Synopsis
United Way of Utah County and the agencies that joined forces to produce this assessment are pleased to present this report to public officials, community leaders, service providers, public policy advocates, and others. In 2018, Utah County remains the youngest county in the nation. With a median age of 24.4 years, more than one-third of all residents are younger than 18. Nearly 10 percent are younger than 5, and almost 20 percent are younger than 10. Saratoga Springs is the youngest community in Utah County, with a median age of 19. Santaquin and Eagle Mountain are the youngest, at 21.1 years and 21.6 years respectively. Provo’s median age is 23.7, and Orem’s is 25.9. Four communities are older than the state median age of 30.3: Goshen (30.5 years), Benjamin (33.3 years), Woodland Hills (34.6 years), and Cedar Fort (37.5 years). One community—Fairfield—is older than the national median age (37.7 years), at 44.2 years. Utah County residents are not only young—they are also highly educated. In fact, Utah County is the seventh-most educated county of significant size in the United States, with 78.3 percent of adults age 25 or older having at least some college education—an increase of 3.1 percent since the 2015 assessment. This compares to 69.1 percent for the state of Utah and 60.2 percent nationally. In Utah County, 26.4 percent of adults have bachelor degrees, while only 21.4 percent statewide have attained this level. Being home to such a young and highly educated population has benefits. Younger individuals tend to have fewer health problems, and highly educated individuals are the same. This population also draws employers to the area and is more prone to experience entrepreneurial startups—both of which have been seen in Utah County over the past several years. Another challenge that comes with being a young, highly educated community with strong economic growth is housing. Since 2010, the population has increased nearly 14 percent, but housing units have increased only about 12 percent. And the housing we have in our community is becoming more and more expensive, with the median value of a home in Utah County being about $270,000. Because of the lower family income we experience (due to the younger population), nearly one out of every three homes with a mortgage are valued at more than four times the annual household income—compared to only one in three nationally. And only 17 percent of homes with a mortgage are valued at less than two times the household income, compared to 35 percent nationally. In other words, our young families are buying more expensive homes than their national counterparts. Safe, clean rental units are also in high demand, causing rates to increase. A two-bedroom apartment in Utah County rents for about $836—up from $729 in 2014. A three-bedroom rental goes for about $1,216. And a four-bedroom is nearly $1,500. This assessment presents data in nearly every aspect of human services--from education to income to health. Nearly 300 figures and more than 30 tables present myriad data for community members and policy makers to use for the good of Utah County and its residents. We express gratitude to those agencies that assisted with funding of this research project. Without their willingness to help with financial resources, we would not have been able to complete this assessment. Special thanks go to Community Action Services and Food Bank Center for Women and Children in Crisis Housing Authority of Utah County Kids on the Move Mountainland Department of Aging and Family Service Mountainland Head Start Provo City Housing Authority United Way of Utah County Utah Community Credit Union Utah County Health Department Wasatch Mental Health
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