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Exhibit 1
Exhibit 2 Components of Annual Population Change from Previous Year, South Texas Region, 2012-2022
Exhibit 3
Exhibit 4 Share of Population by Race/Ethnicity, South Texas Region, 2012 and 2022
Exhibit 5 Components of Annual Population Change from Previous Year, South Texas Region, 2012-2022
Exhibit 6 Components of Annual Population Change from Previous Year, South Texas Region, 2012-2022
Exhibit 7
Exhibit 8
Exhibit 9
Exhibit 10
Estimated Uninsured by County, South Texas Region, 2021
Exhibit 11
Exhibit 12 Median Household Income, South Texas Region, 2011-2021
Exhibit 13
Exhibit 14
Largest Industries by Employment, South Texas Region, 2022
Exhibit 15
Exhibit 16
Industries with Greatest Location Quotient, South Texas Region, 2022
Exhibit 17
Exhibit 18 Components of Annual Population Change from Previous Year, South Texas Region, 2012-2022
Exhibit 19
Road Miles and Daily Vehicle Miles Traveled, South Texas Region, 2022
Exhibit 20
Transit Districts, Revenue and Ridership Statistics, South Texas Region, 2022
Exhibit 21
Exhibit 22
Official Ports of Entry Trade Data, South Texas Region, 2022
Exhibit 23
South Texas Region 2024 Regional Report
About the 2024 Regional Reports
The 2024 regional reports utilize sources from JobsEQ, REMI, Texas A&M Real Estate Center, Texas Department of Transportation, U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts.
Introduction
Texas’ people, industries and geography are all highly diverse. This report examines the South Texas region, one of 12 economic regions created by the Texas Comptroller’s office, to analyze demographic and economic data and trends, as well as the economic conditions unique to each region and the state.
Population
Core based statistical areas (CBSA), classified by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (PDF), describe the socioeconomic relationships between communities and across urban and rural territory. CBSAs consist of one or more counties that include a core urban area (UA) with a population of at least 10,000 and adjacent counties with a high degree of economic and social integration, as measured by commuting ties to that core. There are two types of CBSAs:
- Metropolitan Statistical Areas (metro areas): associated with at least one UA with a population of at least 50,000.
- Micropolitan Statistical Areas (micro areas): associated with at least one UA with a population of at least 10,000.
The South Texas region comprises 28 counties located largely in southern Texas, covering more than 35,500 square miles stretching along the Mexican border from Del Rio to Brownsville and up the Gulf Coast past Rockport to Aransas Pass and San Antonio Bay. The South Texas region includes five metro areas — Brownsville-Harlingen, Corpus Christi, Eagle Pass, Laredo and McAllen-Edinburg-Mission — and micro areas — Alice, Beeville, Del Rio, Kingsville, Raymondville, Rio Grande City-Roma, Uvalde and Zapata.
The Eagle Pass metro area, which includes Maverick County, is a newly created metropolitan area designated in the 2023 CBSA classifications.
Exhibit 1 highlights CBSA designations by county and includes population, population density and median ages for all the region’s counties. The South Texas region’s population grew by nearly 4 percent (about 90,200 people) between 2012 and 2022, compared with a more than 15 percent growth statewide. Hidalgo County led the region in total and percentage gains, adding 80,400 residents (10 percent), while Edwards County experienced the largest rate of population decline at 28.5 percent during this period.
The McAllen-Edinburg-Mission metro area (consisting of Hidalgo County) led all regional metro areas with population growth of 10 percent, while other metro areas saw smaller gains. Population fell by 3.1 percent in micropolitan counties and by 13.5 percent in non-CBSA designated counties.
The South Texas region had a median age of 31.8 years in 2021, younger than the statewide median age of 35 years. Median ages in the region ranged from 26.4 in Jim Hogg County to 49.8 in Aransas County.
| County | CBSA Title | Metropolitan/Micropolitan | 2022 Population | Total Change, 2012-2022 | Percent Change,2012-2022 | Median Age, 2021 | Population Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aransas | Corpus Christi | Metropolitan | 24,944 | 1,478 | 6.3% | 49.8 | 94.5 |
| Bee | Beeville | Micropolitan | 30,394 | -2,092 | -6.4% | 35.5 | 35.3 |
| Brooks | Alice | Micropolitan | 6,906 | -297 | -4.1% | 37.3 | 7.5 |
| Cameron | Brownsville-Harlingen | Metropolitan | 425,208 | 9,479 | 2.3% | 31.9 | 472.1 |
| Dimmit | N/A | N/A | 8,387 | -2,085 | -19.9% | 36.5 | 6.5 |
| Duval | N/A | N/A | 9,888 | -1,676 | -14.5% | 36.2 | 5.5 |
| Edwards | N/A | N/A | 1,422 | -568 | -28.5% | 46.8 | 0.7 |
| Hidalgo | McAllen-Edinburg-Mission | Metropolitan | 888,367 | 80,437 | 10.0% | 29.6 | 554.3 |
| Jim Hogg | N/A | N/A | 4,763 | -512 | -9.7% | 26.4 | 4.3 |
| Jim Wells | Alice | Micropolitan | 38,826 | -2,847 | -6.8% | 35.8 | 45.0 |
| Kenedy | N/A | N/A | 358 | -89 | -19.9% | 30.2 | 0.2 |
| Kinney | N/A | N/A | 3,128 | -518 | -14.2% | 47.6 | 2.3 |
| Kleberg | Kingsville | Micropolitan | 30,362 | -1,731 | -5.4% | 28.5 | 35.2 |
| LaSalle | N/A | N/A | 6,604 | -550 | -7.7% | 35 | 4.5 |
| Live Oak | N/A | N/A | 11,428 | -243 | -2.1% | 41.5 | 10.9 |
| McMullen | N/A | N/A | 576 | -155 | -21.2% | 33.8 | 0.5 |
| Maverick | Eagle Pass | Metropolitan | 57,843 | 2,120 | 3.8% | 29.8 | 45.2 |
| Nueces | Corpus Christi | Metropolitan | 351,674 | 3,708 | 1.1% | 36 | 420.9 |
| Real | N/A | N/A | 2,840 | -514 | -15.3% | 48.7 | 3.9 |
| Refugio | N/A | N/A | 6,632 | -627 | -8.6% | 42.3 | 8.7 |
| San Patricio | Corpus Christi | Metropolitan | 69,954 | 4,693 | 7.2% | 35.8 | 99.2 |
| Starr | Rio Grande City-Roma | Micropolitan | 65,728 | 3,777 | 6.1% | 28.8 | 53.9 |
| Uvalde | Uvalde | Micropolitan | 24,940 | -1,804 | -6.7% | 33.9 | 15.8 |
| Val Verde | Del Rio | Micropolitan | 47,606 | -1,362 | -2.8% | 31.9 | 15.1 |
| Webb | Laredo | Metropolitan | 267,780 | 7,293 | 2.8% | 29.1 | 79.5 |
| Willacy | Raymondville | Micropolitan | 20,143 | -2,059 | -9.3% | 33.4 | 34.1 |
| Zapata | Zapata | Micropolitan | 13,849 | -418 | -2.9% | 30.9 | 13.9 |
| Zavala | N/A | N/A | 9,377 | -2,638 | -22.0% | 32.9 | 7.5 |
| South Texas Region Total* | N/A | N/A | 2,429,927 | 90,200 | 3.9% | 31.8 | 67.7 |
| McAllen-Edinburg-Mission Metropolitan Area | N/A | N/A | 888,367 | 80,437 | 10.0% | 29.6 | 554.3 |
| Eagle Pass Metropolitan Area | N/A | N/A | 57,843 | 2,120 | 3.8% | 29.8 | 45.2 |
| Laredo Metropolitan Area | N/A | N/A | 267,780 | 7,293 | 2.8% | 29.1 | 79.5 |
| Brownsville-Harlingen Metropolitan Area | N/A | N/A | 425,208 | 9,479 | 2.3% | 31.9 | 472.1 |
| Corpus Christi Metropolitan Area | N/A | N/A | 446,572 | 9,879 | 2.3% | 36.7 | 249.8 |
| All Micropolitan Counties* | N/A | N/A | 278,754 | -8,833 | -3.1% | N/A | N/A |
| All Non-CBSA Counties* | N/A | N/A | 65,403 | -10,175 | -13.5% | N/A | N/A |
| Texas Total | N/A | N/A | 30,029,572 | 3,945,452 | 15.1% | 35.0 | 111.6 |
*Median ages are estimated by JobsEQ using the weighted average of the median values from the composing counties.
Note: Population density defined as number of people per square mile of land area.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, Population and Housing Unit Estimates Program; Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts analysis; JobsEQ
The region experienced net losses in domestic migration every year between 2012 and 2022. Population gains by natural increase (births minus deaths) fell throughout this period, particularly in 2021 and 2022, with fewer births throughout the period and higher deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic, reflecting trends in the state. The region saw small net gains in international migration every year during this period (Exhibit 2).
Exhibit 2 data
| Year | Natural Increase | Net Domestic Migration | Net International Migration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 27,728 | -6,947 | 3,332 |
| 2014 | 27,423 | -10,246 | 4,427 |
| 2015 | 27,216 | -14,636 | 4,798 |
| 2016 | 25,767 | -15,918 | 5,071 |
| 2017 | 22,691 | -18,041 | 1,899 |
| 2018 | 20,810 | -17,322 | 657 |
| 2019 | 20,479 | -12,018 | 1,208 |
| 2020 | 19,277 | -9,093 | 1,260 |
| 2021 | 10,401 | -2,502 | 1,644 |
| 2022 | 12,359 | -9,295 | 4,830 |
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, Population and Housing Unit Estimates Program; Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts analysis
Population by Race and Ethnicity
Hispanics led population gains in the South Texas region between 2012 and 2022, growing by nearly 119,800, an increase of almost 6 percent. The region’s white population fell by more than 39,600, an 11.9 percent decline. Those comprising two or more races and other races saw gains of 29.3 percent during this period, though their total gains were much more modest when compared with Hispanics. The Black and Asian populations rose by nearly 15 percent and 14 percent, respectively (Exhibit 3).
| Year | White | Black | Asian | Two or More Races and Other Races | Hispanic or Latino | Total Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 332,424 | 25,456 | 20,824 | 11,320 | 1,949,703 | 2,339,727 |
| 2022 | 292,758 | 29,245 | 23,773 | 14,635 | 2,069,516 | 2,429,927 |
| Total Change | -39,666 | 3,789 | 2,949 | 3,315 | 119,813 | 90,200 |
| Percent Change | -11.9% | 14.9% | 14.2% | 29.3% | 6.1% | 3.9% |
Note: “Other races” include American Indian and Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islanders.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, Population and Housing Unit Estimates Program; Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts analysis.
The region’s white population fell from 14.2 percent in 2012 to 12 percent in 2022, while the Hispanic population grew from 83.3 percent to 85.2 percent during this period. All other racial groups comprised nearly 3 percent of the regional population in 2022 (Exhibit 4).
Exhibit 4 data
| Race/Ethnicity | 2012 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| White | 14.2% | 12.0% |
| Black or African American | 1.1% | 1.2% |
| Asian | 0.9% | 1.0% |
| Two or More Races and Other Races | 0.5% | 0.6% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 83.3% | 85.2% |
Note: “Other races” include American Indian and Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islanders.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, Population and Housing Unit Estimates Program; Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts analysis
Population by Age Group
Like the state, the region saw its largest population gains among people ages 65 and older, reflecting the large Baby Boomer cohort (those born between 1946 and 1964). The population aged 4 and under fell by about 2 percent statewide and by 14 percent in the South Texas region. Unlike statewide trends, the region’s 5 to 19-year-old population fell during this period (Exhibit 5).
With its 65-and-older population leading regional population gains, the share of this group grew from around 11 percent in 2012 to nearly 13 percent in 2022.
Exhibit 5 data
| Age Group | South Texas Region | Texas |
|---|---|---|
| 65 or older | 22.5% | 41.9% |
| 50 to 64 | 5.2% | 13.0% |
| 35 to 49 | 2.3% | 15.2% |
| 20 to 34 | 8.2% | 14.4% |
| 5 to 19 | -1.4% | 10.0% |
| 0 to 4 | -13.9% | -1.8% |
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, Population and Housing Unit Estimates Program; Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts analysis
Education
Educational Attainment Levels
The share of the South Texas region population with a bachelor’s degree or higher was 19.6 percent in 2022. In 2022, a higher share of women than men in the region had at least a bachelor’s degree — 20.7 percent versus 18.4 percent (Exhibit 6). Women have overtaken men in postsecondary educational attainment levels since 2012, when 15.7 percent of women had at least a bachelor’s degree compared with 15.9 percent of men.
The share of the region that has earned at least a high school diploma rose from 66 percent in 2012 to 72.9 percent in 2022.
Exhibit 6 data
| Educational Attainment | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Less than high school graduate | 26.4% | 27.8% | 27.1% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency) | 28.8% | 25.0% | 26.8% |
| Some college, no degree | 19.9% | 19.5% | 19.7% |
| Associate degree | 6.5% | 7.1% | 6.8% |
| Bachelor's degree | 12.8% | 13.9% | 13.4% |
| Graduate or professional degree | 5.6% | 6.7% | 6.2% |
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 5-Year Estimates, 2018-2022; Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
Occupational Earnings by Educational Attainment
Requirements A strong educational foundation provides the basis for growth and competitiveness in the global economy. Postsecondary education delivers returns on investments of time and tuition.
Data for 2023 indicate that occupations in the South Texas region requiring at least an associate degree or certificate paid an average of $9,900 more annually than jobs requiring no postsecondary education. Occupations requiring a bachelor’s degree paid an average of $31,100 more annually than those requiring an associate degree or certificate, and occupations requiring a post-graduate degree paid an average of $40,300 more annually than those requiring a bachelor’s degree (Exhibit 7).
| Educational Attainment | Total Employment | Share of Total Regional Employment | Average Annual Wages |
|---|---|---|---|
| No postsecondary award | 618,922 | 65.0% | $35,959 |
| Associate degree or certificate | 88,196 | 9.3% | $45,837 |
| Bachelor's degree | 204,343 | 21.5% | $76,961 |
| Post-graduate degree | 40,179 | 4.2% | $117,271 |
| Total | 951,641 | N/A | $49,100 |
Note: Data as of 2023 Q2.
Sources: JobsEQ; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Regional Institutions of Higher Education
The South Texas region offers a variety of options for higher educational achievement, including six public universities, six community colleges, one technical college and one health science school. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is the region’s largest institute of higher education at nearly 31,600 students in 2023. The school increased enrollment levels by 9.3 percent between 2019 and 2023. Texas State Technical College-Harlingen saw strong enrollment growth, adding about 1,300 students, a 31 percent increase. Some of the region’s community colleges, however, experienced enrollment declines during this period, including South Texas College (-17.8 percent), Del Mar College (-19 percent) and Coastal Bend College (-25.4 percent). The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley-Medical School, established in 2014, continued to expand enrollment, rising by 41 percent. Enrollment in all institutions of higher education in the region fell by 4.8 percent (Exhibit 8).
| Educational Institution Name | Institution Type | Fall 2019 Enrollment | Fall 2023 Enrollment* | Percent change in enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley | University | 28,909 | 31,596 | 9.3% |
| South Texas College | Junior or Community College | 32,478 | 26,682 | -17.8% |
| Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi | University | 11,452 | 10,960 | -4.3% |
| Laredo College | Junior or Community College | 10,165 | 10,317 | 1.5% |
| Del Mar College | Junior or Community College | 12,008 | 9,725 | -19.0% |
| Texas A&M International University | University | 8,305 | 8,491 | 2.2% |
| Texas Southmost College | Junior or Community College | 8,628 | 8,197 | -5.0% |
| Southwest Texas Junior College | Junior or Community College | 6,911 | 6,608 | -4.4% |
| Texas A&M University-Kingsville | University | 7,479 | 6,575 | -12.1% |
| Texas State Technical College-Harlingen | Technical College | 4,297 | 5,612 | 30.6% |
| Coastal Bend College | Junior or Community College | 4,818 | 3,593 | -25.4% |
| Texas A&M University at Galveston | University | 1,644 | 2,142 | 30.3% |
| Sul Ross State University Rio Grande College | University | 821 | 654 | -20.3% |
| The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley-Medical School | Health Science School | 204 | 287 | 40.7% |
| Total - South Texas Region | N/A | 138,119 | 131,439 | -4.8% |
*Fall 2023 enrollment numbers are preliminary and not certified.
Source: Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
Health Care
Availability of Hospital Services
Residents of the South Texas region have access to a variety of hospital facilities from which to receive services. General hospitals offer a comprehensive range of services and facilities for medical diagnoses and treatments, including surgical services. Special hospitals provide clinical laboratory facilities, diagnostic X-ray facilities, treatment facilities or other definitive medical treatments (Exhibit 9).
| Facility Type | Number of Facilities | Total Number of Beds | Average Number of Beds Per Facility |
|---|---|---|---|
| General and Special Hospital | 54 | 6,857 | 127.0 |
| Private Psychiatric Hospital | 2 | 110 | 55.0 |
| State Psychiatric Hospital | 1 | 55 | 55.0 |
Source: Texas Health and Human Services Commission
Health Care Access
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, one of five Texans under age 65 did not have health insurance in 2021. The rate of uninsured in Texas — 20.3 percent — was the highest among U.S. states and about twice the national average of 10.2 percent.
At 28.3 percent in 2021, the South Texas region’s uninsured rate was not only well above the state average but also the highest among the 12 regions, and rates in only three of its 28 counties were lower than the state average. The rates of individual counties ranged from a low of 14.7 percent in Kinney County to a high of 46.3 percent in Kenedy County — the highest in the state (Exhibit 10).
| County | Uninsured Population | Percent Uninsured |
|---|---|---|
| Aransas | 4,069 | 23.2% |
| Bee | 3,441 | 17.5% |
| Brooks | 1,187 | 21.1% |
| Cameron | 107,549 | 30.1% |
| Dimmit | 1,489 | 21.5% |
| Duval | 1,755 | 23.3% |
| Edwards | 299 | 29.2% |
| Hidalgo | 245,026 | 32.0% |
| Jim Hogg | 844 | 21.3% |
| Jim Wells | 7,030 | 21.7% |
| Kenedy | 126 | 46.3% |
| Kinney | 312 | 14.7% |
| Kleberg | 5,308 | 21.0% |
| La Salle | 939 | 21.6% |
| Live Oak | 1,880 | 23.5% |
| McMullen | 97 | 21.4% |
| Maverick | 13,824 | 27.9% |
| Nueces | 62,094 | 21.2% |
| Real | 487 | 25.0% |
| Refugio | 1,025 | 19.8% |
| San Patricio | 12,102 | 20.7% |
| Starr | 16,527 | 29.0% |
| Uvalde | 4,853 | 23.9% |
| Val Verde | 9,610 | 24.5% |
| Webb | 70,027 | 29.7% |
| Willacy | 3,293 | 23.1% |
| Zapata | 3,128 | 26.3% |
| Zavala | 1,588 | 20.4% |
| South Texas Region | 579,909 | 28.3% |
Note: Uninsured population includes ages 0-64 only.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Small Area Health Insurance Estimates
Regional Economy and Employment
Gross Domestic Product
Gross domestic product (GDP) in the South Texas region totaled $117.5 billion in 2022, accounting for 4.9 percent of Texas’ GDP. Some of the region’s industries, however, contribute a higher share to the state economy, indicating regional industry specialization. By this measure, government and government enterprises and oil and extraction are two of the most specialized industries in the region, accounting for 8.5 percent and 8.1 percent of the industry GDP statewide in 2022, respectively. Health care and social assistance also plays an outsize role in the region, accounting for 7 percent of industry GDP in Texas (Exhibit 11).
| Industry | South Texas Region (billions) | South Texas Industry GDP as Share of Total South Texas GDP | Texas (billions) | South Texas Share of Texas GDP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Government and government enterprises | $18.9 | 16.1% | $222.4 | 8.5% |
| Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction | $19.2 | 16.3% | $235.6 | 8.1% |
| Health care and social assistance | $9.3 | 7.9% | $132.6 | 7.0% |
| Transportation and warehousing | $6.0 | 5.1% | $93.6 | 6.4% |
| Retail trade | $9.2 | 7.8% | $148.0 | 6.2% |
| All industry total | $117.5 | N/A | $2,402.1 | 4.9% |
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis; Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
Median Household Income
The South Texas region had a median household income of $48,538 in 2021, up from $35,981 in 2011, a 35 percent increase. Median household income in Texas, by comparison, was $67,321 in 2021, up from $50,920 in 2011, a 32.2 percent increase (Exhibit 12).
Exhibit 12 data
| Year | South Texas Region | Texas |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | $35,981 | $50,920 |
| 2012 | $36,952 | $51,563 |
| 2013 | $37,642 | $51,900 |
| 2014 | $38,463 | $52,576 |
| 2015 | $38,695 | $53,207 |
| 2016 | $39,932 | $54,727 |
| 2017 | $40,992 | $57,051 |
| 2018 | $42,246 | $59,570 |
| 2019 | $43,873 | $61,874 |
| 2020 | $45,769 | $63,826 |
| 2021 | $48,534 | $67,321 |
Source: JobsEQ using data from the U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2017-2021
Jobs and Industry
Between 2012 and 2022, regional employment rose nearly 11 percent, lower than that of both Texas (23.5 percent) and the U.S. (13.9 percent). The region’s metro areas saw strong job gains, including an increase of 23 percent in McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, 17 percent in Brownsville-Harlingen and 13 percent in Laredo (Exhibit 13).
| Region | Total Employed, 2022 | Total Change, 2012-2022 | Percent Change, 2012-2022 | Average Annual Wages, 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 150,025,578 | 18,329,359 | 13.9% | $69,986 |
| Texas | 13,249,180 | 2,521,454 | 23.5% | $69,614 |
| South Texas Region | 848,890 | 81,408 | 10.6% | $45,024 |
| Brownsville-Harlingen Metro Area | 150,974 | 21,396 | 16.5% | $41,312 |
| Corpus Christi Metro Area | 183,952 | 3,284 | 1.8% | $54,996 |
| Eagle Pass Metro Area | 17,948 | 1,243 | 7.4% | $41,160 |
| Laredo Metro Area | 102,710 | 11,890 | 13.1% | $43,424 |
| McAllen-Edinburg-Mission Metro Area | 280,135 | 51,378 | 22.5% | $40,792 |
Source: JobsEQ using data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages
The South Texas region’s largest industries by employment were in public education, restaurants and other eating places, health care and family services, and public safety. These large regional industries mostly experienced strong employment growth in the 10-year period ending in 2022, including a 28 percent gain in general freight trucking jobs. These industries also have large location quotient (LQ) levels — a measure of an industry’s relative size in a region compared with its average size in the nation. An LQ of 1.25 or higher indicates that the region has a comparative advantage in the industry and that the industry is highly concentrated and unique to the regional economy (Exhibit 14).
| Industry | Employment | Employment Change, 2012-2022 | Percent Change, 2012-2022 | Average Annual Wages | Location Quotient | Establishments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elementary and Secondary Schools | 93,671 | 6,347 | 7.3% | $49,322 | 1.99 | 178 |
| Restaurants and Other Eating Places | 74,792 | 16,167 | 27.6% | $19,447 | 1.21 | 3,447 |
| Home Health Care Services | 70,955 | 6,922 | 10.8% | $17,068 | 7.94 | 623 |
| Individual and Family Services | 34,749 | 19,602 | 129.4% | $19,635 | 2.00 | 734 |
| Justice, Public Order and Safety Activities | 29,810 | 2,014 | 7.2% | $86,873 | 2.76 | 308 |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals | 24,992 | -301 | -1.2% | $64,977 | 0.72 | 48 |
| Offices of Physicians | 21,952 | 5,191 | 31.0% | $72,734 | 1.32 | 1,899 |
| Grocery and Convenience Retailers | 19,166 | 2,810 | 17.2% | $31,321 | 1.19 | 452 |
| Warehouse Clubs, Supercenters and Other General Merchandise Retailers | 14,473 | 1,218 | 9.2% | $29,047 | 1.12 | 572 |
| General Freight Trucking | 13,319 | 2,879 | 27.6% | $55,393 | 2.07 | 1,377 |
| Total – All Industries | 848,890 | 81,408 | 10.6% | $45,024 | 1.00 | 45,151 |
Source: JobsEQ using data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages
Individual and family services led total employment growth among industries in the region between 2012 and 2022, adding more than 19,500 jobs, a 129 percent gain. The residential care facilities industry experienced some of the fastest growth, increasing by almost 452 percent during the same period (Exhibit 15).
| Industry | Employment | Employment Change, 2012-2022 | Percent Change, 2012-2022 | Average Annual Wages | Location Quotient | Establishments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Individual and Family Services | 34,749 | 19,602 | 129.4% | $19,635 | 2.00 | 734 |
| Restaurants and Other Eating Places | 74,792 | 16,167 | 27.6% | $19,447 | 1.21 | 3,447 |
| Home Health Care Services | 70,955 | 6,922 | 10.8% | $17,068 | 7.94 | 623 |
| Elementary and Secondary Schools | 93,671 | 6,347 | 7.3% | $49,322 | 1.99 | 178 |
| Offices of Physicians | 21,952 | 5,191 | 31.0% | $72,734 | 1.32 | 1,899 |
| Other Residential Care Facilities | 5,942 | 4,865 | 451.5% | $55,386 | 6.24 | 37 |
| General Freight Trucking | 13,319 | 2,879 | 27.6% | $55,393 | 2.07 | 1,377 |
| Building Equipment Contractors | 9,329 | 2,860 | 44.2% | $55,586 | 0.68 | 832 |
| Grocery and Convenience Retailers | 19,166 | 2,810 | 17.2% | $31,321 | 1.19 | 452 |
| Outpatient Care Centers | 6,143 | 2,661 | 76.4% | $63,245 | 0.97 | 260 |
| Total – All Industries | 848,890 | 81,408 | 10.6% | $45,024 | 1.00 | 45,151 |
Source: JobsEQ using data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages
Ranking regional industries by LQ shows that footwear manufacturing, hunting and trapping, home health care service, residential care facilities, and oil and gas-related activity are highly specialized in the region. The pipeline transportation of crude oil industry had an LQ exceeding 4, meaning the industry is four times as large in the South Texas region compared with the national average. This industry had very high average wages in 2022 (Exhibit 16).
| Industry | Employment | Employment Change, 2012-2022 | Percent Change, 2012-2022 | Average Annual Wages | Location Quotient | Establishments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Footwear Manufacturing | 1,061 | -42 | -3.8% | $31,979 | 15.93 | 6 |
| Hunting and Trapping | 127 | 21 | 19.5% | $34,923 | 10.31 | 34 |
| Home Health Care Services | 70,955 | 6,922 | 10.8% | $17,068 | 7.94 | 623 |
| Other Residential Care Facilities | 5,942 | 4,865 | 451.5% | $55,386 | 6.24 | 37 |
| Support Activities for Mining | 9,436 | -12,061 | -56.1% | $96,711 | 6.19 | 418 |
| Freight Transportation Arrangement | 8,695 | 1,235 | 16.6% | $44,228 | 5.52 | 813 |
| Other Pipeline Transportation | 217 | 194 | 839.2% | $105,635 | 4.58 | 10 |
| Interurban and Rural Bus Transportation | 524 | -169 | -24.4% | $45,926 | 4.50 | 21 |
| Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing | 2,664 | -165 | -5.8% | $144,804 | 4.38 | 28 |
| Pipeline Transportation of Crude Oil | 264 | 82 | 45.1% | $111,905 | 4.17 | 18 |
Source: JobsEQ using data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages
Regional Occupations
Among occupations, home health and personal care aides, general and operations managers, and laborers and material movers saw some of the strongest job gains between 2012 and 2022. Registered nurses also saw strong growth and boasted high average wages. Customer service representatives also saw strong growth during the period (Exhibit 17).
| Occupation | Employment | Employment Change, 2012-2022 | Percent Change, 2012-2022 | Average Annual Wages | Location Quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | 71,657 | 25,447 | 55.1% | $22,700 | 3.35 |
| General and Operations Managers | 21,427 | 7,456 | 53.4% | $90,700 | 1.06 |
| Laborers and Material Movers | 32,263 | 5,225 | 19.3% | $31,300 | 0.80 |
| Customer Service Representatives | 17,413 | 4,743 | 37.4% | $35,600 | 1.02 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | 27,125 | 4,373 | 19.2% | $22,900 | 1.36 |
| Cooks | 15,179 | 3,303 | 27.8% | $27,000 | 0.94 |
| Driver/Sales Workers and Truck Drivers | 24,227 | 3,218 | 15.3% | $44,700 | 1.15 |
| Registered Nurses | 22,638 | 3,218 | 16.6% | $78,600 | 1.23 |
| Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | 9,537 | 3,091 | 48.0% | $35,800 | 1.18 |
| Miscellaneous Health Care Support Occupations | 9,808 | 2,337 | 31.3% | $33,700 | 1.01 |
Source: JobsEQ using data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics programs
South Texas Regional Infrastructure
Housing Affordability
The Texas A&M Real Estate Center’s Texas Housing Affordability Index (THAI) measures the ability of a household earning the median family income to purchase a median-priced home. An index ratio greater than 1 means that the median family income is more than the income required to purchase the median home in a specific area. The calculations for the index assume that consumers are making a down payment of 20 percent and have a family income that is 25 percent of the price of the median home.
According to the THAI, a median-income family in the Brownsville, Corpus Christi, Laredo and McAllen-Edinburg-Mission metro areas would have more than enough income needed to afford the median home in the area. Affordability levels in each area, however, are lower in 2022 compared with 2017 (Exhibit 18).
Exhibit 18 data
| Year | Brownsville-Harlingen MSA | Corpus Christi MSA MSA | Laredo MSA | McAllen-Edinburg-Mission MSA | Texas |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 1.54 | 1.8 | 1.39 | 1.54 | 1.54 |
| 2018 | 1.3 | 1.62 | 1.29 | 1.37 | 1.39 |
| 2019 | 1.32 | 1.66 | 1.27 | 1.34 | 1.43 |
| 2020 | 1.64 | 1.77 | 1.62 | 1.57 | 1.78 |
| 2021 | 1.31 | 1.66 | 1.62 | 1.41 | 1.53 |
| 2022 | 1.14 | 1.4 | 1.35 | 1.13 | 1.19 |
Source: Texas A&M Real Estate Center
Regional Transportation
Metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) are federally mandated policymaking organizations created to coordinate transportation planning in urban areas. Three MPOs coordinate transportation planning in the South Texas region — the Corpus Christi MPO, the Laredo and Webb County MPO, and the Rio Grande Valley MPO.
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) oversees the construction and maintenance of state highways through its 25 districts across the state. The South Texas region includes five of these county-based districts, with offices in Corpus Christi, Laredo, Pharr, San Angelo and San Antonio.
Exhibit 19 lists road miles and vehicle miles traveled for the region’s roadway network by road type, as of 2022. On-system roads are those under the jurisdiction of TxDOT, whereas off-system roads are under jurisdiction of cities, counties, the federal government or private entities (e.g., private toll roads). Centerline refers to mileage of a roadway regardless of lanes; it is taken from the center of the roadway. Lane mileage refers to the mileage for all lanes combined. Daily vehicle miles traveled refers to the estimated daily mileage of all vehicles using that roadway, whereas daily truck miles traveled refers to the estimated daily mileage of trucks using that roadway.
| Road Type | Centerline Miles | Lane Miles | Daily Vehicle Miles Traveled | Daily Truck Miles Traveled |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interstate Highways | 303.4 | 1,426.7 | 12,042,150.7 | 2,420,353.3 |
| U.S. Highways | 1,338.9 | 3,849.7 | 10,202,755.7 | 2,385,992.5 |
| State Highways, Spurs, Loops, Business Routes | 1,645.1 | 4,438.8 | 11,074,034.6 | 990,360.3 |
| Farm or Ranch to Market Roads and Spurs | 3,835.9 | 8,253.8 | 9,383,951.2 | 909,181.9 |
| Pass, Parks and Recreation Roads | 88.6 | 207.5 | 426,350.0 | 22,816.9 |
| Frontage Roads | 695.5 | 1,486.0 | 2,648,288.5 | 141,219.0 |
| On-System Subtotal | 7,907.3 | 19,662.6 | 45,777,530.8 | 6,869,923.9 |
| City Streets | 7,711.0 | 15,943.2 | 10,516,644.0 | 468,723.0 |
| Certified County Roads | 9,712.0 | 19,432.5 | 2,834,759.5 | 128,900.1 |
| Toll Road Authority Roads | 15.5 | 57.2 | 78,491.0 | 22,496.3 |
| Federal Roads | 140.6 | 281.3 | 18,568.6 | 617.0 |
| Off-System Subtotal | 17,579.2 | 35,714.1 | 13,448,463.1 | 620,736.4 |
| Grand Total | 25,486.5 | 55,376.8 | 59,225,993.9 | 7,490,660.3 |
Transit districts
Many transit districts help provide safe, reliable and accessible transportation services to citizens of the South Texas region. The region includes one Metropolitan Transit Authority (serving areas with populations greater than 200,000) in Corpus Christi, four Urban Transit Systems (serving areas with populations between 50,000 and 200,000) and seven Rural Transit Systems (serving areas outside the urbanized area) (Exhibit 20).
| Transit District | Type | Total Operating Expense | Total Revenue | Unlinked Passenger Trips | Passenger Trips Per Capita | Operating Expense Per Trip |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority | MTA | $42,393,910 | $40,146,771 | 2,630,460 | 8.22 | $16.12 |
| Brownsville Urban System | Large Urban | $8,386,774 | $3,309,409 | 981,079 | 4.51 | $8.55 |
| Harlingen – San Benito | Small Urban | $1,830,757 | $53,518 | 71,727 | 0.53 | $25.52 |
| Laredo – El Metro | Large Urban | $17,902,438 | $7,925,407 | 1,525,551 | 6.47 | $11.74 |
| McAllen Express | Large Urban | $7,460,645 | $3,356,571 | 629,499 | 0.86 | $11.85 |
| Alamo Area Council of Governments | Rural | $7,485,122 | $1,679,015 | 137,759 | 0.34 | $54.33 |
| City of Del Rio | Rural | $1,438,658 | $242,687 | 31,493 | 0.64 | $45.68 |
| Kleberg County Human Services | Rural | $655,692 | $136,788 | 22,299 | 0.69 | $29.40 |
| Lower Rio Grande Valley Development Council | Rural | $1,913,299 | $60,860 | 61,465 | 0.32 | $31.13 |
| Rural Economic Assistance League Inc. | Rural | $2,778,143 | $568,533 | 96,746 | 0.52 | $28.72 |
| Southwest Area Regional Transit District | Rural | $2,880,919 | $1,225,837 | 93,425 | 0.79 | $30.84 |
| Webb County Community Action Agency | Rural | $896,002 | $112,337 | 39,494 | 2.71 | $22.69 |
Airports
Texas has 27 airports offering passenger or commercial service, including six in the South Texas region. Four airports in the region have seen an increase in enplanements (the number of passenger boardings) in 2022 from 2021, including a 43 percent increase at Valley International in Harlingen (Exhibit 21).
| U.S. Rank | Airport ID | City | Airport Name | 2021 Enplanements | 2022 Enplanements | Percent Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 145 | MFE | McAllen | McAllen Miller International | 477,636 | 452,925 | -5.2% |
| 152 | HRL | Harlingen | Valley International | 355,190 | 508,867 | 43.3% |
| 155 | CRP | Corpus Christi | Corpus Christi International | 285,195 | 319,687 | 12.1% |
| 191 | BRO | Brownsville | Brownsville/South Padre Island International | 167,957 | 127,239 | -24.2% |
| 223 | LRD | Laredo | Laredo International | 108,992 | 139,396 | 27.9% |
| 367 | DRT | Del Rio | Del Rio International | 19,879 | 26,641 | 34.0% |
Source: Federal Aviation Administration
Trade
Ports of entry in Texas account for approximately 20 percent of all U.S. international trade. Each region contributes to international trade in direct (ports of entry) and indirect (purchasing of imports/exports) ways. The South Texas region has 11 direct trade official ports of entry (Exhibit 22).
| Port of Entry | Exports | Imports |
|---|---|---|
| Edinburg Airport | $0 | $0 |
| Valley International Airport, Harlingen | $258,023 | $871,967 |
| Rio Grande City | $75,799,249 | $669,753,437 |
| Roma | $111,400,909 | $535,483,342 |
| Progreso | $224,282,470 | $200,586,591 |
| Del Rio | $2,272,327,587 | $3,212,812,309 |
| Eagle Pass | $10,874,698,203 | $23,143,448,346 |
| Brownsville | $12,002,472,745 | $11,399,493,524 |
| Hidalgo | $18,739,006,706 | $27,697,690,648 |
| Corpus Christi | $86,295,234,222 | $8,111,332,935 |
| Laredo | $115,937,068,324 | $183,509,389,530 |
| Texas | $547,512,278,647 | $503,099,541,717 |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, USA Trade Online, Port Level Data for 2022
Region vs. Texas
If the South Texas region were a state, it would have the 39th largest land area. The region’s population — and Texas’ — is relatively young, with more than a quarter of the regional population younger than 18, a higher share than any U.S. state. (Exhibit 23).
| Indicator | South Texas Region Value | Rank if Region were a State | Texas Value | U.S. Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Square Miles (land) | 35,596 | 39 | 261,267 | 3,533,038 |
| Population, 2022 | 2,429,927 | 36 | 30,029,572 | 333,287,557 |
| Population Percent Change, 2012-2022 | 3.9% | 30 | 15.1% | 6.2% |
| Population with High School Diploma or Higher, 2022 | 72.9% | 51 | 85.2% | 89.1% |
| Population with Bachelor’s Degree or Higher, 2022 | 26.8% | 45 | 32.3% | 34.3% |
| Per Capita Personal Income, 2022 | $40,423 | 51 | $62,586 | $65,470 |
| Median Household Income, 2021 | $48,534 | 51 | $67,321 | $69,021 |
| Population Age 65 or Over, 2022 | 13.1% | 50 | 13.4% | 17.3% |
| Population Under Age 18, 2022 | 28.5% | 1 | 24.8% | 21.7% |
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics; U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis; Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts analysis
South Texas Region Economic Development Highlights
- De Lucio-Pendulum USA, a trailer assembly project, plans to build a 70,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Edinburg that will create over 300 jobs.
- Forza Steel, a steel fabricating company, are investing $150 million in a new plant in Brownsville that will create 140 jobs for the area.
- Rodco Steel Distributors invested $9.5 million in an expansion project in Mission, creating 15 jobs.
- Tesla breaks ground on a 1,200+ acre site in Robstown that will house a lithium refinery, a project valued at more than $1 billion. This facility will create approximately 1,000 construction jobs and up to 400 full-time jobs when construction is complete. This facility will also generate $375 million in capital investment.
- Nicho Produce plans to expand into Edinburg with a $3 million to $4 million capital investment.
- Kinimatic, a warehousing and fulfillment service platform, is adding 14 new locations between Laredo and Pharr to fulfill demand for logistics solutions.
Questions?
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the material on this page, please contact the Comptroller’s Data Analysis and Transparency Division.