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.
Fact Sheet: Utah’s Middle Class
The Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute prepares regular estimates of the population size of Utah’s middle class. The Gardner Institute bases its estimates on household income, compared with state medians and other percentiles by household size.
Mean Center of Population and Employment in Utah’s Economic Regions
The mean center of population and employment in northern Utah both fall in Salt Lake City. This reflects the strong influence Utah’s Greater Salt Lake economic region, namely Salt Lake City and County.
May 2024 Utah Consumer Sentiment
Utah’s consumer sentiment increased by 1.8% in May (from 76.3 in April to 77.7), according to the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute’s Survey of Utah Consumer Sentiment. This monthly change is not statistically significant.
Utah International Trade, 2023
Utah exported $17.4 billion in goods in 2023, contributing over $8.0 billion to the state’s gross domestic product, $16.7 billion to the state’s gross output (industry sales), and 71,891 jobs
Data Book: Utah Demographic Characteristics
This data book presents selected characteristics by age, disability, race, ethnicity, sex, religion and geographic location. Together, these characteristics showcase a growing and changing state.
Utah Demographic Characteristics: Disability
National surveys estimate that between 12% and 25% of Utah adults have a disability. A new summary analysis from the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute finds that data across different surveys show that Utahns with a disability are more likely to have less income, lower education attainment, higher housing cost burdens, lower access to health coverage, and poor health.
April 2024 Utah Consumer Sentiment
Utah’s consumer sentiment decreased by 2.2% in April 2024 (from 78.0 in March to 76.3), according to the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute’s Survey of Utah Consumer Sentiment.
Weber and Davis Counties: Demographic and Economic Profile
This profile focuses on Weber and Davis counties, a multi-county area within the Greater Salt Lake region. While the Greater Salt Lake region accounts for 90.3% of Utah's economy, these two counties account for 13.9% of Utah's economy.
The Economic Contributions of Utah’s Ski Industry
Utah is home to 15 ski resorts, including the nation’s largest ski resort (Park City). Eleven of the state's resorts are less than an hour from Salt Lake International Airport.
March 2024 Utah Consumer Sentiment
Utah’s consumer sentiment decreased by 2.9% in March (from 80.3 in January to 78.0), according to the Gardner Institute's March 2024 Survey of Utah Consumer Sentiment.
