A report issued in December 2022 by the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute at the University of Utah shows population estimates indicating Utah’s population has topped 3.4 million. From July 1, 2021, to July 1, 2022, a total of 61,242 residents were added to the state. These new residents were added through both natural increase (number of births minus deaths) and net migration (residents moving into Utah minus those moving out).

Utah County added 23,980 new residents during this period. This was more than any other county in Utah and more than double the number of Salt Lake County, which added the second-highest number of new residents (9,998).

“Utah County continues to be the most significant contributor to state growth, accounting for 39% of the state’s population gain in 2022,” the report states.

Like most of Utah’s counties, Utah County’s growth was driven by net migration, which accounted for 64% of the county’s population increase.

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Growth is happening in Utah, and Utah County is situated in the crosshairs of all the consequences of that growth, both positive and negative. For example, an increase in new move-ins generally indicates an area has a strong, thriving economy, which Utah County currently enjoys. However, that increase also drives up demand for homes, raising home prices out of reach for many families.

Our current prosperity in Utah County is based on long-held principles that never change: spend less than you make. Measure twice, cut once. Leave it better than when you came. We need to hold on to these principles and continue utilizing them as our guides as we plot our county’s future path through this challenging time.

To achieve the greatest possible prosperity and happiness, however, we also need to change our perspective regarding growth. In and of itself, growth is neutral; it is our reaction to it which is positive or negative.

Many can identify with the idea of NIMBY, or “Not In My Backyard.” Residents may see a new townhome development nearby and bemoan the increase in population and traffic in their neighborhood. This situation can instead be seen in a positive light: townhomes can be less expensive than single-family homes, which provides opportunities for our children to purchase homes and continue to live in our beautiful valley instead of having to move elsewhere to find more affordable alternatives.

In an effort to react to growth in a positive way, the Utah Valley Chamber of Commerce is deeply committed to Valley Visioning, a process through which residents, governmental officials and stakeholders in areas such as education and business work together to ensure growth in Utah County is achieved in a healthy and prosperous way. Six committees have been formed as part of the chamber to help address and manage growth in the following areas:

• Business Environment
• Education & Workforce
• Healthcare Reform
• Housing Gap
• Natural Resources
• Transportation

Throughout this year, the Utah Valley Chamber of Commerce will have articles published in the Daily Herald that provide information about the activities and projects overseen by these committees as well as other chamber events and initiatives.

Utah County’s population is projected to continue growing, with hundreds of thousands more people living here by 2065. We invite you to join the chamber and be part of our efforts to positively manage today’s growth and plan for the future, all while maintaining Utah County’s unparalleled quality of life.

For more information about Valley Visioning, visit http://thechamber.org or scan the QR code included with this article.

Curtis Blair is President & CEO of the Utah Valley Chamber of Commerce.