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Population
- Between 2003 and 2013, the West Region’s population grew 15%, which is slightly lower than the state growth of 20% but greater than the national growth of 9%.
Economy
- From 2003 to 2013, the per capita persona income growth in the region was 47%, which is greater than the Texas average of 46% and the U.S. average of 37%
- Personal income grew from $25.2 billion in 2003 to $42.7 billion in 2013, which makes total personal income in the region greater than those of 3 states across the country.
- Job growth in the region was 14.4%, which is lower than the Texas average of 19.6% but significantly greater than the U.S. average of 4.7%
- The 2013 regional average wages of $40,332 were much lower than the state average of $50,572
Military Installations
- Fort Hood Army Base
Challenge: Government Sector Dependence
Public-sector employers provide nearly one of every three Central Region jobs. That’s nearly double the state average.
The fact that government plays such a large role in job creation not only produces an economic imbalance but also makes the region especially vulnerable to the decisions of legislative budget writers.
Employers such as Fort Hood and Texas A&M University have helped drive economic growth in the Central Region, yet per capita income lags 15 percent behind the Texas average.
As military personnel cuts take effect during the next two and a half years, the region could experience a financial downturn. A more diverse economy would be better positioned to sustain the blow.
Fun Facts
- Fort Hood Military Base is the largest active-duty armored post in the entire U.S. armed services
- More than 60,000 pounds of sausage leave Chappell Hill Sausage Company every week
- The Temple Medical education district contributes $1.8 billion in gross product to the local economy
- There are nearly 25 pecan trees per person in San Saba County
- 1 in 10 veterinarians in the U.S. graduated from Texas A&M’s College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences