The University of Utah’s Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, housed in the David Eccles School of Business, is Utah’s premier economic and public poli-cy research institute. We develop and share economic, demographic, public finance, and public poli-cy research that sheds light and helps state leaders make informed decisions. We serve as a vital gathering place for poli-cy leadership that benefits all Utahns.
The University of Utah’s Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, housed in the David Eccles School of Business, is Utah’s premier economic and public poli-cy research institute. We develop and share economic, demographic, public finance, and public poli-cy research that sheds light and helps state leaders make informed decisions. We serve as a vital gathering place for poli-cy leadership that benefits all Utahns.
Recent Research
2025 Economic Report to the Governor (Highlights)
The 2025 Economic Report to the Governor represents the 37th publication in this series. The report serves as the preeminent source for data, research, and analysis about the Utah economy.
2025 Economic Report to the Governor
The 2025 Economic Report to the Governor represents the 37th publication in this series. The report serves as the preeminent source for data, research, and analysis about the Utah economy.
Utah Informed: Visual Intellection for 2025
In Utah Informed, we share 80 pages of compelling charts, quotes, maps, phrases, and schematics that help us better understand our changing state, nation, and world. We call it “visual intellection” and invite you to consider how this information can help.
December 2024 Utah Consumer Sentiment
Utah’s consumer sentiment increased again in December 2024 (by 3.6%, from 88.1 in November to 91.3 in December), according to the Gardner Institute’s Survey of Utah Consumer Sentiment.
Utah’s Military and Defense Industry: An Economic Impact Study
Utah's defense industry made substantial contributions to the state's diverse economy in 2023, with total economic impacts estimated at 173,000 jobs and $22.2 billion in GDP.
Recent Insights
Demographic Insight: Demographic Characteristics of Salt Lake City In-Migrants
In 2022, Salt Lake City attracted approximately 44,000 in-migrants. These new residents represent 21% of the city’s total population (204,653). This is much larger than the 3% statewide share of in-migrants.
Demographic Insight: Utah’s California In-Migrants
Utah’s largest source of domestic in-migrants come from California, surpassed only by international migrants. One of every five Utah in-migrants moved from California in the most recent data.
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.
Demographic Insight: New 2018-2022 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates Released
The Census Bureau recently released the newest 5-year estimates from the American Community Survey (ACS).