June 2024 "Storytelling through Data" Event: Utah’s Middle Class

On June 26, the Gardner Institute hosted its quarterly “Storytelling through Data” event, co-sponsored by the Salt Lake Tribune. These events feature conversations focused on data-grounded, solutions-oriented dialogue critical to life quality in Utah. Our topic was Utah’s middle class, and we were joined by researchers and state experts who shared their insights on how best to support Utahns’ future prosperity.

Utah’s middle class represents a larger share of households than the national average. The Beehive State also possesses greater income equality, social capital, and upward mobility than other states. Despite these favorable hallmarks, challenges remain on how to support and grow the middle class in Utah. Wages, for example, vary greatly by education level, which is markedly impacted by socioeconomic status. Social determinants of health also greatly impact the life expectancy and upward mobility of Utahns.

For the conversation, we were joined by Christine Richman, Principal at GSBS Consulting; Bill Crim, President and CEO of United Way of Salt Lake; and Levi Pace, Senior Research Economist at the Gardner Institute. The panelists shared their thoughts on potential policy prescriptions to help support a strong middle class in Utah and to help build a civil society that benefits all Utahns. The Gardner Institute also released a fact sheet summarizing economic data trends related to Utah’s middle class, which you can view by visiting our website at gardner.utah.edu. 

Salt Lake Tribune Executive Editor Lauren Gustus moderated the conversation.