Glenn Hegar
Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
Glenn Hegar
Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
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Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
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economy

Regional Snapshot

Gulf Coast Region


As the state’s chief financial officer, I am charged with monitoring the economic health of our state and its regions. The state of Texas has 12 economic regions including the Gulf Coast Region.

The 13-county Gulf Coast Region covers about 13,900 square miles in eastern coastal Texas, stretching from Huntsville on the north to Matagorda Bay and Galveston along the Gulf Coast. Below we examine demographic and economic statistics that influence the region’s economy.

Glenn Hegar
Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts

Gulf Coast Region Counties:

  • Austin
  • Brazoria
  • Chambers
  • Colorado
  • Fort Bend
  • Galveston
  • Harris
  • Liberty
  • Matagorda
  • Montgomery
  • Walker
  • Waller
  • Wharton

Concentrated Industries:

  • Oil and Gas Extraction
  • Pipeline Transportation
  • Space Research and Technology
  • Support Activities for Mining
  • Petroleum and Coal
  • Products Manufacturing
  • Water Transportation
  • Chemical
  • Manufacturing
  • Heavy and Civil Engineering
  • Construction
  • Air Transportation
  • Support Activities for Transportation

Source: JobsEQ®


Population Growth Gulf Coast REGION VS.
TEXAS AND U.S., 2010-2017

Region
16.1%

U.S.
5.5%

Texas
12.6%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau

The Gulf Coast Region’s estimated total population in 2017 was more than 7 million, or nearly 25 percent of the state’s total population. This is an increase of about 16 percent (almost 1 million people) since the 2010 census.


Economy
Regional Receipts Subject To Sales Tax, 2007-2017

Receipts subject to state sales tax directly attributed to the Gulf Coast Region trended upward in the past decade.

Revenue Subject to Sales Tax, 2007 to 2017
Year Gulf Coast Region
2007 $77,517,449,043
2008 $83,829,444,811
2009 $74,359,526,514
2010 $75,385,416,896
2011 $86,742,722,896
2012 $97,015,304,616
2013 $101,662,951,434
2014 $111,635,368,667
2015 $109,403,474,564
2016 $102,309,042,600
2017 $109,545,581,485

Source: Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts

JOBS & WAGE CHANGES, 2007-2017

In 2017, the Gulf Coast Region accounted for nearly 25 percent of the state’s total employment, making this region the second-largest employment base in the state.

Comparing Gulf Coast Region vs. Texas and U.S. jobs and wages, 2007-2017
AreaChange in Wages*Change in Jobs**
Gulf Coast Region2.9%16.1%
Texas 5.6% 17.4%
U.S. 5.4% 6.3%

*Real rate of change
**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




Conclusion

The Gulf Coast Region and its 13 counties contain 25 percent of the state’s population, growing 16 percent since 2010, and is the most diverse region in Texas. If this region were a state, it would be the 14th most populous. While the region’s median age is on par with that of the state, it has the largest percentage of households with income over $125,000.

The region added more than 400,000 jobs from 2007 to 2017, and the average wage is significantly higher than the state average. The local economy is strong, with about 23 percent of the state’s overall sales tax revenue coming from the Gulf Coast Region. Industry concentration in the region primarily revolves around the production of chemical and petroleum products, as well as certain transportation sectors, all contributing positively to this unique local economy.


The Gulf Coast 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.

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