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.
June 2021 Utah Consumer Confidence
Our survey finds consumer sentiment among Utahns held steady from May to June. A similar survey by the University of Michigan, but concerning all Americans, measured a gain in sentiment over the same time period.
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).
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.
Ivory-Boyer Construction Report, Fourth Quarter 2020
The year 2020 was record-breaking for construction in the state of Utah. Total permitted construction value reached $11.0 billion for the year, a number that doesn’t reflect the economic challenges faced by the rest of the economy. The record-breaking year was led by a surge in residential construction activity. Residential construction value reached $6.7 billion in 2020, surpassing the previous 2006 record. Nonresidential construction value declined 3.4% from 2019 to $2.5 billion. Addition, alteration, and repair permitted values increased 31.2% from 2019 to $1.9 billion, also a record
March 2021 Utah Consumer Confidence
Our survey shows that consumer sentiment among Utahns continued to climb between February and March 2021. A similar survey by the University of Michigan concerning all Americans shows strong gains in sentiment during the same time period.
Ivory-Boyer Construction Report, Third Quarter 2020
Construction activity continued its momentum into the third quarter. Total permitted construction reached $8.01 billion for the period of January through September, a record and an increase of 9.4% from the same time period last year (Table 1). Residential construction values also set a record, increasing 10.7% from 2019 to $4.9 billion. Nonresidential construction overcame its slump in the first half of the year.
February 2021 Utah Consumer Confidence
Our survey shows an increase in consumer sentiment among Utahns between January and February 2021. This increase is driven by sharp gains in sentiment among females, those with college degrees, and particularly females with college degrees. A similar survey by the University of Michigan concerning all Americans finds sentiment fell during the same time period.
2021 Economic Report to the Governor
The Utah Economic Report to the Governor serves as the preeminent source for data, research, and analysis about the Utah economy. This 2021 version marks 33 consecutive years of publication. The report provides timely and relevant data and analysis about economic indicators, as well as a focus on critical industries in the state of Utah. The improved economic understanding and literacy helps decision-makers make economically informed decisions and helps Utah to prosper.
2021 Economic Report to the Governor: Highlights
Utah’s decade long expansion, the longest on record, ended in 2020 with the emergence of COVID-19. The public health crisis presented the greatest challenge to the Utah economy since the Great Recession. In the early spring, the forecast for 2020 was bleak as the unemployment rate in April climbed to roughly 10%. But as the year unfolded, the resiliency of the Utah economy was on full display. By November, Utah’s year-over employment was down only 0.2%, the smallest employment decline of any state, and the unemployment rate had dropped to 4.3%. Nationwide employment was down by 6.0%, and the unemployment[...]
January 2021 Utah Consumer Confidence
Our survey shows little change in consumer sentiment among Utahns between December 2020 and January 2021. U.S. data show analogous results, according to a similar survey by the University of Michigan.