Boosting Utah's Economy: Immigrant Workforce's Impact on Utah’s GDP
Immigrants in Utah help power the state’s economy. Immigrants, both parents and other adults, are vital contributing members of our state who help us be a stronger and better Utah. More than 304,000 immigrants call Utah home, making up 9% of our state. More than 181,400 U.S.-born residents live with at least one immigrant parent.
In 2023, Immigrants' share of contributions to Utah’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was approximately $23,000,000,000!
What is GDP? The value of the final goods and services produced in the United States is the gross domestic product. [1]
Immigrants Power Essential Industries
The top three Industries in Utah in which immigrants contributed to Utah’s GDP in 2023 were: Educational services, health care, and social assistance, Manufacturing, and Construction.
What does this mean? It means immigrants are filling vital roles in our economy, from childcare, elder care, and school support to nursing and other social services roles. They are helping with food production and building the roads, homes, and schools we all use in our daily lives.
Here’s How Immigrants Are Boosting The Local Economy In Your County!
In 2023, Immigrants contributed significantly to the local economy of the following counties. To find out more information, expand the accordions for each county. 6 of the 29 counties had significant immigrant GDP contributions. Calculating their workforce estimates, immigrant population, and workforce share, you will find a breakdown of some key data below.
Cache County
Cache County has an estimated 8,855 immigrants, representing 6% of the county’s population. Immigrants’ share of economic contributions to Cache County’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was approximately $890,629,117. Immigrants in Cache County play a vital role in these industries:
- Manufacturing: Immigrants represent approximately 34% of this industry.
- Educational services, and health care and social assistance: Immigrants represent approximately 16% of this industry.
- Arts, entertainment, and recreation, and accommodation and food services: Immigrants represent approximately 9.9% of this industry.
Davis County
Davis County has an estimated 19,605 immigrants, representing 5% of the county’s population. Immigrants’ share of economic contributions to Davis County’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was approximately $2,153,132,679. Immigrants in Davis County play a vital role in these industries:
- Manufacturing: Immigrants represent approximately 17% of this industry.
- Educational services, and health care and social assistance: Immigrants represent approximately 13.4% of this industry.
- Construction: Immigrants represent approximately 10.9% of this industry.
Salt Lake County
Salt Lake County has an estimated 154,210 immigrants, representing 13% of the county’s population. Immigrants’ share of economic contributions to Salt Lake County’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was approximately $12,135,748,585. Immigrants in Salt Lake County play a vital role in these industries:
- Manufacturing: Immigrants represent approximately 16.1% of this industry.
- Educational services, and health care and social assistance: Immigrants represent approximately 15.1% of this industry.
- Construction: Immigrants represent approximately 13.4% of this industry.
Utah County
Utah County has an estimated 53,289 immigrants, representing 6% of the county’s population. Immigrants’ share of economic contributions to Salt Lake County’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was approximately $4,075,353,927. Immigrants in Utah County play a vital role in these industries:
- Manufacturing: Immigrants represent approximately 17% of this industry.
- Educational services, and health care and social assistance: Immigrants represent approximately 16.5% of this industry.
- Professional, scientific, and management, and administrative and waste management services: Immigrants represent approximately 16.4% of this industry.
Washington County
Washington County has an estimated 11,161 immigrants, representing 6% of the county’s population. Immigrants’ share of economic contributions to Washington County’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was approximately $876,763,268. Immigrants in Washington County play a vital role in these industries:
- Professional, scientific, and management, and administrative and waste management services: Immigrants represent approximately 20.8% of this industry.
- Construction: Immigrants represent approximately 16.8% of this industry.
- Arts, entertainment, and recreation, and accommodation and food services: Immigrants represent approximately 14.9% of this industry.
Weber County
Weber County has an estimated 16,712 immigrants, representing 6% of the county’s population. Immigrants’ share of economic contributions to Weber County’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was approximately $1,713,180,225. Immigrants in Weber County play a vital role in these industries:
- Manufacturing: Immigrants represent approximately 23.5% of this industry.
- Construction: Immigrants represent approximately 13.9% of this industry.
- Educational services, and health care and social assistance: Immigrants represent approximately 13.9% of this industry.
Call to Action
As we build a more prosperous Utah, we must recognize the contributions immigrants in our state are making. From playing a vital role in industries like construction, warehouses, and factories to hospitality and education, immigrants are helping make Utah a better place for all of us. As we consider local policies for Utah families, we urge lawmakers to understand how vital immigrants, their families, and their contributions are to our economy and future.
As we look towards the future, we must look at policy solutions that fill the gaps in our state’s workforce and meet the needs of our immigrant communities. As an organization focused on children and families, we recognize the role employment plays in the stability of households.
Below are three key policy solutions that can continue supporting our immigrant workforce and sustaining immigrant families:
- Expanding lawful status opportunities for immigrant families at home and abroad by developing permanent protections for long-term immigrant families and removing barriers for worker visas that Utah businesses rely on.
- Investment in programs and state initiatives, such as the Utah Center for Global Talent, that work to remove barriers the immigrant workforce faces.
- Supporting local New American offices that enhance immigration integration for adults and children through partnerships that provide English learning opportunities, formal education information, civic and social programming, and more.
As we look to fill gaps in our workforce, we understand that immigrants can fill labor shortages, support our local businesses, and boost our economy. As we consider the future of Utah, and the impact to children and families, we must consider how different groups, like immigrants, can fill vital roles for our state's long-term success. Policies should reflect Utah, which provides opportunities that benefit all of us, including more than 181,400 immigrant families.
Sources:
U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Department of Commerce.
"Selected Characteristics of the Native and Foreign-Born Populations.
"American Community Survey, ACS 5-Year Estimates Subject Tables, Table S0501, 2023. Bureau of Economic Analysis. CAGDP1
County and MSA gross domestic product (GDP) summary, 2023
Adapted from Colorado Fiscal Institute: https:/ /coloradofiscal.org/immigrants-power-colorados-economy/
[1] https://www.bea.gov/resources/learning-center/what-to-know-gdp
All Data Sheets:
Cache County's Immigrant Workforce
Davis County's Immigrant Workforce
Salt Lake County's Immigrant Workforce
Utah County's Immigrant Workforce
