Utah
The name "Utah" is derived from the Ute Indian language, meaning "people of the mountains." Utah is known for its geological diversity, ranging from snowcapped mountains, to well-watered river valleys, to rugged, stony deserts. Erosion and climate have exposed diverse geological structures in Utah's landscape, making it a wonderland for geologists and tourists, as well. Over two billion years' accumulation of rock has created a varied landscape of hills, mountains, canyons, and valleys. The Rocky Mountain peaks soar to over 13,000 feet elevation. Lake Bonneville, which covered a good portion of the state 15,000 years ago, has left behind shells in the mountains and salt flats in Bonneville Desert. Archaeologists have found a plethora of fossils and dinosaur bones and footprints.
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Utah's Resources
Utah's resources include over five hundred types of minerals. Bingham Canyon mine is one of the largest copper mines in the world. Mines near Topaz Mountain produce most of the world's beryllium. Central and Eastern Utah produce coal, natural gas, oil shale, tar sand, and uranium. There are also ample deposits of salt and phosphates. Construction materials and materials for making cement also abound—gravel, sand, and limestone. Utah's powdery snow is among its most profitable resources.
Utah has a rich history of metal mining. During the 1860s through the 1915s, Utah's major mining districts were Bingham canyon, Park City, and Tintic (Juab County). These mines brought many immigrants to Utah to work in the mines, mills, and smelters. Within a few years after the decline of mining, skiing for recreation in Utah surged, bringing people from all over the world to ski. One of the earliest records of skiing comes from the town of Alta, where, in 1870, the postman delivered mail to the town on skis.[1] Ski touring grew in popularity, and the Wasatch Mountain Club routinely led multi-day trips in the 1910s and ‘20s. Professional ski jumping events, drawing thousands of spectators, began along the Wasatch mountain foothills around 1930.
Utah's vast canyons, gorges, deserts, and lakes attract many tourists to the state. Many of the most picturesque are located in Utah's five national parks: Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Arches, and Canyonlands. Travelers also visit Utah's national monuments, which include Timpanogos Cave, Grand Staircase-Escalante, Natural Bridges, Cedar Breaks, Hovenweep, Dinosaur, Rainbow Bridge, Parashant, and Bears Ears. The Navajo Nation's Monument Valley Park spans both Utah and Arizona. Glen Canyon National Recreation area includes the vast Lake Powell. Utah also hosts over 40 state parks.
American Indian History
Utah's tribal nations have a colorful history. From 10,000 BC to AD 400 a Desert Archaic Culture flourished in Utah made up of semi-nomadic hunter-gatherers. After this, the Fremont culture incorporated cultivation of squash, maize, and beans. The Fremonts created sophisticated pottery and baskets, as well as ornamental sculpture in clay. After AD 400 the Anasazi migrated from the south into the Great Basin of Utah. They built masonry dwellings in the form of large apartment complexes and also cultivated vegetable crops. Around AD 1300, the Anasazi left the Great Basin. After AD 1000 the Numic peoples were composed of four main groups, the Northern Shoshone, the Western Shoshone, the Southern Paiutes (or Goshutes), and the Utes. These were the Uto Aztecans. (There are similarities between Utu Aztecan language and semitic tongues.) Around 1700 Navajos moved into the territory. At the time of the Mormon Migration into Utah Territory (1847), about 20,000 American Indians lived in Utah. Things stayed relatively peaceful until Mormon settlements expanded from Salt Lake Valley into Utah Valley to the south. After that, there were disagreements between the indigenous peoples and the settlers. There were times when the American Indian populations could barely feed themselves and staged food raids against the pioneers. In 1861 President Abraham Lincoln established the Uintah Valley Indian Reservation. Governmental relations with the Indians were fraught with difficulty over the years. In 1881 Indians from Colorado were moved onto Utah Indian reservations. Currently, the American Indian population of Utah is just above the 32,000 mark located on eight reservations and among city populations. Members of the Bannock, Goshute, Navajo, Paiute, Shoshone, and Ute tribal nations continue to live on the lands of their ancestors, and invite visitors who visit with respect.[2]
Colonization
The first Mormon pioneers arrived in Utah with Brigham Young in 1847, settling in the Great Salt Lake Valley. For the next ten years colonization continued with new settlements being established along the Wasatch Front (the north-south valley slung along the west side of the Rockies' Wasatch Range). Some of the settlements were established under the direction of Church leaders, but many were private ventures. As The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints won converts abroad, immigrants began arriving from Europe. Self-sufficiency was greatly encouraged, and private ventures into mining and agriculture were a benefit to the area economy. Coal was discovered in 1859. On the 10th of May, 1869, the Transcontinental Railroad was completed with the Golden Spike ceremony (the joining of the two branches of the railroad) at Promontory Point in Summit County. Of great benefit to the colonization effort was the construction of an extending railroad route to Salt Lake City, and then from Ogden to Salt Lake. By the 1870s there began to be a slight problem with overpopulation.
Utah's Population
Utah became a state on January 4, 1896. It was the 45th state admitted to the union. By 1900, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ceased calling on its members to gather, suggesting that members build up congregations of Saints in their home countries. Immigration and settlement slowed after that decision. However, because of the high birth rate among members of the Church of Jesus Christ, and the highly desirable living conditions in Utah, the population of the State has continued to grow, especially in very recent years. St. George, Utah, was the fastest growing metropolitan area in the United States from 2000 to 2005, with Utah being the sixth fastest growing state overall in 2006.
Despite being the fastest-growing state in the country from 2010 to 2020, Utah’s population did not increase enough to gain another seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Results of the 2020 census released Monday showed the Beehive State grew 18.4% over the last decade, and now has just under 3.3 million residents.[3] Utah has had four U.S. House seats since picking up one after the 2010 census.
Approximately 88 percent of Utah's 2,500,000 people, known as "Utahns," live in an urban concentration with Salt Lake City as the center, known as the Wasatch Front. In contrast, vast expanses of the state are nearly uninhabited, making the population the sixth most urbanized in the U.S. Meanwhile, Utah is also known for being one of the most religiously homogeneous states in the Union. By June 2019 there were 2,109,578 members of the Church of Jesus Christ in Utah in 596 stakes, 4,824 wards, and 322 branches. There were 11 missions. As of April 2020, there are 24 temples operating, under construction, or announced.[4]
The state is a center of transportation, information technology and research, government services, and mining as well as a major tourist destination for outdoor recreation. Utah has a long tradition of resourcefulness and hard work, as reflected in its state motto, "Industry."
Census Studies
The percentage of the Utah population that is Latter-day Saint gets lower each year, with 2010 hovering around 62 percent. However, the Latter-day Saint population still influences the lifestyle and therefore the statistics of the state. Census information found the following:
- Utah had 81 children for every 1,000 women during the year, compared with a national average of 58.
- 87% of babies born in Utah are born in wedlock, with the national average being 70 percent.
- Utah people tend to marry younger, stay married, and have larger families than the rest of the U.S.
- Utah had the third-lowest rate of mothers living in poverty at 15.2 percent. Across the country, nearly a quarter of the women giving birth were living in poverty.
"The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints reacted to the data by pointing to church proclamations that say marriage and fidelity are essential to God's plan and that families are ordained to give children the bonds of matrimony." [5]
U.S. Census Bureau estimates released in July 2016 indicated that Utah's population grew by 2.03 percent from July 2015 to July 2016, making it the fastest-growing state. Only about 60 percent of Utah’s population growth in that year came from natural increase — births minus deaths. The rest came from net migration, which is the number of people moving to Utah versus the number moving out.[6]
Utah Lifestyle
Below are some of Utah's ratings in reviews, studies, and polls.
- 2023
According to Hub Score’s 2023 health analysis of the 50 states, a few top states are soaring above the rest when it comes to crucial wellness-related variables, including the life expectancy and disease prevalence among residents, environmental favorability, healthcare infrastructure, education and prevention, and more. Utah ranked third with a 77.9 health index score.[7][8]
In May 2023, the U.S. News and World Report awarded the state of Utah the title of “best state,” primarily for its “economy and fiscal stability.” The Best States rankings by U.S. News & World Report draw on thousands of data points to measure how well states are performing for their citizens.[9] The state also ranked in 2023 as the No. 1 state in the country overall and for economy and fiscal stability, according to USA Today’s rankings.[10] However, Utah is dead last in the nation for women’s equality according to a new report from WalletHub.com.[11] Utah ranks 50th in education and health, 49th in workplace environment and 49th in political empowerment. However, one writer for the Deseret News said "he real story is far more complicated. While Utah, like many states, has room for improvement when it comes to addressing disparities, the Beehive State also offers women ample opportunity for affordable education, career choice, entrepreneurship and upward mobility, high social capital rates, low rates of poverty and positive family life. The WalletHub study evaluated women’s equality based on three factors they characterize as workplace environment, education and health and political empowerment. The study highlighted some areas where Utah could improve, such as the average eighth grade math score (Utah girls scored above the national average, but lower than the average Utah boy) and representation of women in politics. But the study didn’t show the complete picture of what it’s like to be a woman in Utah." Read the entire article here.
- Counter to modern conventional wisdom, Utah Republican Gov. Spencer Cox said his goals for the state aren’t entirely economically driven. He said Utah’s objectives include preserving the state’s family-oriented culture.
- “I don’t want Silicon Slopes to become like Silicon Valley,” Cox told an audience on Tuesday, referring to Utah’s burgeoning tech industry. “If you want to work 23 hours a day and never see your family, and change the world but not have a great life, go to San Francisco. There’s a place for you there.”
- Cox emphasized the lifestyle focus that Utahns prioritize and that the Republican government attempts to reflect. “We have something very special here,” he continued, “and that special thing is we care about our families and we care about our neighbors. And that’s what makes Utah different.”
- America’s ongoing population shifts are not likely to invite a cease-fire between the country’s dueling political parties, but perhaps Utah’s success in balancing economic growth with voters’ quality of life priorities can be a model for others to emulate.[12]
Utah is the healthiest state in the nation for older Americans, according to the United Health Foundation’s 2023 Senior Report, released in May. The 11th annual report analyzed 52 measures from 22 data sources to provide a portrait of the health and well-being of older adults across the United States. Five components — social and economic factors, physical environment, clinical care, behaviors and health outcomes — each with their own subcategories, were used to determine overall state rankings.[13]
Wallet Hub named Utah the happiest of all 50 states across the nation. According to the study, Utah bests the nation in work and community environments, however fell behind in overall emotional and physical well-being. Utah tied for the third-best overall sports participation rate. Utah also reportedly has the lowest divorce rate, is the fourth-safest state, and the fewest work hours. The study also found that Utahns are the most giving with their time, ranking first in the nation for volunteer rates.[14]
- 2022
Utah's Washington County was named by Pacaso as the most popular U.S. destination to buy a second home. Travel & Leisure said, "Red-rock canyons and towering mountains make up the scenery in the Beehive State's southwesternmost county that borders Nevada and Arizona. Visitors and residents of Utah's fifth most populous county enjoy proximity to breathtaking Zion National Park, Snow Canyon State Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, and the Grand Canyon. Washington County's year-round dry climate has always been a draw for vacationers looking for scenic hiking trails, adrenaline-pumping rock climbing, and world-class golf. And with Las Vegas only a couple of hours away, the destination also offers proximity to top-notch shopping, dining, and entertainment." Washington County has an average second home price of $1.37 million and a 10.3% increase in mortgage rate locks year-over-year.[15][16]
The Beehive State took first place in a new study from Florida-based wellness company Life Extension as the healthiest state in America. The study analyzed eight health categories from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and found that Utahns are healthier than average Americans across six categories: exercise, good overall health, heart disease, drinking, smoking and eating fruits. But Utahns also fall below the national average for mental health. Utah is usually among the states with the highest suicide rates, and research points to the state’s high altitude as the likeliest determining factor.[17]
The CDC lists Utah in its lowest drug overdose rated category; U.S. News ranks Utah as having the 11th best overall health care system in the country; the state has the sixth lowest fatal car accident rate, the third lowest rate of drug use, the third lowest COVID state death rate per 100,000 residents and the country’s absolute lowest rate of alcohol consumption and tobacco use. It is ranked among the CDC’s five lowest homicide rates in the country, has one of the CDC’s 10 best life expectancy rates in America,[18]
A best states to raise a family list from MoneyRates places New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Utah in a tie for first, followed by Connecticut, New Hampshire, and Wyoming. The criteria used in their study included cost of living, academic performance, college costs, crime rates, child care, health, public space, and broadband infrastructure.[19]
WalletHub named three Utah cities among best towns for college students in the nation. Salt Lake City was ranked No. 5 in the nation among midsize cities and Provo and Orem ranked No. 3 and No. 5 respectively for small cities. The WalletHub study compared more than 400 cities with 32 key metrics split into three categories: wallet friendliness, social environment, and academic and economic opportunities.[20]
Utah drivers rank in the top three states with the fewest drunk drivers across the nation by Forbes Advisor, which surveyed 5,000 drivers across the United States, including the District of Colombia, about their experiences with drunk driving during the holidays. In the study, Forbes Advisor analyzed six metrics, including the number of drunk drivers involved in fatal crashes, number of DUI arrests, number of people killed in crashes with a drunk driver, number of drunk drivers under 21, and percentage of deaths caused by drivers with blood alcohol concentration (BAC) under .07 and over .08. The results show that Utah scores a low 6.86 out of 100.[21]
However, Utah placed No. 1 in QuoteWizard’s ranking of the worst drivers in the United States. According to QuoteWizard, Utah has been on its way to No. 1 for years, placing sixth in 2021 and 22nd in 2020. Utah also ranked first in speeding, second in citations, fifth in accidents and eighth in DUIs. QuoteWizard found during this study that eastern states tend to be better at driving than western states. Data also showed that states with higher DUI rates tended to also have high rates of other driving incidents.[22]
National Geographic included Utah on its "Best of the World" 2023 list. National Geographic describes Utah as “an adventurer’s dream destination,” with its five national parks and eight national monuments. Utah is the only U.S. location in the Adventure category, along with the countries of New Zealand and Austria, plus Revillagigedo National Park in Mexico, and the Inca site of Choquequirao in Peru.[23]
Utah ranks fourth highest as safest states in the United States. The study uses 53 metrics divided into five sections — personal and residential safety, financial safety, road safety, workplace safety and emergency preparedness. According to WalletHub, personal and residential safety carry more weight than the other categories. The study ranks the Beehive State high in several key areas. With one being the safest and 50 being the least-safe, Utah comes in 10th for murders and nonnegligent manslaughters per capita, ninth for assaults per capita, fourth for loss amounts from climate disasters per capita and fifth for fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles of travel.[24]
WalletHub graded the continental U.S. states according to their home and auto energy efficiency and ranked Utah first overall in home efficiency, but 17th in auto efficiency. The Beehive State ranked fourth overall out of 48 states, since the list didn’t include Alaska or Hawaii. The others in the top 5 were Massachusetts at No. 1, then New York and Rhode Island. Vermont ranked fifth.[25]
WalletHub also ranked Utah as the most charitable state in the United States. Utah has the highest volunteer rate and had the highest population percentage to donate time. Utahns also tied with Wyoming for the highest percentage of donated income and was second to Maryland for the percentage of population to donate money.[26]
In a "Healthiest Communities" 2022 ranking by U.S. News & World Report, Utah's Morgan County scored fourth place across ten categories that drive community health. Davis County ranked 32nd and Wasatch County was placed in 81st position.[27] "The broad framework of categories and subcategories is based on factors key to evaluating community health that were identified by the National Committee on Vital and Health Statistics – a policy advisory board to the head of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services."[28]
A 2022 report released by the U.S. Census Bureau named three Utah cities—St. George, Provo-Orem, and Logan—as the top cities in the nation reporting the largest population growth in 2021.[29]
- 2021
MSN Travel ranked all 50 states plus DC by which state drinks the most alcohol. Utah settled at the 51st spot: the residents of Utah consume an average of just 1.35 gallons a year, more than three times less than the No. 1 spot on this list.[30]
MSN also noted that a US Census report concludes that during the ten-year period between 2010 and 2020, Utah's population grew by 18.37%; the fastest growing state for the decade.[31]
- 2020
In the 2020 World Population Review, Utah is rated the second-happiest state in the United States behind Hawaii. Utah ranks first for work environment and second for community and environment. Utah residents not only are hard workers and enjoy their work more than residents of any other state, but they also work the fewest hours. Utah also has the highest volunteer rate, the lowest divorce rate, and is the fourth-safest state. Like residents of Hawaii, Utah residents enjoy very active, outdoor lifestyles, keeping them mentally and physically healthy.[32]
WalletHub.com released the results of a ten-year study that found the United States as the most charitable country and Utah ranked first overall for charitable giving. Utah ranked second in volunteering and service" and ninth in "charitable giving."[33]
Three metro areas in Utah—Ogden-Clearfield, Provo-Orem, and Salt Lake City—were among the least overweight and obese cities in the U.S. Out of 100 metro areas examined, Ogden-Clearfield placed 83rd, Provo-Orem placed 90th, and Salt Lake City placed 91st.[34] The same Utah metro areas were rated in a most and least educated list of 150 metros by WalletHub. Provo-Orem placed 13th most educated, Salt Lake City ranked 40th, and Ogden-Clearfield placed 79th.[35]
- 2019
In 2019, U.S. News.com rated Utah as 10th healthiest state. Infant mortality rate was at 5.4 per 1,000 births; mortality rate was 700 per 100,000 people; obesity rate was at 25 percent; smoking rate was at 9 percent; suicide rate was at 21.4 per 100,000 people; and adults reporting poor mental health was 11 percent.[36]
In December 2019, MSN reported that Utah was the best run state among 50 states. "Based on an index of over a dozen socioeconomic measures, Utah ranks as the best-run state in the country. Over 92 percent of adults in Utah have a high school diploma or higher, one of the largest shares among states and well above the 88.3 percent national average. A well-educated population may be the result of greater investment, as 28.7 percent of Utah's budget goes to schools, the largest share of any state. Greater educational attainment often translates to greater employability, and in Utah only 3.1 percent of the labor force was out of a job in 2018, well below the 3.9 percent national unemployment rate. The state's strong job market is also likely bolstered by rapid economic growth. Utah's economy expanded by 3.7 percent in 2018, far outpacing the 2.9 percent national GDP growth."[37]
The U.S. Census Bureau reported that Utah grew faster than any other state during the decade of 2010–2019. The agency reported that Utah’s population this year is 3,205,958 — up 16 percent in the decade, from 2,763,891 in 2010. That increase of 442,000 people is roughly the equivalent of adding the combined populations of the state’s three biggest cities: Salt Lake City, West Valley City and Provo. (The District of Columbia grew faster than Utah at 17.3 percent, but it is not a state.)[38]
- 2018
A 2018 WalletHub report ranked Utah as one of the top 10 states in the country that is least dependent on the federal government. Each state was ranked by how much the state's residents depend on the government and how much the state's government relied on the federal government. Then, each state was given an overall score on a scale of 0 to 100 to determine its spot on the list. The higher the number, the more dependent the state. Utah ranked as the eighth state least dependent on the federal government (or the 43rd state most dependant on the federal government), ranking ahead of Connecticut and Virginia in the top 10. Utah’s total score was 27.06.[39]
Also in 2018 Utah had the highest social capital score because of its stable families and commitment to helping the less fortunate. Utah ranked first out of the 50 states and Washington, D.C., for family unity, social support, and philanthropic health.[40]
Utah ranked ninth in highest well-being/happiest state. Utah ranked among the top five states for having a strong community, seventh for its financial rankings, and ninth for social rankings. Utah’s ranking remained unchanged from last year.[41]
A report in 2018 indicated that Wyoming, New Mexico, Utah, West Virginia and Oklahoma have witnessed the largest suicide rate increases among seniors since 2014; Utah's has increased from around 16 to 21 per 100,000 people. Yet Utah and New Hampshire lead the country in lowest risk for social isolation among seniors. Utah is the new healthiest state for seniors.[42]
Using data from the FBI's 2018 Uniform Crime Reporting Program, 24/7 Wall St. identified the most violent states in America. Utah was positioned at 39th most violent, with the following ratings:
- Violent crime rate: 233.1 per 100,000 people; total 2018 murders: 60 (15th lowest); imprisonment rate: 292 adults per 100,000 (8th lowest); poverty rate: 9% (4th lowest); most dangerous city: South Salt Lake.
- There were 7,368 violent crimes reported in Utah in 2018, or 233.1 for every 100,000 people – well below the national average of 380.6 per 100,000 people. The number of murders, rapes, robberies, and aggravated assaults committed in the state declined by 2 percent between 2017 and 2018, even as the total population climbed by 1.9 percent.
- Wealthier areas with strong economic conditions tend to have lower crime rates than average – and Utah is no exception. The typical household in the state earns $71,414 a year, nearly $10,000 more than the typical American household. Additionally, the state's 3.1 percent annual unemployment rate is well below the 3.9 percent national rate.[43]
Moneywise.com listed Utah as the sixth best state to retire in.[44]
- 2017
Utah leads the country in personal finance instruction for high school students. Generally considered the leader in financial literacy education since 2004, Utah owes its continued success to the 2014 legislation that allocated $450,000 for the implementation of education requirements.[45]
Just two states — South Dakota and Utah — had a total fertility rate above replacement level in 2017, according to a new federal report. Overall, the U.S. total fertility rate is 1,765.5 births per 1,000 women, compared to 2,227.5 in South Dakota and 2,120.5 in Utah. The replacement rate — the number of births needed to maintain the population at its existing level — is 2,100 births per 1,000 women, or an average rate of 2.1 births per woman. It is often invoked in discussions of economic growth and having enough young workers to support an aging population. The data comes from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics.[46]
In 2017, Salt Lake City was named the second healthiest city in the country, according to a new WalletHub report. Salt Lake City earned third-place spots for both its food and fitness rankings, meaning the city offers the third-healthiest restaurants and has the third-healthiest fitness options among American cities, WalletHub reported.[47]
Also in 2017, WalletHub released a new study examining the happiness level of all 50 states. Utah was rated second happiest state in America. One fact highlighted was Utah has the number one fewest average work hours in the country.[48]
Utah was rated fourth healthiest state in America in a report that cited improved air quality as one reason the state climbed four places to make the top five in 2017.[49]
An annual study from the Institute for College Access and Success found that Utah students graduate with the least amount of debt among all states. Beehive State students graduate with less than $20,000 in debt.[50]
St. George was officially the country’s fastest-growing metro area in 2017, according to a USA Today report on U.S. Census Bureau data. The Provo-Orem area also ranked among the top 10 fastest-growing metro areas, placing eighth on the list. Three Utah counties were among the top 10 fastest-growing areas in the United States, according to the census data. Wasatch County was third, while Tooele County placed second.[51]
According to USA Today, the Provo, Utah, area was ranked as the best-performing economy among large U.S. metro areas in 2017. "The region has become a technology hotbed, adding 5,500 jobs from 2011 to 2016. The hub is anchored by Adobe’s digital marketing unit, which employs more than 1,200. In 2017, the company said it would build a second facility next door, housing another 1,260 workers. Meanwhile, Brigham Young University provides a major pipeline of workers and start-ups. The university has spawned several tech ventures, including enterprise software firm Qualtrics, which is valued at $2.5 billion."[52]
- 2016
The first nationwide study of positive relationships (in 2016) by Michigan State University found the best states for lovers were Mississippi, Utah, and Wisconsin (which essentially tied for No. 1).[53]
Utah ranks among the top 10 states on 10 of the 22 measures. Strengths include a low prevalence of smoking at 9.8 percent of the population, a low prevalence of binge drinking at 8.6 percent of the population, a low rate of preventable hospitalizations with 39.9 discharges per 1,000 Medicare enrollees, a low violent crime rate at 213 offenses per 100,000 population, a low infant mortality rate at 5.1 deaths per 1,000 live births and a low rate of cancer deaths at 142.0 deaths per 100,000 population.
According to some of the key measures used to determine levels of religiosity in the Pew Research Center’s 2016 Religious Landscape Study, Utah ranked 11th overall, with 64 percent of adults who considered themselves "highly religious." Fifty-eight percent say religion is very important in their lives, 53 percent say they attend worship services at least weekly, 61 percent say they pray daily, 61 percent say they believe in God with absolute certainty.[54] A 2017 Gallup poll placed Utah's population as third in calling itself most religious.[55]
- 2015
In December 2015, WanderBat ranked the 40 best ski resorts in North America and included six of Utah's resorts: Park City was rated 5th, Deer Valley 7th, Canyons Resort 10th, Snowbird 11th, Alta 21st, and Snow Basin 23rd.[56] MSN ranked Park City at the top of thirteen cities that outdoor adventurers should move to immediately.[57]
In studies reported by MSN (in 2015), Utah is the #6 fastest growing state and the third most peaceful.[58] Utah's growth is due to a high birth rate; and also boasts the lowest death rate in the country[59]. The state's healthy economy is a key factor in potential new residents, and Utah is home to four Fortune 1000 companies, the largest of which is the Huntsman chemical corporation. The number of nonfarm payrolls in the state grew by 4.3 percent, the fastest growth rate in the country. Meanwhile, Utah’s 3.5 percent unemployment rate was the third lowest.[60]
A report released by WalletHub in 2015 named Utah as the happiest state in the nation. The study analyzed the residents of every state based on emotional and physical well-being, work environment, community, and recreational activities. Utah ranked first for the highest volunteerism rate and lowest rate of divorce. Utahns work the lowest number of hours per week, and Utah ranked number one for "work environment," "community environment and recreational activities," and came in fourth for "emotional and physical well being," earning the state the top spot.[61]
According to data compiled by the National Endowment for the Arts for 2015, Utahns go to arts events — plays, concerts, dance performances, gallery exhibits and movies — more than people anywhere else in the nation. An estimated 84.5 percent of adults in Utah attended visual or performing arts events or went to the movies in 2015. That's the highest level of any state in the country, and well above the national average of 66.2 percent.[62]
According to a report by the Champlain College Center for Financial Literacy, very few states require adequate financial literacy coursework for high school graduation. Five states get an A, and Utah tops the list with an A+. Utah requires that educators teaching this course obtain a specific endorsement in general financial literacy and provides its educators with tools, resources, and many professional development opportunities. General financial literacy is a funded mandate.[63]
In 2015, 24/7 WallStreet rated Utah in 13th place in America's Poorest and Richest States, 50th place being the poorest . "Utah's relatively high education attainment rate partly accounts for the high incomes in the state. More than 31% of adults had at least a bachelor's degree as of last year compared to 30.1% of adults nationally."[64]
- Median household income: $60,922
- Population: 2,942,902 (18th lowest)
- Unemployment rate: 3.8% (4th lowest)
- Poverty rate: 11.7% (11th lowest)
In 2015, The Economist summarized Utah's surprising political path by noting that the state "bans discrimination against gay people in housing and jobs; offers treatment rather than prison to many drug offenders; issues driving licenses to illegal immigrants; houses the homeless before they give up booze." The reason for the surprise is explained: "The state is among the most Republican: in 2012 just 25% of its people voted for Barack Obama. Its governor, both senators and the entire congressional delegation are all Republicans. Yet, oddly, it is not the most conservative state in America. In several aspects of policy, Utah is quietly forging a model of constructive Republicanism."[65]
- 2014
A 2014 report on the appeal of Utah's leaders to federal courts over its right to uphold traditional marriage cited the following statistics:
- The brief states, “Whatever the effectiveness of traditional marriage laws in other states, Utah's marriage laws and policies are achieving remarkable results. As Prof. Price affidavit demonstrates, Utah has the nation's lowest percentage of unwanted births – 19.4 percent less than half the national average of 41 percent. Utah also ranks first in the percentage of children being raised by both parents from birth until age 17–78.6 percent compared with the national average of 60.5 percent. This no doubt explains why the cost to Utah taxpayers associated with children live in other arrangements is among the lowest in the nation. But far more important is the benefit to children themselves.”
- "’Compared to children born in all the states, a child born in Utah has the best chance of knowing and being reared by his or her biological married mother and father.’ That fact also likely explains why Utah has a very small percentage of its children growing up in poverty—15 percent, the fourth lowest in the nation, compared to a national average of 23 percent. It also likely explains why Utah children, even in the lowest income households, have one of the highest rates of upward mobility.” [66]
Utah is America's second most religious state, with Mississippi being the first. [67] Thus reported a Gallup poll released in early February 2014. "The most religious states still tend to be clustered in the South, though Utah — with its large population of Mormons, typically the most religious of any denomination — stands out as an exception and ranks No. 2 in religiosity, according to Gallup." Sixty percent of Utah's population consider themselves "very religious," in that religion plays an important part in their life and they attend religious services on a regular basis. About 62 percent of the state's population is Latter-day Saint. "The rankings [were] based on more than 174,000 phone interviews conducted nationwide throughout 2013 as part of the Gallup Daily tracking survey. The results were weighted to be representative of each state's adult population by gender, age, race, Hispanic ethnicity and education, based on Census data, Gallup officials said."
In early 2014 an expert called Utah the "envy of the Nation" because of Utah's alcohol consumption policies.
- Utah has the lowest number of alcohol-related traffic deaths per capita in the country. It has the lowest prevalence of binge drinking among those 18 and older in the country. Underage drinking rates are half the national average.
- "My attitude about alcohol in Utah is, I wouldn't mess with success," said David Jernigan, director of the Center on Alcohol Marketing and Youth at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
- From a public health standpoint, he said, Utah is the "envy of the nation." [68]
- Under discussion is the section of Utah's liquor laws that mandate restaurants mix drinks out of the sight of customers and only serve alcohol with food. For tourists, these restrictions can be problematic, and some Utah lawmakers think changing these restrictions can be done without a negative effect upon Utah's safe drinking record.
- In its statement, the Church of Jesus Christ said each of the four components that distinguish restaurants from bars is essential in guarding against overconsumption, underage drinking and DUI. "Why would we want to risk losing any of those benefits?" Elder D. Todd Christofferson, of the Church's Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, said in the statement.
In February 2014, MSN Real Estate published a piece on the fastest growing cities in America. [69] Two of the 10 cities are in Utah—Ogden and Salt Lake City. Ogden was the 7th fastest growing (median pay $56,000 and unemployment at 4.03 percent with a growth rate of 2.05 percent), and Salt Lake was the 5th fastest growing American city (median pay $62,200, unemployment at 4 percent, and growth rate of 1.33 percent).
Utah had the lowest rate of alcohol-related deaths over a recent five-year period among 11 states that participated in new federal study released in early 2014.[70] over a recent five-year period among 11 states that participated in the new federal study.
Utah has America's second-best drivers.[71] However, Utah drivers complain about Utah drivers a lot.
Gallup-Healthways released the results of a poll in March 2014 which shows the Provo/Orem area of Utah as #1 in over-all well-being of its residents in all of America. [72] The study focused on 189 areas in the U.S.
- The Provo metro area received the best score of any area in the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index. One major reason was that respondents had extremely positive evaluations of their lives. Only Ann Arbor, Mich., residents gave more positive evaluations of their present lives, and nowhere were people more likely to be optimistic about their lives in the next five years.
- Residents were also extremely emotionally healthy. More than 95 percent said they had felt happy for much of the preceding day, again more than in any other metro area. This may be due in part to the fact that more than three-quarters of those surveyed said they learned something new every day, the most in the nation.
- Also likely helping residents to enjoy their lives: Provo had one of the lowest crime rates in the nation in 2012. And its 4 percent unemployment rate as of December was also among the lowest in the nation. [73]
Utah was named the 13th most innovative state in 2014 for the following reasons: Utah ranked as the 13th most innovative state, based on these factors [74]:
- STEM professionals as a percentage of state population: 2.06 percent
- Science and tech degree holders as a percentage of state population: 6.28 percent
- Utility patents granted as a percentage of U.S. total: 0.96 percent
- State government R&D spending as a percentage of U.S. total: 2.45 percent
- Gross state product per employed person: $86,905
- Three-year change in productivity: 3.46 percent
- Public tech companies as a percentage of all public companies based in the state: 22.58 percent
Forbes Magazine released a study on the Ten Best Cities to Raise a Family in April 2014. [75] Two of those cities are in Utah — Provo, at #10 and Ogden at #3. Ogden's crime rate is one of the lowest in the country. The criteria used were as follows: Median household income (data from Census Bureau); Cost of Living Index (Center for Regional Economic Competitiveness); Housing affordability (the percentage of homes in the area affordable to those making the local median income, via the National Association of Home Builders and Wells Fargo); The percentage of residents who own their homes (Census Bureau); Average commuting delays (Texas Transportation Institute); Crime-rate rankings (FBI via CQ Press); Local school quality (greatschools.org).
Utah topped the ranks on Forbes' 2014 list of best states for business three times in the past four years. The rating is based on six main areas — business cost, labor supply, regulatory environment, growth prospects, and quality of life. The report didn't rank Utah as the highest in any particular category, but it was the only state to score in the top 10 of all categories except one, ranking 16th in quality of life.[76]
A Gallup Poll released in April 2014 shows that Utahns love their state. [77] Only Montana and Alaska had more loyal citizens.
Utah achieves the nation's top ACT scores for the second year in a row. "A total of 12 states, including Utah, tested all high school juniors in 2014, up from nine states in 2013. Despite the increased competition, Utah stayed on top with an average composite score of 20.8, according to data released Wednesday by ACT. The state fell below the national average of 21, but educators point out that where participation is not universal, college-bound students typically self-select to take the ACT, resulting in a potentially inflated score.
- The ACT reported that nationally, 57 percent of students took the test in 2014, compared to the 100 percent participation of Utah and the other 11 full-participation states. 'What makes this report so significant is that it includes all Utah students...'" [78]
- 2013
In 2013 the Improvement Center released its findings for the best states and cities in various categories. It listed Ogden, Utah, at No. 5 in the category of highest median income. For the best place to raise a family, Provo was third and Ogden was eighth. For best careers, Provo was first in the nation and Ogden sixth. Salt Lake City was also the fourth-best city for young professionals.[79]
A 2013 study found Utah is the 4th happiest state in America.[80]
In 2013 Forbes rated the Provo/Orem, Salt Lake City, and Ogden areas at the top of the charts for jobs and economic well-being and advancement. These cities came out on top, measured against all American cities by size, in several different ways. Read more....
Also in 2013 conservative Utah's traditional marriage stance, upheld by a huge majority in a popular vote, was overturned by a federal judge without a stay for appeals, suddenly making gay marriage legal in the state. Gay couples were awaiting the decision and turned out immediately to pick up marriage licenses. "Most Mormons, however, and other conservative citizens felt side-swiped and violated. Just before the federal decision that Utah's traditional marriage laws were unconstitutional (opening the way for other states' laws to be overturned), the State had made a decision on polygamy, which has been illegal in Utah since 1890. Deciding not to intrude on the sexual lives of its citizens, but upholding its bigamy laws, Utah decided that a man can have multiple "wives" as long as he is only married to one of them. Thus, the others are essentially live-in mistresses in the eyes of the law, but not in an illegal living arrangement. This was counted as a victory for polygamous families in Utah, and for the government, which could now focus on illegal behavior of some polygamous families, such as welfare fraud."
- Utah students earn the highest ACT scores in the nation. [81]
At the end of 2013 Utah was named as the 2nd best state for its drivers (even though Utahns complain about the drivers all the time), and then named the 5th best-run state in America:
- 2012
In spring of 2012 the Provo-Orem area and the small city of Heber were named in the top ten nationwide for growth.
- "The Heber City micropolitan area grew by 3.8 percent — or four times faster than the national rate in 2011. That made Heber the seventh fastest-growing such area in the nation. Meanwhile, the Provo-Orem metropolitan area grew by 2.7 percent, or three times the national average. It also finished as the nation’s seventh fastest-growing metropolitan area. Metro St. George landed at No. 11 out of 366 metropolitan areas nationally with 2.6 percent growth. Metro Salt Lake City was No. 40 at 1.9 percent. Logan was No. 64 at 1.7 percent. Ogden-Clearfield was No. 77 at 1.6 percent. [82]
The Provo-Orem area in Utah was named as the fourth most competitive metro area for jobs in the US in 2012. [83]
Released in 2012, a U.S. federal alcohol use report shows that Utah teens drink less than youth in any other state. [84] Utah also has the lowest percentage of adult drinkers.
Provo-Orem area ranked 11th in nation for high-tech start-ups. [85]
Utah had the 10th-lowest poverty rate in the country in 2012. The gap between the rich and poor was also among the smallest in the country. In the Salt Lake City area, more children have upward economic mobility than in any other large urban area. Utah’s has one of the healthiest labor markets in the country, with the the state’s unemployment rate falling from 14th lowest in the U.S. in 2011 to 10th lowest in 2012. Utah's median household income in 2014 went up modestly but the median income was among the highest in the country.
By several measures, Utah had one of the stronger economies in the country in 2012. The state ranked fifth in exports per capita, and GDP growth was among the highest. The unemployment rate was just 5.7 percent, compared to a national rate of 8.1 percent.
Utah received the top credit rating from both Standard & Poor's and Moody's, with the latter reasoning that the state has responsible fiscal management and strong economic fundamentals. [86]
Utah's median household income was listed as $57,049 (13th highest), which is interesting, because just a few weeks prior, MSNBC had listed Utah as one of America's poorest states when looking at per capita income. Utahns have large families, and great universities, attracting many youth to the state. Thus, per capita income looks low, but household income is high. The per capita study showed images of poor housing for the poor states it listed, but for Utah, had to resort to a boarded up and abandoned pioneer house.
- 2011
In March, 2011, Self Magazine named the Provo/Orem area the happiest place to visit in the U.S. [87]
In May, 2011, Newsmax.com [88] published an article showing how Utah stands alone in upholding old-fashioned American values. The article suggested that combative evangelical Christians should bury the hatchet and embrace Latter-day Saint presidential candidates. Following are some facts and statistics quoted by the article:
Utah is a healthy state, with the Provo-Orem area among America's healthiest (rated in 2011). [89]
Utah is annually declared the best place to raise a child in the country:
- "It has the lowest child poverty rate. And while it has the highest birth rate it has the lowest number of teen pregnancies and out-of-wedlock births. Comparing Utah to the rest of the nation is like comparing the United States to the Third World. Outside of Utah, 33 percent of all children in America are now born to unmarried parents. Utah is an island of American traditional values in practice."
- "While the American educational system continues in free fall, the high school graduation rates in Utah are astronomical. Utah spends a larger percentage of state dollars on education than any other in the nation."
- "Self magazine labels Provo, Utah as the No. 1 healthiest city in for women. Stats on married members of the Latter Day Saints show that the divorce rate is 13 percent for any couple married for five years. Two of the other Republican candidates for president, favored by many evangelical leaders, have eight marriages between them."
- "Nor is Utah bad for men. It has the nation's lowest rates of cancer and heart disease. It has the lowest amount of work days missed. It has the lowest per capita rate of people in prison. And it is highest in the nation in charitable giving by the wealthy. According to Newsweek, Utah is first in the U.S. in households with personal computers." (Read more on Newsmax.com: Romney, Huntsman Show Mormons Gaining in Importance for 2012. [90])
The American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau) in 2011 showed the following:
- Utah still has the nation’s largest households, highest fertility rate, lowest median age, youngest age at marriage and most stay-at-home moms.
- The survey showed that Utah's population was still predominantly white, with White » U.S. 74.2 percent, Utah 88.8 percent; Hispanic/Latino • U.S. 16.4 percent, Utah 13 percent; Black • U.S. 12.6 percent, Utah 1 percent; Asian • U.S. 4.8 percent, Utah 1.9 percent; American Indian/Alaska Native • U.S. 0.8 percent. Utah 1.2 percent; Native Hawaiian/ Pacific Islander • U.S. 0.2 percent, Utah 0.9 percent.
- High school graduation » U.S. 85.6 percent, Utah 90.6 percent; Bachelor’s degree or higher • U.S. 28.2 percent, Utah 29.3 percent.
- Less than $100,000 annually » U.S. 80 percent, Utah 80.9; $200,000 or more • U.S. 3.9 percent, Utah 2.8 percent. [91]
- 2010
A 2010 study showed that Utah was still among the top ten healthiest states in the U.S. for health and medical care, although Utah has a relatively low number of primary care physicians. That about 60 percent of the state's population is Latter-day Saint, making the incidence of tobacco and alcohol use low, has always been a factor in Utah's health profile. See the study here.
Business in Utah
Utah may not be synonymous with enterprise yet, but the state is establishing itself as a place for small businesses.[92] Utah has a robust software development industry and is recognized nationally as one of the up-and-coming Software and Information Technology hubs. Utah's tech sector has been referred to as the next "Silicon Valley" (dubbed "Silicon Slopes"), and ranks second in the nation in fastest-growing states for tech jobs.[93]
- 2023
The Joint Economic Committee (JEC) was created when Congress passed the Employment Act of 1946. Under this Act, Congress established two advisory panels: the President's Council of Economic Advisers (CEA) and the Joint Economic Committee. Their primary tasks are to review economic conditions and to recommend improvements in economic policy. In the JEC's Social Capital Project, Utah placed first in four indices: Family Unity Subindex, Social Support Subindex, Philanthropic Health Subindex, and Overall State Social Capital Index. "Social capital is almost surely an important factor driving many of our nation’s greatest successes and most serious challenges. Indeed, the withering of associational life is itself one of those challenges. . . . The Social Capital Project is concurrently providing the state and county data underlying each index, as well as the indices and subindices themselves. It is our hope that the availability of the index will inspire researchers to focus more on social capital and its relationship to other features of economic and social life."[94]
Utah ranked #1 in overall rankings in the U.S. News & World Report Best States list, placing #1 in economy and in fiscal stability. Utah placed #4 in infrastructure, #5 in education, and #7 in health care. Utah ranked 46th in natural environment, which considered pollution and air and water quality.[95]
- 2022
In early 2022, US News & World Report rated Utah as the top state for economy, considering business environment, employment, and growth. The business environment ranking gauges a state's business environment based on monthly birth rate for new businesses and the rate of patents for new inventions. The employment ranking tracks the three-year average for job growth, unemployment rates and labor force participation rates. Growth measures the growth of the young population in the state, overall growth through migration and the GDP growth rate.[96]
- 2021
In August 2021, Forbes ranked Utah number 1 in a list of 10 states with the biggest growths in gross domestic product (GDP). “The Utah economy has been a powerhouse in recent decades, hence the reason why it takes the No. 1 spot,” Forbes reported. “Over the last five years, Utah’s GDP grew by an excellent 19.1%, the second-highest growth rate for that period out of all 50 states.”[97]
The annual Milken Institute Best-Performing Cities Index for 2021 had the Provo-Orem area regaining its top slot after dropping to the number 2 position for 2020. Provo-Orem had been number 1 for both 2019 and 2018. "Milken researchers noted that Utah — which netted three top tier rankings with Salt Lake City in the No. 4 spot and Ogden-Clearfield at No. 9 — was benefitting from those employees and businesses fleeing high-priced Northern California zip codes for the more affordable, and economically vibrant, climes of the Mountain West."[98] By measuring for factors such as jobs, wages, and high-tech growth, the Best-Performing Cities Index offers analysis of how metro areas have fared based on the resilience of their local economy. The think tank offered a “first look” at how cities across the country have weathered the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, assessing data sets that cover jobs, wages, high-tech growth, housing affordability and household broadband access.[99]
In the Tax Foundation 2021 State Business Tax Climate Index, Utah ranked eighth overall. In corporate taxes the state ranked 27th; individual taxes, 10th; sales tax, 23rd; property taxes, 7th; and unemployment insurance taxes, 17th.[100]
- 2020
In 2020, USA Today ranked Utah best economy in the country. "At a time when COVID-19 has sent unemployment soaring into the double digits across much of the country, Utah's monthly jobless rate stands at 5.1%, less than half the 11.1% national unemployment rate for June."[101]
In early 2020, 24/7 Wall St. created a weighted index of 42 measures to identify the best and worst states for business. Utah rated second overall with the following rankings:
- 1-yr. real GDP change: +3.7% (8th best)
- Avg. earnings per job: $52,364 (14th lowest)
- Adults with a bachelor's degree: 34.9% (13th highest)
- 2018 venture capital deals: 3.4 per 100,000 people (8th most)
- Four of the top five states for business are located west of the Mississippi River, and of them, Utah ranks the highest. Startup companies in the state are also drawing far more venture capital investment than those in most other states. Utah companies drew in nearly $1.2 billion in VC funding in 2018, equal to $369 per state resident, more per capita than all but four other states.[102]
- 2019
In 2019, WalletHub.com, a personal finance website, compared the states across 40 metrics — everything from average hours worked per week to personal bankruptcies to the percentage of adults who get enough sleep. Utahns ranked 49th overall — 49th in work-related stress; 47th in family-related stress; 37th in money-related stress; and 35th in health and safety-related stress.[103]
In 2019 ratings, Forbes rated Utah as one of the best states for business. Utah occupied the top spot in Forbes' Best States for Business six times in seven years between 2010 and 2016 (Virginia in 2013 was the lone outlier), but fell to third in 2017 due to rising business costs and a softer economic outlook. "The state has a very pro-business climate and companies benefit from energy costs that are 16% below the national average, according to Moody's Analytics. Utah’s employment has expanded 3.3% a year over the past five years—second best in the U.S. Utah is well known for its winter activities and tourism has soared since the 2002 Winter Olympics. With two-thirds of Utahns being members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Utah is the most religiously homogeneous state in the U.S."[104]
- 2018
In a 2018 study, Amazon ranked Utah No. 1 in a list of the Top 10 Most Entrepreneurial States with the most small and medium-sized businesses per capita selling on Amazon. “From incredible handmade artisans to small businesses inventing sustainable and eco-friendly products, there are thousands of Utah-based businesses demonstrating a tremendous entrepreneurial spirit — more per capita than in any other state. More than 300,000 small and medium-sized businesses from across the U.S. that started selling on Amazon in 2017, and we’re working hard to help them all keep growing.”[105]
The tech sector has been driving Utah’s economic prosperity over the last decade and longer, according to a report from the University of Utah's Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute. The report also highlights issues that have accompanied tech's stellar growth arc in the state, including data showing workforce diversity is lagging well behind national averages. "As of the close of 2018, the sector is responsible in direct and indirect fashion for over 210,000 jobs in the state, contributing nearly $30 billion to the state's GDP (about 18% of total) and is compensating employees at the rate, on average, of $106,100 annually versus the $58,500 average yearly compensation in nontech industries."[106]
- 2016
MSN Money ranks Utah as the #1 state for business in 2016. Utah finished in the top half of each of the ten categories of competitiveness, with an overall score of 1,598 out of 2,500 points. In 2015 Utah ranked third. Utah's best category ranking was #3 in economy; it's worst ranking was #24 in access to capital, although the ranking was still in the top half.
Business Insider listed Salt Lake City second in its top ten fastest-growing startup scenes in the United States. In 2015, Salt Lake City had a 113.27 percent deal growth and a 27.52 percent average growth since 2012.[107]
- 2015
Utah is the best state in the nation for business, faring among the best in all of the categories reviewed in 2015 in 24/7 Wall St.’s independent business climate assessment, according to MSN.com. "To determine America’s best states for business, 24/7 Wall St. identified nearly 50 measures that contribute to the business climate and reviewed them in each of the 50 states. The measures were classified into eight larger categories that independently measured various risks and benefits of doing business in each state."[108]
In 2015, Forbes rated Utah the #10 best state to make a living.[109] With its rapidly growing technology sector, Utah County, including Lehi, Provo, and Orem, are nicknamed Silicon Slopes.[110] Utah saw the fastest job growth in 2015.[111]
A 2015 study out of Harvard University ranks counties in the United States based on opportunity for upward mobility. The data suggests that kids who grow up in Utah may be at an economic advantage over kids in other areas.[112]
- 2014
MSN Money rated Utah third in 2014 for its largest increase of jobs in the nation on a percentage basis.[113]
- 2011
In 2011, Utah was rated the lowest income inequality in the United States. Read more here.
In December 2011 the Milken Institute named three Utah cities, Salt Lake City, Provo, and Ogden, to its top 25 places to do business in the U.S.A. The smaller Utah city of Logan was named #1 among small cities for doing business. [114] The Best-Performing Cities index ranked the nation's 200 large metropolitan areas on measures including job, wage and technology performance. Salt Lake City ranked sixth, Provo ranked ninth and Ogden ranked 15th in the top 25.
