influenced by several factors, including genetic predisposition, parental or caregiver mental health, and exposure to Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) such as violence in the home or community, emotional abuse or neglect, and economic hardship. Although the relationship between these factors is complex, Utah’s higher-than-average ACE scores and adult mental health needs indicate areas of potential influence to support childhood mental health in the state.
An Economic Summary of Uintah County’s Cultural Industry, 2023
Uintah County’s cultural industry, which includes the design, education, entertainment, fashion, film, humanities, and traditional arts sectors, generated $37.2 million in output (direct spending) in 2022. This $37.2 million directly supported an estimated 330 jobs and indirectly supported an additional 95 jobs in Uintah County.
