Recent Research
Click on the links below to view the most recent research published by the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute.
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.
Policy Brief: Housing Prices and Affordability
In 2022, higher home prices and a doubling of the mortgage rate combined to erode housing affordability. Thus, homeownership has become more difficult for many of Utah’s 333,000 renter households.
The State of Utah’s Travel and Tourism Industry, 2021
Utah’s travel and tourism industry has experienced a healthy post-pandemic recovery, yet continues to face a service industry labor shortage, stunted international visitation, and inflationary headwinds.
An Economic Summary of Utah’s Cultural Industry, 2023
In 2021, Utah’s cultural industry, which comprises the design, education, entertainment, fashion, film, humanities, and traditional arts sectors, generated $10.1 billion in output (direct spending) and supported an estimated 65,300 Utah jobs.
February Newsmaker Breakfast: Great Salt Lake Policy Assessment Slides
Presented by the Great Salt Lake Strike Team, a Collaboration of Utah's Research Universities and State Agencies
Great Salt Lake Strike Team Policy Assessment Executive Summary
Declining water levels threaten economic activity, public health, and ecosystems of Great Salt Lake and surrounding communities. This policy assessment provides a summary of data, insights, and policy options that will inform strategies to improve water management and increase deliveries to the lake. The Strike Team quickly synthesizes cutting-edge research and delivers information to those who need it most. It includes top researchers from Utah’s research universities who are experts in public policy, hydrology, water management, climatology, and dust. They join with experts from Utah state agencies, who are the “boots on the ground” in overseeing Great Salt Lake. In [...]
Great Salt Lake Policy Assessment: A Synthesized Resource Document for the 2023 General Legislative Session
Declining water levels threaten economic activity, public health, and ecosystems of Great Salt Lake and surrounding communities. This policy assessment provides a summary of data, insights, and policy options that will inform strategies to improve water management and increase deliveries to the lake. The Strike Team quickly synthesizes cutting-edge research and delivers information to those who need it most. It includes top researchers from Utah’s research universities who are experts in public policy, hydrology, water management, climatology, and dust. They join with experts from Utah state agencies, who are the “boots on the ground” in overseeing Great Salt Lake. In [...]
An Economic Overview for Utah and U.S.
Utah enters 2023 facing significant economic uncertainty as decision-makers continue to grapple with ever-changing pockets of economic strength and weakness. The post-pandemic economy has altered many traditional economic relationships. These economic transformations make accurate predictions challenging because it’s unclear if or when old patterns will return, or if new arrangements will chart a different economic course.
Income Tax insights
In recent decades, income tax revenue growth outpaced growth in the two other major taxes (property tax and sales and use tax), even with tax rate cuts. In fact, since full implementation of Utah’s current single rate system in 2008, Utah’s income tax base has more than paced with the economy.
February 2023 Utah Consumer Sentiment
Utah’s consumer sentiment decreased from 75.6 in January to 70.4 in February, according to the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute’s Survey of Utah Consumer Sentiment. A similar survey by the University of Michigan found sentiment rose from January (64.9) to February (67.0) among Americans as a whole.
