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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
Exhibit 18
The Upper Rio Grande Region2022 Regional Report
Upper Rio Grande Region Snapshot
Download Printable Snapshot (PDF)
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 six-county Upper Rio Grande region covers about 21,700 square miles in western Texas. It stretches from the most western part of the state, where the state line meets at the border with Mexico, along the Rio Grande past Big Bend and up again to the New Mexico state line around the area of Guadalupe Mountains National Park.
The Upper Rio Grande region includes one metropolitan statistical area (MSA), the El Paso MSA, comprising El Paso and Hudspeth counties. The region’s other three 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 Upper Rio Grande region.
Demographics
Population
According to the 2020 Census, the Upper Rio Grande region had a total population approaching 890,000, or 3.0 percent of the state’s total population. An estimated 97.4 percent of the region’s population was concentrated in El Paso County in 2020.
The region’s population has grown by 7.6 percent (almost 63,000 people) since the 2010 Census, compared to 15.9 percent growth statewide. El Paso County grew by 8.1 percent during this period. Despite overall population growth in the region, four of the six counties in the region lost population.
The Upper Rio Grande region’s median age (32.5 years) in 2019 was younger than that of the state. El Paso (32.2 years) was the youngest county in the region, and Jeff Davis (55.8 years) was the oldest (Exhibit 1). An area’s age distribution can reveal 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brewster | 9,232 | 9,546 | 314 | 3.4% | 43.7 |
| Culberson | 2,398 | 2,188 | -210 | -8.8% | 34.4 |
| El Paso | 800,647 | 865,657 | 65,010 | 8.1% | 32.2 |
| Hudspeth | 3,476 | 3,202 | -274 | -7.9% | 37.0 |
| Jeff Davis | 2,342 | 1,996 | -346 | -14.8% | 55.8 |
| Presidio | 7,818 | 6,131 | -1,687 | -21.6% | 41.9 |
| Upper Rio Grande Region Total | 825,913 | 888,720 | 62,807 | 7.6% | 32.5 |
| El Paso MSA | 804,123 | 868,859 | 64,736 | 8.1% | 32.2 |
| 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 Upper Rio Grande region had a median household income of $46,626 in 2019, up from $36,223 in 2010, a 28.7 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 quintile when compared to Texas as a whole (Exhibit 2).
| Income Level | Upper Rio Grande Region | State Total |
|---|---|---|
| less than $25,000 | 17% | 19% |
| $25,000 to $49,999 | 11% | 22% |
| $50,000 to $74,999 | 19% | 18% |
| $75,000 to $99,999 | 11% | 13% |
| $100,000 or more | 17% | 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 Upper Rio Grande region requiring at least an associate degree or certificate paid an average of $8,800 more annually than those requiring less than a postsecondary education. Occupations requiring at least a bachelor’s degree paid an average of $38,200 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 | 277,057 | 65.5% | $34,300 | 9,051,532 | 61.8% | $44,733 |
| Associate Degree or Certificate | 38,311 | 9.1% | $43,100 | 1,120,514 | 7.6% | $47,600 |
| Bachelor's Degree | 74,063 | 17.5% | $72,500 | 2,987,310 | 20.4% | $88,800 |
| Postgraduate Degree | 33,457 | 7.9% | $104,600 | 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 Upper Rio Grande region offers a variety of options for higher educational achievement, including two universities, one community college and one health science school (Exhibit 4).
| Institution | Type of Institution | Fall 2020 Enrollment |
|---|---|---|
| Sul Ross State University | University | 1,557 |
| The University of Texas at El Paso | University | 24,887 |
| El Paso Community College District | Junior or Community College | 25,303 |
| Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center - El Paso | Health Science School | 775 |
Source: Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
Health Care
Availability of Hospital Services
Residents of the Upper Rio Grande 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 | 11 | 2,228 | 202.55 |
| Special Hospital | 9 | 281 | 31.22 |
| Private Psychiatric Hospital | 2 | 246 | 123 |
| State Psychiatric Hospital | 1 | 71 | 71 |
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 Upper Rio Grande region ranged from a low of 21.2 percent in Brewster County to a high of 32.6 percent in Presidio County; the overall rate for the region was 24.4 percent (Exhibit 6). (For additional information, see Uninsured Texans, Fiscal Notes, October 2020.)
| County | Uninsured Population | Percent Uninsured |
|---|---|---|
| Presidio | 1,638 | 32.6% |
| Hudspeth | 1,266 | 32.0% |
| Jeff Davis | 373 | 27.1% |
| Culberson | 405 | 24.3% |
| El Paso | 173,169 | 24.3% |
| Brewster | 1,462 | 21.2% |
| Upper Rio Grande Region | 178,313 | 24.4% |
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 Upper Rio Grande region had a gross domestic product (GDP) of $35.6 billion, about 2.0 percent of Texas’ statewide GDP of $1.8 trillion. Between 2010 and 2020, GDP rose by an average annual rate of 3.6 percent, equal to the statewide average annual rate. In 2020, GDP fell from the previous year by 0.7 percent, much 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 335,239 people employed in the Upper Rio Grande region in 2020, 97.3 percent are in the El Paso MSA. Between 2010 and 2020, regional employment rose by 8.6 percent, a slower pace than in the state (17.1 percent), yet faster than the U.S. (7.8 percent). Employment in the El Paso MSA rose slightly more than in the region as a whole (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% |
| Upper Rio Grande Region | 335,239 | 26,615 | 8.6% |
| El Paso MSA | 326,041 | 27,513 | 9.2% |
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 Upper Rio Grande 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 Upper Rio Grande 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Restaurants and Other Eating Places | 27,900 | $16,029 | 1.39 | -291 | -1.0% |
| Elementary and Secondary Schools | 27,366 | $45,979 | 1.57 | -1,413 | -4.9% |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals | 12,661 | $60,465 | 0.95 | 1,037 | 8.9% |
| Justice, Public Order and Safety Activities | 11,187 | $85,250 | 2.61 | 626 | 5.9% |
| Home Health Care Services | 11,093 | $17,795 | 3.06 | 652 | 6.2% |
| Business Support Services | 9,731 | $29,758 | 4.81 | 2,358 | 32.0% |
| General Freight Trucking | 8,546 | $48,374 | 3.23 | 900 | 11.8% |
| General Merchandise Stores, including Warehouse Clubs and Supercenters | 7,450 | $26,127 | 1.60 | -85 | -1.1% |
| Individual and Family Services | 6,944 | $23,549 | 1.09 | 1,454 | 26.5% |
| Colleges, Universities and Professional Schools | 6,151 | $60,077 | 0.94 | 1,038 | 20.3% |
| Total - All Industries | 335,239 | $42,068 | 1.00 | 8,811 | 2.7% |
Source: JobsEQ using data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages
Business support services and family and health care services were among the industry leaders in total 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Support Services | 9,731 | $29,758 | 4.81 | 2,358 | 32.0% |
| Outpatient Care Centers | 4,414 | $64,559 | 1.90 | 1,616 | 57.8% |
| Individual and Family Services | 6,944 | $23,549 | 1.09 | 1,454 | 26.5% |
| Colleges, Universities and Professional Schools | 6,151 | $60,077 | 0.94 | 1,038 | 20.3% |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals | 12,661 | $60,465 | 0.95 | 1,037 | 8.9% |
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 — clothing and hardware manufacturing and metal production and processing are among the industries that 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Footwear Manufacturing | 530 | $31,876 | 21.83 | -345 | -39.4% |
| Cut and Sew Apparel Manufacturing | 1,268 | $31,137 | 6.57 | 457 | 56.3% |
| Hardware Manufacturing | 324 | $74,431 | 6.11 | -41 | -11.2% |
| Nonferrous Metal (except Aluminum) Production and Processing | 719 | $73,105 | 5.53 | -14 | -1.9% |
| Interurban and Rural Bus Transportation | 216 | $38,666 | 4.91 | 105 | 95.2% |
| Business Support Services | 9,731 | $29,758 | 4.81 | 2,358 | 32.0% |
| Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction | 1,345 | $57,999 | 4.75 | 433 | 47.5% |
| Other Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing | 706 | $44,758 | 4.11 | 243 | 52.5% |
| General Freight Trucking | 8,546 | $48,374 | 3.23 | 900 | 11.8% |
| Facilities Support Services | 1,196 | $48,698 | 3.08 | 28 | 2.4% |
Source: JobsEQ using data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages
Regional Occupations
The Upper Rio Grande region has large numbers of people in material moving, fast food and retail occupations. Home health care, trucking and customer service jobs have seen particularly high growth in the last five years (Exhibit 11).
| Occupation | Employment | Average Annual Wages | Location Quotient | Employment Change, 2015 to 2020 | Percent Employment Change, 2015 to 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | 12,027 | $18,800 | 1.58 | 1,768 | 17.2% |
| Laborers and Material Movers | 11,446 | $25,600 | 0.84 | 273 | 2.4% |
| Driver/Sales Workers and Truck Drivers | 11,373 | $44,300 | 1.48 | 1,143 | 11.2% |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | 11,344 | $19,600 | 1.48 | 478 | 4.4% |
| Retail Salespersons | 10,923 | $24,700 | 1.28 | -1,107 | -9.2% |
| Customer Service Representatives | 8,644 | $26,800 | 1.37 | 1,835 | 27.0% |
| Cashiers | 8,329 | $22,000 | 1.10 | -704 | -7.8% |
| Registered Nurses | 7,444 | $73,100 | 1.10 | 932 | 14.3% |
| Building Cleaning Workers | 7,351 | $22,100 | 1.03 | -243 | -3.2% |
| Secretaries and Administrative Assistants | 7,195 | $34,000 | 0.98 | -271 | -3.6% |
Source: JobsEQ using data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages
Upper Rio Grande 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, as of 2020 a median-income family in the El Paso MSA closely mirrors the income needed to afford the median home (Exhibit 12).[2]
| Locality | 2019 | 2020 |
|---|---|---|
| State of Texas | 1.43 | 1.78 |
| El Paso MSA | 1.47 | 1.77 |
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. Military installations in Texas contributed an estimated $75.3 billion annually to the state’s GDP. Fort Bliss, the only military installation in the Upper Rio Grande region, had a significant positive impact on the Texas economy, supporting an estimated 131,000 jobs in 2019 and contributing about $15.6 billion to the state’s GDP (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 |
| Upper Rio Grande Region | 130,943 | $15.6 |
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 El Paso MPO coordinates transportation planning in the Upper Rio Grande region. Roadways within the region make up the El Paso Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) district.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City Streets | 2,463.8 | 5,414.9 | 5,452,199.9 | 215,817.2 |
| Farm or Ranch to Market Roads and Spurs | 602.7 | 1,288.9 | 1,486,222.1 | 107,876.7 |
| Federal Roads | 455.1 | 909.8 | 94,225.9 | 2,988.8 |
| Frontage Roads | 223.1 | 462.8 | 1,592,709.0 | 127,540.8 |
| Interstate Highways | 186.4 | 816.7 | 7,076,360.8 | 1,692,552.6 |
| Pass, Park and Recreation Roads | 6.6 | 14.9 | 14,565.1 | 1,007.1 |
| State Highways, Spurs, Loops, Business Routes | 481.1 | 1,262.9 | 3,891,882.1 | 234,001.3 |
| Toll Road Authority Roads | 1.4 | 6.1 | 10,171.1 | 2,153.6 |
| U.S. Highways | 303.7 | 166,656.8 | 2,098,767.0 | 157,293.8 |
| Total | 6,805.2 | 181,020.0 | 22,317,553.7 | 2,561,156.4 |
Source: Texas Department of Transportation
Transit authorities and transit districts are governmental entities or companies that coordinate public transit in an area. The El Paso area is served by the El Paso Metropolitan Transit Authority, while rural transit in the region is provided by the County of El Paso and West Texas Opportunities Inc. (Exhibit 15).
| Transit District | Type | Total Operating Expense | Total Revenue | Unlinked Passenger Trips | Passenger Trips Per Capita | Operating Expense Per Trip |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| El Paso (Sun Metro) | MTA | $67,186,748 | $57,192,731 | 12,710,196 | 16.46 | $5.29 |
| County of El Paso | Rural | $4,073,384 | $3,346,272 | 443,895 | 15.70 | $9.18 |
| West Texas Opportunities Inc. | Rural | $4,774,933 | $2,159,735 | 92,563 | 0.47 | $51.59 |
Source: Texas Department of Transportation
The state of Texas has 27 commercial service airports offering passenger service. One of those commercial service airports is in the Upper Rio Grande region (Exhibit 16).
| Airport Name | City | U.S. Rank | 2019 Enplanements | 2020 Enplanements | Percent Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| El Paso International (ELP) | El Paso | 73 | 1,745,770 | 760,456 | -56.4% |
Source: Federal Aviation Administration
Amtrak interstate passenger rail service runs three routes through Texas (Texas Eagle, Heartland Flyer and Sunset Limited). Texans can get direct service to Chicago, Los Angeles, New Orleans and Oklahoma City plus numerous stops along the way as well as connections to the rest of the country. Amtrak’s station stops in the Upper Rio Grande region are in the cities of Alpine and El Paso.
Ports of entry within Texas account for 17 percent of all U.S. international trade, and each region contributes to international trade in direct and indirect ways. The Upper Rio Grande region has four direct trade official ports of entry (Exhibit 17).
| Port of Entry | Exports Through | Imports Through |
|---|---|---|
| El Paso | $15,190,524,591 | $14,789,802,403 |
| Ysleta | $13,799,650,675 | $28,842,227,076 |
| Fabens | $115,020,445 | $0 |
| Presidio | $110,728,244 | $147,831,563 |
| State of Texas Ports of Entry | $311,223,000,000 | $326,324,000,000 |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, USA Trade Online, Port Level Data for 2020
Region vs. Texas
If the Upper Rio Grande region were a state, it would be the 42nd largest in terms of area and second in terms of population under age 18 (Exhibit 18). For more information on how Texas and its distinct, diverse regions compare to the U.S. and other states visit TexIndex.
| Measure | Upper Rio Grande Region | Rank as a State | Texas | State Rank | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Square Miles | 21,712 | 42 | 268,597 | 2 | 3,531,905 |
| Population, 2020 Census | 888,720 | 46 | 29,145,505 | 2 | 331,449,281 |
| Population Percent Change, 2010 to 2020 | 7.6% | 19 | 15.9% | 3 | 7.4% |
| Population over 25 with at Least a High School Diploma, 2019 | 78.2% | 51 | 83.7% | 49 | 88.0% |
| Population over 25 with Bachelor’s Degree or Higher, 2019 | 23.4% | 48 | 29.9% | 28 | 32.1% |
| Per Capita Income, 2019 | $37,886 | 51 | $52,813 | 26 | $56,490 |
| Median Household Income, 2019 | $46,626 | 50 | $61,874 | 22 | $62,843 |
| Population Age 65 or Over, 2019 | 12.8% | 49 | 12.9% | 48 | 16.5% |
| Population Under Age 18, 2019 | 26.6% | 2 | 25.5% | 2 | 22.3% |
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis
Upper Rio Grande Region Economic Development Highlights
- Renewable energy projects from IP Aragorn LLC and SB Energy, both in Culberson County, propose to build utility-scale, grid-connected solar energy plants within Allamoore Independent School District. The projects will be constructed on approximately 1,765 acres and total more than $470 million in proposed investment in the region.[3]
- Delaware Processing LLC, proposed to construct the Tiger Plant, a natural gas processing facility on nearly 650 acres in Culberson County with a processing capacity of 200 million cubic feet of natural gas and a proposed total investment of $125 million.[4]
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 24, 2022) ↳
- Texas A&M Real Estate Research Center, “Texas Housing Affordability Index (THAI),” (Last visited March 24, 2022)↳
- Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, Chapter 313 School Value Limitation, “Culberson County-Allamoore ISD No. 1266, SE Aragorn, LLC f/k/a IP Aragorn, LLC,” and “Culberson County-Allamoore ISD No. 1267, SE Titan, LLC f/k/a IP Titan, LLC,” (Last visited March 22, 2022).↳
- Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, Chapter 313 School Value Limitation, “Culberson County-Allamoore ISD No. 1359, Delaware Processing, LLC,” (Last visited March 22, 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.