Although Utahans in general experience lower rates of poverty than the national average (11.3% in Utah vs. 14.7% nationwide), Utah women are more likely than Utah men to live in poverty, especially women who are heads of households and/or single parents. Many factors influence the levels of poverty among Utah women. The gender wage gap in Utah is one of the highest in the nation; women are much more likely to work minimum wage jobs, and women in Utah have lower levels of educational achievement—particularly at the bachelor’s degree level and higher—than women across the nation. Utah women within specific demographics (including certain ethnic and racial groups) are even more likely to experience poverty.

This research snapshot focuses on three key areas: 

1) An overview of poverty rates for women in Utah, broken down by various demographic factors,

2) An analysis of some of the issues contributing to women’s poverty rates in Utah, and 

3) A discussion of current efforts being made in the state to improve the economic circumstances of women, with links to relevant resources.