These are the fastest-growing cities in Utah, data shows
SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — The United States Census Bureau released population estimates for cities across the United States on Thursday, revealing which Utah cities are the fastest-growing and which ones are shrinking.
The Bureau used data from the most recent census count and then created population estimates using information on births, deaths and domestic and international migration.
According to their data, Lehi was the fastest-growing city in the Beehive State between 2022 and 2023. The tech center of Utah County is estimated to have gained nearly 6,000 new residents over the last year – a 6.93% increase.
While the data doesn’t explain why some areas of Utah have seen population growth or decline year-over-year, it can provide some insight into where people are going as they move about the state.
Utah’s fastest-growing cities
City | Population in 2022 | Population in 2023 | Change |
Lehi | 84,378 | 90,227 | +5,849 |
Saratoga Springs | 49,313 | 52,532 | +3,219 |
Eagle Mountain | 54,122 | 56,932 | +2,810 |
St. George | 102,561 | 104,578 | +2,017 |
Salt Lake City | 207,677 | 209,593 | +1,916 |
West Haven | 22,351 | 24,014 | +1,663 |
Payson | 22,525 | 24,054 | +1,529 |
Syracuse | 35,538 | 37,022 | +1,484 |
Spanish Fork | 44,142 | 45,557 | +1,415 |
American Fork | 37,260 | 38,549 | +1,289 |
Utah County certainly saw the most growth over the last year. Aside from the population spike in Lehi, Saratoga Springs and Eagle Mountain also saw considerable growth to take the top 3. Utah County also saw growth in Payson, Spanish Fork and American Fork.
St. George in southern Utah and Utah’s capital Salt Lake City rounded out the top five of Utah’s fastest-growing cities.
Utah cities with a shrinking population
City | Population in 2022 | Population in 2023 | Change |
West Valley City | 136,595 | 134,470 | -2,125 |
West Jordan | 116,597 | 114,908 | -1,689 |
Sandy | 92,990 | 91,943 | -1,047 |
Millcreek | 63,001 | 62,205 | -796 |
Taylorsville | 57,863 | 57,098 | -765 |
Holladay | 30,806 | 30,298 | -508 |
Orem | 95,990 | 95,519 | -471 |
Springville | 35,849 | 35,471 | -378 |
Pleasant Grove | 37,654 | 37,294 | -360 |
Provo | 113,689 | 113,343 | -346 |
Looking at the difference between the fastest-growing cities and the cities with a shrinking population shows Utah is still growing at an incredible rate. West Valley City saw the largest decline in numeric population, according to the census data, losing only 2,125 residents year-over-year.
And while Utah County saw impressive growth in some areas, metro hotspots such as Orem and Provo declined in population by a few hundred each from 2022.
Utah’s most populated cities
City | Population in 2023 |
Salt Lake City | 209,593 |
West Valley City | 134,470 |
West Jordan | 114,908 |
Provo | 113,343 |
St. George | 104,578 |
Orem | 95,519 |
Sandy | 91,943 |
Lehi | 90,227 |
Ogden | 87,267 |
South Jordan | 84,528 |
Salt Lake City remains Utah’s most populated city by a fairly large margin, followed by West Valley, despite its year-over-year decline. But Utah’s most populated cities did see one change from 2022.
Thanks to its significant growth, Lehi overtook Ogden as the state’s eighth most populated city with eyes on possibly overtaking Sandy in 2024.
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