Utah Economy
The Gardner Institute provides analysis and data-driven, context-specific insights about the Utah economy. We prepare in-depth studies on key Utah issues in partnership with stakeholders in the private sector and in state and local government. Our research provides vital information that decision-makers and the public use to help Utah prosper.
Gardner Business Review: A Retrospective of Utah’s Urban-Rural History
Ninety percent of Utah’s population qualifies as urban, making Utah one of the most urban states in the nation. This historical overview describes the process whereby a few counties became heavily urban while the majority of Utah’s counties remain rural today.
Utah/Federal Government Nexus Data Summary: Research Funding in Utah
Utah received $4.4 billion in federal research and development (R&D) funding in FY 2023. About 80% of this amount went to private businesses, 10% to higher education, and 9% to federal agencies within the state.
Utah Economic Council Forecast, March 2025
The Utah Economic Council, convened by the David Eccles School of Business and Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget, publishes regular economic forecasts related to the Utah and U.S. economies. This includes potential risks to both the state and national economies that the council assesses and weighs.
Utah/Federal Government Nexus Data Summary: Balance of Payments Between Utah and the Federal Government
Utah consistently places in the bottom quarter of states in per capita federal balance of payments (taxes paid less funds received by Utahns) in various measures over time and using different methodologies.
Public Policy Lessons From the Michael O. Leavitt Administration: Human Services
As Utah’s population grows and ages, human services require attention upstream and across sectors. Leaders can make sustainable investments in social capital and physical and mental health services.
Utah/Federal Government Nexus Data Summary: Medicaid
Medicaid and CHIP (the Children’s Health Insurance Program) fund health care services for about 353,000 Utahns with low income as of February 2025.
Economic Impacts from Utah Retirement Systems 2024 Pension Payments
Utah Retirement Systems distributed $2.1 billion in defined benefit pension payments to 72,400 Utah residents in 2024, generating 7,200 jobs with $377.5 million in earnings and $828.8 million in state GDP.
Utah/Federal Government Nexus Data Summary: Defense in Utah
Approximately 55,000 defense employees work in Utah, consisting of federal defense civilian employees (over 19,000), military personnel (almost 16,000), and employees of private defense contractors (roughly 20,200).
Utah/Federal Government Nexus Data Summary: Utah Public Lands
The federal government owns 64.4% of Utah’s total land area (35.0 million out of 54.3 million acres). The federal government holds in trust for tribal nations an additional 4.5% of the state’s land.
Utah/Federal Government Nexus Data Summary: Federal Funds in Utah’s State Budget
In FY 2024, federal funds comprised 27% of the state’s spending, totaling just over $7 billion of the $26 billion total.
