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This analysis predates the COVID-19 crisis and the economic impacts that followed.
It is offered as an overview of the
Metroplex regional economy and a resource for comparative purposes.
Regional Snapshot
Metroplex
The 19-county Metroplex region covers about 15,600 square miles in northern Texas, stretching from Oklahoma south to the Brazos River and from the Cedar Creek Reservoir on the east to Possum Kingdom Lake, on the west.
The region includes two metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs). The first is the Sherman-Denison MSA, comprising Grayson County. The second, the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington MSA, includes two Metropolitan Divisions (MDs): the Fort Worth-Arlington MD, comprising Hood, Johnson, Parker, Somervell, Tarrant and Wise counties, and the Dallas-Plano-Irving MD, including Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Hunt, Kaufman and Rockwall counties. Counties in the region not associated with an MSA are Cooke, Erath, Fannin, Navarro and Palo Pinto.
Metroplex Region Counties:
- Collin
- Cooke
- Dallas
- Denton
- Ellis
- Erath
- Fannin
- Grayson
- Hood
- Hunt
- Johnson
- Kaufman
- Navarro
- Palo Pinto
- Parker
- Rockwall
- Somervell
- Tarrant
- Wise
Top 10 Industries by Location Quotient
- Air Transportation
- Oil and Gas Extraction
- Monetary Authorities — Central Bank
- Telecommunications
- Credit Intermediation and Related Activities
- Museums, Historical Sites and Similar Institutions
- Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing
- Data Processing, Hosting and Related Services
- Lessors of Nonfinancial Intangible Assets (except Copyrighted Works)
- Support Activities for Transportation
Source: JobsEQ®
Population Growth
Metroplex REGION VS. TEXAS AND U.S., 2010-2019
Region
18.5%
U.S.
6.3%
Texas
15.3%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
In 2019, the Metroplex region’s estimated total population was about 8 million or 27.5 percent of the state’s total population. That marked an increase of 18.5 percent (more than 1.2 million people) since the 2010 Census.
Education
Average Annual Earnings by Educational Attainment, Metroplex Region
| Educational Attainment | Number Employed, Region | Average Annual Earnings, Region |
|---|---|---|
| Less than high school | 538,481 | $41,304 |
| High school or equivalent, no college | 790,302 | $47,257 |
| Some college or associate degree | 967,689 | $52,595 |
| Bachelor's degree or advanced degree | 835,104 | $71,607 |
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau and JobsEQ
Metroplex region workers with some college or associate degrees and stable jobs earn an average of $5,338 more annually than those with high school degrees, while those with at least a bachelor’s degree earn an average of $24,350 more.
JOBS & WAGES
From 2009 to 2019, the Metroplex region’s employment rose by more than 25 percent, higher growth than in the state as a whole. In 2019, the region accounted for nearly 30 percent of the state’s total employment, making it the state’s largest employment base.
The Metroplex region’s most significant occupations are shown below, sorted by numerical growth during the last five years.
Employment Growth, Metroplex Region vs. Texas and U.S., 2009-2019
Note: Figures include private and public sector employees with the exception of active-duty military personnel, railroad employees, religious institution employees and the self-employed.
Sources: JobsEQ and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Top Occupations in the Metroplex Region by Numeric Growth, 2014-2019
| Occupation | Number Employed | Average Annual Wages |
|---|---|---|
| Food and Beverage Serving Workers | 203,231 | $22,300 |
| Material Moving Workers | 141,458 | $32,600 |
| Computer Occupations | 136,708 | $93,800 |
| Business Operations Specialists | 129,793 | $76,000 |
| Construction Trades Workers | 151,510 | $39,900 |
Note: Data are as of Q4 2019 except wage data, which are for covered employment in 2018.
Source: JobsEQ
Regional Economy
In 2019, taxable sales directly attributable to businesses in the region exceeded $127 billion, contributing about 23 percent to the state’s overall taxable sales.
Regional Receipts Subject to Sales Tax
| Year | Revenue Metroplex Region |
|---|---|
| 2007 | 87.7 billion dollars |
| 2008 | 91.4 billion dollars |
| 2009 | 81.5 billion dollars |
| 2010 | 82.0 billion dollars |
| 2011 | 88.5 billion dollars |
| 2012 | 94.4 billion dollars |
| 2013 | 98.4 billion dollars |
| 2014 | 105.0 billion dollars |
| 2015 | 106.5 billion dollars |
| 2016 | 109.5 billion dollars |
| 2017 | 115.0 billion dollars |
| 2018 | 121.0 billion dollars |
| 2019 | 127.2 billion dollars |
Note: Numbers shown are for reported revenue subject to sales tax and directly attributed to the region.
Source: Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
Summary
The Metroplex region is a microcosm of the state, both urban and rural, with a vibrant and diverse economy. Tarrant County, with the city of Fort Worth at its center, and Dallas County, anchored by Dallas, are the region’s twin economic cores. The region has many unique economic conditions and challenges. If it were a state, it would be the 13th most populous, similar in population to Washington state.
The Metroplex regional economy is strong and accounts for about 23 percent of the state’s overall taxable sales. From 2009 to 2019, it saw a higher rate of job growth than the state. The region’s concentration of high-paying, high- growth industries (including air transportation, money and banking and technology) makes its economy distinctive.
The Metroplex Region is one of the Comptroller’s 12 economic regions.
View a complete list of these regions, plus more in-depth county-by-county data.
Questions?
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the material on this page, please contact the Comptroller’s Data Analysis and Transparency Division.