Top navigation skipped
This analysis predates the COVID-19 crisis and the economic impacts that followed.
It is offered as an overview of the
Alamo regional economy and a resource for comparative purposes.
Regional Snapshot
Alamo
The 19-county Alamo region covers about 18,000 square miles in south central Texas, stretching from Fredericksburg and Kerrville in the Hill Country to Port Lavaca on the Gulf Coast.
The region includes two metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs): the San Antonio-New Braunfels MSA, which includes Atascosa, Bandera, Bexar, Comal, Guadalupe, Kendall, Medina and Wilson counties, and the Victoria MSA, including Calhoun, Goliad and Victoria counties.
Alamo Region Counties:
- ATASCOSA
- BANDERA
- BEXAR
- CALHOUN
- COMAL
- DEWITT
- FRIO
- GILLESPIE
- GOLIAD
- GONZALES
- GUADALUPE
- JACKSON
- KARNES
- KENDALL
- KERR
- LAVACA
- MEDINA
- VICTORIA
- WILSON
Top 10 Industries by Location Quotient
- PIPELINE TRANSPORTATION
- SUPPORT ACTIVITIES FOR MINING
- NATIONAL SECURITY AND INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
- OIL AND GAS EXTRACTION
- FISHING, HUNTING AND TRAPPING
- DATA PROCESSING, HOSTING AND RELATED SERVICES
- LEATHER AND ALLIED PRODUCT MANUFACTURING
- INSURANCE CARRIERS AND RELATED ACTIVITIES
- RENTAL AND LEASING SERVICES
- Heavy and civil engineering construction
Source: JobsEQ®
Population Growth
ALAMO REGION VS. TEXAS AND U.S., 2010 to 2019
Region
17.5%
U.S.
6.3%
Texas
15.3%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
In 2019, the Alamo region’s estimated total population was about 2.9 million, or 10 percent of the state’s total population. That marked an increase of 17.5 percent (about 425,000 people) since the 2010 Census.
Education
Average Annual Earnings by Educational Attainment, Alamo Region
| Educational Attainment | Number Employed, Region | Average Annual Earnings, Region |
|---|---|---|
| Less than High School | 204,124 | $41,374 |
| High School or Equivalent, No College | 272,172 | 46,065 |
| Some College or Associate Degree | 305,963 | 51,098 |
| Bachelor’s Degree or Advanced Degree | 183,292 | 67,802 |
| Educational Attainment Unavailable | 154,375 | 23,176 |
| Total | 1,119,925 | $47,688 |
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau and JobsEQ
Alamo region workers with some college or associate degrees and stable jobs earned an average of $5,033 more annually than those with a high school degree, while those with at least a bachelor’s degree earned an average of $21,737 more.
JOBS & WAGES
From 2009 to 2019, the Alamo region’s employment rose by more than 23 percent, a slightly higher growth rate than the state’s. In 2019, the region accounted for about 9.2 percent of the state’s total employment.
The Alamo region’s most significant occupations are shown below, sorted by numerical growth during the last five years.
Employment Growth, Alamo Region vs. Texas and U.S., 2009 to 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 Alamo Region by Numeric Growth, 2014 to 2019
| Occupation | Number Employed | Average Annual Wages |
|---|---|---|
| Food and Beverage Serving Workers | 74,566 | $21,600 |
| Other Personal Care and Service Workers | 37,291 | $21,600 |
| Construction Trades Workers | 50,674 | $39,000 |
| Health Diagnosing and Treating Practitioners | 38,664 | $70,500 |
| Business Operations Specialists | 35,092 | $29,400 |
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 $40.8 billion, contributing about 7.3 percent of the state’s overall taxable sales.
Regional Receipts Subject to Sales Tax
| Year | Revenue Alamo Region |
|---|---|
| 2007 | 25.8 billion dollars |
| 2008 | 26.6 billion dollars |
| 2009 | 24.3 billion dollars |
| 2010 | 24.8 billion dollars |
| 2011 | 27.5 billion dollars |
| 2012 | 30.3 billion dollars |
| 2013 | 32.3 billion dollars |
| 2014 | 34.6 billion dollars |
| 2015 | 36.0 billion dollars |
| 2016 | 36.0 billion dollars |
| 2017 | 36.6 billion dollars |
| 2018 | 39.4 billion dollars |
| 2019 | 40.8 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 Alamo region is a microcosm of the state, both urban and rural, with a vibrant and diverse economy. Bexar County, with the city of San Antonio at its center, is the region’s economic hub.
The region and its 19 counties have many unique economic conditions and challenges. It’s more diverse than the state, and every county in the region is growing. The federal government, including the military, has a large footprint in the region. Businesses supporting the oil industry are highly concentrated in the region and continued to make the region’s economy robust.
The Alamo 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.