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Utah has an older and more diverse population that’s more likely to own the home they live in and make more money and 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 demographics survey program conducted by the federal agency that runs the census — shows how Utahns changed between 2021 and 2022.

Here’s a look at how Utahns changed over that year, based on demographics, housing, commuting and more.

Population

Utah’s population increased 1.3% in 2022, according to the 1-year estimates.

As the state is growing, it’s getting older. The median age increased from 31.8 to 32.1 — a less than 1% jump.

There were fewer young children and minors and more people over the ages of 18 and 65.

Utah also is getting more diverse. The state’s white population grew but was 87.7% of the overall population in 2022, compared to 88.4% in 2021.

There are more people identifying as Black, Hispanic or Latino, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander and “other” races than in 2021.

But Utah’s population of people identifying as Asian and American Indian and Alaskan Native, whether alone or in combination with another race, shrunk in 2022.

Another shrinking population is veterans — Utah was home to 3.8% fewer veterans in 2022 than in 2021.

Utah’s population also is, generally, more educated than in 2021.

A larger portion of young adults have at least a high school degree, and the portion of the population age 25 and older with a bachelor’s degree increased by 3%.

There was a slight dip in the portion of people age 25 and older with at least a high school degree from 93.2% to 93%.

The portion of the population now married was unchanged, with 55.3% of Utahns age 15 and older married in 2021 and in 2022.

Housing

In 2022, It was more common for people to own the homes they live in than the year before. The number of owner-occupied units increased 4.7% in 2022, while the number of renter-occupied units decreased by 2.4%.

Housing values and costs both increased by double-digit percentages. The median value of owner-occupied housing units jumped 18.4%, and median gross rent jumped 13.6%.

Despite increasing rents, there were about 1,600 fewer people putting 35% or more of their income toward rent in 2022.

Households shrank in size overall by 1.3%, but two types of households grew on average.

The average household size for single fathers and unrelated people living together increased by 1.5% and 0.7%, respectively.

Economics

Utah’s median household income increased from $79,499 to $89,168 in 2022. That’s a 12.2% jump.

The state also had fewer people living below the poverty line and receiving food stamps and Medicaid. The uninsured rate also dropped 10%.

Median earnings for men and women increased. Women’s earnings increased slightly more but still trailed men’s by about $17,500.

Commuting

The average one-way commute increased by about 1% in 2022.

Utahns also were more likely to drive to work, with carpooling increasing by 12.5% and single-occupancy driving increasing by 1.7% People also were more likely to use public transit but less likely to walk to the office, use “other means” to commute or work from home.

All of the 1-year estimates are available at data.census.gov.

Megan Banta is The Salt Lake Tribune’s data enterprise reporter, a philanthropically supported position. The Tribune retains control over all editorial decisions.

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