Recent Research
Recently Published
The most recent research published by the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute
Fact Sheet: Estimates for Utah’s Middle Class in 2019
The Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute prepares regular estimates of the population size of Utah’s middle class. The Gardner Institute bases its estimates on household income, compared with state medians and federal poverty guidelines by household size. This fact sheet provides Utah decision-makers with information about income classes in the state in 2019. After the U.S. Census Bureau releases 2020 data in November 2021, the Gardner Institute will issue a full report.
State and County Population Estimates for Utah: 2020
These estimates measure the period from July 1, 2019 through July 1, 2020. 75% of this timeframe experienced an economic expansion, and 25% of this period underwent the beginnings of a global pandemic and economic recession. The 2020 estimates utilize two data sources from before the pandemic and two data sources during the pandemic. Therefore, we simultaneously capture the pre and during COVID-19 time period, essentially reducing the impacts of both.
December 2020 Utah Consumer Confidence
Our survey shows little change in consumer sentiment among Utahns between November and December 2020. Sentiment rose slightly for the U.S. as a whole, according to a similar survey by the University of Michigan.
Utah’s Economic Exceptionalism
On my drive home from work on March 11, 2020, I could tell something was awry. The Utah Jazz game against the OklaÂhoma City Thunder was set to tip off, but the radio play-by-play announcer seemed confused. Players and officials mingled on the court, but nobody walked to the center circle for tipoff. There was a long pause, and then an even longer one. Then the news broke: Utah Jazz all-star Rudy Gobert tested positive for Covid-19. The officials suspended the game and within hours the NBA suspended the season. That same day, the World Health Organization declared Covid-19 a [...]
Utah’s Industry Cluster Supply Chains: A Regional Analysis
This report presents Utah’s economic regions and analyzes the supply chains of significant industry clusters located within those regions. Regional clusters purchase significant shares of inputs from within the region or from other regions in Utah.
Utah’s Economic Regions
The Utah economy organizes systematically into six economic regions. These regions capture local commuting patterns and score well for other measures of economic connection.
Utah Homeless Services: Governance Structure and Funding Model
The Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute prepared this assessment of Utah’s homeless services governance structure and funding at the request of the Utah Legislature and the philanthropic community. This assessment involved a collaborative review process of the governance structure and funding model in Utah. Utah has made strides towards our goal of making homelessness rare, brief, and non-recurring. This is a tribute to the service providers and leaders of this state. The next step is to create a simpler, more transparent, and coordinated system for homeless services that will better serve those in need. We offer these six recommendations to [...]
State of Utah Population by Age, Sex, Race and Ethnicity, 2010–2019
Utah’s 2019 population was estimated at 3,220,272. Between 2010 and 2019, it grew by 447,875, representing an average annual percentage growth rate of 1.7 percent. The state remains relatively young with 29.3 percent of the population being preschool or school age (under 18), compared to 11.2 percent of retirement age (65 and older).
Demographic County Profiles by Age, Sex, Race and Ethnicity, 2010–2019
Utah’s 2019 population was estimated at 3,220,272. Between 2010 and 2019, it grew by 447,875, representing an average annual percentage growth rate of 1.7 percent. The state remains relatively young with 29.3 percent of the population being preschool or school age (under 18), compared to 11.2 percent of retirement age (65 and older).
November 2020 Utah Consumer Confidence
Our survey shows consumer sentiment among Utahns fell between October and November 2020.
