The Texas Economy Online is an ongoing review of the most recent statistical data about the state’s economy and people. This review provides a brief analysis of economic and demographic trends and is intended to serve as a one-stop gateway to timely economic data on the Internet.


Population
he population of the Lone Star State reached 24,782,302 in July 2009, according to the latest estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau. Texas gained more people (478,000) than any other state and remained the second most populous state between July 1, 2008, and July 1, 2009 according to a December 2009 Census press release. No further state population estimates will be published until after the official 2010 Census counts are released in December 2010.

According to metro population estimates from a March 2010 U.S. Census data release, the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) was ranked No. 1, Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown was ranked No. 2, Austin-Round Rock was ranked No. 12, and San Antonio was ranked No. 16 for population growth for the 12 months ending on July 1, 2009. Two of the nation’s top ten largest cities were in Texas with the Dallas MSA ranked No. 4 and the Houston MSA ranked No. 6. These are the last metro population estimates for metros before the release of 2010 Census numbers are released for smaller areas in April 2011.

According to a June 2010 U.S. Census data release, four of the nation’s ten fastest growing cities with over 100,000 people were in Texas, according to July 1, 2009 population estimates. Frisco was ranked No. 1, McKinney was ranked No. 3, Round Rock was ranked No. 8, and Lewisville was ranked No. 10. These four cities are part of the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) MSA, which was the fastest-growing MSA in the nation. DFW added more residents during the past decade than any other U.S. city, gaining over 1.28 million people between April 1, 2000 and July 1, 2009, as reported in a Fort Worth Star Telegram article. The article also reported that Texas had five of the nation’s top ten cities for population growth between 2000 and 2009: San Antonio ranked No. 3, Fort Worth ranked No. 5, Dallas ranked No. 7, Houston ranked No. 8, and Austin ranked No. 9. The Census’ July 1, 2009 population estimates also indicate that Texas had three of the nation’s ten largest cities: Houston ranked No. 4, San Antonio ranked No. 7, and Dallas ranked No. 9.

According to a March 2009 Census data release, Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington ranked No. 1 for the nation’s MSA with the largest number increase from July 1, 2007 to July 1, 2008, followed by Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown ranked No. 2, Austin-Round Rock ranked No. 8, and San Antonio ranked No. 15. Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington ranked No. 4 for the nation’s latest, largest MSA population estimate and Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown ranked No. 6. Austin ranked No. 2 in population estimates for the fastest growing metropolitan area, with McAllen-Edinburg-Mission ranked at No.14. Four Texas counties were in the top ten for the nation’s top fastest growing counties with 10,000 or more population in 2008: Williamson ranked No. 6, Kendall ranked No. 8, Rockwell ranked No. 9, and Hays ranked No. 10. Three Texas counties were in the top ten for the nation’s largest numeric increase: Harris ranked No. 2, Tarrant ranked No. 5, and Bexar ranked No. 10. Harris County ranked No. 3 and Dallas County ranked No. 8 for the nation’s latest, largest county population estimates.

The 2000 Census indicates that 82.5 percent of Texas' population lives in metropolitan areas. The urbanizing of Texas is underscored by recent growth trends - the state’s metropolitan areas accounted for over 91 percent of Texas population growth between 1990 and 2000. Growth has occurred primarily in the large metropolitan areas of Austin, Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio. Austin added 403,536 people during the 1990s, increasing its population by nearly 50 percent. Other areas with significant growth are metros located along the Mexico border, such as McAllen, Brownsville, and Laredo. One of the fastest growing regions in the state, the Lower Rio Grande Valley, houses two adjacent metros - McAllen and Brownsville. Together they added 261,025 people between 1990 and 2000 - about the same as the increase for the entire San Antonio metro area during the same period.

According to the most recent population projections from the Texas State Data Center, Texas' population was 24,105,417 on January 1, 2008. The January 1, 2008 estimates were obtained by adding births to, and subtracting deaths from July 1, 2007 through December 31, 2007, to the July 1, 2007 estimates and assuming that July 1, 2006 to July 1, 2007 rates of migration continue from July 1, 2007 to January 1, 2008. The Texas State Data Center’s methodology and therefore its estimates differ from that of the U.S. Census Bureau.

In 2005, Texas became the fourth "majority-minority" state, with a minority population comprising 50.2 percent of its total population, according to U.S. Census Bureau population estimates.


Employment Performance

Texas saw a decrease in employment in 2009, according to preliminary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), losing 220,000 seasonally adjusted nonfarm jobs between January 2009 and December 2009. However, Texas is the only top ten state that has more jobs today than before the recession began three years ago (December 2006 to December 2009). 

Texas saw a total loss of 277,400 nonfarm jobs from December 2008 to December 2009, an annual job loss of 2.6 percent, according to data published in the January 2010 Monthly Review of the Texas Economy. In 2009, the state’s Government sector ranked first in job creation with a gain of 83,000 jobs and an annual growth rate (AGR) of 4.6 percent, followed by the Education and Health Services industry with a gain of 60,500 jobs and an AGR of 4.6 percent, then Other Services with a gain of 6,100 jobs and an AGR of 1.7 percent. The Texas Manufacturing industry sector saw a net loss of 89,800 jobs in 2009, representing a 9.9 percent decline. The Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas monthly data also indicate declines in many of Texas’ major industry sectors throughout 2009, including the manufacturing sector. 

Texas’ unemployment rate remained below the national unemployment rate in 2009, according to the Texas Workforce Commission, although it continued to follow the nation’s upward trend.

For more current employment information, the state’s monthly updates are charted and tracked at the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas and the Texas Workforce Commission, as well as the BLS.


Industry Trends

The Texas Industry Portfolio area has detailed information about 27 Texas industry breakouts. Information and data resources on Governor Rick Perry’s six Texas Industry Clusters, including some industry reports and industry-related company directories, are available at Advanced Technology & Manufacturing; Aerospace & Defense; Biotech & Life Sciences; Information & Computer Technology; Petroleum Refining & Chemical Products; and Energy. There are also Texas industry overviews available, including renewable energy breakouts for biofuels, solar, and wind, as well as a Manufacturing in Texas overview.

For the fourth quarter of 2009, venture capitalists in Texas invested primarily in the Texas industrial/energy, medical devices and equipment, and software.


Research and Development
Texas universities and research institutions are national and global leaders in research and development (R&D) in many industries - including electronics, medical, biotechnology, aerospace, advanced materials, and energy. According to the National Science Foundation’s Science and Engineering State Profiles, Texas nationally ranks No. 3 for science and engineering doctorates with 1,930 awarded in 2006; No. 4 for total R&D performance with $15.86 billion spent in 2005; No. 5 for industry R&D expenditures with $12.43 billion spent in 2005; No. 3 for academic R&D expenditures with $3.27 billion spent in 2006; and No. 6 for SBIR awards with 1,693 awarded from 2000-2006.  Data from the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office indicate that in fiscal year 2008 Texas residents were issued 6,016 patents, ranking second nationally, while in fiscal year 2008 Texas residents filed 15,886 patent applications, ranking second nationally.


Income
According to a March 2010 U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) news release, in 2009 Texas ranked No. 29 nationally for per capita personal income at $36,484. Per capita personal income declined 2.6 percent nationwide in 2009, while Texas saw a 1.6 percent decline.

The latest Texas Comptroller income data available indicate 2009Q4 personal income at $948.133 and real personal income at $757.175. Recent data indicate continued steady increases.


Real Estate
Texas has weathered the national real estate crunch without significant damage to property values, while sales and construction activity have slowed. Despite its continuing resiliency, Texas is not immune from the national real estate crunch. The most recent month’s high level Texas housing review with statistics on housing sales, single home median prices, foreclosures, and building permits is available in the Texas Comptroller’s Economic Outlook.

Texas’ overall housing affordability decreased slightly in 2009, while the nation’s overall figures remained constant, according to the Real Estate Center (REC) at Texas A&M’s Texas Housing Affordability Index. Some individual markets saw housing affordability increases, notably Austin and San Antonio. 2010 sales and prices of existing home in Texas should remain at 2009 levels and new construction may pick up slightly, however, the overall new home market will not significantly turnaround for a year or more, according to the REC’s 2010 Outlook. The REC’s Texas Real Estate Market Reports provide detailed information about the 25 Texas MSAs.

Texas residential housing permits data from the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas indicate decreases in the early part of 2009, with upticks in the last two months of the year. The REC Building Permit Activity website provides detailed information about Texas county, MSA, single family, and multi-family permits.


Tourism
Travel is an important industry in Texas, and the state is a favorite destination for both domestic and international visitors. Tourism revenues provide significant economic benefits for the Texas economy.

Total (direct and indirect) travel earnings in Texas were estimated at $33.6 billion, direct travel industry employment totaled 1,023,000 jobs, and the Gross Domestic Product of the Texas travel industry was $23.8 billion in 2008, the latest annual data available. More information on the economic impact of travel in Texas, hotel reports, international visitation reports, and much more are available. Texas tourist information is also accessible online, including free travel guides, state maps, and emailed newsletters; trip planners; podcasts and videos; lodging; activity and events; cities and regions; and even customized itineraries.


Transportation
Texas’ central location facilitates in providing timely access to national and international markets via air, rail, roads, and water. Texas has 305,855 miles of highways, which is more than any other state. Texas’ railroad system was nationally top ranked in 2008, with 44 railroads (No. 2) operating on 10,743 rail miles (No. 1), and carrying over 384 million rail tons (No. 5). Texas has thirteen deep water ports with channels at least 30 feet deep along the Gulf Coast. They include The Port of Houston, which ranks No. 2 in the nation for cargo volume and No. 15 globally for total cargo volume in 2008.

The state’s two largest airports, Dallas-Fort Worth International (DFW) and George Bush Intercontinental in Houston (IAH), serve as major hubs for connecting flights within the domestic and international air systems. 2008 International airport data indicate that DFW ranked No. 7 and IAH in Houston ranked No. 16 on the world’s 30 busiest airports list by total passengers served; DFW ranked No. 3 and Houston ranked No. 7 on the world’s 30 busiest airports lists by aircraft movements; and DFW ranked No 28 on the world’s 30 busiest airports list by total cargo. The Fort Worth Alliance Airport (AFW) was the first national airport built strictly to serve the inter-modal distribution business needs

International border crossings in Texas rank among the busiest in the United States.  For incoming U.S. border crossings in 2009, Texas nationally ranked No. 1 with over 2.8 million trucks, over 35.5 million personal vehicles, and over 18.8 million pedestrians, and No. 2 with 6,406 trains. Looking at incoming U.S. border crossing within Texas, Laredo ranked No. 1 for trucks with over 1.3 million, trains with 2,716, and buses with 43,342 while El Paso ranked No. 1 for personal vehicles with over 10.5 million and pedestrians with over 7.6 million.

For more detailed Texas information, the Texas Center for Border Economic and Enterprise Development (Border Trade Institute) provides north- and southbound crossing data for land ports in Texas collected from bridge operators and the Mexican government.


Gross State Product
The Texas gross state product (GSP) for fiscal year 2009 was estimated at $1,244.72 billion in current dollars and continues to diversify, according to the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts (CPA). The Texas CPA’s quarterly GSP estimates indicate that in 2009Q4, the Texas GSP was $1,249.31 billion.

If Texas were a nation, its economy would rank as the 11th-largest in the world by Gross Domestic Product (GDP), according to the Texas Comptroller’s 2009 estimates, which is the most current compilation available.


International Trade
Texas is a leader in the global marketplace. In 2009, for the eighth year in a row, Texas was ranked as the number one state by export revenues. Texas exports for 2009 totaled $163.04 billion.

Products from the State of Texas are shipped around the globe each year. The state's top value-added Texas exports in 2009 were Computer & Electronic Products, Chemicals, Machinery (not electrical), Petroleum & Coal Products, and Transportation Equipment.

Recent Texas exports information by month indicate that 2009 ended with an upswing in exports. The state's top value-added Texas exports in 2009 were Computer & Electronic Products, Chemicals, Machinery (not electrical), Petroleum & Coal Products, and Transportation Equipment. Total U.S. 2009 exports decreased over 18.7 percent to just over $1 trillion from $1.3 trillion in 2008.

Texas’ largest export market continued to be its NAFTA trading partners, which accounted for approximately 42.8 percent of total state exports during 2009. Mexico continued as the top export destination with just over $56 billion in Texas exports. Canada ranked second with $13.7 billion; China ranked third at $8.9 billion; The Netherlands ranked fourth at just over $6 billion; and Korea ranked fifth at $5.3 billion.

In 2009, Port Level data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis indicated overall Texas Port Level imports totaled approximately $236.41 billion, a decrease of approximately 28 percent from $329.06 billion in 2008.

The 2009 Texas imports by the top ranked commodities were oil and petroleum products ($1378.43 billion or almost 33.2 percent); electrical machinery, computers, etc. ($77.8 billion or almost 33 percent); and transportation equipment, including vehicles, aircraft, railway, etc. ($22.9 billion or almost 9.7 percent). 2009 Texas imports for the top 10 countries of origin accounted for $184.71 billion – or over 78 percent of Texas imports. NAFTA trading partner, Mexico, was the top country of origin for Texas imports with approximately $115 billion or 48.6 percent of Texas imports. NAFTA trading partner, Canada, does not rank in the top 10 for Texas imports, in striking contrast to its number two ranking for Texas exports in 2009. China (Mainland) moved to the No. 2 ranking for Texas imports from No. 4 in 2008 (with $16.32 billion or 6.9 percent), followed by Venezuela (with $11.75 billion or almost 5 percent), Nigeria (with $8.8 billion or 3.7 percent), and Saudi Arabia (with $6.7 billion or 2.8 percent).

Texas foreign direct investment (FDI) data show that in 2007 the state nationally ranked No. 1 for FDI assets of $119.25 billion, No. 3 for FDI overall employment of 418,500, No. 2 for FDI manufacturing employment of 104,400, and No. 4 for FDI commercial property worth $9.58 billion. These rankings are based on the latest FDI data available from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. The Texas FDI Overview provides more information on this area.


Labor and Management Diversity
The value of sales and receipts of minority-owned firms in Texas reached $1.81 trillion in 2002, up from $1.41 trillion in 1997. (2002 data are the latest available from the Economic Census, which is produced every five years. 2007 Economic Census data will be released by 2011.) 2002 Economic Census data indicate there were 1,734,648 minority-owned firms in Texas in 2002, up from 1,525,972 in 1997. These firms employed 8,059,889 in 2002, up from 7,074,209 in 1997. Major breakouts follow.

In 2002, there were 319,340 Hispanic-owned firms in Texas, up 33 percent from 240,396 firms in 1997. Sales and receipts rose 7 percent from $39.48 billion in 1997 to $42.21 in 2002. Texas ranked second nationally for the number of firms and sales and receipts of Hispanic-owned firms. One in five U.S. Hispanic-owned firms calls Texas home. Three of the top MSAs with the largest number of Hispanic-owned firms – Houston-Baytown-Huntsville (#3), Dallas-Fort Worth (#5), and Brownsville-Harlingen- Raymondville (#9) are in Texas.

In 2002, there were 88,769 Black-owned firms in Texas, up 47 percent from 60,427 firms in 1997. Sales and receipts declined 2 percent from $6.85 billion in 1997 to $6.69 billion in 2002. Texas ranked third nationally for sales and receipts and fifth nationally for the number of firms of Black-owned firms.

In 2002, there were 469,049 Women-owned firms in Texas, up 23 percent from 381,453 firms in 1997. Sales and receipts rose 3 percent from $65.1 billion in 1997 to $66.7 billion in 2002.  Texas ranked third nationally for the number of firms and sales and receipts of women-owned firms.

In 2002, there were 78,018 Asian-owned firms in Texas, up 32 percent from 59,318 firms in 1997. Sales and receipts rose 24 percent from $18.22 billion in 1997 to $22.62 billion in 2002. Texas ranked third nationally for the number of firms and sales and receipts of Asian-owned firms.

In 2002, there were 16,863 Native American-owned firms in Texas, up 8 percent from 15,668 firms in 1997. Sales and receipts rose very slightly from $3.32 billion in 1997 to $3.321 billion in 2002. Texas ranked third nationally for the number of firms and second nationally for sales and receipts of Native American-owned firms.

In 2002, there were 1,543 Pacific Islander-owned firms in Texas, up 70 percent from 908 firms in 1997. Sales and receipts greatly declined from $624 million in 1997 to $277 million in 2002. Texas ranked fifth nationally for the number of firms and third nationally for sales and receipts of Pacific Islander-owned firms.


Looking Ahead…

• Economic growth that exceeds the U.S. average.
• Stronger business ties to the far corners of the world.
• A younger and more ethnically diverse population

In short, this is the future of the Texas economy in the coming years, most analysts and experts conclude. For a detailed statistical overview of the long-term outlook for the State of Texas, see the most recent state economic forecast from the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts (CPA) and the most recent state population projections from the Texas State Data Center. Also see the Texas CPA’s Key Texas Economic Indicators.



Office of the Texas Governor
Last updated: June 2010