Lights from the popular carnival midway brighten the autumn sky during the Utah State Fair. More than 145 events at the Utah State Fairpark generated more than $264 million in economic impact in 2025, according to a new report released by the State Fair Park Authority. (Courtesy Visit Salt Lake)
The Utah State Fair and year-round activities at its home in northwest Salt Lake City have proved to be a major economic engine for Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County and the state of Utah.
The Utah State Fairpark & Event Center generated an estimated $264.2 million in total economic impact in 2025, supporting 1,844 ongoing jobs and producing $79.1 million in wages, according to a new study released by the fair’s leadership.
Conducted by Johnson Consulting, the “Economic & Fiscal Impact Analysis” study commissioned by the State Fair Park Authority outlines the Fairpark’s role not only as the host of a community tradition of the Utah State Fair, but as a statewide economic boon.
The Utah State Legislature created the State Fair Park Authority as an independent, nonprofit and separate body operating with the intent that it support itself without taxpayer assistance. The organization has been self-sustaining for the past five years, the report found. State statute places the responsibility for operating and maintaining the facility onto the authority, including the cost required to care for the historic facility.
In total, the Fairpark attracted 785,636 visitors in 2025, generating more than 51,220 hotel room nights and producing an estimated $17.5 million in tax revenues for state and local jurisdictions. The analysis found that $131.2 million in direct spending was generated by visitors in 2025 and that spending rippled through Utah’s economy to create $264.2 million in total economic impact. Fairpark activities supported 1,844 jobs in 2025 and the various events at the facility generated $17.5 million in sales, lodging and rental car tax revenues.
Tax revenues generated at the park included $11.3 million to the state of Utah, $3.8 million to Salt Lake County and $2.4 million to Salt Lake City.
Between 2023 and 2025, overall economic impact increased at an average annual rate of 26.6 percent, while fiscal impact grew 33.4 percent annually.
As expected, the 2025 Utah State Fair delivered the most economic impact, attracting 302,205 visitors over 11 days and generating $465 million in total economic impact, $19.7 million in wages, 7,030 hotel room nights and $2.5 million in tax revenues.
Non-fair events drew 483,431 attendees and generated $199.5 million in total economic impact.
“Fairs and fairgrounds are often viewed as cultural traditions — and they are — but this analysis clearly demonstrates that the Utah State Fairpark is also one of the region’s most significant economic development assets,” said Larry Mullenax, executive director of the Utah State Fairpark. “The Fairpark delivers meaningful returns in jobs, wages, tourism and tax revenues that directly benefit our communities.”