2022 Report on Growth Perspectives

Data from Utah Cities on Population Growth and Economic Development
Findings from Utah Wellbeing Surveys 2019-2022
Dr. Courtney Flint, Utah State University

The Utah Wellbeing Survey is a partnership with multiple cities in Utah. The survey has been conducted since 2019, though cities have entered and left
the project at various times. There were 33 cities in the 2022 Wellbeing Survey. An additional 10 cities have participated in previous years. See Appendix A for the number of survey responses per city per year.

Two questions in the survey address population growth and economic development:

  • How would you describe the current rate of population growth in [city]?
  • How would you describe the current pace of economic development in [city]?

It's valuable context to consider the growth rates of Utah cities as the context for the Wellbeing Survey. The graph below shows population growth rates (2010-2020) from the US Census. Most cities are growing and some, particularly those in Utah County and south Salt Lake County, are growing very rapidly. Rural places are also generally growing, with a couple exceptions. 

graph


Perspectives on population growth often correspond with the measured rate of growth in cities, but not always. The graph below shows a "heat map" of perceptions that population growth is "too fast". One example of a misalignment between perceptions and measured growth is Millcreek where 49% of respondents said population growth is "too fast" but the 2010-2020 growth rate is negative. Cities in Cache Valley and Tremonton are higher on perceptions of growth as "too fast" than their measured population change might suggest. 

graph


As the graphs below show clearly, for cities designated by the Utah League of Cities and Towns as Rapid Growth Cities, Established Cities, and Cities of the 1st & 2nd Class, the rate of current population growth was perceived to be “too fast” by the majority of survey respondents in most cities. 

Type: Bar Title: Percent Indicating Rate of Population Growth is Too Fast (Rapid Growth Cities) Subtitle: Data are from 2022 Unless Indicated Data: Eagle Mountain ’20 72%, Highland 72%, North Logan 74%, Spanish Fork 77%, Hyde Park 78%, Vineyard 79%, Santaquin 81%, Nibley 82%, Saratoga Springs 84%, Herriman 89%, Lehi 89%

Type: Bar Title: Percent Indicating Rate of Population Growth is Too Fast (Established Cities & Cities of the 1st and 2nd Class) Subtitle: Data are from 2022 Unless Indicated Data: Cedar City ’20 46%, Ogden ’19 48%, Millcreek 49%, SLC ’19 55%, Bountiful 57%, Cottonwood Heights 60%, Sandy 66%, St. George ’19 68%, South Jordan 70%, Layton 71%, Midvale 72%, West Jordan 74%, Logan 76%, Draper 77%, Tooele 78%

For cities designated by the Utah League of Cities and Towns as Rural Hub/Resort or Traditional Rural, there was considerably more difference regarding perceptions of population growth. For Ephraim, Moab, and Nephi, at least half of survey respondents indicated the current rate of population is “too fast”. For Hurricane, Tremonton, and Park City respondents, the percentage indicating the current rate of current population growth is “too fast” was between 80% and 91%. For respondents from Blanding, Bluff, Delta, Helper, and Richfield, over half of the survey respondents indicated that the current rate of population growth was “just right”.

Type: Bar Title: Percent Indicating Rate of Population Growth is Too Fast (Rural) Subtitle: Data are from 2022 Unless Indicated Data: Wellington ’21 4%, Bluff 11%, Richfield ’21 14%, East Carbon 16%, Delta 17%, Blanding 18%, Helper 24%, Vernal ’21 29%, Price 30%, Beaver 45%, La Verkin ’21 46%, Ephraim 53%, Moab 66%, Nephi 72%, Hurricane ’21 80%, Tremonton 83%, Park City 91%

Type: Bar Title: Percent Indicating Rate of Population Growth is Just Right (Rural) Subtitle: Data are from 2022 Unless Indicated Data: Park City 6%, Tremonton 11%, Hurricane ’21 14%, Moab 16%, Nephi 21%, Price 33%, La Verkin ’21 36%, Ephraim 39%, East Carbon 43%, Beaver 45%, Wellington ’21 47%, Vernal ’21 48%, Blanding 53%, Bluff 55%, Delta 59%, Helper 62%, Richfield ’21 62%



On the pace of economic development, rural communities continued to show varying perceptions. For those from Tremonton, Moab, and Park City, over 
half of respondents indicated the current pace of economic development is “too fast”. Respondents from Delta, Blanding, Vernal, Wellington, Price and 
East Carbon were more inclined to say that the current pace of economic development is “too slow”.

Type: Bar Title: Percent Indicating Pace of Economic Development is Too Slow (Rural) Subtitle: Data are from 2022 Unless Indicated Data: Park City 3%, Tremonton 16%, Helper 19%, Hurricane ’21 22%, Moab 22%, Ephraim 26%, La Verkin ’21 27%, Bluff 32%, Nephi 33%, Beaver 34%, Richfield ’21 34%, Delta 50%, Blanding 52%, Vernal ’21 64%, Wellington ’21 66%, Price 71%, East Carbon 64%

Respondents from Helper were the most likely among Rural respondents to indicate that the current pace of economic development is “just right”.

Type: Bar Title: Percent Indicating Pace of Economic Development is Just Right (Rural) Subtitle: Data are from 2022 Unless Indicated Data: Moab 5%, Park City 10%, East Carbon 15%, Price 18%, Tremonton 21%, Hurricane ’21 23%, Wellington ’21 26%, Vernal ’21 27%, Nephi 28%, Blanding 34%, Beaver 35%, Ephraim 36%, La Verkin ’21 37%, Delta 39%, Bluff 41%, Richfield ’21 47%, Helper 62%

There were considerable variations in responses from respondents from Rapid Growth, Established Cities, and Cities of the 1st & 2nd Class on the question of economic development. Respondents from Lehi were the most likely to indicate that the pace of economic development is “too fast” (69%).

Type: Bar Title: Percent Indicating Pace of Economic Development is Too Fast (Rapid Growth Cities) Subtitle: Data are from 2022 Unless Indicated Data: Eagle Mountain ’20 15%, Vineyard 27%, Highland 34%, Hyde Park 42%, North Logan 42%, Santaquin 47%, Herriman 48%, Nibley 49%, Saratoga Springs 51%, Spanish Fork 54%, Lehi 69%

Type: Bar Title: Percent Indicating Pace of Economic Development is Too Fast (Established Cities and Cities of the 1st and 2nd Class Subtitle: Data are from 2022 Unless indicated Data: Cedar City ’20 9%, Ogden ’19 14%, Midvale 26%, SLC ’19 26%, Millcreek 30%, Bountiful 31%, St. George ’19 33%, West Jordan 33%, Cottonwood Heights 40%, Tooele 40%, South Jordan 43%, Sandy 44%, Layton 48%, Logan 51%, Draper 56%

Respondents from Eagle Mountain were the most likely among those from Rapid Growth Cities to say that the pace of economic development is “too 
slow”.

Type: Bar Title: Percent Indicating Pace of Economic Development is Too Slow (Rapid Growth Cities) Subtitle: Data are from 2022 Unless Indicated Data: Spanish Fork 3%, Lehi 8%, Saratoga Springs 9%, North Logan 10%, Nibley 12%, Hyde Park 13%, Herriman 25%, Highland 25%, Santaquin 26%, Vineyard 34%, Eagle Mountain ’20 50%

Cities with rather dramatic change in perceptions about population growth (at least 15% difference in “Too Fast” over a year or more) include Ephraim, 
Helper, Hyde Park, Logan, Nephi, and Nibley.

Type: Line Title: Ephraim Change in Perceptions of Rate of Population Growth Subtitle: Remaining Percentage Each Year is No Opinion Data: 2021: 6% rated too slow, 49% rated just right, 35% rated too fast 2022: 4% rated too slow, 39% rated just right, 53% rated too fast

Type: Line Title: Helper Change in Perceptions of Rate of Population Growth Subtitle: Remaining Percentage Each Year is No Opinion Data: 2020: 22% rated too slow, 51% rated just right, 8% rated too fast 2021: 15% rated too slow, 49% rated just right, 11% rated too fast 2022: 10% rated too slow, 62% rated just right, 24% rated too fast

Type: Line Title: Hyde Park Change in Perceptions of Rate of Population Growth Subtitle: Remaining Percentage Each Year is No Opinion Data: 2021: 2% rated too slow, 33% rated just right, 55% rated too fast 2022: 1% rated too slow, 15% rated just right, 78% rated too fast

Type: Line Title: Logan Change in Perceptions of Rate of Population Growth Subtitle: Remaining Percentage Each Year is No Opinion Data: 2021: 3% rated too slow, 26% rated just right, 61% rated too fast 2022: 2% rated too slow, 17% rated just right, 76% rated too fast

Type: Line Title: Nephi Change in Perceptions of Rate of Population Growth Subtitle: Remaining Percentage Each Year is No Opinion Data: 2020: 6% rated too slow, 35% rated just right, 53% rated too fast 2021: 5% rated too slow, 32% rated just right, 58% rated too fast 2022: 5% rated too slow, 21% rated just right, 72% rated too fast

Type: Line Title: Nibley Change in Perceptions of Rate of Population Growth Subtitle: Remaining Percentage Each Year is No Opinion Data: 2020: 0% rated too slow, 32% rated just right, 60% rated too fast 2021: 1% rated too slow, 20% rated just right, 74% rated too fast 2022: 1% rated too slow, 13% rated just right, 82% rated too fast

Cities with rather dramatic change in perceptions about economic development (at least 15% difference in “Too Fast” or “Too Slow” over a year or more) include Bountiful, Delta, Ephraim, Helper, Hyde Park, Logan, Nephi, Nibley, North Logan, Santaquin, Saratoga Springs, and Tooele. 

Type: Line Title: Bountiful Change in Perceptions of Pace of Economic Development Subtitle: Remaining Percentage Each Year is No Opinion Data: 2020: 43% rated just right, 35% rated too slow, 14% rated too fast 2021: 20% rated too slow, 43% rated just right, 19% rated too fast 2022: 15% rated too slow, 36% rated just right, 31% rated too fast

Type: Line Title: Delta Change in Perceptions of Pace of Economic Development Subtitle: Remaining Percentage Each Year is No Opinion Data: 2020: 17% rated just right, 80% rated too slow, 0% rated too fast 2021: 57% rated too slow, 34% rated just right, 1% rated too fast 2022: 39% rated too slow, 39% rated just right, 50% rated too fast

Type: Line Title: Ephraim Change in Perceptions of Pace of Economic Development Subtitle: Remaining Percentage Each Year is No Opinion Data: 2021: 39% rated too slow, 43% rated just right, 13% rated too fast 2022: 26% rated too slow, 36% rated just right, 32% rated too fast

Type: Line Title: Helper Change in Perceptions of Pace of Economic Development Subtitle: Remaining Percentage Each Year is No Opinion Data: 2020: 52% rated too slow, 37% rated just right, 2% rated too fast 2021: 33% rated too slow, 52% rated just right, 1% rated too fast 2022: 19% rated too slow, 62% rated just right, 5% rated too fast

Type: Line Title: Hyde Park Change in Perceptions of Pace of Economic Development Subtitle: Remaining Percentage Each Year is No Opinion Data: 2021: 11% rated too slow, 51% rated just right, 25% rated too fast 2022: 13% rated too slow, 33% rated just right, 42% rated too fast

Type: Line Title: Logan Change in Perceptions of Pace of Economic Development Subtitle: Remaining Percentage Each Year is No Opinion Data: 2021: 24% rated too slow, 34% rated just right, 30% rated too fast 2022: 13% rated too slow, 31% rated just right, 51% rated too fast

Type: Line Title: Nephi Change in Perceptions of Pace of Economic Development Subtitle: Remaining Percentage Each Year is No Opinion Data: 2020: 54% rated too slow, 30% rated just right, 9% rated too fast 2021: 37% rated too slow, 36% rated just right, 20% rated too fast 2022: 33% rated too slow, 28% rated just right, 34% rated too fast

Type: Line Title: Nibley Change in Perceptions of Pace of Economic Development Subtitle: Remaining Percentage Each Year is No Opinion Data: 2020: 24% rated too slow, 8% rated just right, 23% rated too fast 2021: 12% rated too slow, 8% rated just right, 47% rated too fast 2022: 22% rated too slow, 5% rated just right, 49% rated too fast

Type: Line Title: North Logan Change in Perceptions of Pace of Economic Development Subtitle: Remaining Percentage Each Year is No Opinion Data: 2020: 29% rated too slow, 41% rated just right, 19% rated too fast 2021: 17% rated too slow, 53% rated just right, 20% rated too fast 2022: 10% rated too slow, 37% rated just right, 42% rated too fast

Type: Line Title: Santaquin Change in Perceptions of Pace of Economic Development Subtitle: Remaining Percentage Each Year is No Opinion Data: 2020: 58% rated too slow, 25% rated just right, 12% rated too fast 2021: 23% rated too slow, 32% rated just right, 38% rated too fast 2022: 26% rated too slow, 23% rated just right, 47% rated too fast

Type: Line Title: Saratoga Springs Change in Perceptions of Pace of Economic Development Subtitle: Remaining Percentage Each Year is No Opinion Data: 2020: 45% rated too slow, 34% rated just right, 14% rated too fast 2021: 33% rated too slow, 34% rated just right, 30% rated too fast 2022: 9% rated too slow, 36% rated just right, 51% rated too fast

Type: Line Title: Tooele Change in Perceptions of Pace of Economic Development Subtitle: Remaining Percentage Each Year is No Opinion Data: 2020: 63% rated too slow, 17% rated just right, 10% rated too fast 2021: 37% rated too slow, 29% rated just right, 28% rated too fast 2022: 40% rated too slow, 14% rated just right, 40% rated too fast

Appendix A - Number of Survey Responses

  2019
(I-Pad Survey)		 2020
(Online Survey)		 2021
(Online Survey)		 2022
(Online Survey)
Beaver       131
Blanding     282 207
Bluff       83
Bountiful   375 213 270
Cedar City 170 262    
Cottonwood Heights       227
Delta   88 90 77
Draper 61 355 375 888
Eagle Mountain   506    
East Carbon     104 131
Ephraim     101 106
Helper 62 101 100 46
Herriman   375 231 136
Highland       187
Hurricane 55 254 271  
Hyde Park     328 448
La Verkin 27 105 150  
Layton     403 319
Lehi 126 295 243 245
Logan 131   563 476
Midvale       52
Millcreek       274
Moab   354 443 208
Nephi   275 144 250
Nibley   62 305 457
North Logan 56 79 102 299
Ogden 122      
Park City 52     390
Price 92   230 261
Richfield   94 65  
Salt Lake City 162      
Sandy     1159 809
Santaquin   180 241 50
Saratoga Springs 131 377 157 109
South Jordan 101     467
Spanish Fork     770 595
St. George 159      
Tooele 173 252 210 332
Tremonton       337
Vernal     98  
Vineyard     379 418
Wellington     66  
West Jordan       672