Utah! We’re No. 1
Okay, well maybe not in every way. But the State of Utah ranks at or near the top in a wide variety of categories, from our economy to education to health. Oh, and don’t forget our five national parks, seven national monuments, and The Greatest Snow on Earth.
Settled in obscurity in 1847, Utah was derided as a backwater in many ways until recent decades. Seemingly out of the blue, the state is now recognized as a leading light on a number of fronts.
Governor Herbert highlighted some of the national recognition that has blossomed in the last decade. Start with our booming economy.
Utah has had the brightest economic outlook of any state for 10 consecutive years. Forbes magazine rated Utah as the best state for business three years in a row and for five out of six years.
The website “24/7 Wall Street” analyzed 50 measures of doing business and ranked Utah first. Chief Executive Magazine rated Utah’s workforce quality best in the country.
Earlier this year, WalletHub ranked five Utah cities near the top of its “Best Small Cities for Starting a Business.” Our own St. George is No. 2 on the list.
The Wasatch Front’s “Silicon Slopes” received national recognition as No. 1 of Forbes magazine’s “Tomorrow’s Tech Meccas” and as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce No. 1 in innovation and entrepreneurship. Utah is singled out for its rapid tech jobs growth.
Utah’s economic boom has been great for working people and their families. Pew Research found that “the middle-class is still thriving in Utah.” CNBC ranks our state as best in the country for families with middle class incomes.
Another bonus from our thriving economy: Utah has one of the lowest percentages of children in poverty.
Bloomberg’s Megan McArdle wrote a lengthy article titled “How Utah Keeps the American Dream Alive.” She explains how Utah’s world-class economic mobility — the real answer to income inequality — gives all our citizens a chance to live the American dream.
Utah’s public education has been criticized by some but nonetheless is well regarded nationally. Those critical of Utah public education point to our low level of spending per pupil. But measuring results rather than spending tells a different story.
US News ranks Utah 10th in how well it educates its students. Of the 13 states that require all students to take the ACT, Utah is fifth.
Utah is the only state in country to rate an A+ for teaching financial literacy in its public schools. Maybe that’s why Utah’s college graduates have the lowest student debt loads in the country.
BYU’s accounting program is consistently ranked near the top in the country while the University of Utah was ranked as the top college for aspiring entrepreneurs.
Unsurprisingly, Utahns’ health and the quality of our health care are among the nation’s best.
Utah was one of America’s five healthiest states due in no small part to our fourth lowest obesity rate and the lowest percentage of smokers. The payoff: Utah is ranked first in states to grow old in.
Utah is ranked fourth in health care quality with the University of Utah Health Care ranked first in the nation in quality, safety, and accountability.
As a consequence, Utah has the lowest personal healthcare and hospital costs in the nation. These low costs are reflected in our second lowest health insurance costs.
We rightfully agonize over the care we give or sometimes fail to give our stunningly beautiful natural environment. Living in the midst of world-class natural wonders makes them all too easy to take for granted.
Credit the French company Michelin for singling out Utah as the only state worthy of three-star recognition in its iconic travel guide. “Utah is a beautiful state, a destination worth making a special trip for American and international visitors, including the French, who love it.”
I chose to live in Utah, and I’m a big fan. Utah has the right balance of climate, scenic beauty, a strong economy, and — best of all — lots of happy, friendly, hospitable people.
I endorse Brigham Young’s words, “This is the right place.”
The viewpoints expressed above are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of The Independent.
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