Recent Research
Click on the links below to view the most recent research published by the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute.
Utah’s Land Ownership Legacy: A History and Inventory of Utah’s Lands
The federal government owns 64.4% of Utah’s land – the second highest share in the country behind Nevada. Understanding the history of federal public land policy lays the foundation for understanding private, federal, state and tribal land ownership in Utah.
U.S. Census Bureau Estimates for Age, Vintage 2024
Utah remains the youngest state in the nation, with a median age of 32.4. In Utah, children under 18 still outnumber retirement-age residents, but this is no longer true in six of the state’s counties: Daggett, Garfield, Grand, Kane, Piute, and Wayne.
U.S. Census Bureau Estimates for Race and Hispanic or Latino Origin, Vintage 2024
Utah’s population continues to become increasingly racially and ethnically diverse. In 2023, 24.8% of Utahns identified as a race or ethnicity other than non-Hispanic White.
Wasatch Front Subcounty Estimates, Vintage 2024
Wasatch Front communities added nearly 37,000 new residents and nearly 18,000 new housing units between 2023 and 2024.
Utah Economic Council Forecast, June 2025
The Utah Economic Council prepares quarterly economic forecasts and is a collaborative endeavor of the David Eccles School of Business and the Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget.
The Economic Contribution of Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University strengthens Utah's Southwest Economic Region and statewide economies through high-quality education; institutional, student, and visitor spending; and broad societal benefits.
Tax System Design: Utah’s Tax Portfolio Highlights Tradeoffs Among Different Tax Choices
Taxes generate revenue to pay for public services demanded by citizens. These services, such as transportation, public safety, corrections, courts, health care, water, air quality, parks, and education provide economic and societal benefits.
The Economic Contribution of Utah State University
Utah State University strengthens Utah’s economy through high-quality education; research and innovation; institutional, student, and visitor spending; and broad societal benefits.
May 2025 Utah Consumer Sentiment
Utah’s consumer sentiment rose 1.4% in May, according to the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute’s Survey of Utah Consumer Sentiment. This modest monthly change (from 80.0 in April to 81.1 in May) falls well within the survey’s margin of error.
