SALT LAKE CITY — To inform local decision-makers and community partners, the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute recently launched “Northwest Valley Datapoints,” a series of fact sheets designed to provide important data about the communities of West Valley City, Kearns, Taylorsville, Magna, and Salt Lake City west of I-15. The fourth installment presents economic data for the region, including findings around income, poverty, employment, commuting, and business composition.

“Our research reveals an engaged workforce and a unique mix of industries and businesses in Northwest Salt Lake County,” said Nate Christensen, research economist at the Gardner Institute. “Data also points to challenges, including higher unemployment, lower-paying local jobs, and elevated poverty rates—especially for children. These findings underscore the need for informed strategies to bolster economic well-being.”

Key findings from the research include the following:

Business Composition – Northwest Salt Lake County’s diverse business mix stands out for its high share of large establishments (50+ employees) and the dominant presence of the trade, transportation, and utilities industry.

Female- and Minority-Led Businesses – Women own 37.3% of businesses in Northwest Salt Lake County, compared with 35.0% statewide. Racial and ethnic minorities own over half the businesses located in Kearns, Magna, and West Valley City, compared with 16.0% statewide.

Workforce Engagement – Northwest Salt Lake County demonstrates strong labor force participation, with especially high shares of residents working or seeking work in Kearns (73.8%) and West Valley City (73.3%).

Employment Trends – Unemployment rates remain elevated in most Northwest Salt Lake County communities and exceed statewide averages (3.4%), with the highest unemployment rates in Kearns (5.8%) and Magna (5.0%), and the lowest in Taylorsville (3.8%).

Income Disparities – Median household income in Northwest Salt Lake County is approximately $11,000 below the county average, with per capita income trailing Salt Lake County by $13,000. Across the region, 15.7% of children live in poverty compared with 8.9% of children statewide.

Commuting Patterns – A majority of working residents in West Valley City, Taylorsville, Magna, and Kearns commute outside their home city for employment, with substantial flows commuting daily to Salt Lake City.

The fact sheet is now available online.

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