Population estimates released today by the United States Census Bureau show that nearly four out of every 10 new Utah residents in the past year are racial or ethnic minorities, a continuation of recent trends.

The wave of diversity is a generational shift. This is evidenced by greater that one quarter (26.8 percent) of Utah’s preschool aged population now being classified as minorities, compared to only 7.1 percent being 85 years of age and older. Salt Lake County has 37.1 percent of the state’s population and is home to nearly half of the state’s minority population.

“Utah continues to become much more racially, ethnically, culturally, and linguistically diverse,” said Dr. Pamela Perlich, senior research economist at the University of Utah’s Bureau of Economic and Business Research (BEBR). “This new data is further evidence that the trend is cumulative, ongoing, irreversible, and diffused across the state.”

New estimates also show Utah’s millennial population continues to outnumber the post-World War II baby boom generation, a gap that continues to grow. The millennials outnumbered the baby boomers in Utah in 2010, a full five years prior to the nation. This is the result of a greater in-migration to Utah during the most recent boom combined with a higher fertility rate than the nation.

“While Utah’s signature demographics remain, we continue to trend towards the nation,” said Perlich. “Utah remains the youngest state, but median age is rising. Our youth are a larger share of the population than elsewhere, but the retirement age share is increasing as Baby Boomers age.”

An interactive data visualization map can be viewed here. For a more detailed breakdown of the Census Bureau figures, please visit the Eccles School Newsroom.

About the Bureau of Economic and Business Research

Established in 1932, the Bureau of Economic and Business Research (BEBR) is an applied research center housed within The Policy Institute at the David Eccles School of Business. BEBR’s mission is to conduct and support research related to the structure of the Utah economy, its resources and its potential for expansion. BEBR also analyzes the economic and demographic impacts of economic events and policy initiatives on local and regional economies, provides advice on economic issues and conducts regional economic analysis. For more information, visit bebr.business.utah.edu or call 801-587-3717.

About the David Eccles School of Business

Founded in 1917 and educating more than 4,500 students annually, the David Eccles School of Business offers eight undergraduate majors, four MBAs, five other graduate programs, a Ph.D. program and executive education curricula. The Eccles School is also home to nine institutes and centers that deliver academic research and support an ecosystem of entrepreneurship and innovation. It is consistently one of the top schools in the nation for startup businesses based on university research. Experiential learning is central to the Eccles experience. For more information, visit Eccles.Utah.edu or call 801-581-7676.

Contacts:

Pete Codella, APR, David Eccles School of Business, 801-587-8365, Pete.Codella@Eccles.Utah.edu
Nick Thiriot, David Eccles School of Business, 801-587-3717, Nick.Thiriot@Eccles.Utah.edu