An increase in visitors, residents and workers is powering Salt Lake City's downtown economy five years after the COVID-19 pandemic reshaped daily life.

Why it matters: A bustling downtown can boost local businesses, attract investment and generate tax revenue to fund city services.

What they're saying: "The social economy is really what's driving the downtown economy," Dee Brewer, Downtown Alliance executive director, told Axios.

• Previously, the area was seen as a "vertical office park," but now much of its activity occurs between 6pm and midnight, he said.

Driving the news: Downtown Alliance recently released its 2024 economic benchmark report.

• Here are a few highlights:

Visitors

🎫 $4.05 million in tickets to performance venues were sold last year, an 18.4% increase from 2023.

🎭 Days that attracted the most visitors in 2024 corresponded with major conventions, Delta Center events and performances held at Abravenal Hall, and Eccles, Capitol and Rose Wagner theaters.

Workers

💼 The number of worker days jumped 10.5% year over year.

🏢 Just 19% of workers said they worked in the office full-time as of January 2025, while 57% go in three to four days a week, 13% are on-site one to two days per week, and 1% are fully remote.

Residents

👪 The residential population grew 27.5% from 2023, and it's projected to increase an additional 28% by 2030.

🎓 Downtown residents are more likely than Wasatch Front residents to be unmarried, college-educated, between the ages of 20 and 39 and not own a car.

What's next: The anticipated Salt Lake Temple open house is expected to draw 3 million-5 million visitors over six months in 2027 and projected to generate $322 million in downtown spending.

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For the third year in a row, Salt Lake City saw the largest population growth in the state, according to a new report.

By the numbers: Utah's capital added 4,450 new residents between 2023 and 2024, a 2.1% jump in the total number of people, according to figures compiled by the University of Utah's Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute.

Other fast-growing Salt Lake County cities include:

• Manga (2,682)
• Herriman (2,279)
• West Valley City (1,452)
• Riverton (1,125)
• Draper (1,125).
• Meanwhile, Sandy, Taylorsville, Midvale and Kearns saw population declines of more than 200 people during the same time period.

The big picture: Overall, Salt Lake, Utah, Davis and Weber counties drew about 37,000 new residents to the state — almost 73% of the state's growth.

Between the lines: Salt Lake County also led the state in housing development, adding 9,675 units during that timeframe.

• About one in five new housing units in the Wasatch Front was built in Salt Lake City.

🏛️ Anti-poverty advocates say President Trump's megabill will hinder local hospitals and eliminate health coverage for about 200,000 Utahns. (Salt Lake Tribune)

🩺 Almost 1 in 3 Utah women say they've been diagnosed with depression compared to 19.5% of men in the state, per a new report. (KSL.com)

Authorities are investigating an explosion and fire caused by a ruptured gas line that destroyed businesses in a Herriman strip mall. (KUTV)

Utahns rank among the country's worst tippers, leaving an average gratuity of 18.9%, per new Toast data.

The big picture: Utah residents have gained a reputation for frugal tipping habits.

By the numbers: The state's average tip places 40th in the U.S.

• That's based on data from restaurants using the restaurant management software company; cash tips aren't included.

Zoom out: Delaware, West Virginia and New Hampshire are home to America's best tippers, per new Toast data, with diners on average adding nearly 21% or more on top of their bill.

• On the other end are California and Washington state, where average tips run under 18%.