Salt Lake Is the 12th Fastest Growing City in America (Down from 5th)

Each year Forbes ranks the top growing cities in the country. This year Salt Lake is the 12th fastest growing city.

Forbes’ rankings are based on six metrics including estimated population growth , year-over-year job growth, economic growth rate, unemployment data, and median annual pay for college-educated workers in each area. Salt Lake’s stats include:

2015 (Projected) pop. growth rate: 1.24%

Job growth rate: 2.74%

Unemployment: 3.38%

2014 Gross Metro Product Growth: 1.44%

Median pay: $61,800

Why this matters is that so many decisions in Park City and Summit County are made because “growth is coming.” Throughout the early 2000s, this growth was obvious and documented by statistics. During the economic downturn of the 2008-2010, growth was not so obvious. As we enter the second half of the decade knowing where we stand is important for two reasons. First, it helps us plan in case growth continues. Second, in case growth stalls, it helps us ensure that our local government is both spending money and planning wisely.

Salt Lake was ranked the 5th fastest growing city in America 2012, 2013 and 2014. Here is Forbes’ ranking for 2015:

1. Houston
2. Austin
3. Dallas
4. Raleigh
5. Seattle
6. Denver
7. San Francisco
8. Fort Worth
9. Charlotte
10. San Antonio
11. Phoenix
12. Salt Lake
13. Orlando
14. Cambridge (MA)
15. Oklahoma City
16. San Diego
17. San Jose
18. Las Vegas
19. West Palm Beach
20. Nashville