New Americans in Salt Lake County

New American Economy has developed a series of research briefs that examine the demographic and economic contributions of immigrant communities in counties and cities across the United States. The latest report in the series focuses on Salt Lake County and provides information on how immigrants have strengthened the local tax base, boosted the economy through entrepreneurship, and increased housing wealth.

The report, “New Americans in Salt Lake County,” finds that in 2014:

• Immigrants in Salt Lake County contributed $8 billion to the metro area’s GDP.

• Foreign-born households held $2.3 billion in spending power and paid $236 million in state and local taxes.
• Immigrants in Salt Lake County make up a significant share of the labor force in several of the county’s key industries, representing 29.2 percent of manufacturing workers, 29 percent of construction workers, and 27.7 percent of service workers.
• Salt Lake County is home to 6,783 immigrant-owned businesses, which generate $145 million in annual income.
• Between 2000 and 2014, immigration to Salt Lake increased total housing value in the county by over $2 billion.

• The 2,652 international students enrolled in the county’s colleges and universities supported 1,578 jobs and contributed $115.2 million in spending to the local economy.

This report is released in conjunction with the announcement that Salt Lake County is one of twenty communities selected in the Gateways for Growth Challenge, an opportunity from NAE and Welcoming America that invited communities across the United States to apply for support for the development and implementation of multi-sector strategic plans for welcoming and integrating new Americans.

Read the full report here and check out other briefs in the “New Americans” series, which highlight immigrant contributions in Denver, Cincinnati, Columbus, and Toledo.