Utah's Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates

Seasonally adjusted unemployment rates for all Utah counties have been posted online here.

Each month, these rates are posted the Monday following the Unemployment Rate Update for Utah.

For more information about seasonally adjusted rates, read a DWS analysis here.

Next update scheduled for March 26th.

Utah's Employment Situation for January 2018

Utah's Employment Situation for January 2018 has been released on the web.

Find the Current Economic Situation in its entirety here.

For charts and tables, including County Employment, go to the Employment and Unemployment page.

Next update scheduled for March 23rd, 2018.

Updated Economic Snapshots

New three-page snapshots contain narrative at the bottom for more perspective of the data in a monthly look at employment, unemployment, wages construction, and sales for each county in Utah. (Some data updated less frequently, as available.)

For the latest economic snapshot for your county, check out the updated files on our website for Davis, Morgan and Weber counties.

Note: refreshing browser may be necessary for current information. 

Monthly Consumer Price Index (CPI) updated

The Consumer Price Indexes (CPI) program produces monthly data on changes in the prices paid by urban consumers for a representative basket of goods and services.

There is no CPI data specific to Utah, so national data is relied upon for this page.

For monthly and annual CPI data see here.

Utah's Employment Situation for October 2014

Utah's Employment Situation for October 2014 has been released on the web.

Find the Current Economic Situation in its entirety here and an analysis about the question about if Utah is at full employment here.

For charts and tables, including County Employment, go to the Employment and Unemployment page.

Next update scheduled for December 19th.

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364 Manufacturing Reports from Economic Census Industry Series

In recognition of Manufacturing Day on October 3, the Census Bureau presents descriptions of its wide array of data products on the manufacturing sector of the economy. Additionally, statistics on all 364 industries in the manufacturing sector are now available from the 2012 Economic Census.

Click to enlarge

Data includes:

• 2012 Economic Census Industry Series
• 2012 County Business Patterns
• Annual Survey of Manufactures
• Survey of Plant Capacity Utilization
• Manufacturers’ Shipments, Inventories, and Orders (M3)
• U.S. International Trade in Goods
• Additional Economic Indicators

Also released is a county-level thematic map (right) showing the percentage of the civilian employed population employed in manufacturing jobs.


For more information including links, see the U.S. Census Bureau.

Employment by Major Industry

Employment by Major Industry (or Nonfarm Employment) is compiled payroll data for nonfarm workers. Nonfarm workers are all employees excluding government employees, private household employees, employees of nonprofit organizations and farm employees. DWS economists have broken these documents into county regions and are an important economic indicator of the current economic situation. For more: Why no "Farm" in Nonfarm Jobs?

Second quarter 2014 has been updated for counties in the Wasatch Front North region. These can be found on each county's page in the links to right, as well as below.

• Davis County
• Morgan County
• Weber County

New County Pages

See our new County Pages, each with their own URL for easy bookmarking. Find labor market information that has been divided into counties and regions for a quick look at each area.

Also find a new look for the Current Economic Snapshots (Davis, Morgan and Weber). These are economic snapshots are a two-page look at the current information for labor force, sales, building and unemployment insurance for each county in Utah, and are updated monthly after the Employment Situation.

These can be accessed on the Utah Economic Data page or on the Labor Market page under the "County Snapshots" link.

Long-term Industry Projections available on the web

Job seekers who make decisions based on labor trends information are more likely to see payoff for their efforts. An important aspect of career exploration is understanding how occupations and industries are expected to change. To assist in this process, the Department of Workforce Services (DWS) produces long-term industry projections every two years for the major industry sectors in Utah, providing information on the state’s expected labor demands. The long-term projections extend ten years past the base year. Using the industry projections, DWS generates occupational projections for jobs that fall into the industry categories.

To access the most recent set of long-term industry projections, click here.

New Data Available in Utah Economic Data Viewer

The 2013, Q4 industry employment and wages data has been updated in the Utah Economic Data Viewer. Industry employment and wage data is collected through the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) program. The primary source for QCEW data are the reports submitted by employers to the Utah Unemployment Insurance program.

The Utah Department of Workforce Services compiles quarterly employment and wage data for non-agricultural employers in Utah. Data is maintained at the establishment level (e.g., store, plant, or other type of permanent worksite facility). Since these establishments are assigned an industry and county code, their employment and wage data can be aggregated into common industry and county groupings for analysis purposes.

Utah Employers, Employment and Wages by Size, 2013

The Utah Department of Workforce Services compiles quarterly employment and wage data for non-agricultural employers in Utah. Data is maintained at the establishment level (e.g., store, plant, or other type of permanent worksite facility). Since these establishments are assigned an industry and county code, their employment and wage data can be aggregated into common industry and county groupings for analysis purposes.

Employment and wage data for Utah’s non-agricultural employers are categorized in this publication by employment size for the month of March in each of the designated years. Grouping data by this criterion provides a useful tool to analyze the characteristics of Utah employers. For example, general trends of the size of Utah employers and employment concentrations by employer size class can be observed. Wage levels for large, medium, and small firms can also be evaluated.

In this publication, data is presented for both establishments and firms. The term "establishment" is generally defined as a specific physical worksite for an employer. For most employers, this is the actual street location at which business is conducted. For others, with no permanent worksite (such as salespeople, factory representatives, or distributors) it is the location from which they conduct their business (sometimes even residences).

For an overview of this publication and a look at your county, click here.

MSA Gross Domestic Product estimates released

The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis just released 2012 Gross Domestic Product (GDP) estimates for Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) in the United States. On average, MSA real GDP (adjusted for inflation) increased by 2.5 percent in 2012—slightly lower than the total U.S. average of 2.8 percent.

Nationally, Texas and Indiana dominated the rankings for the fastest-growing MSAs. Each of these states placed three MSAs among the top ten. The New Orleans and San Francisco MSAs showed the fastest-growing large MSA economies.

In Utah, only the Logan UT-ID MSA experienced below-average expansion (up only 1 percent. The Provo-Orem MSA produced the highest percent change—4.5 percent and ranked 32nd nationally. The St. George MSA recovered from GDP contraction in 2010 to show a healthy 3.2 percent gain in 2012. For more information about this data release, click here.

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2011 Advance GDP by Metropolitan Area Released

The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis recently released gross domestic product estimates for the nation’s 366 metropolitan areas. In 2011, metropolitan area growth registered an average of 1.6 percent—just slightly higher than the U.S. total (1.5 percent). However, the growth rate for metro areas dropped noticeably from the 2010 expansion of 3.1 percent.

Only 242 of the nation’s metropolitan areas experienced a 2011 gain in GDP. However, all of Utah’s metro area’s showed increases equal to or greater than the U.S. metro average. Both Ogden/Clearfield and Provo/Orem generated gains of greater than 5 percent. Lowest on the scale proved the Logan metro area with a gain of only 1.6 percent. For more information on the current release, click here.

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Foreclosure Rates

I've had a couple of questions lately about where to find foreclosure rates by county. Without paying for information, county-level foreclosure rates are hard to find and when you can find them, the numbers are old (HUD foreclosure rates, 2008; New York Federal Reserve Bank, Third Quarter 2010). Some private entities (such as Realty Trac) publish limited free foreclosure information. However, they don't publish their methodology and an analysis of their figures suggest they may leave something to be desired.

However, for Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs), I have found what looks to be some decent free and relatively up-to-date foreclosure data. This analysis of LPS Applied Analytics Data by the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) is well documented and on-going. And, their methodology is available so the data-user can understand the data itself. You can access their data by clicking here.

I've also thrown together some visualizations of their foreclosure data below. First some definitions:

Foreclosure Rate: Percent of all mortgages in the foreclosure inventory in the reference month.  Mortgages in the foreclosure inventory include those in foreclosure and bankruptcy foreclosures prior to auction or trustee sale.

Prime Foreclosure Rate: Percent of all prime mortgages in the foreclosure inventory in the reference month.  Prime mortgages are those that are Grade A, not a government product or government-insured, and either with 1) credit scores over 720 or 2) credit scores are from 680-719 with full documentation.

Subprime Foreclosure Rate: Percent of all subprime mortgages in the foreclosure inventory in the reference month. Subprime mortgages are those that a servicer coded as subprime or loans made to borrowers with FICO scores below 620 who did not receive a government, Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac loan.

Serious Delinquency Rate: Percent of all mortgages either 90 or more days delinquent or in the foreclosure inventory in the reference month.

90+ Delinquency Rate: Percent of all mortgages 90 or more days delinquent and have not yet entered into judicial or non-judicial foreclosure in the reference month.

Not surprisingly, Utah's poster child for the housing bubble, the St. George, UT MSA (Washington County), shows the rates for most worst measures. On the other hand, it still ranks far below some of the worst MSAs (many in Florida and also nearby Las Vegas). In June 2011, Washington County's foreclosure rate ranking measured 146 and its serious delinquency rate measured 130. The Salt Lake City MSA showed the next Utah highest rankings, while the Logan, UT-ID MSA showed the lowest foreclosure rankings. Hmmm. . .Utah MSAs with the most bubble-like increases in home prices (see the previous post) also show the highest foreclosure rates. While the MSA in Utah with the smallest home-price acceleration during the boom (Logan, UT-ID MSA) shows the lowest foreclosure ranking in Utah. Coincidence? I think not.

You'll also notice that all the Utah MSAs show a decline in serious delinquency rates since the national peak in foreclosures in December 2009. In this case, the St. George, UT MSA has shown the most improvement.

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Rate of multi-generational homes rises in Utah

A Salt Lake Tribune analysis of recently released 2010 Census data shows that such multigenerational households grew by 50 percent in Utah during the past decade — from 25,673 to 38,852. About one of every 21 households in Utah, or 4.6 percent, has three generations or more living together. That is up from 3.7 percent in 2000.

The rate is much higher in some places. Among communities of at least 5,000 residents, Kearns has the highest rate in the state. One of every 10 households there, or 10.2 percent, is multigenerational. Other communities high on that list include: West Valley City, 9.2 percent of all households; Bluffdale, 8.4 percent; Magna, 8.3 percent; and White City, 7.9 percent. Salt Lake Tribune

Most of Utah's Metropolitan Statistical Areas experience GDP growth in 2010

The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis just released annual Gross Domestic Product (GDP) estimates for Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) today. Remember that GDP represents the value of all goods and services produced in an area. Real (inflation-adjusted) U.S. GDP for metropolitan area increased an average 2.5 percent in 2010 after declining 2.5 percent in 2009. Growth proved widespread with real  GDP increasing in 304 of 366 (83 percent) metropolitan areas, led by national growth in durable-goods manufacturing, trade, and financial activities.

In Utah, growth also dominated the figures with only the St. George, UT MSA displaying an annual decline in real GDP (down 1.6 percent). In general, GDP growth in Utah's MSAs registered below average. The Logan UT, MSA showed the most rapid expansion (4.0 percent).

For more information about the 2010 GDP figures for MSAs, click here.

New Total Personal Income Estimates at the Metropolitan Statistical Level

The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) has just released 2010 total personal income estimates for U.S. Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs). According to BEA, personal income rose in 2010 in all but four of the nation’s 366 metropolitan statistical areas. Fortunately, none of Utah's five MSAs ranked among those with declining personal income. On the other hand, some MSAs performed far better than others. Overall, personal income in the U.S. increased 2.9 percent between 2009 and 2010. Here's a few highlights of the MSA stats:

Logan, UT-ID MSA--Personal income in this MSA totaled $3.4 billion in 2010, an increase of 4.1 percent from the previous year. This ranked this MSA 53rd in terms of growth--the highest of any Utah area. This area also showed the highest gains in net earnings--3.4 percent.

Ogden-Clearfield, UT MSA-- In 2010, personal income in this MSA reached $18.2 billion reflecting a 2.7 percent gain over 2009. This MSA showed the third highest growth in personal income among Utah MSAs and ranked 197 (out of 366 MSAs) nationally.

Provo-Orem, UT MSA--With total personal income expansion of 2.8 percent, this MSA tied for second in the Utah ranking and 179 nationally in terms of 2010 growth. During 2010, total personal income measured roughly $13.4 billion.

 St. George, UT MSA--This MSA showed the worst growth performance in the state. Between 2009 and 2010, personal income increased only 1.5 percent to equal $3.6 billion. Still suffering from the economic downturn, net earnings in this MSA dropped by 1.1 percent--the only decline among the Utah MSAs. Nationally, St. George ranked 344 for percent growth nationally.

Salt Lake City, UT MSA--Utah's most populous MSA experienced a 2.8 percent increase in total personal income during 2010. That places Salt Lake City in the number 176 spot for growth among MSAs nationwide. Here, total personal income is estimated at $43.6 billion.

For the complete release on personal income from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, click here.

Metropolitan GDP figures released

The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) has just released 2009 estimates of Gross Domestic Product for Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) across the nation. (Yes, that's not a "typo" 2009 data is the most recent information available for MSAs.) Given the economic downturn, it may be surprising that only 80 percent (292 of 366) of the nation's MSAs experienced a decline in real (inflation-adjusted) gross domestic product.

How did Utah's MSAs perform? Three of five Utah MSAs showed an increase in gross domestic product in 2009--Logan, Salt Lake City, and Ogden-Clearfield. In fact, the Salt Lake City MSA (which includes Salt Lake, Tooele, and Summit counties) placed in the top quintile of all MSAs. The gains weren't phenomenal (just under 1 percent), but during a recession, any gains are certainly welcome.

The St. George, UT MSA (Washington County) produced the worst Utah decline in GDP during 2009--3.4 percent. Of course, the St. George area participated in housing market speculation to a much greater degree than any other area in the state. Indeed, Washington County's decrease placed it in the lowest quintile of all MSAs. It's performance ranking? It ranked 310 out of 366 MSAs. In addition, Provo-Orem experienced a 1.7 percent drop.

For more information on recent GDP performance: http://www.bea.gov/newsreleases/regional/gdp_metro/gdp_metro_newsrelease.htm

Davis County's Hispanic population growing faster than Weber's

The American Community survey shows Davis County's Hispanic population growing twice as fast as Weber County's.

Between 2000 and 2009, the number of Hispanic residents in Davis has gone up at least 62 percent. The Hispanic population of Weber County, with its heavy Hispanic-centered Ogden neighborhoods, went up 30 percent. Percentages can be deceiving -- if two people become four, that's a 100 percent increase -- but the raw numbers are higher in Davis than in Weber.

The 2000 Census said Davis County had 12,955 Hispanic residents. Data released last week in the Census Bureau's American Community Survey, which looks at population and demographics between 2005 and 2009, shows 21,108 Hispanic residents in Davis. That's 8,153 more Hispanics, a 62 percent increase. Ogden Standard-Examiner

Census Bureau Releases American Community Survey data for 2009

The U.S Census Bureau has released the 2009 American Community Survey (ACS) 1-year estimates on American FactFinder. There you will find tables with social, demographic, housing, and economic data for areas with populations of 65,000 or more. The American Community Survey provides a wealth of demographic, social, economic and housing data. For example, here is where Utah ranks among all U.S. states and the District of Columbia in 2009.

Utah ranks:

• Forty-ninth for the percent of households with one or more person 65 years or older.
• Number one for the percent of households with one or more person under 18 years of age.
• Fifty-first for the percentage of people with a disability.
• Eighth for the percentage of people over 25 who have graduated from high school.
• Twentieth for the percentage of people over 25 with at least a Bachelor's degree.
• Thirty-fourth for the percent of married couples with both spouses in the labor force.
• Forty-eighth for the percentage of children in poverty.
• Twelfth for the percentage of children without health insurance coverage.
• Twentieth for the percentage of the population without health insurance coverage.
• Fifth for the percentage of homes built since 2005.
• Twenty-first for median family income.
• Twenty-second for the percentage of the population that is foreign born.
• First for average household size.
• Forty-ninth for the age of women at first marriage.
• Forty-first for the average travel time to work.
• Eighteenth for the percentage of the population that is white/not Hispanic.
• Sixteenth for the divorce rate for women.

Data for 2009 are available for the state, Cache, Davis, Salt Lake, Utah, Washington, and Weber counties. Three-and five-year estimates will be available for the remaining counties in three to four month.

Click here to access the data.