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

High Plains Region 2024 Regional Report

Region Snapshot

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About the 2024 Regional Reports

The 2024 regional reports utilize sources from 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.

Introduction

Texas’ people, industries and geography are all highly diverse. This report examines the High Plains region —one of the 12 economic regions created by the Texas Comptroller’s office — to analyze demographic and economic data and trends, as well as the economic conditions unique to each region and the state.

Demographics

Population

Core based statistical areas (CBSA), classified by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (PDF), describe the socioeconomic relationships between communities and across urban and rural territory. CBSAs consist of one or more counties that include a core urban area (UA) with a population of at least 10,000 and adjacent counties with a high degree of economic and social integration, as measured by commuting ties to that core. There are two types of CBSAs:

  • Metropolitan Statistical Areas (metro areas): associated with at least one UA with a population of at least 50,000.
  • Micropolitan Statistical Areas (micro areas): associated with at least one UA with a population of at least 10,000.

The High Plains region comprises 41 counties located largely in the Texas Panhandle, covering over 34,300 square miles stretching from the Oklahoma state line to the east and north and the New Mexico state line in the west. The High Plains region includes two metropolitan areas – Amarillo and Lubbock – and five micropolitan areas – Borger, Dumas, Hereford, Pampa and Plainview.  In the 2023 CBSA update (PDF), the counties of Cochran, Garza and Hockley were added to the Lubbock metro area.

Exhibit 1 highlights CBSA designations by county and includes population, population density and median ages for all of the region’s counties. The High Plains region’s population grew by nearly 2 percent (about 16,700 people) in the 10-year period between 2012 and 2022, compared with a more than 15 percent growth statewide. Lubbock County led total gains, adding 31,500 residents, while Randall County led regional growth rates at 17 percent during this period.

The metropolitan areas bolstered the regional population growth, as Lubbock and Amarillo saw increases of more than 10 percent and 5 percent, respectively. Population fell by 9.1 percent in micropolitan counties and 9.4 percent in non-CBSA designated counties.

The High Plains region had a median age of 33.8 years in 2021, younger than the statewide median age of 35 years. Median ages in the region ranged from 30 in Dallam County to 50 in Roberts County.

Exhibit 1
CBSA Classification and Population by County, High Plains Region, 2012-2022
County CBSA Title Metropolitan / Micropolitan 2022 Population Total Change, 2012-2022 Percent Change, 2012-2022 Median Age, 2021 Population Density
Armstrong Amarillo Metropolitan 1,850 -103 -5.3% 40.4 2.03
Bailey N/A N/A 6,779 -360 -5.0% 33.6 8.35
Briscoe N/A N/A 1,431 -145 -9.2% 47.9 1.59
Carson Amarillo Metropolitan 5,784 -306 -5.0% 42.3 6.31
Castro N/A N/A 7,298 -956 -11.6% 34.4 8.24
Childress N/A N/A 6,809 -293 -4.1% 33.3 9.57
Cochran Lubbock Metropolitan 2,526 -503 -16.6% 37.1 3.29
Collingsworth N/A N/A 2,568 -455 -15.1% 39.0 2.89
Crosby Lubbock Metropolitan 4,998 -1,035 -17.2% 39.4 5.70
Dallam N/A N/A 7,241 183 2.6% 30.4 4.73
Deaf Smith Hereford Micropolitan 18,377 -992 -5.1% 32.1 12.42
Dickens N/A N/A 1,726 -598 -25.7% 47.2 1.96
Donley N/A N/A 3,339 -306 -8.4% 40.1 3.51
Floyd Plainview Micropolitan 5,235 -1,117 -17.6% 36.6 5.44
Garza Lubbock Metropolitan 6,262 -151 -2.4% 43.5 6.51
Gray Pampa Micropolitan 21,015 -1,907 -8.3% 36.1 22.92
Hale Plainview Micropolitan 31,827 -4,421 -12.2% 33.5 32.37
Hall N/A N/A 2,810 -459 -14.0% 44.9 3.20
Hansford N/A N/A 5,151 -381 -6.9% 31.9 5.75
Hartley N/A N/A 5,208 -884 -14.5% 36.8 3.68
Hemphill N/A N/A 3,217 -881 -21.5% 39.5 3.73
Hockley Lubbock Metropolitan 21,161 -1,892 -8.2% 34.3 23.71
Hutchinson Borger Micropolitan 20,215 -1,809 -8.2% 38.2 23.23
King N/A N/A 233 -36 -13.4% 35.5 0.29
Lamb N/A N/A 12,724 -1,146 -8.3% 36.5 12.84
Lipscomb N/A N/A 2,854 -594 -17.2% 34.6 3.28
Lubbock Lubbock Metropolitan 317,561 31,499 11.0% 31.1 346.85
Lynn Lubbock Metropolitan 5,724 -69 -1.2% 37.1 6.27
Moore Dumas Micropolitan 20,996 -1,435 -6.4% 30.6 23.74
Motley N/A N/A 1,032 -165 -13.8% 46.3 1.07
Ochiltree N/A N/A 9,606 -1,005 -9.5% 33.0 10.91
Oldham Amarillo Metropolitan 1,752 -294 -14.4% 32.6 1.17
Parmer N/A N/A 9,620 -568 -5.6% 35.4 11.20
Potter Amarillo Metropolitan 115,645 -7,061 -5.8% 34.4 130.48
Randall Amarillo Metropolitan 146,140 21,093 16.9% 36.2 154.22
Roberts Pampa Micropolitan 803 -135 -14.4% 50.3 0.89
Sherman N/A N/A 2,799 -238 -7.8% 41.2 3.01
Swisher N/A N/A 6,881 -968 -12.3% 37.1 7.83
Terry N/A N/A 11,567 -1,063 -8.4% 34.7 13.31
Wheeler N/A N/A 4,807 -786 -14.1% 39.8 5.46
Yoakum N/A N/A 7,451 -601 -7.5% 30.4 9.62
High Plains Region Total* N/A N/A 871,022 16,657 1.9% 33.8 22.0
Amarillo Metropolitan Area N/A N/A 271,171 13,329 5.2% 35.5 52.2
Lubbock Metropolitan Area N/A N/A 328,283 30,395 10.2% 31.8 66.7
All Micropolitan Counties* N/A N/A 118,468 -11,816 -9.1% 34.3 16.9
All Non-CBSA Counties* N/A N/A 123,151 -12,705 -9.4% 35.6 5.8
Texas Total N/A N/A 30,029,572 3,945,452 15.1% 35.0 111.6

*Note: Median ages are estimated by JobsEQ using the weighted average of the median values from the composing counties.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau Population and Housing Unit Estimates Program; Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts analysis; JobsEQ

The region has experienced net losses in domestic migration every year between 2012 and 2022, except for 2021. Population gains by natural increase (births minus deaths) mostly fell throughout this period, particularly in 2021 and 2022, with fewer births throughout the period and higher deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic, reflecting trends in the state. The region did see net gains in international migration every year during this period, with relatively strong gains in 2022 (Exhibit 2).

Exhibit 2 Components of Annual Population Change from Previous Year, High Plains Region, 2012-2022

Exhibit 2 data
Components of Annual Population Change from Previous Year, High Plains Region, 2012-2022
Year Natural Increase Net Domestic Migration Net International Migration
2012 4,970 -1,738 1,805
2013 4,894 -3,392 1,601
2014 5,213 -2,366 2,002
2015 4,678 -3,803 1,906
2016 4,567 -3,533 1,660
2017 4,241 -3,766 1,313
2018 3,373 -4,921 890
2019 3,844 -3,081 955
2020 3,156 -1,999 816
2021 186 1,311 960
2022 838 -1,182 2,345
Total, 2012-2022 34,990 -26,732 14,448

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau Population and Housing Unit Estimates Program; Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts analysis

Population by Race and Ethnicity

Hispanics led population gains in the High Plains Region between 2012 and 2022, growing by nearly 44,400, an increase of almost 15 percent. The region’s white population fell by more than 36,000, a 7.8 percent decline. Those comprising two or more races and other races saw gains of 31.2 percent during this period, though their total gains were much more modest when compared with Hispanics. The Black population rose by nearly eight percent (Exhibit 3).

Exhibit 3
Population Change by Race/Ethnicity, High Plains Region, 2012-2022
Year White Black Asian Two or More Races and Other Races Hispanic or Latino Total Population
2012 474,269 45,764 16,256 13,355 304,721 854,365
2022 437,459 49,224 17,742 17,525 349,072 871,022
Total Change -36,810 3,460 1,486 4,170 44,351 16,657
Percent Change -7.8% 7.6% 9.1% 31.2% 14.6% 1.9%

Note: “Other races” include American Indian and Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islanders.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau Population and Housing Unit Estimates Program; Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts analysis.

The region’s white population fell from 55.5 percent in 2012 to 50.2 percent in 2022, while the Hispanic population grew from 35.7 percent to 40.1 percent during this period. All other racial groups comprised nearly 10 percent of the regional population in 2022 (Exhibit 4).

Exhibit 4 Share of Population by Race/Ethnicity, High Plains Region, 2012-2022
Exhibit 4 data
Share of Population by Race/Ethnicity, High Plains Region, 2012-2022
Race/Ethnicity 2012 2022
White 55.5% 50.2%
Black or African American 5.4% 5.7%
Asian 1.9% 2.0%
Two or More Races and Other Races 1.6% 2.0%
Hispanic or Latino 35.7% 40.1%

Note: “Other races” include American Indian and Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islanders.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau Population and Housing Unit Estimates Program; Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts analysis

Population by Age Group

Like the state, the region saw its largest population gains among people ages 65 and older, reflecting the large Baby Boomer cohort (those born between 1946 and 1964). The population aged 4 and under fell statewide by nearly 2 percent and by almost 13 percent regionally. Unlike statewide trends, the region’s 50 to 64-year-old population fell during this period (Exhibit 5).

With its 65-and-older population leading regional population gains, the share of this group grew from around 13 percent in 2012 to almost 15 in 2022.

Exhibit 5 Population Changes by Age Group, High Plains Region and Texas, 2012-2022

Exhibit 5 data
Population Changes by Age Group, High Plains Region and Texas, 2012-2022
Age Group High Plains Region Texas
0 to 4 -12.5% -1.8%
5 to 19 1.4% 10.0%
20 to 34 0.5% 14.4%
35 to 49 6.6% 15.2%
50 to 64 -6.4% 13.0%
65 or older 19.1% 41.9%

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau Population and Housing Unit Estimates Program; Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts analysis

Education

Educational Attainment Levels

The share of the High Plains region’s population with a bachelor’s degree or higher was almost 25 percent in 2022. More women than men in the region held at least a bachelor’s degree, 26.5 percent versus 23.1 percent (Exhibit 6). Postsecondary educational attainment gap levels between women and men have widened in the region since 2012, with 21.9 percent of women having at least a bachelor’s degree, compared with 20.8 percent of men.

The share of the region’s population that has earned at least a high school diploma rose from 80.1 percent in 2012 to 84 percent in 2022.

Exhibit 6 Education Attainment by Gender, High Plains Region, 2022

* includes equivalency

Exhibit 6 data
Education Attainment by Gender, High Plains Region, 2022
Educational Attainment Male Female Total
Less than high school graduate 17.2% 14.8% 16.0%
High school graduate (includes equivalency) 30.3% 26.5% 28.4%
Some college, no degree 22.4% 23.3% 22.8%
Associate degree 7.1% 8.8% 8.0%
Bachelor's degree 15.2% 17.4% 16.3%
Graduate or professional degree 7.9% 9.1% 8.5%

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey, 5-Year Estimates, 2018-2028; Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts

Occupational Earnings by Educational Attainment Requirements

A strong educational foundation provides the basis for growth and competitiveness in the global economy. Postsecondary education delivers a high rate of return on investments of time and tuition.

 Data for 2023 indicate that occupations in the High Plains region requiring at least an associate degree or certificate paid an average of $7,812 more annually than jobs requiring no postsecondary education. Occupations requiring a bachelor’s degree paid an average of $34,322 more annually than those requiring an associate degree or certificate, and occupations requiring a post-graduate degree paid an average of $34,469 annually than those requiring just a bachelor’s degree (Exhibit 7).

Exhibit 7
Employment Levels and Average Wages of Occupations by Typical Entry-Level Education Requirements, High Plains Region, 2023
Typical Entry-Level Requirement Total Employment Share of Total Regional Employment Average Annual Wages
No Postsecondary Award 279,136 66.9% $39,758
Associate Degree or Certificate 35,687 8.6% $47,570
Bachelor's Degree 84,605 20.3% $80,892
Post-Graduate Degree 17,555 4.2% $116,361
Total 417,113 N/A $52,200

Note: Data as of Q1, 2023.
Sources: JobsEQ; Education requirement category assignments are from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Regional Institutions of Higher Education

The High Plains region offers a variety of options for higher educational, including four universities, four community colleges and one health science school. Additionally, there are seven Texas public and two private institutions of higher learning in the region. According to Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, Wayland Baptist University saw the largest decrease in enrollment in the region over the last four years, while Texas Tech University and Frank Phillips College saw almost five and 18 percent increases, respectively (Exhibit 8).

Exhibit 8
Institutions of Higher Education and Enrollments, High Plains Region, Fall 2019 and Fall 2023
Institution Institution Type Fall 2019 Enrollment Fall 2023 Enrollment* Percent Change in Enrollment
Lubbock Christian University Private University 1,755 1,589 -9.5%
Texas Tech University University 38,250 40,127 4.9%
Wayland Baptist University Private University 2,948 1,957 -33.6%
West Texas A&M University University 9,970 9,030 -9.4%
Amarillo College Junior or Community College 9,766 9,024 -7.6%
Clarendon College Junior or Community College 1,579 1,359 -13.9%
Frank Phillips College Junior or Community College 1,492 1,754 17.6%
South Plains College Junior or Community College 9,179 8,869 -3.4%
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Health Science School 5,141 4,930 -4.1%
Region Total N/A 80,080 78,639 -1.8%

*Fall 2023 enrollment numbers are preliminary and not certified.
Source: Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board

Health Care

Availability of Hospital Services

Residents of the High Plains region have access to a variety of hospital facilities. General hospitals offer a comprehensive range of services and facilities for medical diagnoses and treatments, including surgical services, while specialty hospitals provide clinical laboratory facilities, diagnostic X-ray facilities, treatment facilities or other definitive medical treatments (Exhibit 9).

Exhibit 9
Major Health Care Facilities, High Plains Region, 2023
Facility Type Number of Facilities Total Number of Beds Average Number of Beds Per Facility
General and Special Hospital 42 3,267 78
Private Psychiatric Hospital 2 50 25
State Psychiatric Hospital 0 0 0

Source: Texas Department of Health and Human Services

Health Care Access

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, one out of five Texans under age 65 did not have health insurance in 2021. At 20.3 percent, Texas’ uninsured population was the highest among U.S. states and about twice the national average of 10.2 percent.

At nearly 30 percent, the High Plains region’s uninsured rate was above the state average in 2021, although rates in 32 of its 41 counties were higher than both the state and regional averages. The rates of individual counties ranged from a low of 15.2 percent in Oldham County to a high of 32.7 percent in Sherman County (Exhibit 10).

Exhibit 10
Estimated Uninsured by County, High Plains Region, 2021
County Uninsured Population Percent Uninsured
Armstrong 236 16.7%
Bailey 1,612 28.5%
Briscoe 290 27.0%
Carson 774 17.1%
Castro 1,603 26.4%
Childress 908 21.5%
Cochran 594 28.6%
Collingsworth 647 31.1%
Crosby 1,007 24.5%
Dallam 2,025 32.4%
Deaf Smith 4,367 27.9%
Dickens 278 25.5%
Donley 511 22.8%
Floyd 1,100 25.7%
Garza 822 23.2%
Gray 4,008 25.4%
Hale 6,138 24.2%
Hall 607 28.5%
Hansford 1,289 29.7%
Hartley 689 19.5%
Hemphill 692 25.3%
Hockley 4,390 25.2%
Hutchinson 3,326 19.9%
King 58 26.7%
Lamb 2,750 26.1%
Lipscomb 682 28.9%
Lubbock 45,761 17.4%
Lynn 1,052 22.1%
Moore 5,699 31.1%
Motley 131 17.4%
Ochiltree 2,681 31.6%
Oldham 189 15.2%
Parmer 2,359 28.6%
Potter 23,057 24.4%
Randall 18,841 15.7%
Roberts 99 15.8%
Sherman 764 32.7%
Swisher 1,492 28.5%
Terry 2,488 27.5%
Wheeler 1,092 28.2%
Yoakum 1,871 28.2%
High Plains Region 148,979 20.9%

Note: Uninsured population includes people ages 0-64 only.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Small Area Health Insurance Estimates

Regional Economy and Employment

Gross Domestic Product

Gross domestic product (GDP) in the High Plains region totaled $71.6 billion in 2022, accounting for 3.0 percent of Texas’ GDP of $2.4 trillion. The region is the agricultural leader of the state, with the regional industry accounting for about half of the agriculture industry GDP statewide. Nondurable goods manufacturing also plays an outsized role in the region, accounting for about 10 percent of industry GDP in Texas (Exhibit 11).

Exhibit 11
Gross Domestic Product by Industry, High Plains Region, 2022
(Ranked by High Plains Industries with Greatest Share of Texas Industry GDP)
Industry High Plains Region (billions) High Plains - Share of Total Regional GDP Texas (billions) High Plains as Share of Texas Industry GDP
Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting $5.6 7.7% $11.2 49.5%
Nondurable Goods Manufacturing $15.3 21.4% $154.9 9.9%
Utilities $2.7 3.7% $41.4 6.5%
Government and Government Enterprises $7.1 10.0% $222.4 3.2%
Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction $6.9 9.6% $235.6 2.9%
Total all industries $71.6 N/A $2,402.1 3.0%

Sources: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis; Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts

Median Household Income

The High Plains region had a median household income of $56,413 in 2021, up from $45,152 in 2011, a 25 percent increase. Median household income in Texas, by comparison, was $67,321 in 2021, up from $50,920 in 2011, a 32.2 percent increase (Exhibit 12).

Exhibit 12 Median Household Income, High Plains Region and Texas, 2011-2021
Exhibit 12 data
Median Household Income, High Plains Region and Texas, 2011-2021
Year High Plains Region Texas
2011 $45,152 $50,920
2012 $45,413 $51,563
2013 $46,016 $51,900
2014 $46,994 $52,576
2015 $47,194 $53,207
2016 $48,474 $54,727
2017 $50,587 $57,051
2018 $51,664 $59,570
2019 $52,813 $61,874
2020 $53,766 $63,826
2021 $56,413 $67,321

Source: Regional median household income derived by JobsEQ using data from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey, 2017-2021.

Jobs and Industry

Between 2012 and 2022, regional employment rose nearly 7 percent, lower than both that of Texas (23.5 percent) and the U.S. (13.9 percent). The Lubbock metro area saw strong employment gains during this period, rising by more than 16 percent (Exhibit 13).

Exhibit 13
Total Employment (2022) and Changes in Employment Levels 2012-2022), High Plains Region
Region Total Employed, 2022 Total Change, 2012-2022 Percent Change, 2012-2022 Average Annual Wages, 2022
United States 149,986,738 18,290,518 13.9% $69,986
Texas 13,246,222 2,518,496 23.5% $69,614
High Plains Region 378,016 23,655 6.7% $53,520
Amarillo Metropolitan Area 119,700 9,105 8.2% $55,675
Lubbock Metropolitan Area 149,379 21,090 16.4% $51,890

Source: JobsEQ using data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages.

The High Plains region’s largest industries by employment were restaurants and other eating places, public and higher education, health care services and farming and ranching. These large regional industry sectors mostly experienced strong employment growth in the 10-year period ending in 2022, including a 38 percent gain in farming and ranching jobs.

These industries also have large location quotient (LQ) levels – a measure of an industry’s relative size in a region compared with its average size in the nation. An LQ of 1.25 or higher indicates that the region has a comparative advantage in the industry and that the industry is highly concentrated and unique to the regional economy (Exhibit 14).

Exhibit 14
Largest Industries by Employment, High Plains Region, 2022
Industry Employment Employment Change, 2012-2022 Percent Change, 2012-2022 Average Annual Wages Location Quotient Establishments
Restaurants and Other Eating Places 33,555 6,515 24.10% $19,978 1.23 1,477
Elementary and Secondary Schools 26,656 2,903 12.20% $43,271 1.29 134
General Medical and Surgical Hospitals 18,102 1,824 11.20% $63,664 1.18 45
Colleges, Universities and Professional Schools 12,303 1,145 10.30% $70,846 1.61 31
Animal Slaughtering and Processing 11,402 -297 -2.50% $52,259 8.37 31
Cattle Ranching and Farming 9,575 2,643 38.10% $48,675 23.21 685
Grocery and Convenience Retailers 8,202 1,258 18.10% $23,506 1.15 177
Justice, Public Order and Safety Activities 7,746 -1,349 -14.80% $65,328 1.62 240
Offices of Physicians 7,463 1,081 16.90% $94,909 1.01 632
Building Equipment Contractors 6,515 1,324 25.50% $57,038 1.07 642
Total – All Industries 378,084 23,723 6.70% $53,520 1.00 24,989

Source: JobsEQ using data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages.

Restaurants and other eating places led total employment growth among industries in the region between 2012 and 2022, adding more than 6,500 jobs, a 24 percent gain. The warehousing and storage industry experienced some of the fastest growth, increasing by almost 90 percent during the period (Exhibit 15). 

Exhibit 15
Industries with Largest Total Employment Growth, High Plains Region, 2012-2022
Industry Employment Employment Change, 2012-2022 Percent Change, 2012-2022 Average Annual Wages Location Quotient Establishments
Restaurants and Other Eating Places 33,555 6,515 24.1% $19,978 1.23 1,477
Elementary and Secondary Schools 26,656 2,903 12.2% $43,271 1.29 134
Cattle Ranching and Farming 9,575 2,643 38.1% $48,675 23.21 685
Warehousing and Storage 4,100 1,932 89.1% $46,284 0.83 69
General Medical and Surgical Hospitals 18,102 1,824 11.2% $63,664 1.18 45
Building Equipment Contractors 6,515 1,324 25.5% $57,038 1.07 642
Grocery and Convenience Retailers 8,202 1,258 18.1% $23,506 1.15 177
Services to Buildings and Dwellings 4,279 1,199 38.9% $31,970 0.75 460
Automotive Repair and Maintenance 4,139 1,156 38.7% $43,134 1.64 564
Colleges, Universities and Professional Schools 12,303 1,145 10.3% $70,846 1.61 31
Total – All Industries 378,084 23,723 6.7% $53,520 1.00 24,989

Source: JobsEQ using data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages.

Ranking regional industries by LQ – a method to identify heavily concentrated and specialized industries in an area – shows that cattle ranching and farming, animal processing, oil and gas extraction, and other farming activity are high in the region. The other fabricated metal product manufacturing industry had an LQ exceeding 5.0, meaning the industry is five times as large in the High Plains region compared with the national average. This industry also saw substantial job growth and high average wages from 2012 through 2022 (Exhibit 16).

Exhibit 16
Industries with Greatest Location Quotient, High Plains Region, 2022
Industry Employment Employment Change, 2012-2022 Percent Change, 2012-2022 Average Annual Wages Location Quotient Establishments
Cattle Ranching and Farming 9,575 2,643 38.1% $48,675 23.21 685
Leather and Hide Tanning and Finishing 125 -102 -45.0% $43,805 15.07 2
Other Crop Farming 2,211 -884 -28.6% $38,898 12.53 963
Oil and Gas Extraction 2,911 -1,074 -26.9% $148,001 10.06 166
Animal Slaughtering and Processing 11,402 -297 -2.5% $52,259 8.37 31
Hog and Pig Farming 619 187 43.1% $57,292 8.33 6
Support Activities for Mining 4,782 -1,710 -26.3% $86,972 7.11 297
Animal Food Manufacturing 877 -32 -3.5% $51,160 6.21 243
Oilseed and Grain Farming 1,119 414 58.8% $56,219 6.11 32
Other Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing 3,840 648 20.3% $116,088 5.37 15

Source: JobsEQ using data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages.

Regional Occupations

Among occupations, general and operations managers, logisticians and project management specialists and business operations specialists had average wages far above regional averages and saw some of the strongest job gains from 2012 through 2022, reflecting growth in the warehousing and storage industry. Another high-wage occupation that saw strong growth was software and web developers. Restaurant and other food workers also saw strong growth during the period (Exhibit 17).  

Exhibit 17
Occupations with Largest Total Employment Growth, High Plains Region, 2012-2022
Occupation Employment Employment Change, 2012-2022 Percent Change, 2012-2022 Average Annual Wages Location Quotient
General and Operations Managers 8,784 2,937 50.2% $95,100 1.06
Laborers and Material Movers 17,174 2,328 15.7% $32,400 1.01
Fast Food and Counter Workers 12,033 1,793 17.5% $23,800 1.38
Cooks 7,150 1,738 32.1% $28,100 0.97
Logisticians and Project Management Specialists 1,985 1,546 352.1% $80,400 0.77
Software and Web Developers, Programmers, and Testers 2,102 1,381 191.6% $95,600 0.39
Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers 4,145 1,253 43.3% $37,100 1.21
Miscellaneous Business Operations Specialists 1,849 1,155 166.5% $67,200 0.66
Miscellaneous Agricultural Workers 8,984 1,017 12.8% $31,300 4.45
Customer Service Representatives 6,715 975 17.0% $35,700 0.89

Source: JobsEQ using data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics programs.

Regional Infrastructure

Housing Affordability

The Texas A&M Real Estate Center’s Texas Housing Affordability Index (THAI) measures the ability of a household earning the median family income to purchase a median-priced home. An index ratio greater than 1.00 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.

According to the THAI, a median-income family in the Amarillo and Lubbock metro areas would have more than one and a half the income needed to afford the median home in the area.  Affordability levels in each area, however, are lower in 2022 compared with 2017. (Exhibit 18).

Exhibit 18 Texas Housing Affordability Index by Metropolitan Areas, High Plains Region, 2017 to 2022
Exhibit 18 data
Texas Housing Affordability Index by Metropolitan Areas, High Plains Region, 2017 to 2022
Year Amarillo MSA Lubbock MSA Texas
2017 2.14 2.02 1.54
2018 1.98 1.76 1.39
2019 2.00 1.76 1.43
2020 2.10 2.17 1.78
2021 2.05 2.07 1.53
2022 1.60 1.671.19

Source: Texas A&M Real Estate Center

Regional Transportation

Metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) are federally mandated policymaking organizations created to coordinate transportation planning in urbanized areas. Two MPOs coordinate transportation planning in the High Plains region, in Amarillo and Lubbock.

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) oversees the construction and maintenance of state highways through its 25 districts across the state. The High Plains region includes three of these county-based districts, with offices in Amarillo, Lubbock and Childress.

Exhibit 19 lists road miles and vehicle miles traveled for the region’s roadway network by road type, as of 2022. On-system roads are those under the jurisdiction of TxDOT, whereas off-system roads are under jurisdiction of cities, counties, the federal government or private entities (e.g., private toll roads). Centerline refers to mileage of a roadway regardless of lanes; it is taken from the center of the roadway. Lane mileage refers to the mileage for all lanes combined. Daily vehicle miles traveled refers to the estimated daily mileage of all vehicles using that roadway, whereas daily truck miles traveled refers to the estimated daily mileage of trucks using that roadway.

Exhibit 19
Road Miles and Daily Vehicle Miles Traveled, High Plains Region, 2022
Road Type Centerline Miles Lane Miles Daily Vehicle Miles Traveled Daily Truck Miles Traveled
Interstate Highways 301.3 1,255.1 5,872,467.8 2,355,816.9
U.S. Highways 1,792.4 5,457.7 9,739,099.0 2,653,083.0
State Highways, Spurs, Loops, Business Routes 1,851.1 4,249.8 4,197,745.2 737,513.5
Farm or Ranch to Market Roads and Spurs 6,140.9 12,436.1 3,288,578.7 649,877.2
Pass, Parks and Recreation Roads 11.1 22.6 6,206.8 561.2
Frontage Roads 681.1 1,383.8 711,737.0 36,929.3
On-System Subtotal 10,777.9 24,805.0 23,815,834.5 6,433,781.0
City Streets 4,813.3 10,160.9 4,941,236.1 216,265.7
Certified County Roads 25,194.1 50,416.3 1,459,784.2 48,300.0
Toll Road Authority Roads 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Federal Roads 54.0 108.0 3,296.8 103.6
Off-System Subtotal 30,061.4 60,685.2 6,404,317.2 264,669.2
Grand Total 40,839.3 85,490.2 30,220,151.7 6,698,450.2

Sources: Texas Department of Transportation

Transit Districts

Several transit districts help provide safe, reliable and accessible transportation services to citizens of the West Texas region. The region includes two Urban Transit Systems (serving areas with populations between 50,000 and 200,000) in Amarillo and Lubbock and two Rural Transit Systems (serving areas outside the urbanized area) (Exhibit 20).

Exhibit 20
Transit Districts, Revenue and Ridership Statistics, High Plains Region, 2022
Transit District Type Total Operating Expense Total Revenue Unlinked Passenger Trips Passenger Trips Per Capita Operating Expense Per Trip
Amarillo Transit Company Small Urban $4,909,727 $531,493 246,186 2.81 $16.45
Citibus (Lubbock) Large Urban $13,630,763 $7,632,793 1,842,397 7.76 $7.40
Panhandle Community Services Rural $4,015,116 $850,879 169,455 0.73 $23.69
South Plains Community Action Association Rural $4,146,996 $1,288,967 108,553 0.54 $38.20

Source: Texas Department of Transportation

Airports

Texas has 27 airports classified as passenger or commercial service airports, including two in the High Plains region – Lubbock Preston Smith International and Rick Husband Amarillo International. Both airports in the region have seen an increase in the number of enplanements (passenger boardings) in 2022 from 2021 (Exhibit 21).

Exhibit 21
Commercial Airports and Enplanements, High Plains Region, 2021 and 2022
U.S. Rank Airport ID City Airport Name 2021 Enplanements 2022 Enplanements Percent Change
123 LBB Lubbock Lubbock Preston Smith International 405,157 489,710 20.8%
151 AMA Amarillo Rick Husband Amarillo International 303,904 358,360 17.9%

Source: Federal Aviation Administration

Trade

Ports of entry within Texas account for approximately 20 percent of all U.S. international trade. Each region contributes to international trade in direct (ports of entry) and indirect (purchasing of imports/exports) ways. The High Plains region has two direct trade official ports of entry (Exhibit 22).

Exhibit 22
header should be - Official Ports of Entry Trade Data, High Plains Region, 2022
Port of Entry Exports Imports
Amarillo $191,622 $346,292
Lubbock $2,765,879 $632,506
Texas $547,512,278,647 $503,099,541,717

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, USA Trade Online, Port Level Data for 2022

Region vs. Texas

If the High Plains region were a state, it would be the 38th largest in terms of area and 47th in population. The region is comparatively young, with about one-quarter of its population in 2022 under the age of 18 (Exhibit 23).

Exhibit 23
High Plains Region Compared with Texas and the U.S.
Indicator High Plains Region Value Rank if Region were a State Texas Value U.S. Value
Square Miles (land) 39,349 38 261,268 3,533,038
Population, 2022 871,022 47 30,029,572 333,287,557
Population Percent Change, 2012-2022 1.9% 38 15.1% 6.2%
Population over 25 with at Least a High School Diploma, 2021 83.5% 51 84.8% 88.9%
Population over 25 with Bachelor’s Degree or Higher, 2021 24.4% 48 31.5% 33.7%
Per Capita Personal Income, 2021 $54,263 41 $62,586 $65,470
Median Household Income, 2021 $56,413 44 $67,321 $69,021
Population Age 65 or Over, 2022 14.6% 50 13.4% 17.3%
Population Under Age 18, 2022 24.9% 2 24.8% 21.7%

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics; U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis; Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts analysis

High Plains Region Economic Development Highlights

  • Dura-Line announced plans to open a conduit manufacturing facility in Lubbock, expected to create 141 new jobs and $52 million in capital investment.
  • Cabot Corporation plans to invest approximately $200 million in U.S. conductive carbon additives capacity over the next five years at their facility in Pampa. The project is expected to create 75 high-quality jobs.
  • The Amarillo EDC recently completed a project with Coast Packing. The new facility will double its manufacturing capabilities. This project is expected to have a capital expenditure of over $30 million and to create 40 jobs.
  • CVMR is a metal refining technology provider that mines and refines its mineral resources in 18 different countries. It is projected to create 1,000 new jobs and make a $1.5 billion capital expenditure in Amarillo.
  • Caviness is a local beef packing company that has been family owned and operated for more than 59 years in the Panhandle. Caviness is projected to create 100 new jobs and make a $50 million capital expenditure in Amarillo.
  • Texas Tech received a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy. The award is for more than a half-million dollars over the next three years and will provide training and mentorship for the next generation of scientists.
  • PLANT-AS announced plans for a $670 million capital expenditure in the Lubbock area to build a 13.3-million-square-foot facility, creating more than 900 full-time jobs over 10 years.
  • Taylor Rig and Equipment, CoNextrix and TrueNorth Steel announced expansions in the Lubbock area, with projections to create 145 new jobs and $22.5 million in capital investments.
  • X-Fab announced expansion into the Lubbock area, with phase one capital investment totaling $200 million and the creation of 250 new jobs.

Questions?

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the material on this page, please contact the Comptroller’s Data Analysis and Transparency Division.