Utah’s demographic profile becoming more racially and ethnically diverse

The Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute at the University of Utah has updated its 2021 data book, finding that Utah’s demographic profile is becoming more racially and ethnically diverse. The profile continues to feature a youthful, aging and predominantly urban state. The update reveals significant variation and marked differences in the economic, education, health and housing outcomes by age, disability, ethnicity, geographic location (urban/rural), race and sex, the institute said in a release.

“Every Utahn has a different experience, which can be influenced by their age, disability, ethnicity, geographic location, race and sex, among other characteristics,” said Mallory Bateman, a director of the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute. “This publication provides data insights to inform decisions and start conversations. Due to the complexity behind many of these differences, this resource does not attempt to explain or assign causality for the included topics.”

Key findings from the report include the following:

Racial and ethnic diversity changes with population growth. Utah continues to diversify racially and ethnically, with the minority share of the population increasing for six consecutive decades. Today, nearly one in four (24 percent) Utahns identifies as a racial or ethnic minority.

Age. Utah’s population continues to age because of declining fertility rates and the aging of the adult population. This trend will likely continue, impacting life experiences and public policies related to education, economics, housing, health, transportation and more.

Disability. National surveys estimate that between 12 percent and 25 percent of adults in Utah have a disability. Utahns with a disability are more likely to have less income, lower educational attainment, higher housing cost burdens, lower access to health coverage and poor health.

Religious affiliation. Utah includes the largest share of religious adherents of any state — estimated at 76.1 percent of the population, compared to 48.6 percent for the nation.

Urban and rural populations. Nine out of every 10 Utahns live in an urban area. Utah’s urban areas represent 1.1 percent of the state’s land area. Utah’s urban and rural residents share similar income levels, household types and educational attainment but vary in age and racial and ethnic makeup.

Median personal income. White, not Hispanic or Latino, and Asian populations ages 16 and older show the highest median personal incomes in Utah (2017-2021). The American Indian/Alaska Native and black or African American populations rank the furthest below the state median.

Education outcomes. Schools with a higher concentration of economically disadvantaged students tend to have worse educational outcomes.

Life expectancy. A more than 10-year difference exists between Utah’s longest life expectancy (Asians) and the shortest (Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander). Utah men live on average 4.4 years less than women.

Homeownership and housing tenure. A greater share of Utah households (70.4 percent) live in owner-occupied homes than the nation (64.6 percent). Housing tenure varies by race and ethnicity, ranging from 74.0 percent for white, not Hispanic or Latino led-households to 27.0 percent for black or African American-led-households.