- Saratoga Springs had the largest population growth in Utah between 2024 and 2025.
- For the first time, over half of Utahns live in cities with more than 50,000 residents.
- Populations grew in 172 cities, led by those in Utah, Salt Lake and Washington counties.
Two cities on the west side of Utah Lake that didn’t exist 30 years ago consistently rank among the fastest-growing communities in Utah.
And the latest population estimates the University of Utah’s Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute released Tuesday have them at the top of the list for growth in 2025.
Saratoga Springs led the way, picking up 4,682 new residents between 2024 and 2025, an 8.4% increase. Its total population is now 60,351.
Neighboring Eagle Mountain followed with 4,169 new residents, a 6.8% increase, for a total population of 65,409.
Salt Lake City had the third-highest growth over that period, adding 3,303 new people for a 1.4% increase. The capital city has 221,118 residents, per the report. It ranked among the top 10 for population growth over the past four years, leading in 2023 and 2024.
Overall, the report shows Utah gained 44,351 new residents between 2024 and 2025, a 1.3% change. The state’s population was 3,551,150 as of July 1, 2025.
This is the first statewide population report using the housing unit method for every city, town and unincorporated area within a county.
“These inaugural statewide subcounty estimates give Utah its first comprehensive, place‑level view using a consistent housing‑unit approach,” said Mallory Bateman, director of demographic research. “Findings indicate continued rapid growth in many communities, a rising share of residents living in larger cities and important variation across places — information that is essential for planning local services, infrastructure and housing.”
Saratoga Springs and Eagle Mountain along with St. George and Lehi have appeared in the top 10 for growth every year this decade.
Utah’s fastest-growing cities
In addition to having the largest population growth, Saratoga Springs and Eagle Mountain are the fastest-growing cities in the state among those with more than 20,000 residents. Washington in Washington County and West Haven in Weber County were next with 4.1% and 3.9% growth, respectively.
While Salt Lake City ranked high for population growth, it didn’t crack the top 10 for the fastest-growing cities in the state
For the first time, over half of Utah’s population resides in cities with populations over 50,000. Eighteen cities exceed that population.
At the same time, about 27% of the population lived in communities of 20,000-49,999, 17% in communities of 5,000-19,999, 4% in communities of 1,000-4,999, and around 1% percent in communities with populations under 1,000, according to the report.
“A complete, consistent set of subcounty estimates fills a critical data gap for Utah,” said Natalie Gochnour, director of the Gardner Institute. “These estimates strengthen local and state decision‑making by revealing where growth is concentrated and where population is declining, providing leaders with a foundation for better regional planning and investment.”
How other cities in Utah rank
Key findings from the reports include:
- Estimates show Saratoga Springs, Eagle Mountain, Washington, West Haven and Spanish Fork as Utah’s fastest-growing cities with a population of 20,000 or higher. Five other communities — Magna, Heber City, Tooele, Hurricane and Cedar City — round out the top 10.
- Populations in 172 communities in Utah grew, led by those in Utah, Salt Lake, Washington and Tooele counties. Utah County accounted for half of the top 10 communities for growth.
- Among the 60 mid-sized communities with populations between 5,000 and 19,999, 44 experienced population growth and 16 experienced declines. Two cities in Utah County — Salem and Mapleton — had the fastest growth (9.1% and 8.9%, respectively). Another Utah County community, Cedar Hills, had the fastest decline (-1.2%).
- Seventy-one communities had populations between 1,000 and 4,999. Forty-seven experienced population growth, 22 experienced decline and two remained the same. Richmond had the fastest growth (6.2%), while Panguitch had the largest percent decrease (-1.4%).
- Among the 103 communities with populations under 1,000 in 2025, populations grew in 41, declined in 52 and did not change in 10. Of those that grew, six added 10 or more residents, while six others lost 10 or more.
- 100 communities experienced population declines, highlighting demographic shifts and economic challenges in various regions.