Language and Culture

American Indian/Alaska Native populations in Utah

Population

More than 56,000 people who identify as American Indian/Alaska Native** reside in Utah.¹ Salt Lake County has the state’s highest proportion of American Indian/Alaska Native** populations, at 32%, followed by Utah County (14%), and San Juan County (13%).² American Indian/Alaska Native** populations in Utah are growing—they increased by 26% between 2010 and 2020.³

Many of those who identify as American Indian/Alaska Native are enrolled in one of the eight federally recognized tribes of Utah: Northwestern Band of Shoshone Nation, Confederated Tribes of the Goshute Reservation, Skull Valley Band of Goshute, Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah, San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe, Ute Indian Tribe of the Uintah and Ouray Reservation, Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, and Navajo Nation. Utah is also home to people who self-identify with or who are enrolled in tribal nations not indigenous to Utah—such as Apache, Cherokee, and Sioux—as well as Alaska Native populations such as the Inupiat and Tsimshian.⁴

Sociodemographics⁵*

The median age of American Indians/Alaska Natives in Utah is 30.3 years, with a sex distribution of 49.0% males and 51.0% females. More than one-in-ten (13.0%) American Indian/Alaska Native individuals in Utah are born outside of the U.S. Over one-in-three (34.4%) speak a language other than English at home.

Less than one-in-five (18.2%) of American Indian/Alaska Native adults in Utah hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. The median annual income of American Indian/Alaska Native households in Utah is $68,915. The homeownership rate among American Indian/Alaska Native households in Utah is 59.7%. The percent of American Indian/Alaska Native families living below poverty in Utah is 14.5%. The unemployment rate for American Indian/Alaska Native populations in Utah is 8.1%.

_{*Races are reported alone or in combination with one or more other races; Ethnicity is reported Hispanic/Latino of any race.}

_{**American Indian/Alaska Native race alone or in combination with one or more races, regardless of ethnicity}

_{*American Indian/Alaska Native race alone or in combination with any other race, non-Hispanic}

_{¹ U.S. Census Bureau 2016–2020 ACS 5-Year Estimates, Table B02010, American Indian and Alaska Native Alone or in Combination with One or More Other Races ² U.S. Census Bureau 2016–2020 ACS 5-Year Estimates, Table DP05, ACS Demographic and Housing Estimates, Race alone or in combination with one or more other races ³ U.S. Census Bureau 2006–2010 & 2016–2020 ACS 5-Year Estimates, Table DP05, ACS Demographic and Housing Estimates, Race alone or in combination with one or more other races ⁴ U.S. Census Bureau 2016–2020 ACS 5-Year Estimates, Table B02014, American Indian and Alaska Native Alone for Selected Tribal Groupings ⁵ U.S. Census Bureau 2018–2022 ACS 5-Year Estimates, Table S0201, Selected Population Profile in the United States, American Indian and Alaska Native Alone or in Combination with any Other Race, non-Hispanic}

Asian/Asian American populations in Utah

Population

More than 118,000 people who identify as Asian/Asian American** reside in Utah.¹ People of Chinese, Filipino, and Japanese ancestry comprise approximately 50% of Asian/Asian American** populations in the state, followed by populations with Indian, Vietnamese, Korean, Thai, Cambodian, and Laotian ancestries. Smaller populations, including those of Pakistani, Nepali, Burmese, and Indonesian descent also call Utah home. More than half (55.4%) of Asian/Asian American** populations residing in Utah live in Salt Lake County.² Asian/Asian American** populations in Utah increased by 59% between 2010 and 2020.³ Approximately 21% of Utahns who are foreign born are from Asia.⁴

Sociodemographics⁵*

The median age of Asian/Asian American populations in Utah is 29.1 years, with a sex distribution of 47.8% male and 52.2% female. Nearly half (43.0%) of Utah’s Asian population were born outside of the U.S. More than half (52.8%) speak a language other than English at home.

Less than one-in-three (26.5%) of Asian/Asian American individuals in Utah hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. The median annual income of Asian/Asian American households in Utah is $94,891. The homeownership rate among Asian/Asian American populations in Utah is 60.7%. The percent of Asian/Asian American families living below poverty in Utah is 5.3%. The unemployment rate for Asian/Asian American populations in Utah is 2.9%.

_{*Races are reported alone or in combination with one or more other races; Ethnicity is reported Hispanic/Latino of any race.}

_{**Asian/Asian American race alone or in combination with one or more races, regardless of ethnicity}

_{*Asian/Asian American race alone or in combination with any other race, non-Hispanic}

¹ _{U.S. Census Bureau 2016–2020 ACS 5-Year Estimates, Table B02018, Asian Alone or In Any Combination by Selected Groups} ² _{U.S. Census Bureau 2016–2020 ACS 5-Year Estimates, Table DP05, ACS Demographic and Housing Estimates, Race alone or in combination with one or more other races} ³ _{U.S. Census Bureau 2006–2010 & 2016–2020 ACS 5-Year Estimates, Table DP05, ACS Demographic and Housing Estimates, Race alone or in combination with one or more other races} ⁴ _{U.S. Census Bureau 2016–2020 ACS 5-Year Estimates, Table B05002, Place of Birth by Nativity and Citizenship Status} ⁵ _{U.S. Census Bureau 2018–2022 ACS 5-Year Estimates, Table S0201, Selected Population Profile in the United States, Asian Alone or in Combination with any Other Race, non-Hispanic}

Black/African American populations in Utah

Population

More than 59,000 people who identify as Black/African American** reside in Utah.¹ People with Sub-Saharan African origins in Utah include communities with Somali, Sudanese, Ethiopian, Kenyan, Nigerian, South African, and Ghanaian ancestries. Smaller West Indian communities, including those of Jamaican, Haitian, and Trinidadian and Tobagonian descent, also call Utah home.² Approximately 85% of Black/African American** populations live in the urban counties of the Wasatch Front, with the state’s highest proportion (52%) of Black/African American** populations residing in Salt Lake County.³ Black/African American** populations living in Utah increased by 55% between 2010 and 2020.³

Sociodemographics⁴*

The median age of Black/African American populations in Utah is 23.5 years, with a sex distribution of 54.6% male and 45.4% female. More than one-in-four (27.1%) of Black/African Americans living in Utah were born outside of the U.S. About one-in-five (17.7%) speak a language other than English at home.

Nearly one-in-four (22.2%) Utah Black/African American individuals in Utah hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. The median annual income of Black/African American households in Utah is $65,559. The homeownership rate among Black/African American populations in Utah is 31.9%. The percent of Black/African American families living below poverty in Utah is 11.9%.The unemployment rate for Black/African American populations in Utah is 5.2%.

*Races are reported alone or in combination with one or more other races; Ethnicity is reported Hispanic/Latino of any race.

**Black/African American race alone or in combination with one or more races, regardless of ethnicity

*Black/African American race alone or in combination with any other race, non-Hispanic

_{¹ U.S. Census Bureau 2016–2020 ACS 5-Year Estimates, Table B02009, Black or African American Alone or in Combination with One or More Other Races ² U.S. Census Bureau 2016–2020 ACS 5-Year Estimates, Table B04006, People Reporting Ancestry ³ U.S. Census Bureau 2006–2010 & 2016-2020 ACS 5-Year Estimates, Table DP05, ACS Demographic and Housing Estimates, Race alone or in combination with one or more other races ⁴ U.S. Census Bureau 2018–2022 ACS 5-Year Estimates, Table S0201, Selected Population Profile in the United States, Black or African American Alone or in Combination with any Other Race, non-Hispanic}

Hispanic/Latino populations in Utah

Population*

More than 446,000 people who identify as Hispanic/Latino reside in Utah.¹ “Hispanic or Latino” is a category that includes anyone who traces ancestry to Latin America, Spain, or Spanish culture or origin.² People of Mexican ancestry comprise approximately 70% of Hispanic/Latino populations in the state, followed by populations with Salvadoran, Spanish, Puerto Rican, Peruvian, Guatemalan, and Venezuelan ancestries.³ Nearly 48% of Hispanic/Latino populations in Utah live in Salt Lake County.⁴ In Utah, Spanish is the top language spoken after English.⁵ Hispanic/Latino populations in Utah increased by 36% between 2010 and 2020.⁶ Approximately 58% of Utahns who are foreign born are from Latin America.⁷

Sociodemographics⁸*

The median age of Hispanic/Latino populations in Utah is 25.8 years, with a sex distribution of 51.9% male and 48.1% female. Almost one-in-three (32.0%) Hispanic/Latino individuals in Utah were born outside of the U.S. Over 60% (61.6%) speak a language other than English at home. 

Only about one-in-ten (13.1%) of Hispanic/Latino adults in Utah hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. The median annual income of Hispanic/Latino households in Utah is $73,413. The homeownership rate among Hispanic/Latino populations in Utah is 56.1%. The percent of Hispanic/Latino families living below poverty in Utah is 10.3%. The unemployment rate for Hispanic/Latino populations in Utah is 4.0%.

_{*Races are reported alone or in combination with one or more other races; Ethnicity is reported Hispanic/Latino of any race.}

_{*Hispanic/Latino of any race}

¹ _{U.S. Census Bureau 2016–2020 ACS 5-Year Estimates, Table B03003, Hispanic or Latino Origin ² U.S. Census Bureau. About the Hispanic Population and its Origin.  www.census.gov/topics/population/hispanic-origin/about.html ³ U.S. Census Bureau 2016–2020 ACS 5-Year Estimates, Table B03001, Hispanic or Latino Origin by specific origin        ⁴ U.S. Census Bureau 2016–2020 ACS 5-Year Estimates, Table DP05, ACS Demographic and Housing Estimates ⁵ U.S. Census Bureau 2016–2020 ACS 5-Year Estimates, Table DP02, Selected Social Characteristics in the United States ⁶ U.S. Census Bureau 2006–2010 & 2016–2020 ACS 5-Year Estimates, Table DP05, ACS Demographic and Housing Estimates ⁷ U.S. Census Bureau 2016–2020 ACS 5-Year Estimates, Table B05002, Place of Birth by Nativity and Citizenship Status ⁸ U.S. Census Bureau 2018–2022 ACS 5-Year Estimates, Table S0201, Selected Population Profile in the United States, Hispanic or Latino Origin, any Race}

Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander populations in Utah

Population

More than 53,000 people who identify as Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander* reside in Utah.¹ People of Tongan, Samoan, and Native Hawaiian ancestry comprise 82% of Native Hawaiian/ Pacific Islander* populations in the state. About one in four people of Tongan descent living in the United States live in Utah.¹ Additional Pacific Islander populations in Utah include those with Chamorro, Fijian, and Marshallese ancestries. Nearly 53% of Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander* populations living in Utah reside in Salt Lake County.¹ Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander** populations in Utah increased by 52% between 2010 and 2020.²

Sociodemographics

The median age of Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander† populations in Utah is 28.3 years³, with a sex distribution of 51.3% male and 48.7% female.⁴ Almost one-third (29.1%) of Utah’s Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander† populations were born outside of the U.S.⁵ Nearly half (44.6%) speak a language other than English at home.⁶

Less than one-in-five (19.2%) of Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islander^† adults in Utah hold a bachelor’s degree or higher.⁷ The median annual income of Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander^‡ households in Utah is $76,975.⁸ The homeownership rate among Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander^‡ populations in Utah is 48.8%.⁹ The percent of Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander^† families living below poverty in Utah is 8.0%.¹⁰ The unemployment rate for Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander^† populations in Utah is 5.5%.¹¹

*Races are reported alone or in combination with one or more other races; Ethnicity is reported Hispanic/Latino of any race.

*Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander race alone or in any combination 

**Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander race alone or in combination with one or more races, regardless of ethnicity 

^†Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander race alone, non-Hispanic

^‡Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander race alone, any ethnicity

¹ U.S. Census Bureau 2016–2020 ACS 5-Year Estimates, Table B02019, Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander Alone or In Any Combination by Selected Groups ² U.S. Census Bureau 2016–2020 ACS 5-Year Estimates, Table DP05, ACS Demographic and Housing Estimates, Race alone or in combination with one or more other races ³ U.S. Census Bureau 2017–2021 ACS 5-Year Estimates, Table B01002E, Median Age by Sex (Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander Alone) ⁴ U.S. Census Bureau 2017-2021 ACS 5-Year Estimates, Table B01001E, Sex by Age (Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander Alone) ⁵ U.S. Census Bureau 2017-2021 ACS 5-Year Estimates, Table B05003E, Sex by Age by Nativity and Citizenship Status (Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander Alone) ⁶ U.S. Census Bureau 2017-2021 ACS 5-Year Estimates, Table B16005E, Nativity by Language Spoken at Home by Ability to Speak English for the Population 5 Years and Over (Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander Alone) ⁷ U.S. Census Bureau 2017-2021 ACS 5-Year Estimates, Table S1501, Educational Attainment (Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander Alone) ⁸ U.S. Census Bureau 2018-2022 ACS 5-Year Estimates, Table S1903, Median Income in the Past 12 Months (in 2022 Inflation-Adjusted Dollars), Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander Alone, any Ethnicity ⁹ U.S. Census Bureau 2018-2022 ACS 5-Year Estimates, Table S2502, Demographic Characteristics for Occupied Housing Units, Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander Alone, any Ethnicity ¹⁰ U.S. Census Bureau. "Poverty Status in the Past 12 Months of Families." American Community Survey, ACS 5-Year Estimates Subject Tables, Table S1702, 2022 (Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander Alone) ¹¹ U.S. Census Bureau. "Employment Status." American Community Survey, ACS 5-Year Estimates Subject Tables, Table S2301, 2022 (Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander Alone)

White, non-Hispanic populations in Utah

Population^†

In Utah, populations who identify as White, non-Hispanic make up approximately 2.5 million people.¹ White, non-Hispanic populations include those who trace their ancestry to Europe, the Middle East, or North Africa.² The largest populations of European descent in Utah include communities with English, German, Irish, Danish, Scottish, and Swedish ancestry.³ Additionally, the largest populations of Middle Eastern/North African (MENA) descent include communities with Iranian, Lebanese, Iraqi, Egyptian, Arab, and Syrian descent.⁴ White, non-Hispanic populations in Utah increased by 14% between 2011 and 2021⁴ and account for 77% of the total Utah population.

Sociodemographics⁵†

The median age of White, non-Hispanic populations in Utah is 33.4 years, with a sex distribution of 50.6% male and 49.4% female. A small percentage (2.4%) of Utah’s White, non-Hispanic population were born outside of the U.S., while 5.9% speak a language other than English at home.

Nearly half (40.4%) of White, non-Hispanic adults in Utah hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. The median annual income of White, non-Hispanic households in Utah is $106,188. The homeownership rate among White, non-Hispanic populations in Utah is 74.0%. The percentage of White, non-Hispanic families living below poverty in Utah is 4.7%. The unemployment rate for White, non-Hispanic populations in Utah is 2.3%.

*Races are reported alone or in combination with one or more other races; Ethnicity is reported Hispanic/Latino of any race.

^†White race alone, non-Hispanic

¹ U.S. Census Bureau 2016–2020. ACS 5-Year Estimates, Table DP05, ACS Demographic and Housing Estimates, White alone, non-Hispanic or Latino. ²U.S. Census Bureau. (2022). About the Topic of Race. https://www.census.gov/topics/population/race/about.html 3 U.S. Census Bureau 2017–2021. ACS 5-Year Estimates, Table B04006, People Reporting Ancestry ⁴U.S. Census Bureau 2007–2011 & 2017-2021 ACS 5-Year Estimates, Table DP05, ACS Demographic and Housing Estimates, White alone, non-Hispanic or Latino 5U.S. Census Bureau 2018–2022 ACS 5-Year Estimates, Table S0201, Selected Population Profile in the United States, White Alone or in Combination with any Other Race, non-Hispanic