Recent Research
Recently Published
The most recent research published by the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute
Salt Lake City Data Book: Utah’s Capital City Demographic Resource
Created to inform decision-making in city government, this data book provides insights into Salt Lake City’s population and households at two levels: city council districts and census tracts.
Growing but Narrowing: Long-Term Structural Changes in Utah’s Sales Tax Base
Utah’s sales tax base grew with inflation and population growth in recent decades but failed to pace with economic growth until recently.
Decoding the Income Tax Earmark: Proposed Changes to Utah’s Constitution
On the November 2024 ballot, voters will decide whether or not to amend the Utah Constitution to allow the use of income tax revenue for any public function, contingent on maintaining certain school funding provisions.
An Economic Summary of Summit County’s Cultural Industry, 2023
Summit County’s cultural industry, which includes the design, education, entertainment, fashion, film, humanities, and traditional arts sectors, generated $534.1 million in output (direct spending) and supported an estimated 1,845 Summit County jobs in 2023.
An Economic Summary of Rich County’s Cultural Industry, 2023
Rich County’s cultural industry, which includes the design, education, entertainment, fashion, film, humanities, and traditional arts sectors, generated $3.2 million in output (direct spending) and supported an estimated 36 Rich County jobs in 2023.
An Economic Summary of Cache County’s Cultural Industry, 2023
Cache County’s cultural industry, which includes the design, education, entertainment, fashion, film, humanities, and traditional arts sectors, generated $392.4 million in output (direct spending) and supported an estimated 2,516 Cache County jobs in 2023.
An Economic Summary of Box Elder County’s Cultural Industry, 2023
Box Elder County’s cultural industry, which includes the design, education, entertainment, fashion, film, humanities, and traditional arts sectors, generated $54.0 million in output (direct spending) and supported an estimated 433 Box Elder County jobs in 2023.
July 2024 Utah Consumer Sentiment
Utah’s consumer sentiment increased by 4.9% in July (from 77.3 in June to 81.1 in July), according to the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute’s Survey of Utah Consumer Sentiment.
Utah State Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Review: A Growing State and Budget
As a rapidly changing state, Utah faces major economic and demographic transitions. Legislative budget priorities for FY 2025, which begins July 1, 2024, address current and future transitions.
Utah Olympic Winter Games: Then and Now
This fact sheet compares Utah in 2002 with Utah in 2034. In 2034, Utah will be larger, older, and more racially and ethnically diverse. The Utah economy will be nearly twice the size of 2002 and feature a much larger tourism sector, more international engagement, improved infrastructure, and a robust winter sports economy.