Recent Research
Utah Demographic Characteristics: Religious Affiliation
Religious adherents and congregations by state provide an indication of religious affiliation in Utah. Utah has the largest share of religious adherents of any state with an estimated 76% of the population.
Subcounty Population Estimates: Comparing Census Bureau and Utah Population Committee, 2020-2023
The Census Bureau and Utah Population Committee (UPC) produce annual population estimates at the subcounty (city and town) level. Several differences exist between each estimate source, influencing which data should be used for different purposes.
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.
Wasatch Front Subcounty Estimates, 2020-2023
Utah added 55,989 residents in 2023, and three-quarters of this growth occurred in communities along the Wasatch Front in Salt Lake, Utah, Davis, and Weber counties.
Utah Demographic Characteristics: Age
Despite Utah’s standing as the youngest state in the nation, its population also continues to age. In 1980, less than 8% of Utah residents were over 65, but by 2020, this share increased to nearly 12%. Projections indicate the state’s retirement-age population will likely be more than 20% of Utah’s population by 2060.
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Recent Insights
Policy Insight: Utah’s Diverse Energy Portfolio
Utah possesses diverse energy resources ranging from crude oil and natural gas in the Uinta and Paradox Basins to renewable energies such as solar, wind, geothermal, hydro, and biomass.
Health Insight: Medical Inflation – Where Are We Now?
Given concerns about overall economic inflation, it may be surprising to learn that medical inflation is slowing and is currently approaching some of the lowest levels in history. A look at medical inflation over the last 20 years highlights this slowed growth (Figure 2). Except for a significant increase from 2019-2020 (4.7%), medical inflation growth continued to slow over the past three years.
Demographic Insight: New 2018-2022 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates Released
Last week, the Census Bureau released the newest 5-year estimates from the American Community Survey (ACS). The American Community Survey explores more than 40 different topics and a few findings from the newest data include: 8 in 10 Utahns speak English at home, Utah boasts the 2nd lowest poverty level in the nation, and Utah’s foreign-born population did not grow.
Insight: New 2023 Census Bureau Estimates- National, Regional, and State Total Population and Components of Population Change
By Emily Harris This week, the Census Bureau released its first set of population estimates for the 2023 vintage: national and state resident population and components of change. This release provides a snapshot of the total population for all 50 states on July 1, 2023. […]
Tourism Insight: The Hidden Health Benefits of Utah’s Natural Playground
Utah is often called “nature’s playground” due to its diverse range of terrain and year-round outdoor recreation opportunities. Each year, millions of people visit Utah’s parks and ski resorts to participate in a wide range of outdoor activities and, in the process, generate billions of dollars in economic impact. In addition to attracting visitor spending, Utah’s outdoor recreation opportunities offer a host of hidden health benefits—something that became more[...]