Recent Research
Recently Published
The most recent research published by the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute
An Economic Summary of Washington County’s Cultural Industry, 2023
Washington County’s cultural industry, which includes the design, education, entertainment, fashion, film, humanities, and traditional arts sectors, generated $570.5 million in output (direct spending) in 2022. This $570.5 million directly supported an estimated 3,505 jobs and indirectly supported an additional 2,499 jobs in Washington County
New Utah: Keepers of the Flame Summary Document
As keepers of the flame, Utahns entrust those in public service with the responsibility to keep Utah strong and flourishing. Utah leaders’ guidance of the New Utah will determine the state’s future success. This summary presents evidence for the New Utah. It also shares ideas on what leaders can do today to keep Utah’s flame burning bright long into the future.
The New Utah: Keepers of the Flame Monograph
As keepers of the flame, Utahns entrust those in public service with the responsibility to keep Utah strong and flourishing. Utah leaders’ guidance of the New Utah will determine the state’s future success. This summary presents evidence for the New Utah. It also shares ideas on what leaders can do today to keep Utah’s flame burning bright long into the future.
El Nuevo Utah: Guardianes de la Llama (The New Utah Summary Spanish Translation)
En los albores del siglo XXI, los líderes de Utah colocaron una cápsula del tiempo bajo la escalinata del capitolio del estado de Utah. El repositorio histórico incluía un libro encuadernado en cuero con cartas para los futuros 124 dirigentes de los poderes ejecutivo, legislativo y judicial. La carta de presentación del exgobernador Mike Leavitt conmemoró la solemne responsabilidad de los líderes de Utah de actuar como «guardianes de la llama» (keepers of the flame). La llama simboliza la grandeza de Utah y la luz que comparte con el mundo.
El Nuevo Utah: Guardianes de la Llama (The New Utah Spanish Translation)
En los albores del siglo XXI, los líderes de Utah colocaron una cápsula del tiempo bajo la escalinata del capitolio del estado de Utah. El repositorio histórico incluía un libro encuadernado en cuero con cartas para los futuros 124 dirigentes de los poderes ejecutivo, legislativo y judicial. La carta de presentación del exgobernador Mike Leavitt conmemoró la solemne responsabilidad de los líderes de Utah de actuar como «guardianes de la llama» (keepers of the flame). La llama simboliza la grandeza de Utah y la luz que comparte con el mundo.
October 2023 Utah Consumer Sentiment
Utah’s consumer sentiment fell 9.4% in October (from 76.3 in September to 69.1), according to the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute’s Survey of Utah Consumer Sentiment. A similar survey by the University of Michigan found that sentiment fell 6.0% among Americans as a whole during the same time. Utah Consumers appear to be uncertain about economic conditions. Relatively high interest rates and unaffordable housing have to be balanced with a labor market that remains strong.
Demographic Impacts of Zero Migration in Utah – A Projection Scenario
Net migration has become a more dependable contributor to population growth in Utah. A simulation of zero migration highlights what those contributions are—with Utah’s projected population being 1.4 million less, or 23% smaller, than the 2021 Vintage baseline projected population in 2060.
The State of Utah’s Travel and Tourism Industry, September 2023 (Tri-Fold Brochure)
Visitors spent a record $11.98 billion in Utah’s economy in 2022, generating 152,800 total jobs and a record $2.12 billion in total state and local tax revenue. Utah ski resort visitation (7.1 million skier days) was at an all-time high during the 2022-2023 season, up 22% from the previous season.
Fact Sheet: Utah’s Home-Based Workers
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly accelerated growth in the number of Utahns working from home. In 2021, 1 in 5 (20%) Utahns worked from home, compared with fewer than one in thirteen (7.4%) in 2019.
State of the State’s Housing Market, 2022-2024
The pandemic years created unmatched volatility in Utah’s housing market. The volatility in these past two years surpassed 50 years of housing history. Building permits for residential units increased by 26% in 2021, only to fall by 26% in 2022. These COVID-19 pandemic years now join the Great Recession as one of those unique moments in Utah's housing market. The Great Recession produced 16 consecutive quarters of declining housing prices, while the pandemic produced the shortest and steepest homebuilding expansion and contraction on record.