Utah and Idaho have become key growth markets for Target, Kroger

Much has been written about the growth of the Sun Belt, as retailers have flocked to cities like Austin, Nashville and Miami in recent years. However, the South isn’t the only part of the country seeing rapid population and retail growth.

From 2024 to 2025, Idaho grew 1.4% in population to just over 2 million people, making it the No. 2 fastest-growing state in the U.S. by percentage growth, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Utah ranked No. 5 with 1% growth to 3.5 million.

As always, retail follows rooftops. As a result of rapid population and housing growth in Utah and Idaho, particularly post-pandemic, major retail chains are opening new stores in the region, in areas they once may have glanced over.

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