Booms in Idaho, Utah buck the curve of slowing US growth

FILE - Rows of homes, are shown in suburban Salt Lake City, on April 13, 2019. Utah is one of two Western states known for rugged landscapes and wide-open spaces that are bucking the trend of sluggish U.S. population growth. The boom there and in Idaho are accompanied by healthy economic expansion, but also concern about strain on infrastructure and soaring housing prices.

For both states, which have long been lightly populated, the expansion comes with rapid economic growth, sparking concerns about strains on infrastructure, rising housing prices and a sharp increase in the cost of living that could threaten the area’s quality of life in the long term.

While the fertility rate has slowed a bit in recent years, natural growth still accounts for about 70% of the state’s boom. “We’re still a lot younger and we still have more kids than most states,” said Mallory Bateman, a senior research analyst at the University of Utah’s Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute.

It’s making it harder for young Utah families to follow the path their parents took. Matthew Clewett, 26, and his wife, Bethany, want to have a large family like the ones they grew up in, but high housing costs could put a serious damper on that plan. The couple bid on at least 10 houses in northern Utah before they could close on a starter home for themselves and their infant daughter in March.

“For the majority of middle-class Americans, their wealth is tied up in their home. It’s been like that for decades,” Eskic said. “If you’re not able to get into a home, how do you build your household wealth and set your family up?” Lawmakers in the GOP-dominated state took some steps toward addressing the housing crisis this year, setting aside millions for increasing and preserving affordable housing.

United States Latest News, United States Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Sixth grade girl opens fire at middle school in Idaho, injuring 3Two students and one adult injured after sixth grader opens fire at middle school in Rigby, Idaho, officials say.
Source: ABC - 🏆 471. / 51 Read more »

Sheriff: Girl shoots 3 at Idaho school; teacher disarms herA sixth-grade girl brought a gun to her Idaho middle school, shot and wounded two students and a custodian and then was disarmed by a teacher Thursday, authorities said. Jefferson County Sheriff Steve Anderson says the girl pulled a handgun from her backpack and fired multiple rounds inside and outside Rigby Middle School in the small city of Rigby, about 95 miles (145 kilometers) southwest of Yellowstone National Park. A female teacher disarmed the girl and held her until law enforcement arrived and took her into custody, authorities said, without giving other details.
Source: YahooNews - 🏆 380. / 59 Read more »

Suspect in custody after Idaho middle school shooting that injured threeTwo students and one adult suffered non-life-threatening injuries during a shooting at Rigby Middle School in Rigby, Idaho. A suspect is in custody, an official says.
Source: cnnbrk - 🏆 393. / 55 Read more »

Idaho state Representative Aaron von Ehlinger resigns after rape accusation from internOn Thursday morning, the House Ethics Committee voted unanimously in favor of von Ehlinger's immediate suspension from the Legislature and his expulsion.
Source: Newsweek - 🏆 468. / 52 Read more »

3 injured in Idaho middle school shooting; suspect capturedRIGBY, Idaho (AP) — A shooting at an eastern Idaho middle school has injured three people, and a suspect is in custody. Police and ambulances responded Thursday to Rigby Middle School. Law enforcement told Idaho Falls television station |a href='https://localnews8...
Source: AP - 🏆 728. / 51 Read more »