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Exhibit 1
Exhibit 2
Exhibit 3
Exhibit 4
Exhibit 5
Exhibit 6
Exhibit 7
Exhibit 8
Exhibit 9
Exhibit 10
Exhibit 11
Exhibit 12
Exhibit 13
Exhibit 14
Exhibit 15
Exhibit 16
Exhibit 17
The Northwest Region2022 Regional Report
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About the 2022 Regional Reports
The 2022 regional reports use the latest available annual data from a variety of state and federal sources on or about Sept. 1, 2021. The data for the 2020 U.S. Census is as of Oct. 1, 2021. Sources include 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.
The 30-county Northwest region covers about 27,600 square miles in northern Texas, stretching from Oklahoma south to the Colorado River and abutting Big Spring in the west and the Fort Worth metro in the east.
The Northwest region includes two metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs): the Abilene MSA, comprising Callahan, Jones and Taylor counties, and the Wichita Falls MSA, comprising Archer, Clay and Wichita counties. The region’s other 24 counties are not associated with an MSA.
This report examines regional economic information and trends regarding population, personal income, jobs and wages, and education, as well as economic conditions unique to the Northwest region.
Demographics
Population
According to the 2020 Census, the Northwest region had a population of about 550,000, or 1.9 percent of the state’s total population. The Abilene MSA accounted for more than 32 percent of the region’s population.
The region’s population has remained relatively constant since the 2010 Census with a decrease of about 1,100 (-0.2%), compared to 15.9 percent growth statewide. Despite this overall consistency, 26 of the region’s 30 counties lost population during this 10-year period. Taylor and Wichita counties contained about 26 percent and 23 percent of the region’s population respectively.
The median age in the Northwest region was 37.6 years in 2019, more than the state median age of 34.6 years. The Abilene MSA’s median age was 34.1 years. Taylor (32.5 years) was the youngest county in the region and Throckmorton (52.3 years) was the oldest (Exhibit 1). An area’s age distribution can reveal specific challenges. A younger county may prioritize education and workforce development, for example, while an older county might face retirement issues and higher health care costs.
| County | 2010 Census | 2020 Census | Change 2010 to 2020 | Percent Change | Median Age |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Archer | 9,054 | 8,560 | -494 | -5.5% | 44.5 |
| Baylor | 3,726 | 3,465 | -261 | -7.0% | 45.9 |
| Brown | 38,106 | 38,095 | -11 | 0.0% | 41.5 |
| Callahan | 13,544 | 13,708 | 164 | 1.2% | 44.2 |
| Clay | 10,752 | 10,218 | -534 | -5.0% | 46.6 |
| Coleman | 8,895 | 7,684 | -1,211 | -13.6% | 47.2 |
| Comanche | 13,974 | 13,594 | -380 | -2.7% | 44.8 |
| Cottle | 1,505 | 1,380 | -125 | -8.3% | 37.1 |
| Eastland | 18,583 | 17,725 | -858 | -4.6% | 41.2 |
| Fisher | 3,974 | 3,672 | -302 | -7.6% | 44.6 |
| Foard | 1,336 | 1,095 | -241 | -18.0% | 51.2 |
| Hardeman | 4,139 | 3,549 | -590 | -14.3% | 43.5 |
| Haskell | 5,899 | 5,416 | -483 | -8.2% | 43.5 |
| Jack | 9,044 | 8,472 | -572 | -6.3% | 39.6 |
| Jones | 20,202 | 19,663 | -539 | -2.7% | 38.2 |
| Kent | 808 | 753 | -55 | -6.8% | 51.0 |
| Knox | 3,719 | 3,353 | -366 | -9.8% | 39.5 |
| Mitchell | 9,403 | 8,990 | -413 | -4.4% | 33.9 |
| Montague | 19,719 | 19,965 | 246 | 1.2% | 44.6 |
| Nolan | 15,216 | 14,738 | -478 | -3.1% | 37.5 |
| Runnels | 10,501 | 9,900 | -601 | -5.7% | 40.8 |
| Scurry | 16,921 | 16,932 | 11 | 0.1% | 36.4 |
| Shackelford | 3,378 | 3,105 | -273 | -8.1% | 43.0 |
| Stephens | 9,630 | 9,101 | -529 | -5.5% | 39.4 |
| Stonewall | 1,490 | 1,245 | -245 | -16.4% | 47.1 |
| Taylor | 131,506 | 143,208 | 11,702 | 8.9% | 32.5 |
| Throckmorton | 1,641 | 1,440 | -201 | -12.2% | 52.3 |
| Wichita | 131,500 | 129,350 | -2,150 | -1.6% | 34.5 |
| Wilbarger | 13,535 | 12,887 | -648 | -4.8% | 39.4 |
| Young | 18,550 | 17,867 | -683 | -3.7% | 41.1 |
| Northwest Region Total | 550,250 | 549,130 | -1,120 | -0.2% | 37.6 |
| Abilene MSA | 165,252 | 176,579 | 11,327 | 6.9% | 34.1 |
| Wichita Falls MSA | 151,306 | 148,128 | -3,178 | -2.1% | 35.6 |
| Texas Total | 25,145,561 | 29,145,505 | 3,999,944 | 15.9% | 34.6 |
Note: Median age data for the counties are from the U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2015 to 2019. Region median age calculations are from JobsEQ.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
Median Household Income and Income Distribution
The Northwest region had a median household income of $49,759 in 2019, up from $40,866 in 2010, a 21.8 percent increase. Median household income in Texas, by comparison, was $61,874 in 2019, up 24.6 percent from 2010.
The region’s income distribution finds proportionally fewer households in the top quintiles when compared to Texas as a whole (Exhibit 2).
| Income Level | Northwest Region | State Total |
|---|---|---|
| less than $25,000 | 24% | 19% |
| $25,000 to $49,999 | 26% | 22% |
| $50,000 to $74,999 | 18% | 18% |
| $75,000 to $99,999 | 12% | 13% |
| $100,000 or more | 19% | 29% |
Note: Figures may not sum due to rounding.
Source: Income distribution derived by JobsEQ using data from U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey, 2015 to 2019.
Education
Occupational Earnings by Educational Attainment Requirements
A strong educational foundation provides a cornerstone for growth and competitiveness in the global economy. Postsecondary education delivers a good return on investments of time and tuition.
Data for 2021 indicate that occupations in the Northwest region requiring at least an associate degree or certificate paid an average of $4,533 more annually than those requiring less than a postsecondary education. Occupations requiring at least a bachelor’s degree paid an average of $31,533 more (Exhibit 3).
| Educational Attainment | Number Employed, Region | Percent of Region | Average Annual Earnings, Region | Number Employed, Texas | Percent of Texas | Average Annual Earnings, Texas |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No Postsecondary Award | 190,364 | 71.2% | $36,967 | 9,051,532 | 61.8% | $44,733 |
| Associate Degree or Certificate | 22,080 | 8.2% | $41,500 | 1,120,514 | 7.6% | $47,600 |
| Bachelor's Degree | 38,672 | 14.4% | $68,500 | 2,987,310 | 20.4% | $88,800 |
| Postgraduate Degree | 16,590 | 6.2% | $100,800 | 1,509,671 | 10.3% | $110,300 |
Note: Figures may not sum due to rounding.
Source: JobsEQ; Education requirement category assignments are from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Regional Institutions of Higher Education
A postsecondary education also offers opportunity for greater job prospects, workplace advancement, higher wages and the development of a richer world view. The Northwest region offers a variety of options for higher educational achievement (Exhibit 4).
| Institution | Type of Institution | Fall 2020 Enrollment |
|---|---|---|
| Abilene Christian University | University | 4,863 |
| Hardin-Simmons University | University | 2,132 |
| Howard Payne University | University | 1,062 |
| McMurry University | University | 1,094 |
| Midwestern State University | University | 5,387 |
| Cisco College | Junior or Community College | 3,251 |
| Howard County Junior College | Junior or Community College | 3,764 |
| Southwest Collegiate Institute for the Deaf | Junior or Community College | 68 |
| Ranger College | Junior or Community College | 2,304 |
| Texas State Technical College – West Texas | Junior or Community College | 2,390 |
| Vernon College | Junior or Community College | 2,773 |
| Western Texas College | Junior or Community College | 1,442 |
Source: Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
Health Care
Availability of Hospital Services
Residents of the Northwest region have access to a variety of hospital 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 5).
For a list of facilities offering services other than hospitals – such as rural health clinics, community mental health centers and birthing centers – visit Texas Health and Human Services.
| Facility Type | Number of Facilities | Total Number of Beds | Average Number of Beds Per Facility |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Hospital | 21 | 1,779 | 84.7 |
| Special Hospital | 12 | 354 | 29.5 |
| Private Psychiatric Hospital | 2 | 188 | 94.0 |
| State Psychiatric Hospital | 3 | 256 | 187.3 |
Note: State psychiatric hospitals data as of February 2019
Source: Texas Department of Health and Human Services
Health Care Access
Access to health care facilities adds to the viability of a community. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the share of Texans without health insurance — 18.4 percent in 2019 — was twice the national average of 9.2 percent.
In 2019, the rate of uninsured in the Northwest region ranged from a low of 14.1 percent in Kent County to a high of 26.9 percent in Haskell County; the overall rate for the region was 20.1 percent (Exhibit 6).
(For additional information, see Uninsured Texans, Fiscal Notes, October 2020.)
| County | Uninsured Population | Percent Uninsured |
|---|---|---|
| Haskell | 1,042 | 26.9% |
| Hardeman | 801 | 26.7% |
| Coleman | 1,541 | 25.6% |
| Knox | 717 | 25.0% |
| Jack | 1,550 | 24.5% |
| Throckmorton | 257 | 24.3% |
| Comanche | 2,462 | 24.1% |
| Eastland | 3,274 | 24.1% |
| Stephens | 1,633 | 24.0% |
| Young | 3,309 | 23.5% |
| Foard | 191 | 22.9% |
| Scurry | 2,820 | 22.5% |
| Shackelford | 578 | 22.5% |
| Wilbarger | 2,192 | 21.8% |
| Montague | 3,321 | 21.7% |
| Cottle | 226 | 21.6% |
| Nolan | 2,383 | 20.5% |
| Jones | 2,407 | 20.4% |
| Runnels | 1,617 | 20.2% |
| Brown | 5,812 | 20.0% |
| Mitchell | 1,085 | 19.9% |
| Archer | 1,356 | 19.7% |
| Fisher | 555 | 19.5% |
| Stonewall | 192 | 19.5% |
| Clay | 1,498 | 18.8% |
| Wichita | 18,616 | 18.6% |
| Taylor | 21,168 | 18.5% |
| Callahan | 2,016 | 18.4% |
| Baylor | 432 | 16.3% |
| Kent | 77 | 14.1% |
| Northwest Region | 85,128 | 20.1% |
Note: Uninsured population includes under 65 (ages 0-64)
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, SAHIE (Small Area Health Insurance Estimates)
Regional Economy and Employment
In 2020, the Northwest region had a gross domestic product (GDP) of $24.8 billion, about 1.4 percent of Texas’ statewide GDP of nearly $1.8 trillion. Between 2010 and 2020, GDP rose by an average annual rate of 0.7 percent, less than the statewide average annual rate of 3.6 percent. In 2020, GDP fell from the previous year by 4.0 percent, less than the state’s GDP fall of 4.7 percent. (GDP values not adjusted for inflation.) Preliminary data for the first two quarters of 2021, however, suggest a significant economic rebound in many industries and regions.
Regional Employment Levels
Of the 224,990 people employed in the Northwest region in 2020, 33.4 percent were in the Abilene MSA while 26.7 percent were in the Wichita Falls MSA. During the past 10 years, employment slightly declined in the region by 0.9 percent, compared to an increase in the state (17.1 percent) and the U.S. (7.8 percent). The Abilene metro area, however, saw job growth during this period (Exhibit 7).
| Locality | Total Employed, 2020 | Change 2010 to 2020 | Percent Change 2010 to 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 150,028,344 | 10,838,037 | 7.8% |
| Texas | 13,164,072 | 1,924,421 | 17.1% |
| Northwest Region | 224,990 | -2,045 | -0.9% |
| Abilene MSA | 75,144 | 4,997 | 7.1% |
| Wichita Falls MSA | 60,063 | -2,400 | -3.8% |
Source: JobsEQ using data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages
Regional Industries
In the five-year period between 2015 and 2020, jobs in the Northwest region declined by 3.7 percent, or about 8,600 jobs. During this period, by comparison, jobs rose by 3.3 percent in Texas and fell by 0.5 percent in the U.S.
By employment, the Northwest region’s largest industry sectors are restaurants, education and health care. The animal production and mining support industries employ many workers but have seen job losses in the past five years (Exhibit 8).
| Industry | Employment | Average Annual Wages | Location Quotient | Employment Change, 2015 to 2020 | Percent Employment Change, 2015 to 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elementary and Secondary Schools | 15,864 | $41,287 | 1.36 | -260 | -1.6% |
| Restaurants and Other Eating Places | 15,715 | $16,474 | 1.17 | -113 | -0.7% |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals | 10,567 | $53,879 | 1.18 | 737 | 7.5% |
| Justice, Public Order and Safety Activities | 6,393 | $50,702 | 2.23 | -695 | -9.8% |
| Animal Production (Proprietors) | 6,319 | $14,116 | 9.74 | -995 | -13.6% |
| Home Health Care Services | 5,487 | $23,643 | 2.25 | 381 | 7.5% |
| Offices of Physicians | 4,347 | $90,678 | 1.05 | 464 | 11.9% |
| Religious Organizations | 4,220 | $16,586 | 1.62 | -14 | -0.3% |
| Support Activities for Mining | 4,168 | $67,938 | 11.52 | -4,092 | -49.5% |
| Grocery Stores | 4,078 | $24,062 | 0.99 | -111 | -2.7% |
| Total - All Industries | 224,990 | $42,182 | 1.00 | -8,609 | -3.7% |
Source: JobsEQ using data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages
Health care services, business support services and vocational rehabilitation were among the leaders in regional job gains between 2015 and 2020 (Exhibit 9).
| Industry | Employment | Average Annual Wages | Location Quotient | Employment Change, 2015 to 2020 | Percent Employment Change, 2015 to 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals | 10,567 | $53,879 | 1.18 | 737 | 7.5% |
| Services to Buildings and Dwellings | 3,396 | $24,513 | 0.87 | 714 | 26.6% |
| Vocational Rehabilitation Services | 894 | $34,239 | 1.96 | 536 | 149.6% |
| Offices of Physicians | 4,347 | $90,678 | 1.05 | 464 | 11.9% |
| Business Support Services | 2,616 | $27,706 | 1.92 | 383 | 17.1% |
Source: JobsEQ using data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsQuarterly Census of Employment and Wages
Using the location quotient (LQ) — a measure of an industry’s relative size in a region compared to its average size in the nation — the lime, gypsum and clay manufacturing industries, as well as oil and gas extraction and support, stand out as highly concentrated and unique to the regional economy. An LQ of 1.25 or higher indicates that the region has a comparative advantage in the industry (Exhibit 10).
| Industry | Employment | Average Annual Wages | Location Quotient | Employment Change, 2015 to 2020 | Percent Employment Change, 2015 to 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lime and Gypsum Product Manufacturing | 559 | $70,387 | 24.80 | 97 | 20.9% |
| Footwear Manufacturing | 251 | $35,197 | 15.39 | -86 | -25.6% |
| Clay Product and Refractory Manufacturing | 750 | $50,487 | 13.78 | -240 | -24.2% |
| Oil and Gas Extraction | 2,402 | $81,760 | 11.79 | -555 | -18.8% |
| Support Activities for Mining | 4,168 | $67,938 | 11.52 | -4,092 | -49.5% |
| Animal Production (Proprietors) | 6,319 | $14,116 | 9.74 | -995 | -13.6% |
Source: JobsEQ using data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages
Regional Occupations
Occupations with high levels of employment and relative concentration reflect the industrial composition of the region. The Northwest region has large numbers of people in health care, fast food and retail occupations. Occupations with high LQs in the region include jobs in farming and ranching (Exhibit 11).
| Occupation | Employment | Average Annual Wages | Location Quotient | Employment Change, 2015 to 2020 | Percent Employment Change, 2015 to 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Farmers, Ranchers and Other Agricultural Managers | 7,868 | $71,100 | 6.20 | -1,123 | -12.5% |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | 6,839 | $21,400 | 1.33 | 642 | 10.4% |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | 6,603 | $20,500 | 1.29 | 205 | 3.2% |
| Laborers and Material Movers | 6,551 | $27,400 | 0.72 | -292 | -4.3% |
| Cashiers | 6,366 | $22,000 | 1.25 | -358 | -5.3% |
| Retail Salespersons | 5,976 | $29,800 | 1.05 | -781 | -11.6% |
| Driver/Sales Workers and Truck Drivers | 5,452 | $41,900 | 1.06 | -365 | -6.3% |
| Registered Nurses | 5,366 | $66,200 | 1.18 | 477 | 9.8% |
| Building Cleaning Workers | 5,115 | $23,800 | 1.06 | 336 | 7.0% |
| Secretaries and Administrative Assistants | 4,825 | $33,800 | 0.97 | -445 | -8.4% |
Source: JobsEQ using data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages
Northwest Regional Infrastructure
Housing Affordability
The Texas Housing Affordability Index (THAI) from the Texas A&M Real Estate Center 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.[1]
According to the THAI, a median-income family in the Abilene MSA earns twice the amount needed to afford the median home in the area, while the Wichita Falls MSA median income is around two and a half the amount needed (Exhibit 12). Home prices in these cities are more affordable than in the state as a whole.
| Locality | 2019 | 2020 |
|---|---|---|
| State of Texas | 1.43 | 1.78 |
| Abilene MSA | 1.71 | 2.07 |
| Wichita Falls MSA | 2.45 | 2.70 |
Source: Texas A&M Real Estate Center
U.S. Military Installation Impact
Texas has 14 U.S. military installations within its borders. In 2019, these bases directly employed more than 226,000 and supported nearly 634,000 jobs in all. They also contributed an estimated $75.3 billion annually to the state’s GDP. The two military installations within the Northwest region, Dyess Air Force Base and Sheppard Air Force Base, supported nearly 42,000 jobs and contributed about $5.1 billion to the state’s GDP in 2019 (Exhibit 13). Learn more about the impact of U.S. military installations on the state’s economy.
| Region | Total Jobs Supported | U.S. Military Contribution to State GDP (billions) |
|---|---|---|
| State of Texas | 633,892 | $75.3 |
| Northwest Region | 41,523 | $5.1 |
Sources: Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts; Texas Military Preparedness Commission and REMI
Regional Transportation
Metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) are federally mandated policymaking organizations created to coordinate transportation planning in urbanized areas. The Abilene and Wichita Falls MPOs coordinate transportation planning in the Northwest region. Roadways within the region make up parts of the Abilene, Brownwood, Childress, Fort Worth and Wichita Falls Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) districts.
Road miles and vehicle miles traveled for the region’s roadway network, as of 2019, are listed by road type (Exhibit 14).
| Road Type | Centerline Miles | Lane Miles | Daily Vehicle Miles Traveled | Daily Truck Miles Traveled |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Certified County Roads | 15,845.7 | 31,691.3 | 1,063,661.7 | 36,496.2 |
| City Streets | 3,404.3 | 7,012.8 | 2,039,873.2 | 78,872.8 |
| Farm or Ranch to Market Roads and Spurs | 4,775.7 | 9,630.5 | 1,950,893.6 | 257,783.5 |
| Federal Roads | 29.9 | 59.7 | 694.3 | 31.6 |
| Frontage Roads | 569.3 | 1,144.9 | 529,262.0 | 24,009.2 |
| Interstate Highways | 182.1 | 738.8 | 4,838,116.3 | 1,500,877.8 |
| Pass, Park and Recreation Roads | 31.2 | 62.3 | 5,720.7 | 579.0 |
| State Highways, Spurs, Loops, Business Routes | 1,591.3 | 3,475.1 | 3,165,362.6 | 531,416.9 |
| U.S. Highways | 1,679.5 | 4,583.3 | 7,767,776.9 | 1,637,788.8 |
| Total | 28,108.9 | 58,398.7 | 21,361,361.3 | 4,067,855.9 |
Source: Texas Department of Transportation
Transit authorities and transit districts are governmental entities or companies that coordinate public transit in an area. The Abilene and Wichita Falls areas are served by their respective urban public transit districts, while rural transit is provided by five districts (Exhibit 15).
| Transit District | Type | Total Operating Expense | Total Revenue | Unlinked Passenger Trips | Passenger Trips Per Capita | Operating Expense Per Trip |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abilene-Citylink | Urban | $3,889,010 | $1,565,849 | 390,204 | 3.53 | $9.97 |
| Wichita Falls Transit System | Urban | $2,540,622 | $892,986 | 455,237 | 4.58 | $5.58 |
| Aspermont Small Business Development Center | Rural | $1,025,087 | $258,112 | 16,468 | 0.44 | $62.25 |
| Central Texas Rural Transit District | Rural | $3,605,481 | $1,775,972 | 109,697 | 0.57 | $32.87 |
| Rolling Plains Management Corporation | Rural | $1,949,123 | $921,275 | 172,750 | 2.06 | $11.28 |
| South Plains Community Action Association Inc. | Rural | $3,048,630 | $1,234,002 | 142,063 | 0.71 | $21.46 |
| Texoma Area Paratransit System Inc. | Rural | $1,759,515 | $256,160 | 24,624 | 0.11 | $71.46 |
Source: Texas Department of Transportation
The state of Texas has 27 commercial service airports offering passenger service. Two of those commercial service airports are in the Northwest region (Exhibit 16).
| Airport Name | City | U.S. Rank | 2019 Enplanements | 2020 Enplanements | Percent Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abilene Regional (ABI) | Abilene | 239 | 81,813 | 44,202 | -46.0% |
| Sheppard AFB/Wichita Falls Municipal (SPS) | Wichita Falls | 282 | 40,418 | 21,272 | -47.4% |
Source: Federal Aviation Administration
Region vs. Texas
If the Northwest region were a state, it would be the 41st largest in terms of area and 51st in terms of population (Exhibit 17). For more information on how Texas and its distinct, diverse regions compare to the U.S. and other states visit TexIndex.
| Measure | Northwest Region | Rank as a State | Texas | State Rank | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Square Miles | 27,563 | 41 | 268,597 | 2 | 3,531,905 |
| Population, 2020 Census | 549,130 | 51 | 29,145,505 | 2 | 331,449,281 |
| Population Percent Change, 2010 to 2020 | -0.2% | 50 | 15.9% | 3 | 7.4% |
| Population over 25 with at Least a High School Diploma, 2019 | 85.4% | 47 | 83.7% | 49 | 88.0% |
| Population over 25 with Bachelor’s Degree or Higher, 2019 | 20.5% | 51 | 29.9% | 28 | 32.1% |
| Per Capita Income, 2019 | $45,972 | 43 | $52,813 | 26 | $56,490 |
| Median Household Income, 2019 | $49,759 | 46 | $61,874 | 22 | $62,843 |
| Population Age 65 or Over, 2019 | 17.7% | 14 | 12.9% | 48 | 16.5% |
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis
Northwest Region Economic Development Highlights
- The Development Corporation of Abilene (DCOA) announced projects totaling $76 million in capital investments creating 150 jobs and retaining another 150. These include Hendrick Health’s new service center for worker space, a new lab at Abilene Christian University for research on molten salt nuclear energy and expansion of Primal Pet Group’s Prairie Dog Pet Products manufacturing facility.[2]
- The annual RipFest in Eastland celebrates Old Rip, a famed horned toad from the town, with a parade, live entertainment, car show, wine festival and more than 150 vendors. The event accounts for $10,000 of yearly revenue for Eastland County.[3]
- Blue Summit III Wind LLC partnered with Chilicothe Independent School District (ISD) to build a wind power electric generating facility in Hardeman County. With a proposed total investment of $126.5 million in the district, the wind farm will host dozens of wind turbines with a total capacity of 115 megawatts (MW).[4]
- IP Quantum LLC is developing a utility-scale, grid-connected photovoltaic energy plant on 4,000 acres of land in Haskell County. The facility is planned to be up to 360 MW-AC in size and have a proposed total investment of $357.2 million in Paint Creek ISD. The project completion date is set for May 2022.[5]
- Cheese manufacturer Great Lakes Cheese is establishing a new distribution and packaging center in Abilene. A $3 million Texas Enterprise Fund grant was extended to the company for the project, which will create more than 500 jobs and almost $185 million in capital investment.[6]
Endnotes
Links are correct at the time of publication. The Comptroller's office is not responsible for external websites.
- Texas A&M Real Estate Research Center, , “Texas Housing Affordability Index: Data Series Description,” (Last visited March 22, 2022).↳
- KTAB/KRBC/Telemundo Abilene, “Development Corp. of Abilene secures $76 million in capital investment projects,” (July 8, 2021), (Last visited May 2, 2022).↳
- Eastland Chamber of Commerce “Ripfest.” (Last visited May 2, 2022).↳
- Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, Chapter 313 School Value Limitation, “Chillicothe ISD No. 1322, Blue Summit III Wind, LLC,” (Last visited May 2, 2022).↳
- Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, Chapter 313 School Value Limitation, “Haskell Cisd No. 1759, IP Quantum II, LLC,” (Last visited May 2, 2022).↳
- Email from Lauren Vay, Marketing & Communications Specialist, Economic Development & Tourism, Office of Governor Greg Abbott, December 3, 2021; and Office of the Texas Governor, Governor Abbott Announces Great Lakes Cheese Expansion Into Abilene,” (Last visited May 2, 2022).↳
Questions?
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the material on this page, please contact the Comptroller’s Data Analysis and Transparency Division.