How The LDS Population Has Changed In Utah During The Last 10 Years
Posted: Sat Dec 10, 2022 11:07 pm
In 17 of Utah's 29 counties there’s been a decrease in the reported number of Latter-day Saints between 2010 and 2020. This, despite enormous population growth during the last 10 years.
I'm shocked. 10 years ago there were more LDS in 17 of Utah's 29 counties? That doesn't bode well for the church.
Only three counties saw an increase in the percentage of their residents who were reported as Latter-day Saints: Box Elder, Garfield and Rich.
From the SL Trib:
I'm shocked. 10 years ago there were more LDS in 17 of Utah's 29 counties? That doesn't bode well for the church.
Only three counties saw an increase in the percentage of their residents who were reported as Latter-day Saints: Box Elder, Garfield and Rich.
From the SL Trib:
Utah’s five most-populated counties all show downturns in the percentage of residents whom the church considers adherents in the past decade. In Salt Lake County or Summit County, that decrease has been part of a longer, decades long trend; in Utah County, that dip is more recent.
Here’s one that surprised me: In 17 of Utah’s 29 counties, there’s been a decrease in even the reported absolute number of Latter-day Saints between 2010 and 2020. Meanwhile, in 27 counties, the non-Latter-day Saint population has grown.
Only three counties have seen an increase in the percentage of their residents who were reported as Latter-day Saints: Box Elder, Garfield and Rich.
Again, I’m a little surprised that this is happening despite high (though falling) birthrates among Latter-day Saints generally. With all the factors involved, I don’t dare speculate on the reasons for these trends, other than to note that the data shows declining U.S. religiosity overall.
Andy Larsen is a data columnist for The Salt Lake Tribune. You can reach him at alarsen@sltrib.com.
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