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Northwest Region Snapshot2015
As the state's chief financial officer, I am charged with monitoring the economic health of our state. Therefore, it's vitally important that my office studies factors related to our regional economies.
The 30 counties comprising the Northwest Region support some of the state's backbone industries — cattle, petroleum and cotton. They also house military operations and a burgeoning wind-energy sector.
Below, we track regional trends in population growth, personal income, jobs and wages, education and demographic challenges — a wildcard issue that, if left unaddressed, could curtail continued economic expansion.
Glenn Hegar
Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
Northwest Region Counties
- Archer
- Baylor
- Brown
- Callahan
- Clay
- Coleman
- Comanche
- Cottle
- Eastland
- Fisher
- Foard
- Hardeman
- Haskell
- Jack
- Jones
- Kent
- Knox
- Mitchell
- Montague
- Nolan
- Runnels
- Scurry
- Shackelford
- Stephens
- Stonewall
- Taylor
- Throckmorton
- Wichita
- Wilbarger
- Young
Wichita Falls and Abilene, the Northwest Region's two largest cities, both house air force bases.
Key Industries 2016
- Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing
- Health Care and Social Assistance
- Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing
- Oil and Gas Extraction
- Animal Production
- Plastics and Rubber Product Manufacturing
- Support Activities for Mining
- Support Activities for Agriculture and Forestry
- Transportation Equipment Manufacturing
- Truck Transportation
Population Growth
Northwest Region vs. Texas and U.S., 2004-2014
- Region: 1%
- Texas: 20%
- U.S.: 9%
The median age of the Northwest region in 2010: 37.5.
The median age of Texas: 33.6.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau and Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
The total estimated value of 2013 beef production in the Northwest Region was $527 million.
Source: Texas A&M Agrilife Extension
Personal Income
Personal income in the Northwest Region rose from $14.6 billion in 2004 to $23.4 billion in 2014. It accounted for 2 percent of the state's $1.23 trillion in personal income in 2014.
| County | 2014 Per Capita Income | 10-Year Per Capita Income Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Shackelford | $97,227 | 220% |
| Eastland | $68,513 | 156% |
| Cottle | $56,269 | 49% |
| Stephens | $53,179 | 119% |
| Archer | $52,139 | 67% |
| Stonewall | $52,132 | 72% |
| Scurry | $51,998 | 90% |
| Throckmorton | $51,935 | 46% |
| Young | $51,473 | 90% |
| Clay | $49,808 | 92% |
| Montague | $49,513 | 94% |
| Jack | $47,543 | 126% |
| Kent | $44,827 | 49% |
| Fisher | $42,920 | 63% |
| Taylor | $42,318 | 50% |
| Baylor | $41,473 | 51% |
| Foard | $40,967 | 61% |
| Wichita | $40,593 | 38% |
| Comanche | $39,449 | 44% |
| Knox | $39,229 | 33% |
| Wilbarger | $39,075 | 47% |
| Hardeman | $37,222 | 54% |
| Nolan | $36,501 | 52% |
| Haskell | $36,268 | 32% |
| Runnels | $36,152 | 51% |
| Callahan | $36,138 | 57% |
| Coleman | $35,709 | 56% |
| Brown | $32,743 | 45% |
| Mitchell | $31,964 | 72% |
| Jones | $28,720 | 42% |
Source: Bureau of Economic Analysis and Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
Per Capita Personal Income Growth, 2004-2014
- Region: 58%
- Texas: 47%
- U.S.: 34%
Per capita personal income grew 58 percent, faster than the state's 47 percent average.
Source: U.S. Economic Bureau and Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
Jobs and Wages
Job Growth, 2004-2014
- Region: 4.3%
- Texas: 21.7%
- U.S.: 5.5%
Taylor County added 5,836 jobs — nearly two-thirds of the region's net gains — from 2004 to 2014.
Bolstered by jobs in support activities for mining and oil and gas extraction, Shackelford, Scurry and Jack counties had the largest percentage of growth in both employment and average wages. Nearly half the counties lost jobs over the period, however.
The region's 2014 average wage was $39,169.
Education
Northwest Region Public High School Graduates, 2008-2012
| Total Graduates | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Northwest Region | Texas |
| 2003 | 6,487 | 222,021 |
| 2004 | 6,134 | 229,133 |
| 2005 | 5,991 | |
| 2006 | 6,125 | |
| 2007 | 6,118 | |
| 2008 | 6,152 | |
| 2009 | 6,171 | |
| 2010 | 6,547 | |
| 2011 | 5,903 | |
| 2012 | 5,753 | |
| 2013 | 5,880 | |
| 2014 | 5,862 | 294,240 |
The Northwest Region had 607 fewer public high school graduates in 2013 than in 2003, a decrease of 9.4 percent.
While the total number of graduates declined, the percentage of students who graduated actually increased at a faster pace than the state average from 2010-2012.
Source: Texas Education Agency
Wichita Falls' Sheppard Air Force Base is the only one in the U.S. offering both technical and aviation training.
Source: Sheppard Air Force Base
Demographic Challenges
The Northwest Region is both the least populous region and one of the state's slowest growing. From 2003 to 2013, its population expanded only 1.3 percent, while Texas' rose by 20 percent.
This slow growth could presage workforce troubles, given the large share of workers who are nearing retirement in some of the region's strongest industries.
Animal production operations offer a prime example. The Northwest Region has a dense concentration of these jobs, and 31 percent of these workers are at least 55 years old.
Another industry provides a brighter picture, however. Support activities for mining is a relatively young industry and enjoyed the region's largest job gains over the decade.
| NAICS | Description | 14-24 | 25-34 | 35-44 | 45-54 | 55-64 | 65+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 112 | Animal Production and Aquaculture | 10% | 18% | 18% | 23% | 20% | 11% |
| 327 | Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing | 4% | 14% | 27% | 30% | 22% | 2% |
| 326 | Plastics and Rubber Products Manufacturing | 6% | 19% | 24% | 30% | 18% | 2% |
| 213 | Support Activities for Mining | 13% | 29% | 24% | 20% | 11% | 3% |
| 115 | Support Activities for Agriculture and Forestry | 8% | 17% | 18% | 27% | 23% | 8% |
| 491 | Postal Service | 24% | 12% | 12% | 27% | 12% | 12% |
| 331 | Primary Metal Manufacturing | 10% | 15% | 21% | 26% | 21% | 7% |
| 623 | Nursing and Residential Care Facilities | 15% | 22% | 20% | 22% | 16% | 5% |
| 447 | Gasoline Stations | 23% | 21% | 19% | 19% | 13% | 4% |
| 314 | Textile Product Mills | 7% | 19% | 29% | 24% | 16% | 5% |
| 515 | Broadcasting (except Internet) | 16% | 29% | 20% | 22% | 10% | 3% |
| 336 | Transportation Equipment Manufacturing | 6% | 16% | 23% | 31% | 19% | 4% |
| 902 | State Government | 10% | 20% | 22% | 24% | 18% | 5% |
| 111 | Crop Production | 8% | 16% | 15% | 26% | 22% | 13% |
| 221 | Utilities | 4% | 16% | 17% | 35% | 23% | 4% |
| 211 | Oil and Gas Extraction | 9% | 21% | 15% | 24% | 22% | 9% |
| 212 | Mining (except Oil and Gas) | 6% | 21% | 20% | 27% | 20% | 5% |
| 903 | Local Government | 7% | 20% | 24% | 25% | 18% | 6% |
| 533 | Lessors of Nonfinancial Intangible Assets | 12% | 23% | 18% | 24% | 17% | 6% |
| 452 | General Merchandise Stores | 24% | 20% | 16% | 19% | 14% | 6% |
Conclusion
The Northwest Region supports bedrock Texas industries such as farming, ranching and oil and gas production. It has a strong military presence and, in recent years, has become known for the wind turbines that dot its wide-open vistas.
Although the region recently suffered through one of the state's most severe droughts, per capita income surged ahead of the state's average. Yet job gains have varied dramatically by county. Slow population growth also could create difficulties for some industries.
In all, the region has a diverse economy with some high-growth areas that have produced employment opportunities for workers.
Questions?
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the material on this page, please contact the Comptroller’s Data Analysis and Transparency Division.