Recent Research
Recently Published
The most recent research published by the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute
Diversity in Utah: Race, Ethnicity, and Sex Data Book (Presentation Slides)
Utah ranks as the 34th most racially and ethnically diverse state in the nation, with 22% of the state identifying as other than non-Hispanic White. This places Utah’s racial/ethnic diversity just below Pennsylvania and above several larger states like Ohio, Indiana, Minnesota, Missouri, and Wisconsin. Utah’s minority share of the population is expected to increase to one in three Utahns by 2060.
Market Assessment: Air Quality / Changing Climate Solutions Laboratory
The redevelopment of the Utah State Prison property in Draper, Utah, presents a significant opportunity for a generational investment in Utah’s economic future. Of the 600 acres at the prison site, a portion is being considered for a university-led innovation district that solves difficult challenges and creates high quality jobs in Utah. One of these challenges, and a platform for future innovation, is air quality and a changing climate
May 2021 Utah Consumer Confidence
Our survey finds consumer sentiment among Utahns fell in May. A similar survey by the University of Michigan, but concerning all Americans, also measured a decrease in sentiment during May. Table 1 shows responses to questions that define “sentiment” for Utah (Gardner Institute survey) and the U.S. as a whole (from the University of Michigan).
Fact Sheet: Utah’s 2020 Census Apportionment, Resident, and Overseas Populations
Utah’s status as the fastest-growing state in the nation this decade could not match the absolute growth in other states, which drives the apportionment process. With an apportionment population of 3,275,252, Utah’s congressional delegation remains at four seats for the next decade, with each seat representing approximately 818,813 Utahns.
April Newsmaker Breakfast: Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Data
A preview of of race, ethnicity, and gender indicators to help support greater equity, diversity, and inclusion in Utah.
Fact Sheet: Refugees in Utah
A refugee is someone who, “owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, is outside the country of his or her nationality and is unable to or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that country” (8 U.S. Code § 1101).
April 2021 Utah Consumer Confidence
Our survey finds that consumer sentiment among Utahns held steady in April following a large gain in March. A similar survey by the University of Michigan, but concerning all Americans, found sentiment increasing in April, though at a slower rate than in March.
COVID-19 Impacts by Gender
The COVID-19 public health recession created an economic shock that reverberated across industries, occupations, and genders. While the economic accounting is incomplete, initial data yield compelling insights about the pandemic's impact on men and women in both the Utah and U.S. economies.
What’s New in Utah’s 2020 Census Geography?
Geography is a foundational aspect of the census, providing the framework for the once-a-decade count of population and housing. The U.S. Census Bureau released Utah’s 2020 census geographic boundaries in February, with the corresponding demographic data planned for release in September 2021. Though census count data are not available yet, census geography provides insight into the decade’s population change and defines the upcoming data’s reference locations.
An Economic Analysis of Zion National Park Scenarios, 2021
Proposed developments at Zion National Park’s east entrance include the construction of a new visitor center, lodging, and hiking/biking trails along with the deployment of an electric shuttle fleet. This study analyzes the economic impacts of east park improvements on Kane and Washington counties over 10 years by comparing this high-investment scenario with a projected baseline scenario.
