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ne way you know you’re in Utah is when you go to a mid-priced restaurant. |
Unless they’re already in use, chances are you’ll see a stack of booster chairs and high chairs against a wall.
Those chairs illustrate a key demographic fact of Utah. Utah enjoys the nation’s highest birthrate at 2.4 percent. And at 28.5 years, Utah has lowest median age in the country.
Like most demographic trends there’s two sides to this sword.
Certainly it means there are a lot of children to educate. Utah’s pupil to teacher ratio in 2005-06 was 22.1 to 1 resulting in some of the nation’s largest class sizes. It also means that after they’ve finished their education and ready for the workforce, there’s more young workers per capita. Even this fact has a second side. In large measure, Utah’s wages which currently average 83 percent of the national average are suppressed by the youth of the workforce. Older people make more money.
But growth in any economy only comes two ways, by increasing productivity or adding more units of production, like workers. Since Utah also enjoys one of the nation’s highest levels of high school graduation (91.2 percent) and since 27 percent of Utahns hold bachelors degrees… both of which are productivity enhancers… Utah is better poised to grow its economy over the short and long terms than any other state.
Population
Utah’s population estimate was 2,615,129 for 2006, a 2.7 percent increase over 2005. Much of the growth is reflected in the State’s birth rate, which added 52,368 new citizens. The State’s natural growth, which is births minus deaths, was 39,010. 2010 projections see Utah increasing by 2.3 percent to 2,833,333. The U.S. Census Bureau projects that Utah’s population will approach just over 4 million residents by 2030, which places Utah as the fifth fastest growing state. Natural growth will account for the majority of this population increase but demographers predict that the State’s steady job growth and appealing environment will ensure a steady migration of new residents as well.
Another telling statistic is that while Utah is the youngest state in the nation and will remain so for the foreseeable future, it is also the second fastest growth area for elderly population growth. That’s because Utahns live longer. Utah’s median age is 28.5 years, well below the 2005 national figure of 36.2 years. Demographers predict that the dependency ratio… the number of citizens under 17 and over 65 per hundred citizens… will actually decline in 2010, before rising thereafter. This factor… along with the State’s vigorous economy and prudent fiscal management… has contributed to record State budget surpluses over the last two years.
Salt Lake City, the State’s Capitol, comprises a relatively small portion of the Salt Lake Valley. While Salt Lake County covers approximately 764 square miles, Salt Lake City covers only 111.1 square miles. Salt Lake is the largest city in the State and has a population of 178,097 in 2005, according to U.S. Census figures. Salt Lake County’s population is 898,387, making it the most populous region in Utah.
Household
Utah is first in the nation in the number of persons per household at 3.13, compared to the national average of 2.62. Utah also has the Nation’s highest percentage of married households. In addition, Utah’s persons per family are 3.67, compared to the national figure of 3.16.
Demographic Statistics
All area codes are 801 unless otherwise noted.
Salt Lake County
Population: 924,247
County Administration: 2001 S. State, 84190, 468-3519
Library: Whitmore Library (main branch), 2197 E. Ft. Union Blvd., 84121, 943-4636
School Districts: Granite, 2500 S. State, 84115, 646-5000, just one of the county’s many school districts
Website: http://www.co.slc.ut.us/
Salt Lake City
Population: 178,097
City Hall: 451 S. State, 84111, 535-7600
Post Office: 1760 W. 2100 S., 84199, (main branch), 974-2200 Library: 210 E. 400 S. (main branch), 84111, 524-8200 School District: Salt Lake, 440 E. 100 S., 84111, 578-8599 Website: http://www.ci.slc.ut.us/ |
Alta
Population: 365
City Hall: Alta Town Office,
P.O. Box 8016, 84092-8016, 742-3522
Post Office: Alta Contract Post Office, Hwy. 210, Little Cottonwood Canyon, Alta, 84092
School District: Jordan, 9361 S. 300 E., Sandy, 84070, 567-8100
Website: www.townofalta.com
Bluffdale
Population: 6,569
City Hall: 14350 S. 200 W., 84065, 254-2200
Post Office: 12760 S. Park Avenue, (800) 275-8777
School District: Jordan, 9361 S. 300 E., Sandy, 84070, 567-8100
Website: www.bluffdale.com
Draper
Population: 35,119
City Hall: 1020 E. Pioneer Road, Draper, 84020, 576-6500
Post Office: 12180 S. 300 E., 84020, (800) 275-8777
School District: Jordan, 9361 S. 300 E., Sandy, 84070, 567-8100
Website: www.draper.ut.us
Midvale
Population: 27,170
City Hall: 655 W. Center Street, 84047, 567-7200
Post Office: 35 W. Center Street, 84047, (800) 275-8777
School District: Jordan, 9361 S. 300 E., Sandy, 84070, 567-8100
Website: www.midvalecity.org
Murray
Population: 44,555
City Hall: 5025 S. State, 84107, 264-2600
Post Office: 4989 S. State Street, 84107, (800) 275-8777
School District: Murray, 147 E. 5065 S., 84107, 264-7400
Website: www.murray.utah.gov
North Salt Lake
Population: 10,538
City Hall: 20 S. US Hwy. 89, 84054, 936-3877
Post Office: 345 N. US Highway 89, 84054, (800) 275-8777
School District: Davis County, 45 E. State St., Farmington, 84025, 402-5261
Website: www.nslcity.org
Riverton
Population: 32,089
City Hall: 12830 S. Redwood Rd., Riverton, 84065, 254-0704
Post Office: 12760 S. Park Avenue, 84065, (800) 275-8777
School District: Jordan, 9361 S. 300 E., Sandy, 84070, 567-8100
Website: www.rivertoncity.com
Sandy
Population: 89,664
City Hall: 10000 Centennial Parkway, 84070, 568-7100
Post Office: 8850 S. 700 E., 84070, (800) 275-8777
School District: Jordan, 9361 S. 300 E., Sandy, 84070, 567-8100
Website: www.sandy.utah.gov
South Jordan
Population: 40,209
City Hall: 1600 W. Towne Center Drive, 84095, 254-3742
Post Office: 10579 S. Redwood Rd., 84095, (800) 275-8777
School District: Jordan, 9361 S. 300 E., Sandy, 84070, 567-8100
Website: http://www.southjordancity.org/
South Salt Lake
Population: 21,411
City Hall: 220 E. Morris Avenue, 84115, 483-6000
Post Office: 3161 S. W. Temple, 84115, (800) 275-8777
School District: Granite, 2500 S. State, 84115, 646-5000
Website: www.southsaltlakecity.com
Taylorsville
Population: 58,009
City Hall: 2600 W. Taylorsville Blvd., 84118, 963-5400
Post Office: 5495 S. 4015 W., 84118, (800) 275-8777
School District: Granite, 2500 S. State, 84115, 646-5000
Website: www.ci.taylorsville.ut.us
West Jordan
Population: 91,444
City Hall: 8000 S. Redwood Rd., 84088, 569-5000
Post Office: 7901 S. 3200 W., 84088, (800) 275-8777
School District: Jordan, 9361 S. 300 E., Sandy, 84070, 567-8100
Website: www.wjordan.com
West Valley City
Population: 113,300
City Hall: 3600 S. Constitution Blvd., 84119, 966-3600
Post Office: 3490 S. 4400 W., 84120, (800) 275-8777
School District: Granite, 2500 S. State, 84115, 646-5000
Website: www.ci.west-valley.ut.us
For more information on Utah demographics, go to www.governor.utah.gov/dea.
Tax Structure
Utah State Government is respected by its peers and recognized by the press for its quality fiscal management. In 2003 USA Today named Utah as the best-managed state in the union. Utah residents enjoy progressive government and tax rates that compare favorably to other states.
For more information on Utah tax rates, go to the Utah State Tax Commission website at www.tax.utah.gov or the Utah Taxpayers Association at www.utahtaxpayers.org. |
