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SALT LAKE CITY — Utah, like the rest of the country, continues to become more racially and ethnically diverse, according to data collected by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Utah's population grew by 1.2% between 2021 and 2022. Although people of color only account for 23% of Utah's total population, they drove 61% of that growth statewide, according to an analysis by the University of Utah's Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute. The Hispanic and Latino population accounted for two-thirds of minority growth, while Asian and mixed-race Utahns contributed 11% each to minority population growth.
Utah's Latino and Hispanic population increased by 3.4%. That bump pushed the group across the half-million mark in 2022.
But the title of fastest-growing minority group goes to those of two or more races and Black Utahns, groups that grew by 3.8% and 3.6%, respectively. The Asian, Native American, Pacific Islander and white populations each grew by 3.4%, 0.6%, 3.4% and 0.6%.
White Utahns still make up the majority of the state's population at 77%, followed by Hispanics and Latinos at 15%, Asians at 3%, those of two or more races at 2% and Pacific Islander, Native American and Black Utahns all at 1% each.
Which counties are more diverse?
San Juan County is the only county in the state where white Utahns do not make up the majority of the population. Over half the county's population (55%) identifies as a person of color.
The county is home to a number of Native American tribes, namely the Navajo Nation, San Juan Southern Paiute and White Mesa Ute tribes. These groups and more make up 82% of the county's minority population. Despite having the largest share of people of color, San Juan ranks only 10th in the state for the largest minority population, with 7,835 individuals.
Salt Lake County has the largest minority population in the state at 369,156 individuals. In fact, nearly half of the people of color in Utah live in Salt Lake County. Of the 31.1% of Salt Lakers of color, the two largest groups are the Hispanic or Latino population, at nearly two-thirds; and the Asian population, at 14.7%.
The counties with the next largest minority populations are Utah, Weber, Davis, Washington, Cache, Tooele, Iron and Box Elder counties, in that order.
However, by percentage of population, the top 10 most diverse counties in order are San Juan, Salt Lake, Weber, Tooele, Grand, Utah, Uintah, Davis, Carbon and Millard counties.
Morgan County is the least racially and ethnically diverse county, with 95% of its population identifying as non-Hispanic white.
