Utah
Census data: These 2 Utah counties have the lowest median ages in the nation
![Census data: These 2 Utah counties have the lowest median ages in the nation](https://img.ksl.com/slc/2935/293574/29357494.jpeg?filter=kslv2/responsive_story_lg)
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SALT LAKE CITY — Utah remains the youngest state in the nation by a wide margin. However, it’s still aging like the rest of the country, according to newly released federal data.
The U.S. Census Bureau on Thursday unveiled new age characteristics tied to U.S. states and counties in 2022, finding that Utah continues to have the youngest median age at 31.9 years of age — more than three years younger than any other state and seven years younger than the national average.
The bureau adds that Utah County (25.7 years of age) and Cache County (25.8) have the lowest median ages among counties with populations of at least 100,000 or more. They are two of only seven U.S. counties with at least 100,000 residents to have a median age below 30 years. Iron County (30.3), Juab County (30.4) and Tooele County (32) rounded out Utah’s top five in youngest median ages.
But Utah — and most of its counties — aren’t getting any younger, either, which experts say is a sign that birth rates are still down. This was already evident through another Census Bureau report that estimates the percentage of Utahns younger than 18 dropped from 29% during the 2020 census to 27.6% by 2022.
The bureau’s new report acknowledges that no states experienced any decreases in median age from 2021 to 2022. Utah’s median age is up by 0.1 years from last year’s estimate, as is the national average. Even Utah and Cache counties are either up slightly or haven’t changed from last year.
Kristie Wilder, a demographer in the Census Bureau’s population division, said Thursday there are still more births than deaths in the U.S., but the number of births in 2022 is still much lower than it was many years ago. It’s a trend that many U.S. and Utah demographers say began with the Great Recession in 2008.
“While natural change nationally has been positive … birth rates have gradually declined over the past two decades,” Wilder said in a statement. “Without a rapidly growing young population, the U.S. median age will likely continue its slow but steady rise.”
Daggett County (48.5) has the oldest median age among Utah counties, while Maine (44.8) has the oldest median age among the U.S. states.
The growing median age could have various ramifications, some of which are already playing out in Utah.
State auditors issued a report earlier this year that found enrollment in the Salt Lake City School District dropped 17% between fall 2013 and fall 2022 as a result of fewer children in the district. They wrote the district would need to close at least six schools to reach 75% utilization of the district’s building space.
It’s a topic other districts across the state may have to consider if birth rates continue to fall. That said, those trends could change in the near future.
“The future is not set,” Mike Hollingshaus, senior demographer at the University of Utah’s Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, told KSL.com in April. “If you had (a baby boom), then your birthrates would go up considerably and that would certainly change things.”
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Utah
Utah Made: Multi-generational ladder company still going strong
![Utah Made: Multi-generational ladder company still going strong](https://ewscripps.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/3580e15/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1280x672+0+24/resize/1200x630!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fx-default-stgec.uplynk.com%2Fause%2Fslices%2F566%2Fef205c0e5ea14d77944cbd6904335118%2F5665d67a422b4bcd8d819beb96c163fc%2Fposter_90693891642a4b1292d2fdbcbc19dcc2.jpg)
SPRINGVILLE, Utah — Art Wing still fondly remembers when his late dad Hal Wing, the founder of Little Giant Ladders, said: “If you concentrate on building the company and not the person, you will fail. If you concentrate on building the person, the company will take care of itself.”
That motto is still at Little Giant’s core today.
In the early 1970s, Hal was a salesman living in Germany, forging a friendship with an inventor who created a ladder that Hal thought was a technological marvel. He took the idea back to the United States, perfecting it and pattening it before heading out on the road.
“He bought a pinto station wagon and he loaded it with ladders, and he went on the road upwards of 250 days a year just selling them out of that thing,” Art recalled.
Art says the roadshow worked, and people quickly took note of their sturdy ladders and all they could do.
In 2002, Little Giant Ladders climbed to new heights by hitting television screens all over the country with an infomercial that often ran late at night and on weekend afternoons. It was a catchy ad that ran for 16 years and racked up sales of over a billion dollars in ladders sold.
Today, the Little Giant brand continues where it started, calling Utah home.
Company president and CEO Ryan Moss says the Beehive State is headquarters for good reason.
“We have great people here in the state of Utah. Honestly, that is one of the best blessings about Little Giant, is the wonderful people that we get to work with every single day,” Moss said. “They’re hardworking, they’re smart, they’re creative.”
While Utah is the Little Giant premier factory, the company has facilities and warehouses all over the world, working to keep their standards and safety high. Globally, Little Giant employs several thousand people, together taking a small idea to a huge enterprise and stepping up the ladder of success with no end in sight
Utah
Warning issued after harmful algal bloom found at Utah Lake marina
![Warning issued after harmful algal bloom found at Utah Lake marina](https://ewscripps.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/f1fffb1/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1280x672+0+24/resize/1200x630!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fx-default-stgec.uplynk.com%2Fause%2Fslices%2F71b%2Fef205c0e5ea14d77944cbd6904335118%2F71b9743029874a4791e2572423f450bd%2Fposter_b3595cf7870f40839053b6c929f55523.png)
SARATOGA SPRINGS, Utah — A Warning Advisory has been issued for an area along Utah Lake after a harmful algal bloom was detected Tuesday.
The City of Saratoga Springs said the bloom was found present at the Saratoga Springs, and could be producing dangerous toxins that would be harmful to humans and animals.
The Utah County Health Department issued the warning, advising people to do the following when in the vicinity of the marina:
- Do not swim or water ski
- Avoid areas of algae when boating
- Clean fish well and discard guts
- Keep animals away
- Don’t drink the water
Algal blooms can cause skin, nerve and liver damage,
Utah
2025 three-star defensive back Manny Fuller commits to Utah
![2025 three-star defensive back Manny Fuller commits to Utah](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_568,h_319,x_35,y_0/c_fill,w_1440,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/voltaxMediaLibrary/mmsport/all_utes/01j1t82fj85me10xzz1a.png)
Utah’s football program, led by coach Kyle Whittingham, continues its impressive recruitment streak with the commitment of Shelton “Manny” Fuller, a three-star safety from El Paso, Texas. Fuller, the 11th commitment to wrap up June, and the 13th for the 2025 class, which adds significant value to the team’s defensive lineup.
Fuller, who visited Salt Lake City earlier this month, had also considered Houston, BYU, and Oregon State before deciding on Utah. He was Initially planning to commit in August, but announced his decision early via Instagram.
Fuller was ranked as the No. 44 athlete in the 2025 class, according to 247Sports. At 6-feet and 170 pounds, he’s known for his versatility and physicality on the field. Without question his combination of strong ball skills with an aggressive playing style, particularly excelling in run defense. As he continues to develop physically, his tackling power is expected to improve, enhancing his already notable defensive capabilities.
Utah hits three of the biggest lists for EA Sports College Football 25
Fuller’s commitment marks the ninth defensive player for Utah in 2025, joining a robust group of recruits including quarterback Wyatt Becker, tight end Drew Clemens, and several defensive standouts like Nela Tupou and Max Fonoimoana. With this strong early recruitment drive, Utah is building significant momentum and positioning itself for a successful future.
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