Language and Culture

Latest Demographic Profiles

Blacks and African Americans in Utah

History

African American fur trappers, explorers, and gold prospectors lived and worked in what is now Utah nearly 25 years before the arrival of the Mormon pioneers. The first permanent African American settlers included several families that traveled to Utah with the Mormon pioneer wagon trains in 1847. The Utah Territorial Census of 1860 counted 59 people of African descent, including 29 slaves.

Population

There are about 48,000 African Americans living in Utah1 - with 70% living in Salt Lake (19,892), Davis (5,291), Weber (4,182), and Utah (4,006) counties.2 Between 2000 and 2010, Utah’s African American population experienced a 77% growth rate, from 24,382 to 43,209.3

Some of this growth may be attributed to the arrival of African Americans who relocated to Utah from Louisiana and Mississippi in the wake of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, as well as military families living near Hill Air Force Base. Community leaders emphasize Utah’s low cost of living, educational opportunities, and strong jobs and housing markets as factors that continue to draw people to Utah.

Sociodemographics

The median age of Utah African Americans in 2014 is 19.6 years – the “youngest” population in Utah, with a sex distribution of 55.2% males and 44.8 females.¹

Utah’s Black/African American population is ethnically diverse, with 17% being born outside the U.S.⁴ Census data shows that 66% of those born abroad are from Africa, 29% from Latin America, 3% from Asia, and 2% from Europe.⁵ About 23% of African Americans speak a non-English language at home.⁵

Nearly 15% of Utah African Americans holds a bachelor’s degree. ⁶

RACE/ETHNICITY	Population	Median Age (Years)	% Male	% Female	Foreign Born	Other Language	Bachelor’s Degree
White	2,601,525	29.4	50.2%	49.8%	5.3%	9.2%	20.5%
Hispanic/Latino	370,870	23.6	51.6%	48.4%	40.0%	67.1%	8.2%
Asian	80,037	26.8	47.5%	52.5%	48.2%	57.1%	24.2%
American Indian/ Alaska Native	59,338	24.1	49.6%	50.4%	2.5%	31.4%	8.7%
Black/African American	47,856	19.6	55.2%	44.8%	17.2%	22.8%	14.5%
Native Hawaiian/ Pacific Islander	37,994	20.2	52.2%	47.8%	21.3%	44.0%	11.2%

¹U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Estimates of the Resident Population by Sex, Age, Race Alone or in Combination, 2014 Population Estimates, Table PEPA SR5H. ²U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2006-2010 Selected Population Tables, Table B01001. ³U.S. Census Bureau, 2000 Summary File 2 (SF 2), Table DP-1; Census 2010 Summary File 2 (SF 2), Table DP-1.⁴U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2006-2010 5- Year Estimates, Table B05003. ⁵U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2011-2013 3-Year Estimates, Table S0201. ⁶U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2006-2010 5-Year Estimates, Table B15002.

Printable version

Other OHE Produced Reports

Moving Forward in 2016: Fifteen Years of Health Data Trends by Race and Ethnicity for Utah Blacks/African Americans

African American and Pacific Islander Postnatal Interview Study: How the Rest of their Lives Affects Pregnancies of Pacific Islanders and African Americans in Utah
Utah’s first ever qualitative study with Utah African American and Pacific Islander mothers who had experienced an adverse birth outcomes, this study focused on identifying social determinants of health factors.

Moving Forward in 2010

Utah Health Disparities Summary 2009

Infections Disease, Alcohol Abuse, Mental Health and Violence

Chronic Conditions, Reproductive Health, Injury, and Lifestyle Risk

American Indians and Alaska Natives (AIANs) in Utah

Background

The five tribal cultures which inhabit what is now called Utah include the Utes, Paiutes, Northwestern Shoshones, Goshutes, and Navajos. Today, there are eight sovereign tribal governments within Utah: Confederated Tribes of the Goshute Reservation, Navajo Nation, Northwestern Band of Shoshone Nation, Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah, San Juan Southern Paiute, Skull Valley Band of Goshute, Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, Ute Indian Tribe. Today, tribal communities in Utah continue to be relevant and contribute to the rich culture and history of the state.

Population

There are about 60,000 AIANs living in Utah¹. About 46% of Utah's AIAN population lives in urban Salt Lake (14,562), Utah (5,608), Davis (3,269), and Weber (3,150) counties,² with the remainder on or near the eight reservations within Utah (some of which cross/share borders with neighboring states). Census data show that the largest tribal communities indigenous to Utah are the Navajo Nation, Ute Indian Tribe, and Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah.³ Utah is also home to people who self-identify or are enrolled in tribal nations that are not indigenous to Utah- such as the Cherokee an Sioux - as well as Alaska Natives such as Athabascans, Inupiat, Tlingit-Haida, and Yup'ik.³

Sociodemographics

The median age of Utah AIANs in 2014 is 24.1 years, with a sex distribution of 49.6% males and 50.4 females.¹

Close to one-third of AIANs speak a language other than English at home and ongoing efforts are being made to preserve and promote tribal language usage. After English, Navajo is the fourth-most spoken language in Utah.⁴

About 9% of Utah AIANs hold a bachelor's degree, the second-lowest rate of any Utah race group. ⁵

For more health information on Utah’s indigenous people and tribal governments, please visit the website of the UDOH American Indian/Alaska Native Health Initiative.

Content approved by UIHAB September 2015

RACE/ETHNICITY	Population	Median Age (Years)	% Male	% Female	Foreign Born	Other Language	Bachelor’s Degree
White	2,601,525	29.4	50.2%	49.8%	5.3%	9.2%	20.5%
Hispanic/Latino	370,870	23.6	51.6%	48.4%	40.0%	67.1%	8.2%
Asian	80,037	26.8	47.5%	52.5%	48.2%	57.1%	24.2%
American Indian/ Alaska Native	59,338	24.1	49.6%	50.4%	2.5%	31.4%	8.7%
Black/African American	47,856	19.6	55.2%	44.8%	17.2%	22.8%	14.5%
Native Hawaiian/ Pacific Islander	37,994	20.2	52.2%	47.8%	21.3%	44.0%	11.2%

¹U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Estimates of the Resident Population by Sex, Age, Race Alone or in Combination, 2014 Population Estimates, Table PEPA SR5H. ²U.S. Census Bureau, 2009-2013 ACS 5-Year Estimates, Table B02010. ³U.S. Census Bureau, 2011-2013 ACS 3-Year Estimates, Table B02017. ⁴U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2009-2013 5- Year Estimates, Table B16001. ⁵U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2006-2010 5-Year Estimates, Table B15002.

Printable Version

Other OHE Produced Reports

Moving Forward in 2016: Fifteen Years of Health Data Trends by Race and Ethnicity for American Indians/Alaska Natives in Utah

Moving Forward in 2010

Utah Health Disparities Summary 2009

Chronic Conditions, Reproductive Health, Injury, and Lifestyle Risk

Infectious Disease, Alcohol Abuse, Mental Health and Violence

Utah Government Offices Serving Tribal Populations

Utah Division of Indian Affairs
This department works with all state agencies to promote positive intergovernmental relations between the state and tribes.

Utah Indian Health Advisory Board
(UIHAB) advises the Utah Department of Health on issues related to American Indians who are tribal members.

Asians in Utah

History

The first Asian residents of Utah were Chinese railroad workers who built the western segment of the Transcontinental Railroad, which was completed near Promontory, Utah in 1869. The Chinese who made Utah home were followed by the first Japanese settlers in 1882, Koreans in 1910, Filipinos in 1922, and most recently, new Utahns originally from South Asia and Southeast Asia.

Population

There are over 80,000 Asians residing in Utah¹ - with Chinese, Japanese, and Filipinos comprising more than 50% of the Asian population (followed by Vietnamese, Indian, Laotian, and Thai communities). Smaller communities of Nepali, Tibetan, Bhutanese, Hmong, Karen, and other groups also call Utah home.

At 4.4%, Salt Lake County has the state’s highest proportion of Asians.² The populations of Indians, Filipinos, and Thais all doubled between 2000 and 2010, while the overall Asian population in Utah experienced a 63% increase during those years.³

Sociodemographics

The median age of Utah Asians in 2014 is 26.8 years – the second "oldest" population in Utah, with a sex distribution of 47.5% males and 52.5 females.¹

Utah’s Asians are more likely to be born outside the U.S. than any other population.⁴ About 57% of Asians report speaking a language other than English at home – the second-highest rate of non-English language use in the state.⁵ With 11,451 speakers, Chinese is the third-most spoken language in Utah after English and Spanish. Vietnamese and Korean are also among the top ten Utah languages. About one-quarter of Utah Asians holds a bachelor’s degree, the highest rate of any Utah race group. ⁶

RACE/ETHNICITY	Population	Median Age (Years)	% Male	% Female	Foreign Born	Other Language	Bachelor’s Degree
White	2,601,525	29.4	50.2%	49.8%	5.3%	9.2%	20.5%
Hispanic/Latino	370,870	23.6	51.6%	48.4%	40.0%	67.1%	8.2%
Asian	80,037	26.8	47.5%	52.5%	48.2%	57.1%	24.2%
American Indian/ Alaska Native	59,338	24.1	49.6%	50.4%	2.5%	31.4%	8.7%
Black/African American	47,856	19.6	55.2%	44.8%	17.2%	22.8%	14.5%
Native Hawaiian/ Pacific Islander	37,994	20.2	52.2%	47.8%	21.3%	44.0%	11.2%

¹U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Estimates of the Resident Population by Sex, Age, Race Alone or in Combination, 2014 Population Estimates, Table PEPA SR5H. ²U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2011-2013 3-Year Estimates, Table S0201. ³U.S. Census Bureau, 2011-2013 3-Year Estimates. ⁴U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2006-2010 5-Year Estimates, Table B05003. ⁵ U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2006-2010 5-Year Estimates, Table B16004. ⁶U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2006-2010 5-Year Estimates, Table B15002.

Printable version

Other OHE Produced Reports

Moving Forward in 2016: Fifteen Years of Health Data Trends by Race and Ethnicity for Utah Asians

Moving Forward in 2010

Utah Health Disparities Summary 2009

Infections Disease, Alcohol Abuse, Mental Health and Violence

Chronic Conditions, Reproductive Health, Injury, and Lifestyle Risk

Hispanics/Latinos in Utah

History

The Spanish were the first non-indigenous people to travel to Utah, beginning with the Juan Rivera (1765) and Dominguez-Escalante (1776) expeditions. Permanent Hispanic communities first emerged in the 1890s near Monticello along the Old Spanish Trail. Utah’s Hispanic/Latino population was initially comprised of people from Mexico and the southwestern U.S., with an influx of people from Central and South America beginning to make Utah home following World War II.

Population

Of Utah’s 371,000 Hispanics/Latinos,1 the largest groups are Mexican (275,095), Spaniard/Spanish (18,250), Salvadoran (11,023), Peruvian (9,053), Guatemalan (7,400), and Puerto Rican (7,215).2 Between 2000 and 2010, this population experienced a 78% growth rate, from 201,559 to 358,340.³

Sociodemographics

The median age of Utah Hispanics/Latinos in 2014 is 23.6 years with a sex distribution of 51.6% males and 48.4 females.¹

“Hispanic or Latino” is a category that includes anyone who traces ancestry to Latin America, Spain, or Spanish “culture or origin.”⁴ About 40% of Hispanics/Latinos are foreign-born.⁵ Hispanics/Latinos are more likely to speak a non-English language at home than any other Utah community, with Spanish being the most spoken language after English.⁵ Many Brazilians consider themselves “Latino” (not necessarily “Hispanic”) and Portuguese is the sixth-most spoken language in Utah.6 Nearly 8% of Utah Hispanics/Latinos hold a bachelor’s degree. ⁷

RACE/ETHNICITY	Population	Median Age (Years)	% Male	% Female	Foreign Born	Other Language	Bachelor’s Degree
White	2,601,525	29.4	50.2%	49.8%	5.3%	9.2%	20.5%
Hispanic/Latino	370,870	23.6	51.6%	48.4%	40.0%	67.1%	8.2%
Asian	80,037	26.8	47.5%	52.5%	48.2%	57.1%	24.2%
American Indian/ Alaska Native	59,338	24.1	49.6%	50.4%	2.5%	31.4%	8.7%
Black/African American	47,856	19.6	55.2%	44.8%	17.2%	22.8%	14.5%
Native Hawaiian/ Pacific Islander	37,994	20.2	52.2%	47.8%	21.3%	44.0%	11.2%

¹US Census Bureau, Annual Estimates of the Resident Population by Sex, Age, Race Alone or in Combination, 2014 Population Estimates, Table PEPA SR5H. ²US Census Bureau, ACS 2009-2013 5-Year Estimates, Table B03001. ³U.S. Census Bureau, Census 2000 Summary File 2 (SF2), Table DP-1; Census 2010 Summary File 2 ( SF 2), Table DP-1. ⁴https://www.census.gov/topics/population/hispanic-origin/about.html/. ⁵U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2011-2013 3-Year Estimates, Table S0201. ⁶US Census Bureau, ACS 2009-2013 5-Year Estimates, Table B16001. Portuguese is also spoken by non-Hispanic/Latinos from Portugal and former Portuguese colonies in Africa and Asia. ⁷U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2006-2010 5-Year Estimates, Table B15002.

Printable version

Other OHE Produced Reports

Moving Forward in 2016: Fifteen Years of Health Data by Race and Ethnicity for Utah Hispanics/Latinos
This profile presents trend date from 2005, 2010, and 2015 editions of the Health Status by Race and Ethnicity reports illustrating trends in specific health indicators and health risks among Hispanics/Latinos in Utah.

Latinos in the 2010 Elections: Utah
The Pew Research Center provides demographic information about Latino voters in Utah.

Utah Latino Health and Disability Needs Assessment
This study was done by Utah State University for the Utah Department of Health in 2006 and describes the needs of Utah Latinos with disabilities.

Moving Forward in 2010

Utah Health Disparities Summary 2009

Infections Disease, Alcohol Abuse, Mental Health and Violence

Chronic Conditions, Reproductive Health, Injury, and Lifestyle Risk

Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders (NHPIs) in Utah

History

The first known NHPIs to settle in Utah were Native Hawaiians who arrived in 1873. A sizeable NHPI community emerged in the Salt Lake Valley which included Maori from New Zealand beginning in 1884, Samoans prior to 1898, and Tongans as early as 1924. While many of Utah’s NHPIs can trace their ancestry to these early arrivals, the largest influx of NHPIs occurred following World War II.

Population

There are nearly 38,000 Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders residing in Utah, with more than 85% living in Salt Lake County and Utah County.¹ The population of Guamanians/Chamorros increased 157% between 2000 and 2010, a growth rate followed by Fijians (96% growth) and Samoans (85% growth).²

Salt Lake City and West Valley City have the largest and second largest population of Tongans of any city in the U.S., with one in four Tongan Americans living in Utah. While Salt Lake City has the fourth-largest Samoan community in the U.S., the overall proportion of NHPIs in Salt Lake City is greater than any other city in the continental U.S.³

Sociodemographics

The median age of Utah NHPIs in 2014 is 20.2 years – the second “youngest” population in Utah, with a sex distribution of 52.2% males and 47.8% females.¹

Nearly one-quarter of NHPIs in Salt Lake City are foreign-born.4 About 68% of Tongans and 45% of Samoans report speaking a language other than English at home, with Tongan and Samoan being the fifth-most spoken and ninth-most spoken languages in Utah respectively.⁵ About 7% of Tongans and 9% of Samoans hold a bachelor’s degree, the lowest rates of any race group.⁶

RACE/ETHNICITY	Population	Median Age (Years)	% Male	% Female	Foreign Born	Other Language	Bachelor’s Degree
White	2,601,525	29.4	50.2%	49.8%	5.3%	9.2%	20.5%
Hispanic/Latino	370,870	23.6	51.6%	48.4%	40.0%	67.1%	8.2%
Asian	80,037	26.8	47.5%	52.5%	48.2%	57.1%	24.2%
American Indian/ Alaska Native	59,338	24.1	49.6%	50.4%	2.5%	31.4%	8.7%
Black/African American	47,856	19.6	55.2%	44.8%	17.2%	22.8%	14.5%
Native Hawaiian/ Pacific Islander	37,994	20.2	52.2%	47.8%	21.3%	44.0%	11.2%

¹U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Estimates of the Resident Population by Sex, Age, Race Alone or in Combination, 2014 Population Estimates, Table PEPA SR5H; ACS 2011-2013 3-Year Estimates, Table S0201. ²U.S. Census Bureau, 2010 Census SF1, Tables P8, P9, and PCT10; 2010 Census SF1, Tables P5, P6, and PCT10. ³U.S. Census Bureau, 2010 Census SF1, Table P6; 2010 Census SF1, Table PCT10. ⁴U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2006-2010 5-Year Estimates, Table B05003. ⁵U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2006-2010 5-Year Estimates, Table B16004. ⁶U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2006-2010 5-Year Estimates, Table B15002.

Printable version

OHE Produced Reports and Products

It Takes a Village: Giving Our Babies the Best Chance
The It Takes a Village (ITAV) project is an ongoing effort by the OHD to address birth outcomes among Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander communities. OHD has developed a culturally relevant curriculum aimed at creating healthier communities and babies. Check out this innovative curriculum and start a group near you.

Moving Forward in 2016: Fifteen Years of Health Data Trends by Race and Ethnicity for Utah Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders
This profile presents trend data from 2005, 2010, and 2015 editions of the Health Status by Race and Ethnicity reports illustrating trends in specific health indicators and health risks among Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders in Utah.

MAHINA Pilot Program: Raising Awareness About Birth Outcomes Disparities Among Pacific Islander Communities in Utah
This is a summary of OHD's collaboration with the MAHINA (Maternal Health & Infant Advocates) Task Force on a pilot project to raise awareness about birth outcomes disparities among Utah Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander communities.

Developing a Multilingual Questionnaire and Surname List to Sample Utah Pacific Islanders
This peer-reviewed article explains the methods and implications of the 2011 Pacific Islander Study. Journal of Public Health Management & Practice: March/April 2013 - Volume 19 - Issue 2 - p E25–E31 doi: 10.1097/PHH.0b013e318252ee60

Utah Pacific Islanders Community Perspectives
This report outlines an in-depth conversation with local Pacific Islanders about perspectives surrounding birth outcomes from the results of two surveys and five focus groups.

Utah Pacific Islanders 2011
The first statewide health survey conducted in three languages, interviewing 605 adult Utah Pacific Islanders in English, Tongan, and Samoan.

Moving Forward in 2010

Utah Health Disparities Summary 2009

Infections Disease, Alcohol Abuse, Mental Health and Violence

Chronic Conditions, Reproductive Health, Injury, and Lifestyle Risk

Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) Standards

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Minority Health released the enhanced CLAS standards to systematically advance health equity and ensure the delivery of culturally respectful and linguistically responsive health care and services.There are 15 CLAS standards. They are intended to address cultural and linguistic considerations within three broad, inter-related themes: Governance, Leadership and Workforce; Communication and Language Assistance; and Engagement, Continuous Improvement, and Accountability.

CLAS Resources

The following resources have been developed to help you and your organization implement CLAS standards.

CLAS Toolkit is a practical tool developed by OHE specifically for Utah Department of Health and Local Health Department agencies and programs to inform CLAS implementation efforts.

Workforce Diversity Fact Sheet provides specific information about diversifying your workforce.

Translation and Interpretation Resources

Definition of translation vs interpretation.

Translation is the written transfer of text information from one language to another.
Interpretation is the verbal transfer of spoken information from one language to another.

Utah Language Data

is a report of the most common languages spoken in Utah created to help guide state, county and local public health and health care professionals plan and provide services for Limited English Proficient patients and clients.

Utah Medicaid and CHIP Interpreter Services

are free for program clients. If you need an interpreter, call 801-538-6155 or 1-800-662-9651.

Language Services Guides for Utah Public Health Agencies

If you are a current Utah Department of Health employee, you may use this guide to find a current state of Utah language services contractor.

This Interpretation Toolkit provides guidance to state and local health department personnel through step-by-step procedures to promote accurate and effective verbal interpretation processes. The Translation Toolkit and Manual provides detailed explanation of how programs can achieve high quality written translations.

Language Identification Booklet and Poster

have been developed to help you identify what language a person may understand. The booklet contains 35 of the most likely encountered languages spoken in Utah. The poster, Language Identification for Interpreter Services, contains the top 20 languages spoken in Utah and is intended to help public health insurance recipients receive interpreter services.

Translated Resources for Covered Entities

have been provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Covered entities are required to post notices of nondiscrimination and taglines that alert individuals with limited English proficiency of the availability of language assistance services. Translated resources are available for use by covered entities.

Audio Resources

OHD has created resources for the visually impaired or low literacy patient populations. Audio resources are accessed on the EthnoMed website. EnthoMed is a site that contains information about cultural beliefs and medical issues of many immigrant groups from Latin America, Asia and Africa.

Know Your Rights

If you believe that you have been discriminated against because of your race, color, national origin, disability, age, sex or religion by a health care or human services provider (such as a hospital, nursing home, social service agency) or by a State or local government health or human services agency, you may file a complaint with the Office of Civil Rights (OCR). You may file a complaint for yourself or for someone else.

Other Government Offices Serving Minorities

Language and Culture

Latest Demographic Profiles

Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) Standards

CLAS Resources

Translation and Interpretation Resources

Utah Language Data

Utah Medicaid and CHIP Interpreter Services

Language Services Guides for Utah Public Health Agencies

Translated Resources for Covered Entities

Audio Resources

Know Your Rights

Other Government Offices Serving Minorities

Office of Minority Health, U.S. Dept of Health & Human Services

Utah Multicultural Commission

Utah Multicultural Affairs Office

Utah Division of Indian Affairs

Utah Indian Health Advisory Board