News Release

Utah population reaches 3,404,760 on July 1, 2022, driven mostly by net migration

December 1, 2022 (Salt Lake City) – July 1, 2022 estimates, produced by the Utah Population Committee, indicate a total population of 3,404,760, adding 61,242 residents to the state over one year. The midyear reference date of these estimates reflects the economy opening and thriving in the middle of the pandemic, leading up to a turning point in the economic picture and resulting in a different growth trajectory in the latter half of 2022.

“In 2022, Utah continued to experience strong population growth, adding the most residents since 2006 with net migration driving nearly two-thirds of the increase,” said Gardner Institute director of demographic research Mallory Bateman. “This shift in the past two years from natural increase to net migration driving most of the growth reflects the combined impacts of increased deaths from COVID-19, decreasing births since 2008, and increasing net migration annually since 2015.”

Key findings include the following:

  • Total Growth – The Utah Population Committee estimates indicate a total population of 3,404,760 for July 1, 2022, an increase of 61,242 new residents, slightly more than adding a new Herriman- or Taylorsville-sized city.
  • Net Migration – For the second year in a row, net migration drove most of the growth – 62%.
  • Housing – The economic shifts and corrections and slowing of the housing markets in major growth areas in the latter half of 2022 is not reflected in these estimates, which reference July 1, 2022
  • Utah County – Utah County added the most population, with an estimated 23,980 new residents, or just over 39% of the state’s population growth.
  • Natural Decrease – Six counties experienced natural decrease, or more deaths than births, reflecting aging populations. However, five of these six smaller population, rural counties still grew due to net migration.

“The latest population estimates reflect a particular inflection point in the statewide story of growth and change, with the 2023 estimates likely reflecting broader economic shifts and their resulting impacts to migration,” said Laura Hanson, state planning coordinator at the Utah Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget and Utah Population Committee member. “These data are critical when planning for Utah’s future needs as our population grows and diversifies.”

The full policy brief is now available online.