Utah facts
Sixty-five sourced facts about Utah's consumer and outdoor economy, each linked to where it was published.
Outdoor economy
9.75billion USD
Outdoor recreation added $9.75 billion to Utah's economy in 2024, or 3.3 percent of state GDP, compared with 2.4 percent for the nation.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Outdoor Recreation Economic Statistics, U.S. and States, 2024, published March 5, 2026. Link to this fact
75182jobs
Outdoor recreation accounted for 75,182 jobs in Utah in 2024, or 4.1 percent of the state's wage and salary employment.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Outdoor Recreation Economic Statistics, U.S. and States, 2024, published March 5, 2026. Link to this fact
4.64billion USD
Outdoor recreation paid $4.64 billion in compensation in Utah in 2024, or 3.1 percent of all compensation in the state.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Outdoor Recreation Economic Statistics, U.S. and States, 2024, published March 5, 2026. Link to this fact
598.2million USD
Snow activities added $598.2 million to Utah's economy in 2024, the third-largest state total in the country.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Outdoor Recreation Economic Statistics, U.S. and States, 2024, published March 5, 2026. Link to this fact
4states
Snow activities were the largest conventional outdoor recreation activity in Utah in 2024, one of four states where that was true.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Outdoor Recreation Economic Statistics, U.S. and States, 2024, published March 5, 2026. Link to this fact
1.55billion USD
Manufacturing accounted for $1.55 billion of Utah's outdoor recreation value added in 2024.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Outdoor Recreation Economic Statistics, U.S. and States, 2024, published March 5, 2026. Link to this fact
4787jobs
Manufacturers accounted for 4,787 of Utah's outdoor recreation jobs in 2024.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Outdoor Recreation Economic Statistics, U.S. and States, 2024, published March 5, 2026. Link to this fact
19720jobs
Retail trade accounted for 19,720 of Utah's outdoor recreation jobs in 2024.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Outdoor Recreation Economic Statistics, U.S. and States, 2024, published March 5, 2026. Link to this fact
562.9million USD
Boating and fishing added $562.9 million to Utah's economy in 2024.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Outdoor Recreation Economic Statistics, U.S. and States, 2024, published March 5, 2026. Link to this fact
403.4million USD
RVing added $403.4 million to Utah's economy in 2024.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Outdoor Recreation Economic Statistics, U.S. and States, 2024, published March 5, 2026. Link to this fact
7.9percent
Utah ranked third among states for growth in outdoor recreation GDP, which rose 7.9 percent over the past decade.
Source: Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation press release, published March 6, 2026. Link to this fact
2013year
Utah established the first state Office of Outdoor Recreation in 2013, and it now operates as the Division of Outdoor Recreation.
Source: Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation press release, published March 6, 2026. Link to this fact
13.7billion USD
Visitors spent a record $13.7 billion in Utah in 2025, up 0.6 percent from 2024 after adjusting for inflation.
Source: Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, Utah tourism report release, published August 20, 2026. Link to this fact
107500jobs
Utah's travel and tourism industry directly generated about 107,500 jobs in 2025.
Source: Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, Utah tourism report release, published August 20, 2026. Link to this fact
1.6billion USD
Visitors generated $1.6 billion in direct state and local tax revenue in Utah in 2025.
Source: Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, Utah tourism report release, published August 20, 2026. Link to this fact
4ratio to 1
Spending by domestic and international nonresident visitors exceeded spending by Utah residents by more than four to one in 2025.
Source: Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, Utah tourism report release, published August 20, 2026. Link to this fact
10.6million visits
Utah's national parks recorded 10.6 million visits in 2025, down 4.5 percent from 2024.
Source: Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, Utah tourism report release, published August 20, 2026. Link to this fact
12.2million visits
Utah's state parks recorded 12.2 million visits in 2025, down 5.8 percent from 2024.
Source: Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, Utah tourism report release, published August 20, 2026. Link to this fact
4.8million skier days
Utah recorded 4.8 million skier days in the 2025/26 season, down 26.5 percent from the season before.
Source: Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, Utah tourism report release, published August 20, 2026. Link to this fact
2.1billion USD
Skiers spent $2.1 billion in Utah in the 2025/26 season, down 17.8 percent from the season before.
Source: Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, Utah tourism report release, published August 20, 2026. Link to this fact
392USD per skier
Spending per skier in Utah reached $392 in the 2025/26 season, even as skier days fell 26.5 percent.
Source: Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, Utah tourism report release, published August 20, 2026. Link to this fact
Population
3551150residents
Utah's population reached an estimated 3,551,150 on July 1, 2025.
Source: Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, 2025 population estimates release, published December 17, 2025. Link to this fact
44351residents
Utah added 44,351 residents between July 1, 2024 and July 1, 2025.
Source: Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, 2025 population estimates release, published December 17, 2025. Link to this fact
1.3percent
Utah's population grew 1.3 percent in the year to July 1, 2025, down from 1.5 percent the year before.
Source: Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, 2025 population estimates release, published December 17, 2025. Link to this fact
57percent
Natural change, births minus deaths, produced 57 percent of Utah's population growth in 2025, and net migration produced 43 percent.
Source: Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, 2025 population estimates release, published December 17, 2025. Link to this fact
15914residents
Utah County added 15,914 residents in the year to July 1, 2025, about 36 percent of the state's growth.
Source: Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, 2025 population estimates release, published December 17, 2025. Link to this fact
3.0percent
Tooele and Iron counties each grew 3.0 percent in the year to July 1, 2025, the fastest rates among Utah counties.
Source: Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, 2025 population estimates release, published December 17, 2025. Link to this fact
32.6years
Utah had the lowest median age of any state in July 2025 at 32.6 years, against 39.4 for the nation.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Vintage 2025 population estimates by age, published June 25, 2026. Link to this fact
1.0percent
Utah's population grew 1.0 percent between July 2024 and July 2025, the fifth-fastest rate among states.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Vintage 2025 national and state population estimates, published January 27, 2026. Link to this fact
5.6million residents
The Gardner Institute projects Utah's population will reach 5.6 million by 2065, up from nearly 3.6 million in 2025.
Source: Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, Utah 2065 projections release, published November 18, 2025. Link to this fact
3.0people per household
A typical Utah household had nearly 3.0 people in 2025, and the Gardner Institute projects 2.3 by 2065.
Source: Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, Utah 2065 projections release, published November 18, 2025. Link to this fact
85000residents
Utah's population ages 18 to 24 is projected to peak around 2028 and then fall by roughly 85,000 residents, or 17.9 percent, through 2047.
Source: Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, demographic dip higher education release, published September 17, 2026. Link to this fact
50000residents (city size threshold)
More than half of Utah's population lived in cities of more than 50,000 residents in 2025, the first time that has been true.
Source: Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, subcounty population estimates release, published May 5, 2026. Link to this fact
Workforce
3.5percent
Utah's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.5 percent in August 2026, against 4.1 percent for the nation.
Source: Utah Department of Workforce Services, Utah's Employment Summary, August 2026, published September 18, 2026. Link to this fact
1788800jobs
Utah had 1,788,800 nonfarm jobs in August 2026.
Source: Utah Department of Workforce Services, Utah's Employment Summary, August 2026, published September 18, 2026. Link to this fact
1.2percent
Utah's nonfarm employment grew 1.2 percent between August 2025 and August 2026, while the nation grew 0.3 percent.
Source: Utah Department of Workforce Services, Utah's Employment Summary, August 2026, published September 18, 2026. Link to this fact
156000jobs
Utah manufacturers employed 156,000 people in August 2026.
Source: Utah Department of Workforce Services, Utah's Employment Summary, August 2026, published September 18, 2026. Link to this fact
185000jobs
Utah's leisure and hospitality industry employed 185,000 people in August 2026.
Source: Utah Department of Workforce Services, Utah's Employment Summary, August 2026, published September 18, 2026. Link to this fact
99100jobs
Utah's durable goods manufacturers employed 99,100 people in August 2026.
Source: Utah Department of Workforce Services, Utah's Employment Summary, August 2026, published September 18, 2026. Link to this fact
3.2percent
Utah's average annual wage rose 3.2 percent in 2025, and jobs grew 1.5 percent.
Source: Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, 2026 Economic Report to the Governor release, published January 16, 2026. Link to this fact
2rank among states
Utah ranked second among states in postsecondary attainment in 2024.
Source: Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, higher education brief release, published March 31, 2026. Link to this fact
250000students
The Utah System of Higher Education enrolled nearly 250,000 students in the 2024-25 school year and awarded more than 70,000 degrees and certificates.
Source: Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, higher education brief release, published March 31, 2026. Link to this fact
207005students
Utah's degree-granting public colleges and universities enrolled 207,005 students in fall 2024, up 4.32 percent from fall 2023.
Source: Utah System of Higher Education, published October 15, 2024. Link to this fact
29831students
Utah State University had 29,831 students enrolled in fall 2025, up 3.2 percent.
Source: Utah State University, published October 13, 2025. Link to this fact
520000USD
Utah's median sale price across all housing types was $520,000 in the first quarter of 2026, up from $500,000 a year earlier.
Source: Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, housing market report release, published September 9, 2026. Link to this fact
278000workers
About 278,000 Utahns worked from home in 2024, down from 327,000 in 2021.
Source: Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, work-from-home brief release, published July 29, 2026. Link to this fact
Business
4.5percent
Utah's corporate income tax rate is 4.5 percent, lowered from 4.55 percent by HB 106 in 2025.
Source: Utah State Tax Commission, 2025 TC-20 instructions, published 2025-12. Link to this fact
4.5percent
Utah taxed individual income at 4.5 percent for tax year 2025, lowered from 4.55 percent by HB 106.
Source: Utah State Tax Commission, 2025 TC-40 instructions, published 2025-12. Link to this fact
4.85percent
Utah's state sales and use tax rate is 4.85 percent, before local rates are added.
Source: Utah State Tax Commission, Publication 25, published 2026-08. Link to this fact
0percent sales tax on qualifying machinery
Utah exempts machinery and equipment used by a qualified manufacturing facility from sales tax.
Source: Utah State Tax Commission, Publication 25, published 2026-08. Link to this fact
6979.6million USD
Utah's individual income tax brought in $6,979.6 million in net revenue in fiscal year 2026, up 5.4 percent.
Source: Utah State Tax Commission, Revenue Summary Report, fiscal year 2025-2026, published August 19, 2026. Link to this fact
4910.2million USD
Utah's state sales and use tax brought in $4,910.2 million in net revenue in fiscal year 2026, up 4.9 percent.
Source: Utah State Tax Commission, Revenue Summary Report, fiscal year 2025-2026, published August 19, 2026. Link to this fact
599.2million USD
Utah's corporate tax brought in $599.2 million in net revenue in fiscal year 2026, down 36.7 percent.
Source: Utah State Tax Commission, Revenue Summary Report, fiscal year 2025-2026, published August 19, 2026. Link to this fact
3.5percent
Utah's taxable sales grew 3.5 percent in 2025.
Source: Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, 2026 Economic Report to the Governor release, published January 16, 2026. Link to this fact
Geography
22.8million acres
The Bureau of Land Management manages nearly 22.8 million acres in Utah, about 42 percent of the state.
Source: Bureau of Land Management, What We Manage in Utah, published 2026-09. Link to this fact
13528feet
Kings Peak in the Uinta Mountains is Utah's highest point at 13,528 feet, the seventh-highest state highpoint in the country.
Source: Utah Geological Survey, published January 2, 2024. Link to this fact
84897square miles
Utah covers 84,897 square miles, of which 82,170 is land.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, State Area Measurements and Internal Point Coordinates, published December 16, 2021. Link to this fact
11ski resorts
Utah has 11 ski resorts along the Wasatch Mountain Range.
Source: Utah Office of Tourism, Visit Utah, published 2026-09. Link to this fact
500inches of snow per winter
Brighton, at the top of Big Cottonwood Canyon, averages over 500 inches of snow a winter.
Source: Utah Office of Tourism, Visit Utah, published 2026-09. Link to this fact
Brands and industry
110jobs
Amer Sports, the parent of Arc'teryx, was approved for state incentives in October 2019 to add 110 jobs in five years at its North American headquarters in Ogden.
Source: Governor's Office of Economic Development (now Economic Opportunity) release, published October 10, 2019. Link to this fact
56jobs
Armada Skis, founded in 2002, announced in December 2014 that it would move to Summit County and add 56 jobs over eight years.
Source: Governor's Office of Economic Development (now Economic Opportunity) release, published December 11, 2014. Link to this fact
84jobs
Kent Outdoors announced in October 2023 that it would relocate its headquarters to Summit County and add 84 jobs over five years.
Source: Governor's Office of Economic Development (now Economic Opportunity) release, published October 4, 2023. Link to this fact
65jobs
Selle Royal group, founded in Italy in 1956, announced in November 2015 that it would open a facility in Ogden and add 65 jobs over seven years.
Source: Governor's Office of Economic Development (now Economic Opportunity) release, published November 12, 2015. Link to this fact
30jobs
SnowSports Industries America announced in June 2016 that it would move from McLean, Virginia to Park City and add up to 30 jobs over three years.
Source: Governor's Office of Economic Development (now Economic Opportunity) release, published June 9, 2016. Link to this fact
90jobs
Vista Outdoor, the planned spin-off of ATK, was projected in a November 2014 state announcement to add 90 jobs over seven years at a Utah headquarters.
Source: Governor's Office of Economic Development (now Economic Opportunity) release, published November 13, 2014. Link to this fact