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Exhibit 1
Exhibit 2
Components of Annual Population Change from Previous Year, Northwest Region, 2012-2022
Exhibit 3
Exhibit 4
Share of Population by Race/Ethnicity, Northwest Region, 2012 and 2022
Exhibit 5
Population Changes by Age Group, Northwest Region and Texas, 2012-2022
Exhibit 6
Educational Attainment by Gender, Northwest Region, 2022
Exhibit 7
Exhibit 8
Exhibit 9
Exhibit 10
Exhibit 11
Exhibit 12 Median Household Income, Northwest Region and Texas, 2011-2021
Exhibit 13
Exhibit 14
Exhibit 15
Exhibit 16
Exhibit 17
Exhibit 18
Texas Housing Affordability Index by Metropolitan Areas, Northwest Region,
2017 to 2022
Exhibit 19
Exhibit 20
Exhibit 21
Exhibit 22
Northwest Region 2024 Regional Report
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 Northwest region —one of the 12 economic regions created by the Texas Comptroller’s office — to analyze demographic and economic data, trends and conditions unique to this region.
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 Northwest region comprises 30 counties located largely in Northern Texas, covering more than 27,300 square miles 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 areas — Abilene and Wichita Falls — and four micropolitan areas — Brownwood, Snyder, Sweetwater and Vernon.
Exhibit 1 highlights CBSA designations by county and includes population, population density and median ages each county in the region. The Northwest region’s population grew by 0.9 percent (about 5,000 people) between 2012 and 2022, compared with a more than 15 percent growth statewide. Taylor County led total gains, adding 11,000 residents, and led the region in percentage growth at 8.2 percent.
The Abilene metropolitan area bolstered the regional population growth, increasing by 7.1 percent. The Wichita Falls metro areas saw a decrease of 1.2 percent. Population fell by 1.4 percent in micropolitan counties and 4.0 percent in non-CBSA designated counties.
The Northwest region had a median age of 37.4 years in 2021, older than the statewide median age of 35 years. Median ages in the region ranged from 32.7 in Taylor County to 55 in Foard County.
| County | CBSA Title | Metropolitan/ Micropolitan | 2022 Population | Total Change, 2012-2022 | Percent Change, 2012-2022 | Median Age, 2021 | Population Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Archer | Wichita Falls | Metropolitan | 8,835 | 20 | 0.2% | 43.5 | 9.5 |
| Baylor | N/A | N/A | 3,466 | -127 | -3.5% | 47.1 | 4.0 |
| Brown | Brownwood | Micropolitan | 38,373 | 569 | 1.5% | 41.3 | 40.3 |
| Callahan | Abilene | Metropolitan | 14,210 | 722 | 5.4% | 43.5 | 15.2 |
| Clay | Wichita Falls | Metropolitan | 10,486 | -39 | -0.4% | 46.1 | 9.4 |
| Coleman | N/A | N/A | 7,850 | -823 | -9.5% | 49.3 | 6.1 |
| Comanche | N/A | N/A | 13,878 | 155 | 1.1% | 44.5 | 14.5 |
| Cottle | N/A | N/A | 1,307 | -178 | -12.0% | 37.0 | 1.5 |
| Eastland | N/A | N/A | 17,944 | -517 | -2.8% | 41.8 | 19.1 |
| Fisher | N/A | N/A | 3,622 | -215 | -5.6% | 42.5 | 4.1 |
| Foard | N/A | N/A | 1,057 | -252 | -19.3% | 55.0 | 1.6 |
| Hardeman | N/A | N/A | 3,516 | -582 | -14.2% | 43.7 | 5.1 |
| Haskell | N/A | N/A | 5,403 | -480 | -8.2% | 43.1 | 6.0 |
| Jack | N/A | N/A | 8,922 | -70 | -0.8% | 39.0 | 9.3 |
| Jones | Abilene | Metropolitan | 19,935 | 62 | 0.3% | 38.4 | 21.2 |
| Kent | N/A | N/A | 740 | -85 | -10.3% | 46.8 | 0.8 |
| Knox | N/A | N/A | 3,273 | -456 | -12.2% | 41.7 | 3.9 |
| Mitchell | N/A | N/A | 8,943 | -389 | -4.2% | 32.9 | 9.9 |
| Montague | N/A | N/A | 21,063 | 1,586 | 8.1% | 44.2 | 21.4 |
| Nolan | Sweetwater | Micropolitan | 14,473 | -466 | -3.1% | 36.8 | 16.2 |
| Runnels | N/A | N/A | 9,859 | -478 | -4.6% | 40.5 | 9.4 |
| Scurry | Snyder | Micropolitan | 16,686 | -434 | -2.5% | 36.3 | 18.7 |
| Shackelford | N/A | N/A | 3,186 | -175 | -5.2% | 45.1 | 3.4 |
| Stephens | N/A | N/A | 9,390 | -218 | -2.3% | 40.6 | 10.1 |
| Stonewall | N/A | N/A | 1,182 | -270 | -18.6% | 35.1 | 1.4 |
| Taylor | Abilene | Metropolitan | 145,163 | 11,041 | 8.2% | 32.7 | 156.4 |
| Throckmorton | N/A | N/A | 1,550 | -60 | -3.7% | 48.1 | 1.6 |
| Wichita | Wichita Falls | Metropolitan | 129,978 | -1,764 | -1.3% | 34.5 | 206.1 |
| Wilbarger | Vernon | Micropolitan | 12,491 | -803 | -6.0% | 36.9 | 13.3 |
| Young | N/A | N/A | 17,962 | -311 | -1.7% | 40.4 | 19.5 |
| Northwest Region Total* | N/A | N/A | 554,743 | 4,963 | 0.9% | 37.4 | 20.1 |
| Abilene Metropolitan Area | N/A | N/A | 179,308 | 11,825 | 7.1% | 34.2 | 64.4 |
| Wichita Falls Metropolitan Area | N/A | N/A | 149,299 | -1,783 | -1.2% | 35.8 | 56.5 |
| All Micropolitan Counties* | N/A | N/A | 82,023 | -1,134 | -1.4% | 38.8 | 22.1 |
| All Non-CBSA Counties* | N/A | N/A | 144,113 | -3,945 | -2.7% | 42.1 | 7.8 |
| Texas Total | N/A | N/A | 30,029,572 | 3,945,452 | 15.1% | 35.0 | 111.6 |
*Median ages are estimated by JobsEQ using the weighted average of the median values from the composing counties.
Note: Population density defined as number of people per square mile of land area.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, Population and Housing Unit Estimates Program; Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts analysis; JobsEQ
The region saw relatively strong annual gains in net domestic migration in 2020 through 2022, reversing previous regional trends of annual losses in domestic migration. Population gains by natural increase (births minus deaths) slowed throughout this period, and even declined in 2021 and 2022, with higher deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic, reflecting trends in the state. The region did see net gains in international migration every year during period (Exhibit 2).
Exhibit 2 data
| Year | Natural Increase | Net Domestic Migration | Net International Migration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 1,008 | -2,479 | 1,436 |
| 2013 | 783 | -2,659 | 949 |
| 2014 | 795 | -1,181 | 1,113 |
| 2015 | 706 | -2,584 | 1,223 |
| 2016 | 809 | -1,468 | 934 |
| 2017 | 192 | -1,713 | 698 |
| 2018 | 155 | 3 | 402 |
| 2019 | 488 | 4 | 522 |
| 2020 | 32 | 2,251 | 431 |
| 2021 | -2,178 | 4,338 | 299 |
| 2022 | -1,670 | 3,306 | 836 |
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 Northwest region between 2012 and 2022, growing by nearly 19,100, an increase of nearly 17 percent. The region’s white population fell by more than 22,300, a 5.8 percent decline. Those comprising two or more races and other races saw gains of 34.7 percent during this period, though their total gains were much more modest when compared with Hispanics. The region’s Asian population grew by 1,644, or 27 percent and the Black population rose by 2,609, eight percent (Exhibit 3).
| Year | White | Black | Asian | Two or More Races and Other Races | Hispanic or Latino | Total Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 385,542 | 32,772 | 6,132 | 11,222 | 114,112 | 549,780 |
| 2022 | 363,234 | 35,381 | 7,776 | 15,116 | 133,236 | 554,743 |
| Total Change | -22,308 | 2,609 | 1,644 | 3,894 | 19,124 | 4,963 |
| Percent Change | -5.8% | 8.0% | 26.8% | 34.7% | 16.8% | 0.9% |
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 70.1 percent in 2012 to 65.5 percent in 2022, while the Hispanic population grew from 20.8 percent to 24 percent during this period. All other racial groups comprised nearly 10 percent of the regional population in 2022 (Exhibit 4).
Exhibit 4 data
| Race/Ethnicity | 2012 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| White | 70.1% | 65.5% |
| Black or African American | 6.0% | 6.4% |
| Asian | 1.1% | 1.4% |
| Two or More Races and Other Races | 2.0% | 2.7% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 20.8% | 24.0% |
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 Northwest region saw its largest population gains among people ages 65 or older, reflecting the large Baby Boomer cohort (those born between 1946 and 1964). With its 65-and-older population leading regional population gains, the share of this group grew from around 16 percent in 2012 to almost 18 percent in 2022. The population aged 4 and under fell by nearly 2 percent statewide but grew by 8 percent regionally. Unlike statewide trends, the region’s 50- to 64-year-old population fell during this period (Exhibit 5).
Exhibit 5 data
| Age Group | Northwest Region | Texas |
|---|---|---|
| 65 or older | 11.6% | 41.9% |
| 50 to 64 | -7.8% | 13.0% |
| 35 to 49 | 4.0% | 15.2% |
| 20 to 34 | 1.1% | 14.4% |
| 5 to 19 | 0.5% | 10.0% |
| 0 to 4 | -8.0% | -1.8% |
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 Northwest region population with a bachelor’s degree or higher was 22.3 percent in 2022. In 2022, a higher share of women than men in the region had at least a bachelor’s degree, 23.4 percent versus 21.3 percent (Exhibit 6). Postsecondary educational attainment levels between women and men have widened since 2012, when 19 percent of women had at least a bachelor’s degree, compared with 17.9 percent of men.
The share of the region that has earned at least a high school diploma rose from 82.4 percent in 2012 to 87.1 percent in 2022.
Exhibit 6 data
| Educational Attainment | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Less than high school graduate | 14.1% | 11.6% | 12.9% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency) | 34.0% | 31.3% | 32.7% |
| Some college, no degree | 23.3% | 24.7% | 24.0% |
| Associate degree | 7.4% | 9.0% | 8.1% |
| Bachelor's degree | 14.2% | 16.0% | 15.1% |
| Graduate or professional degree | 7.1% | 7.4% | 7.3% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 5-Year Estimates, 2018-2022: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 returns on investments of time and tuition.
Data for 2023 indicate that occupations in the Northwest region requiring at least an associate degree or certificate paid an average of $8,310 more annually than jobs requiring no postsecondary education. Occupations requiring a bachelor’s degree paid an average of $31,200 more annually than those requiring an associate degree or certificate, and occupations requiring a post-graduate degree paid an average of $37,400 more annually than those requiring a bachelor’s degree (Exhibit 7).
| Typical Entry-Level Educational Requirement | Total Employment | Share of Total Regional Employment | Average Annual Wages |
|---|---|---|---|
| No postsecondary award | 155,410 | 65.9% | $38,149 |
| Associate degree or certificate | 21,556 | 9.1% | $46,459 |
| Bachelor's degree | 50,026 | 21.2% | $77,700 |
| Post-graduate degree | 8,819 | 3.7% | $115,111 |
| Total | 235,811 | N/A | $50,200 |
Note: Data as of 2023 Q2.
Source: JobsEQ; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Regional Institutions of Higher Education
The Northwest region offers a variety of options for higher educational achievement, including five universities, six community colleges and one technical school. There are four private institutions of higher learning and one Texas public institute of higher education and in the Northwest region. McMurry University in Abilene saw its enrollment more than double between 2019 and 2023. Texas State Technical College – West Texas in Sweetwater increased its enrollment by 12 percent during the same period. Enrollment in all institutions of higher education in the region fell by nearly 5 percent (Exhibit 8).
| Institution | Institution Type | Fall 2019 Enrollment | Fall 2023 Enrollment* | Percent Change in Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abilene Christian University | Private University | 5,854 | 5,961 | 1.8% |
| Midwestern State University | University | 5,500 | 5,160 | -6.2% |
| Howard County Junior College | Junior or Community College | 4,382 | 4,073 | -7.1% |
| Cisco College | Junior or Community College | 3,539 | 3,009 | -15.0% |
| McMurry University | Private University | 1,175 | 2,549 | 116.9% |
| Ranger College | Junior or Community College | 2,342 | 2,485 | 6.1% |
| Texas State Technical College – West Texas | Technical College | 1,963 | 2,199 | 12.0% |
| Vernon College | Junior or Community College | 2,930 | 2,146 | -26.8% |
| Hardin-Simmons University | Private University | 2,324 | 1,655 | -28.8% |
| Western Texas College | Junior or Community College | 2,009 | 1,435 | -28.6% |
| Howard Payne University | Private University | 1,031 | 831 | -19.4% |
| Southwest Collegiate Institute for the Deaf | Junior or Community College | 79 | 49 | -38.0% |
| Total - Northwest Region | N/A | 33,128 | 31,552 | -4.8% |
*Fall 2023 enrollment numbers are preliminary and not certified.
Source: Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
Health Care
Availability of Hospital Services
Residents of the Northwest region have access to a variety of hospital facilities from which to receive services. General hospitals offer a comprehensive range of services and facilities for medical diagnoses and treatments, including surgical services. Special hospitals provide clinical laboratory, diagnostic X-ray and treatment facilities(Exhibit 9).
| Facility Type | Number of Facilities | Total Number of Beds | Average Number of Beds Per Facility |
|---|---|---|---|
| General and Special Hospital | 33 | 2,151 | 65.2 |
| Private Psychiatric Hospital | 1 | 96 | 96.0 |
| State Psychiatric Hospital | 1 | 575 | 575.0 |
Source: Texas Health and Human Services Commission
Health Care Access
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, one of five Texans under age 65 did not have health insurance in 2021. The rate of uninsured in Texas — 20.3 percent — was the highest among U.S. states and about twice the national average of 10.2 percent.
At 19.8 percent in 2021, the Northwest region’s uninsured rate was slightly less than the state average, although rates in 17 of its 30 counties were higher than both the state and regional averages. The uninsured rates of individual counties ranged from a low of 9.2 percent in Kent County to a high of 27.4 percent in Hardeman County (Exhibit 10).
| County | Number Uninsured | Percent Uninsured |
|---|---|---|
| Archer | 1,311 | 19.0% |
| Baylor | 477 | 18.0% |
| Brown | 5,624 | 19.2% |
| Callahan | 2,046 | 18.4% |
| Clay | 1,359 | 17.3% |
| Coleman | 1,291 | 22.5% |
| Comanche | 2,410 | 22.9% |
| Cottle | 199 | 19.4% |
| Eastland | 3,116 | 23.2% |
| Fisher | 493 | 17.6% |
| Foard | 150 | 19.1% |
| Hardeman | 755 | 27.4% |
| Haskell | 940 | 24.8% |
| Jack | 1,541 | 24.5% |
| Jones | 2,281 | 19.2% |
| Kent | 52 | 9.2% |
| Knox | 676 | 25.7% |
| Mitchell | 1,068 | 17.2% |
| Montague | 3,436 | 21.7% |
| Nolan | 2,512 | 21.6% |
| Runnels | 1,694 | 21.6% |
| Scurry | 2,850 | 22.3% |
| Shackelford | 613 | 24.3% |
| Stephens | 1,605 | 24.1% |
| Stonewall | 210 | 23.1% |
| Taylor | 22,471 | 18.9% |
| Throckmorton | 271 | 24.2% |
| Wichita | 17,716 | 17.9% |
| Wilbarger | 2,398 | 23.8% |
| Young | 3,066 | 21.7% |
| Northwest Region | 84,631 | 19.8% |
Note: Uninsured population includes ages 0-64 only.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, Small Area Health Insurance Estimates
Regional Economy and Employment
Gross Domestic Product
Gross domestic product (GDP) in the Northwest region totaled $31.4 billion in 2021, accounting for 1.3 percent of Texas’ GDP. Some of the region’s industries, however, contribute a higher share to the state economy, indicating regional industry specialization. By this measure, the utilities industry was the most unique and specialized regional industry, accounting for about 5.3 percent of the industry GDP statewide. Agriculture, forestry and fishing and hunting also play outsize roles in the region, accounting for about 3.4 percent of industry GDP in Texas (Exhibit 11).
| Industry | Northwest Region (billions) | Northwest Region Industry GDP as Share of Total Regional GDP | Texas (billions) | Northwest Region Industry GDP as Share of Texas Industry GDP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Utilities | $2.2 | 7.0% | $41.4 | 5.3% |
| Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting | $0.4 | 1.2% | $11.2 | 3.4% |
| Government and government enterprises | $4.9 | 15.7% | $222.4 | 2.2% |
| Transportation and utilities | $2.5 | 8.1% | $135.0 | 1.9% |
| Durable goods manufacturing | $2.1 | 6.8% | $114.1 | 1.9% |
| All industry total | $31.4 | N/A | $2,402.1 | 1.3% |
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis; Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
Median Household Income
The Northwest region had a median household income of $54,037 in 2021, up from $42,162 in 2011, a 28.2 percent increase. Median household income statewide, by comparison, was $67,321 in 2021, up from $50,920 in 2011, a 32.2 percent increase (Exhibit 12).
Exhibit 12 data
| Year | Northwest Region | Texas |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | $42,162 | $50,920 |
| 2012 | $43,138 | $51,563 |
| 2013 | $43,201 | $51,900 |
| 2014 | $43,394 | $52,576 |
| 2015 | $44,348 | $53,207 |
| 2016 | $45,219 | $54,727 |
| 2017 | $46,137 | $57,051 |
| 2018 | $47,848 | $59,570 |
| 2019 | $49,759 | $61,874 |
| 2020 | $51,489 | $63,826 |
| 2021 | $54,037 | $67,321 |
Sources: JobsEQ; American Community Survey, 5-year estimates
Jobs and Industry
Between 2012 and 2022, regional employment rose by 2.1 percent, lower than the growth statewide (23.5 percent) and nationwide (13.9 percent). The Abilene metro area saw strong employment gains during this period, rising by 12 percent (Exhibit 13).
| Region | Total Employed, 2022 | Total Change, 2012-2022 | Percent Change, 2012-2022 | Average Annual Wages, 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 150,025,578 | 18,329,359 | 13.9% | $69,986 |
| Texas | 13,249,180 | 2,521,454 | 23.5% | $69,614 |
| Northwest Region | 207,382 | 4,242 | 2.1% | $49,389 |
| Abilene Metro Area | 71,821 | 7,667 | 12.0% | $51,213 |
| Wichita Falls Metro Area | 56,742 | -81 | -0.1% | $47,914 |
Source: JobsEQ using data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages
The Northwest region’s largest industries by employment are in restaurants, public education and health care services. These large regional industry sectors mostly experienced strong employment growth in the 10-year period ending in 2022, including a 27 percent gain in physician office 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).
| Industry | Employment | Employment Change, 2012-2022 | Percent Change, 2012-2022 | Average Annual Wages | Location Quotient | Establishments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Restaurants and Other Eating Places | 16,798 | 1,994 | 13.5% | $18,684 | 1.09 | 915 |
| Elementary and Secondary Schools | 16,465 | 412 | 2.6% | $43,308 | 1.41 | 112 |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals | 10,782 | 552 | 5.4% | $60,987 | 1.24 | 40 |
| Justice, Public Order, and Safety Activities | 5,700 | -1,433 | -20.1% | $58,105 | 2.12 | 179 |
| Home Health Care Services | 5,119 | 214 | 4.4% | $29,881 | 2.30 | 147 |
| Support Activities for Mining | 4,439 | -3,761 | -45.9% | $84,557 | 11.69 | 359 |
| Offices of Physicians | 4,325 | 905 | 26.5% | $106,274 | 1.04 | 340 |
| Grocery and Convenience Retailers | 4,279 | 528 | 14.1% | $25,619 | 1.06 | 123 |
| Gasoline Stations | 3,745 | 892 | 31.3% | $35,707 | 2.69 | 341 |
| Warehouse Clubs, Supercenters, and Other General Merchandise Retailers | 3,515 | 2 | 0.1% | $29,685 | 1.09 | 164 |
| Total - All Industries | 207,382 | 4,242 | 2.1% | $49,389 | 1.00 | 15,340 |
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 nearly 2,000 jobs, a nearly 14 percent gain. The vocational rehabilitation services industry experienced some of the fastest growth, increasing by 221 percent during the period (Exhibit 15).
| Industry | Employment | Employment Change, 2012-2022 | Percent Change, 2012-2022 | Average Annual Wages | Location Quotient | Establishments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Restaurants and Other Eating Places | 16,798 | 1,994 | 13.5% | $18,684 | 1.09 | 915 |
| Offices of Physicians | 4,325 | 905 | 26.5% | $106,274 | 1.04 | 340 |
| Gasoline Stations | 3,745 | 892 | 31.3% | $35,707 | 2.69 | 341 |
| Individual and Family Services | 2,768 | 696 | 33.6% | $35,873 | 0.64 | 288 |
| Vocational Rehabilitation Services | 976 | 672 | 220.7% | $38,029 | 2.29 | 16 |
| Services to Buildings and Dwellings | 2,346 | 645 | 37.9% | $30,537 | 0.73 | 337 |
| Building Equipment Contractors | 3,400 | 585 | 20.8% | $55,416 | 0.99 | 405 |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals | 10,782 | 552 | 5.4% | $60,987 | 1.24 | 40 |
| Grocery and Convenience Retailers | 4,279 | 528 | 14.1% | $25,619 | 1.06 | 123 |
| Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution | 1,450 | 482 | 49.7% | $102,495 | 2.11 | 86 |
| Total - All Industries | 207,382 | 4,242 | 2.1% | $49,389 | 1.00 | 15,340 |
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 several manufacturing industries are highly concentrated in the region compared with other areas. Mining activities, oil and gas extraction and other farming activity also have high employment specialization in the region (Exhibit 16).
| Industry | Employment | Employment Change, 2012-2022 | Percent Change, 2012-2022 | Average Annual Wages | Location Quotient | Establishments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lime and Gypsum Product Manufacturing | 538 | 156 | 40.7% | $89,541 | 23.97 | 6 |
| Footwear Manufacturing | 332 | 8 | 2.5% | $38,731 | 20.00 | 3 |
| Clay Product and Refractory Manufacturing | 918 | -4 | -0.4% | $52,975 | 17.39 | 2 |
| Support Activities for Mining | 4,439 | -3,761 | -45.9% | $84,557 | 11.69 | 359 |
| Apparel Accessories and Other Apparel Manufacturing | 178 | 114 | 177.7% | $33,885 | 9.57 | 3 |
| Oil and Gas Extraction | 1,451 | -1,149 | -44.2% | $93,763 | 8.88 | 227 |
| Pipeline Transportation of Crude Oil | 135 | -50 | -27.0% | $115,149 | 8.55 | 15 |
| Cattle Ranching and Farming | 1,446 | 251 | 21.0% | $40,329 | 6.21 | 357 |
| Psychiatric and Substance Abuse Hospitals | 1,648 | -57 | -3.4% | $48,911 | 4.78 | 7 |
| Alumina and Aluminum Production and Processing | 377 | -429 | -53.2% | $53,329 | 4.34 | 3 |
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 experienced strong gains experienced saw the strongest job gains between 2012 and 2022. This occupation also had high average annual wages at nearly $90,000. Another high-wage occupation that saw strong growth was registered nurses. Supervisors of food preparation, customer service workers and material movers also experienced strong growth during the period (Exhibit 17).
| Occupation | Employment | Employment Change, 2012-2022 | Percent Change, 2012-2022 | Average Annual Wages | Location Quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General and Operations Managers | 5,650 | 1,732 | 44.2% | $89,800 | 1.13 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | 6,754 | 1,069 | 18.8% | $23,100 | 1.27 |
| Laborers and Material Movers | 8,075 | 956 | 13.4% | $31,800 | 0.81 |
| Customer Service Representatives | 4,502 | 891 | 24.7% | $35,600 | 1.07 |
| Registered Nurses | 5,483 | 629 | 13.0% | $76,000 | 1.20 |
| Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | 2,158 | 532 | 32.7% | $36,500 | 1.08 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | 5,936 | 502 | 9.2% | $23,100 | 1.20 |
| Cooks | 3,532 | 413 | 13.3% | $27,400 | 0.89 |
| Logisticians and Project Management Specialists | 1,136 | 370 | 48.2% | $77,700 | 0.73 |
| Miscellaneous Healthcare Support Occupations | 2,302 | 356 | 18.3% | $34,600 | 0.95 |
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
Northwest 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 Abilene metro area would have more than one and a half the income needed to afford the median home in the area, while the Wichita Falls MSA median income is around twice the amount needed, though affordability has declined in recent years (Exhibit 18).
Exhibit 18 data
| Year | Abilene MSA | Wichita Falls MSA | Texas |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 1.97 | 2.72 | 1.54 |
| 2018 | 1.75 | 2.44 | 1.39 |
| 2019 | 1.71 | 2.45 | 1.43 |
| 2020 | 2.07 | 2.70 | 1.78 |
| 2021 | 1.85 | 2.62 | 1.53 |
| 2022 | 1.63 | 2.04 | 1.19 |
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 Northwest region — located in Abilene and Wichita Falls.
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) oversees the construction and maintenance of state highways through its 25 districts across the state. The Northwest region includes five of these county-based districts, with offices in Abilene, Brownwood, Childress, Fort Worth and Wichita Falls.
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.
| Road Type | Centerline Miles | Lane Miles | Daily Vehicle Miles Traveled | Daily Truck Miles Traveled |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interstate Highways | 269.2 | 1,008.4 | 5,117,735.7 | 1,855,020.7 |
| US Highways | 1,623.5 | 4,388.9 | 7,401,965.6 | 1,913,229.0 |
| State Highways, Spurs, Loops, Business Routes | 1,765.1 | 3,834.7 | 3,402,856.6 | 616,544.6 |
| Farm or Ranch to Market Roads and Spurs | 4,579.8 | 9,218.5 | 1,918,210.4 | 300,743.3 |
| Pass, Parks and Recreation Roads | 23.9 | 47.8 | 2,304.7 | 595.9 |
| Frontage Roads | 565.1 | 1,136.9 | 522,352.4 | 28,223.3 |
| On-System Subtotal | 8,826.5 | 19,635.1 | 18,365,425.4 | 4,714,356.8 |
| City Streets | 3,458.4 | 7,121.4 | 2,109,756.5 | 83,742.8 |
| Certified County Roads | 15,864.0 | 31,727.9 | 675,841.4 | 18,414.0 |
| Toll Road Authority Roads | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Federal Roads | 29.9 | 59.7 | 884.0 | 18.8 |
| Off-System Subtotal | 19,352.2 | 38,909.1 | 2,786,481.9 | 102,175.6 |
| Grand Total | 28,178.7 | 58,544.2 | 21,151,907.3 | 4,816,532.3 |
Transit Districts
Several transit districts help provide safe, reliable and accessible transportation services to citizens of the Upper East region. The region includes two Urban Transit Systems (serving areas with populations between 50,000 and 200,000) in Abilene and Wichita Falls and five Rural Transit Systems (serving areas outside the urbanized area) (Exhibit 20).
| Transit District | Type | Total Operating Expense | Total Revenue | Unlinked Passenger Trips | Passenger Trips Per Capita | Operating Expense Per Trip |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abilene-Citylink | Small Urban | $5,104,038 | $2,498,197 | 310,230 | 2.81 | $16.45 |
| Wichita Falls Transit System | Small Urban | $2,972,837 | $749,144 | 239,774 | 2.41 | $12.40 |
| Aspermont Small Business Development Center | Rural | $1,129,240 | $29,364 | 11,316 | 0.30 | $99.79 |
| Central Texas Rural Transit District | Rural | $5,043,271 | $1,328,456 | 91,683 | 0.48 | $55.01 |
| Rolling Plains Management Corporation | Rural | $3,384,793 | $683,996 | 65,816 | 0.71 | $51.43 |
| South Plains Community Action Association Inc. | Rural | $4,146,996 | $1,288,967 | 108,553 | 0.54 | $38.20 |
| Texoma Area Paratransit System Inc. | Rural | $1,680,409 | $218,262 | 17,217 | 0.08 | $97.60 |
Airports
Texas has 27 airports offering passenger or commercial service airports, including two in the Northwest region — Abilene Regional and Wichita Falls Municipal. Both airports in the Northwest region saw a decrease in the number of enplanements (passenger boardings) in 2022 compared with 2021 (Exhibit 21).
| U.S. Rank | Airport ID | City | Airport Name | 2021 Enplanements | 2022 Enplanements | Percent Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 239 | ABI | Abilene | Abilene Regional | 75,402 | 70,419 | -6.6% |
| 282 | SPS | Wichita Falls | Sheppard AFB/Wichita Falls Municipal | 32,038 | 27,720 | -13.5% |
Source: Federal Aviation Administration
Region vs. Texas
If the Northwest region were a state, it would have the 41st largest area and 50th largest population. The region’s population of those age 65 years and older is on par with the U.S. average and above the Texas average (Exhibit 22).
| Indicator | Northwest Region Value | Rank if Region were a State | Texas Value | U.S. Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Square Miles (land) | 27,304 | 41 | 261,268 | 3,533,038 |
| Population, 2022 | 554,743 | 50 | 30,029,572 | 333,287,557 |
| Population Percent Change, 2012-2022 | 0.9% | 43 | 15.1% | 6.2% |
| Population with a High School Diploma or Higher, 2022 | 87.1% | 41 | 85.2% | 89.1% |
| Population with Bachelor’s Degree or Higher, 2022 | 25.6% | 48 | 32.3% | 34.3% |
| Per Capita Personal Income, 2022 | $52,554 | 46 | $62,586 | $65,470 |
| Median Household Income, 2021 | $54,037 | 46 | $67,321 | $69,021 |
| Population Age 65 or Over, 2022 | 17.8% | 27 | 13.4% | 17.3% |
| Population Under Age 18, 2022 | 22.6% | 17 | 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
Northwest Region Economic Development Highlights
- Pratt & Whitney Canada announced a $10 million investment to expand the capabilities of its engine component repair facility in Wichita Falls, which is expected to create 30 new jobs.
- Bridgestone Bandag, a long-standing manufacturer in the Abilene community, broke ground on the expansion of its retread tire plant, marking a $60 million capital investment. The expansion will create an additional 25 full-time positions and add $21 million in taxes.
- Hendrick Health, a long-standing healthcare system in Abilene, will expand their back office and warehouse operation in the company’s new location at the Mall of Abilene. The expansion will create 151 jobs and have a $324 million economic impact on Abilene.
- ABI Windows, a manufacturer and distributor of windows and building supplies, will invest $42.5 million to establish a facility in Abilene. The project is expected to create 175 jobs.
- Downtown Wichita Falls Development announced that the Golf Factory, a state-of-the-art indoor golf simulator designed with options for all skill levels, will open downtown soon.
- Triangle Brick Co. opened its newest manufacturing plant, located on approximately 1,000 acres, in Clay County.
Questions?
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the material on this page, please contact the Comptroller’s Data Analysis and Transparency Division.