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U.S. Census numbers show Utah’s growth still fast–but not by Utah standard

Posted at 6:08 PM, May 21, 2015
and last updated 2015-05-22 10:18:43-04

SALT LAKE CITY -- Utah is growing fast by any standard except Utah's.

Averaging out the last 5 years, Utah has grown faster than all but four states and the District of Columbia, according to U.S. Census figures from 2010 through 2014.

The top 5 in order for the last 5 years:

1. North Dakota
2. District of Columbia
3. Texas
4. Colorado
5. Utah

Just looking at 2013 and 2014, Utah had the eighth fastest growth.

1. North Dakota
2. Nevada
3. Texas
4. Colorado
5. District of Columbia
6. Florida
7. Arizona
8. Utah

Utah's growth has always been unique, making it more stable than many other states on the list, according the Ari Bruening, who is the Chief Operating Officer at Envision Utah.

Bruening said: "Sometimes I'll tell people we're going to double in population, and they'll say, 'Put up a wall, don't let the Californians in.' And I say, 'Well, that doesn't work.' The only way to slow the growth is to stop having kids or to force our kids to go elsewhere for work."

Utah's birthrate is much higher than the national average, making the median age in Utah 29.2 years old. Utah is the only state with a median age below 30.