A UNIQUE POPULATION PROFILE has positioned Utah for sustained
growth, health and productivity—characteristics that were borne out again in records achieved during 2008. The State’s official July 1, 2008 population was estimated to be 2,757,779, an increase of 58,225 people or 2.5 percent year-over-year. This healthy growth ranked Utah first nationally in rate of growth, as compared to national growth of 0.9 percent over the same time period. The State’s internal growth was a major contributor to these new benchmarks, driven by a record 55,357 births—the highest in the State’s history. Netting out the 13,780 deaths for the year, the resulting natural increase of 41,577 persons is the highest natural increase number ever and marks the second time natural increase in Utah has exceeded 40,000. With natural increase at an historic high level, it accounted for nearly 25 percent more of the State’s population growth than the previous year, at 71.4 percent of 2008’s population growth, versus a 47.6 percent share for the previous year. Positive net migration also contributed strongly to the progressive demographic trend, aided by the State’s attractive lifestyle and resilient economy. Net in-migration accounted for 28.6 percent of total population growth at 16,648 persons, marking the 18th consecutive year of positive net in-migration. Sustained growth is expected to continue into the future, with the State’s population projected to be 2.9 million in 2010, 3.6 million in 2020, 4.4 million in 2030 and to reach 6.8 million in 2060.
POPULATION
HIGHLIGHTS
Household Size: 3.07 persons/household – Largest in U.S.
Birth Rate: 21.2 births/1,000 population – Highest in U.S. 75.49 percent of Utah’s populace lives in Salt Lake, Utah, Davis and Weber Counties.
Median Age: 28.5 – Youngest State in U.S.
Death Rate: 5.6 deaths/1,000 – Second lowest in U.S.
14
UTAH FACTS 2009
