Population

If prizes were given for statistics, Utah's population would have a lot of trophies. Utah's birth rate (21.7 births/1,000 population) is the highest in the nation, and its death rate (7.9 deaths/1,000 population) is the second lowest in the nation. Utahns rank number three in the longest lifetime category at 77.7 years. The state's population is younger than the national average - 26.7 years compared to 35.5. Utahns have the largest average household size in the country (3.13 persons/household).

The young population is well educated; Utah has the highest literacy rate in the nation. Ninety-four percent of residents age 20 and over can read and write and 89.3 percent have graduated from high school.

Utah's minority population is much lower than the national average - 10.8 percent compared to 24.9 percent; however the ethnic mix is quickly becoming more diverse as new industries continue to relocate in Utah.

As of July 1. 2000, Utah State's total population was 2,246,553, with 75.8% of that living in Salt Lake, Davis, Utah & Weber Counties.