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Show Population by County The geographic distribution of the population in Utah is a significant factor in the population's ability to access heath care. For the past 40 years the trend in both Utah and the U.S. has been a shift of the population from rural to more urban areas. In Utah this does not necessarily mean that all movement has been to the Wasatch front. The U.S. Bureau of the Census defines rural communities as those with less than 2,500 residents. Therefore, urbanization includes the shifting of the population in southwestern counties from outlying areas to the population centers, such as St. George. Utah, like most desert states, is an urban state, meaning that most of its population resides in urban areas, separated by vast tracts of unpopulated land. Table 6. Percent of Population by Urban/Rural County Utal l U. S. Year Urban Rural Urban Rural 1950 65.3 34.7 64.0 36.0 1960 74.9 25.1 69.9 30.1 1970 80.4 19.6 73.6 26.4 1980 84.4 15.6 73.7 26.3 1990 87.0 13.0 75.2 24.8 Table 6. Sources: Utah 1950-1990: Utah State Economic Coordinating Committee (1992). Economic Report to the Governor 1992. Salt Lake City, p.136. U.S. 1950-1990: United States Bureau of the Census (1992). Statistical Abstract of the United States: 1992 (112th ed.). Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, p.17. Population by Sex The gender distribution of a population may have an impact on its health status and its delivery of health care. For example, a population that is characterized by a larger proportion of child bearing women will require different health care needs. Certain mortality indicators, such as heart disease and homicide, are higher for males than females, while others, such as breast cancer, are known to affect females more than males. Table 7. Percent of Population by Sex Utah U.S. Year Male Female Male Female 1950 50.5 49.5 49.7 50.3 1960 50.0 50.0 49.3 50.7 1970 49.4 50.6 48.7 51.3 1980 49.6 50.4 48.6 51.4 1990 49.7 50.3 48.7 51.3 Table 7. Sources: Utah 1990: Utah Office of Planning and Budget (1992). State of Utah. Economic and Demographic Projections 1992, p. 26. Utah 1950-1980: Utah Department of Health, Office of Management Planning, Bureau of Health Statistics (1984). Selected Population Data by County of Residence, Age, Sex, Race, and Spanish Origin; Utah Census. April I, 1980. Salt Lake City p.7. U.S. 1950-1990: United States Bureau of the Census (1994). Statistical Abstract of the United States: 1994 (114th ed.). Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, p. 14. 72 |
