New data from the U.S. Census Bureau released on Sept. 3, 2026, highlights stark economic disparities across Utah counties, with Morgan County reporting a median household income of $130,929, significantly outpacing the national median. These figures follow 2025 population estimates that show varying growth trends across the state's rural and suburban landscapes.
Housing Market Disparities
Housing affordability and ownership patterns vary widely across the surveyed regions. In Morgan County, the owner-occupied housing unit rate reached 88.8% for the 2020-2024 period, with a median home value of $654,900. This contrasts with Piute County, where the median value for owner-occupied units was $264,800 and the owner-occupancy rate stood at 95.5%.
Rent costs also show significant regional differences. The median gross rent in Morgan County was recorded at $1,492, which is slightly higher than the national median of $1,413. In contrast, Rich County reported a much lower median gross rent of $760, while Piute County reported a median gross rent of $950. In Iron County, the median gross rent was $1,065.
Economic and Poverty Trends
Income levels and poverty rates reveal a widening gap between Utah's counties. Morgan County reported a median household income of $130,929 in 2024 dollars, compared to the national median of $80,734. This high income level correlates with a low poverty rate of 4.2% in Morgan County.
Conversely, Piute County reported a median household income of $48,393, which is roughly half the national average. This lower income is accompanied by a 13.7% poverty rate in the county. Duchesne County reported a median household income of $78,445 and a poverty rate of 9.4%, while Iron County reported a median household income of $66,247 and a poverty rate of 12.6%.
Population Growth and Demographics
Demographic shifts and population growth rates continue to reshape the region. Between April 1, 2020, and July 1, 2025, Iron County saw a population increase of 17.2%, reaching an estimated 67,141 residents. Morgan County also experienced growth, with its population increasing by 8.8% to 13,383 residents over the same period.
Other areas saw more modest shifts. Beaver County's population grew by 3.2% to 7,301 residents, while Duchesne County saw a 6.4% increase to 20,856. Rich County grew by 7.0% to 2,687 residents, and Piute County experienced a 4.5% increase, reaching 1,509 residents.
Labor and Business Activity
The local labor force and employment characteristics also differ by county. Morgan County reported a high percentage of residents in the civilian labor force at 66.8%, with an employment change of 5.9% from 2022 to 2023. In contrast, Piute County reported a lower civilian labor force participation rate of 46.5%.
In terms of business establishments, Morgan County had 382 total employer establishments in 2023. Duchesne County reported 675 employer establishments, while Iron County reported 1,935. The smallest number of employer establishments was reported in Piute County, which had 36, while Rich County reported 128.
Education and Attainment
Educational attainment levels also show regional variation. In Morgan County, 38.4% of persons aged 25 and older held a bachelor's degree or higher. This is significantly higher than the national average of 35.7%. In Piute County, only 19.6% of the same age group held a bachelor's degree or higher.
Other educational metrics include high school graduation rates. Morgan County reported a 97.8% graduation rate for persons 25 and older, while Rich County reported 98.1%. Piute County reported a lower rate of 84.6%, and Duchesne County reported 91.7%.
Data Overview
The Census Bureau data provides a comprehensive look at the diverse economic landscape of Utah. From the high-income, high-growth areas like Morgan County to the more economically challenged regions like Piute County, the data underscores significant differences in housing, income, and educational attainment across the state.
