Found in the Mountain West subregion of the Western US, bordering Idaho to the north, Wyoming to the northeast, Arizona to the south, Colorado to the east, and Nevada to the west, Utah is a state famous for its Pastrami burgers, honey production, excellent snowboarding tracks, the Sundance Film Festival, and its many National Parks. However, another thing most Americans associate Utah with is conservatism.
According to a new study conducted by the Cultural Currents Institute, factoring twenty-one indicators across multiple categories such as patriotism, family structure, social conservatism, and religiosity, Utah came in as the fifth-most conservative state in the US, with South Carolina, South Dakota, Alabama, and Mississippi ranking ahead of the Beehive State. That shocked many, primarily because Utah is the American region with the highest church attendance, with 53% of its population attending weekly worship services. It is also the third-most region in the US that best exemplifies traditional family values, with Alaska and Hawaii only doing this a tad better per this CCI research.
Many Utahans have disputed the findings and conclusions in the Cultural Currents Institute report, saying that the methodology is inaccurate, as the data presented provides statistics without giving any proper or added context and overemphasizes patriotism. Below, we get into why Utah boasts such a conservative nature. And why it should rank at number one.
Religious Influence
Going by the available data, 81% of Utahans are non-Hispanic whites, and 73% of Utah’s religious are Christians. 55% of these individuals are Mormons, 5% are Catholics, 6% are mainline Protestants, and 7% are evangelic Protestants. 4% of Utah’s residents are religious, but non-Christians, and 22% have no religious affiliation. When we say Mormons, we refer to members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. That is the fourth-largest Christian denomination in the US, listing around seven million members.
The church was founded in 1830, and settlers affiliated with it began arriving in the Salt Lake Valley in 1847. These individuals, Mormon migrants, instantly began establishing homes and planting crops in this area of the US, built settlements and churches, and started to impact the territory’s economic, cultural, and political makeup for years to come. The LDS influence on the state is massive, as Mormons control the top TV and radio stations, the Desert News newspaper, Zions bank, and Brigham Young University.
Mormons prioritize many conservative values, with chastity at the top, then modesty, priesthood/parental authority, and the worship of Jesus Christ. They emphasize health, personal responsibility, and morality. Hence, the LDS Church adheres to the Word of Wisdom, advising against alcohol consumption and discourages any form of gambling. Thus, that is why no Utah gambling sites exist operated from within this region’s borders.
Utah Is Very Republican
It is no secret that the more conservative a US region is, the higher the likelihood that its citizens will vote Republican. Per a recent Pew Research Center study, 64% of Utahans favor the Republican party, 30% vote or lean Democrat, and 16% have no political affiliation. 76% of Mormons are Republicans, and the same number of men and women compose the Utah Republican vote.
Hence, it is no secret or shock that Utah has a history of electing conservative politicians and voting through many Republican-backed state laws. The territory’s homogenous population concerning ethnicity and religious beliefs has aided in preserving its traditions and conservative values. That is why stances on same-sex relationships, abortion, and drug legalization have not changed in Utah for decades. While such positions are overall positive or negative is a topic of debate, it has also helped Utah foster a business-friendly environment with low taxes and limited government regulation that has sizably benefited small businesses.
Family-Centered Culture
Current U.S. Census Bureau data states that marriages are most likely to work in Utah, as the state has a 15.97% divorce rate, the lowest statistical average in the country. WalletHub, a personal finance company, has also named Utah the happiest US state, going by their research, which cites that Utah has the highest volunteer rate in the nation, at 40.7%. The state pulled in an overall happiness score of almost 70 from 100, factoring in community involvement, quality work environment, and emotional and physical well-being. Hawaii came in second place, a group of islands renowned for a conservative, family-oriented attitude.
As mentioned above, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints promotes family togetherness, mutual support, church congregations, and community organizations. Those values have led to the creation of strong support networks and policies designed to help families. By and large, Utahans prioritize marriage and family formation, reinforcing the belief that a firm family structure is essential to a good life. Utah has some of the nation’s most generous parental leave rules, support services, family-friendly workplaces, and resources that stimulate family-centric counseling.
