U.S. Census data shows how Utahns have changed in 2022

A look at how Utahns have changed in a year, based on demographics, housing, commute and more from new estimates from the American Community Survey.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune). Family and friends cheer on UVU graduate Jacinta Stephens of Orem during Utah Valley University’s drive-through graduation ceremony in Orem on Friday, May 7, 2021. New U.S. Census data shows a 3% increase in college graduation rates for Utahns 25 and older from 2021 to 2022.
This story is part of The Salt Lake Tribune’s ongoing commitment to finding solutions to Utah’s biggest challenges through the work of the Innovation Lab.
[Subscribe to our newsletter here]
Utah has an older and more diverse population that is more likely to own the home they live in and earn more money and is less likely to work from home, according to new data from the U.S. Census Bureau.
Newly released data from the American Community Survey – an annual demographic survey program run by the federal agency that conducts the census – shows how Utah residents have changed between 2021 and 2022.
Here’s a look at how Utahns have changed over the course of this year, based on demographics, housing, commute and more.
According to the 1-year estimates, Utah’s population increased by 1.3% in 2022.
As the state grows, it ages. The average age rose from 31.8 to 32.1 years – a jump of less than 1%.
There were fewer small children and minors and more people over 18 and 65.
Utah is also becoming more diverse. The state’s white population grew, but was 87.7% of the total population in 2022, compared to 88.4% in 2021.
There are more people who identify as Black, Hispanic or Latino, Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, and “other” races than in 2021.
But Utah’s population identifying as Asian, American Indian and Alaska Native, alone or in combination with another race, has shrunk in 2022.
Another shrinking population is veterans – Utah had 3.8% fewer veterans in 2022 than in 2021.
(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) 2021 honoree Marine MSgt Julia Watson Carlson, left, is greeted by fellow Marine and 2000 Korean War honoree Thursday during the Veterans Day commemoration ceremony Nov. 11, 2021, at the University of John Cole, compliments The Olpin Union Building in Utah. New U.S. Census data shows there were 3.8 percent fewer veterans living in Utah from 2021 to 2022.
Utah’s population is also generally more educated than it is in 2021.
A larger share of young adults have at least a high school diploma, and the share of the population age 25 and older with a bachelor’s degree increased by 3%.
The proportion of people over 25 with at least a university degree fell slightly from 93.2% to 93%.
The share of the population now married remained unchanged: 55.3% of Utahns ages 15 and older married in 2021 and 2022.
In 2022, it was more common for people to own the homes they live in than the year before. The number of owner-occupied apartments increased by 4.7% in 2022, while the number of rented apartments fell by 2.4%.
Both property values and costs increased by double-digit percentages. The median value of condominiums increased by 18.4% and the median gross rent increased by 13.6%.
Despite rising rents, about 1,600 fewer people spent 35% or more of their income on rent in 2022.
Overall, the size of households shrank by 1.3%, but on average two household types grew.
The average household size of single fathers and unrelated cohabitors increased by 1.5% and 0.7%, respectively.
The median household income in Utah increased from $79,499 to $89,168 in 2022. That’s an increase of 12.2%.
Additionally, fewer people in the state lived below the poverty line and received food stamps and Medicaid. The uninsured rate also fell by 10%.
The average earnings of men and women increased. Women’s earnings rose slightly more, but still lagged men’s by about $17,500.
The average one-way commute increased by about 1% in 2022.
(Rachel Rydalch | The Salt Lake Tribune) Salt Lake City resident Tyler Bordeaux rides the UTA Trax to work and school on Tuesday, February 22, 2022. More and more Utah residents are using public transportation to commute to and from work, according to New US Census data.
Utahns also drove to work more often, with carpooling increasing by 12.5% and solo driving increasing by 1.7%. People were also more likely to use public transport, but were less likely to walk to the office and used “other means” to commute or work from home.
All 1-year estimates are available at data.census.gov.
Megan Banta is the Salt Lake Tribune data reporter. a philanthropically supported position. The Tribune retains control over all editorial decisions.
Editor’s note • This story is available only to Salt Lake Tribune subscribers. Thank you for supporting local journalism.