Utah Economy
The Kem C. Gardner Policy 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.
Utah’s Economic Exceptionalism
On my drive home from work on March 11, 2020, I could tell something was awry. The Utah Jazz game against the Oklahoma City Thunder was set to tip off, but the radio play-by-play announcer seemed confused. Players and officials mingled on the court, but nobody walked to the center circle for tipoff. There was a long pause, and then an even longer one. Then the news broke: Utah Jazz all-star Rudy Gobert tested positive for Covid-19. The officials suspended the game and within hours the NBA suspended the season. That same day, the World Health Organization declared Covid-19 a[...]
November 2020 Utah Consumer Confidence
Our survey shows consumer sentiment among Utahns fell between October and November 2020.
October 2020 Economic Summary
Utah’s nonagricultural employment decreased by an estimated 0.9%, or 14,800 jobs, between September 2019 and September 2020. Nationally, employment decreased by 6.4%, or 9.7 million jobs, between September 2019 and September 2020.
October 2020 Utah Consumer Confidence
Our October survey of consumer sentiment—the first month this survey has been conducted—suggests sentiment may have a higher “level” in Utah than in the U.S., though we will need a few more months of data to confirm this. Table 1 shows responses to questions that define “sentiment” for Utah (our October survey) and the U.S. as a whole (from the University of Michigan).
September 2020 Economic Summary
Utah’s nonagricultural employment decreased by an estimated 1.6%, or 25,300 jobs, between August 2019 and August 2020. Nationally, employment decreased by 7.0%, or 10.5 million jobs, between August 2019 and August 2020.
Guest Insight: Utah Job Quality Report 2020
By Matthew Weinstein, Voices for Utah Children Note: The opinions expressed are those of the author alone and do not reflect an institutional position of the Gardner Institute. We hope the opinions shared contribute to the marketplace of ideas and help people as they formulate their own INFORMED DECISIONS™. Sep 15, 2020 – In honor of Labor Day earlier this month, Voices for Utah Children released the Utah Job Quality Report 2020. The report examines the quality of jobs in Utah in terms of wages, work hours, non-standard employment, safety, and other job quality criteria. The report compares Utah to[...]
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[...]
August 2020 Economic Summary
The impact of COVID-19 has significantly affected U.S. employment, GDP, and other economic factors. This report includes data from the first and second quarters of 2020 which reflect these effects. While the Utah economy has not escaped these unique circumstances, the state has fared better compared with national average metrics.
July 2020 Economic Summary
Utah’s nonagricultural employment decreased an estimated 2.8%, or 43,100 jobs, between June 2019 and June 2020. Nationally, employment also decreased significantly, by 8.7% or 13.2 million jobs, between June 2019 and June 2020.