Aging in Utah Today
Utah is aging.
And the numbers tell the story.
Today, about 15% of Utah’s population is age 65 or older, and by 2060, that number is expected to climb to 20%, that is, one in every five residents. At the same time, Utah’s total population is projected to surpass 4 million, meaning more people and 800,000 older adults.
This demographic transformation will shape nearly every aspect of life in Utah: housing, healthcare, transportation, the workforce, and even how communities connect.
So, the question isn’t about understanding the trend. The question is whether Utah will be ready.
A Master Plan That Touches Everyone
Aging well doesn’t happen by accident it happens by design. In 2023, Utah took a major step forward by passing legislation to create a Master Plan for Aging a long-term strategy designed to guide the state through the opportunities and challenges of an aging population.
The result was Utah for the Ages, a statewide roadmap developed by the Utah Commission on Aging. The Master Plan focuses on six key priorities each one addressing a critical domain of the aging experience:
- Age-Friendly Ecosystems – Staging successful aging by incorporating age-friendly principles in our communities across life aspects
- Live Well Every Day – Sustaining health and wellness through access and resources optimization
- Affordable Aging – Strengthening financial sufficiency to sustain economic viability for life
- Plan for Life – Personal empowerment with dignity, autonomy, competence
- Networks for Care – Establishing support systems in education, resources, and other support services
- Embrace Technology – Empowering educated aging and informed decision-making through technology and safe device utilization
A Shared Responsibility
One of the most powerful ideas behind the Master Plan is that building a better future for aging isn’t just the responsibility of government.
It belongs to all of us. It’s about everyone.
Communities can become more inclusive. Employers can create opportunities for older workers. Families can start planning earlier. Individuals can take steps big or small to prepare for their own futures.
It’s our parents, our neighbors, and ultimately, ourselves.
The choices we make today about housing, health, finances, and community design will shape how we all experience aging tomorrow.
What Comes Next
In the coming months, we’ll take a closer look at each of the six priorities shaping Utah’s Master Plan for Aging what they mean, why they matter, and how they show up in everyday life.
The future of aging in Utah isn’t something that will simply happen.
It’s something we’re building together.
(Source: Utah Commission on Aging. (2025). Utah for the ages: Utah master plan
for aging. https://utahaging.org)