Economic Indicators
The Gardner Institute provides economic indicators for the U.S. and Utah, publishes an economics dashboard, administers the monthly consumer sentiment survey, produces Utah Informed, and prepares the annual Economic Report to the Governor.
Ivory-Boyer Construction Report, 2nd Quarter 2020
The momentum of a record-setting first quarter continued into the second quarter of the year. While COVID-19 ravaged the economy and led to all-time high unemployment, construction activity held on. Total permit-authorized construction value in Utah during the first half of 2020 is $4.8 billion, a slight increase of 0.4% over last year and a year-to-date record (see Table 1 and Figure 1). While both residential and nonresidential construction value decreased slightly, the 19.0% increase in additions, alterations, and repairs made sure construction value for the first two quarters of 2020 remained nearly identical to 2019. Total permitted residential units[...]
Ivory-Boyer Construction Report, First Quarter 2020
As this report reflects the first three months of 2020, the severe economic impacts of the COVID-19 health pandemic are not yet captured. Without knowing what lay ahead, based on first-quarter figures, one could have forecast 2020 as one of the best construction years on record. Total permitted construction value for the first quarter exceeded $2.5 billion, a record. This was led by a surge in the residential sector, with new permitted units increasing by 47.7% over last year, and a 46.5% increase in additions, alterations and repairs. However, as the impacts of the health pandemic continue to ravage the[...]
Measuring Economic Diversity: The Hachman Index, 2018
Utah is a leader among U.S. states for industrial diversity. A Hachman Index analysis using 2018 GDP data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis and aggregated to the two-digit NAICS code, reveals that Utah’s industrial distribution is very similar to that of the United States.
Ivory-Boyer Construction Report, Year-End 2019
In 2019, the value of permit-authorized construction in Utah totaled $9.8 billion, the highest year ever in both current and inflation-adjusted dollars. Sixty percent of the total construction value was in the residential sector, which rose 12.5% from 2018 to $5.8 billion. The strength of the residential sector is a result of robust growth in multifamily development. Apartments alone experienced an 80.6% increase in units from 2018. Nonresidential construction value in 2019 was $2.6 billion. Activity in the office and professional, and industrial and warehouse sectors drove commercial construction value in the state at $693.2 million and $671.9 million, respectively.[...]
2020 Utah Economic Report to the Governor
The 2020 Economic Report to the Governor is the 32nd publication in this series. Through the last three decades, the Economic Report to the Governor as served as the preeminent source for data, research, and analysis about the Utah economy. It includes a national and state economic overview, a summary of state government economic development activities, an analysis of economic activity based on the standard indicators, and a detailed review of industries and issues of particular interest. The primary goal of the report is to improve the reader’s understanding of the Utah economy. With improved economic literacy, decision makers in[...]
Ivory-Boyer Construction Report, 3rd Quarter 2019
This year is shaping up to be another record year for Utah’s construction industry. Through the third quarter of 2019, the total value of permit-authorized construction is $7.4 billion, surpassing the pre-recession high of $7.2 billion in 2007 (inflation-adjusted). The residential sector accounts for 60% of the total statewide value. Most of the residential growth is in apartments.
Ivory-Boyer Construction Report, 2nd Quarter 2019
The total statewide value of permit authorized construction in Utah during the first half of 2019 is $4.7 billion (Table 1). The residential sector accounts for almost two-thirds of statewide construction value, totaling $2.9 billion. Activity in the commercial sector remained strong through the second quarter bringing total nonresidential construction value to $1.2 billion, a 13.5 percent increase from mid-year 2018.
Ivory-Boyer Construction Report, 1st Quarter 2019
The total statewide value of permit authorized construction during the first quarter of 2019 is $2.0 billion. This value is within a few million dollars of an all-time first quarter high in 2018 (inflation adjusted). Nonresidential construction value is particularly strong with a total of $641 million, up 35 percent over 2018. The number and value of residential permits issued, however, are down from the strong first quarter of 2018. Nevertheless, first quarter 2019 is still the second highest year in residential value since 2006 and the second highest in residential permits since 2007.
Ivory-Boyer Construction Report, Year End 2018
Utah’s construction activity in the fourth quarter of 2018 tapered off. However, due to a strong start in the beginning of the year, the statewide value of construction totaled nearly $8.5 billion, a 3.3 percent increase from 2017. Residential construction remained the driving force behind Utah’s construction industry, comprising 61 percent of the state’s total construction value in 2018. This year saw a 5.5 percent increase in the total number of residential units, with 24,241 units, the highest number of units in 12 years. Nonresidential construction remained above $2 billion for the year, for the fourth year in a row,[...]
Measuring Economic Diversity: The Hachman Index, 2017
The Hachman Index is a measure of economic diversity. Using indicators such as gross domestic product (GDP) or employment, the index measures the mix of industries present in a particular region relative to a (well-diversified) reference region. Hachman Index scores are normalized from 0 to 100.