Texas  

Population       
Employment       
                            Industry        

Texas ranks number one in the United States
in export revenues. Its total exports in 
2004 totaled
$117.2 billion

Source: Business and Industry Data Center

Population

The population of the Lone Star State reached 22,490,022 in 2004, according to the latest estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau. The 2000 Census indicates that 82.5 percent of Texas' population lives in metropolitan areas. The urbanizing of Texas is underscored by recent growth trends -- the state’s metropolitan areas accounted for over 91 percent of Texas population growth between 1990 and 2000. Growth has occurred primarily in the large metropolitan areas of Austin, Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio. Austin added 403,536 people during the 1990s, increasing its population by nearly 50 percent. Other areas with significant growth are cities located along the Mexico border, such as McAllen, Brownsville, and Laredo. One of the fastest growing regions in the state, the Lower Rio Grande Valley, houses two adjacent urban areas - McAllen and Brownsville. Together they added 261,025 people between 1990 and 2000, about the same as the increase for the entire San Antonio metro area during the same period.

According to the most recent population projections from the Texas State Data Center at A&M, the Texas population is expected to reach 35 million by 2040. This would represent approximately a 68-percent increase in the state’s population when compared to its population figures of from 20.85 million in 2000. Hispanics will account for 83 percent of this growth and are expected to outnumber Anglos in Texas by 2020. (These projections are based on the State Data Center's "0.5" migration scenario.)  In 2005, Texas became the fourth "majority-minority" state, with a minority population comprising 50.2% of its total population, according to U.S. Census Bureau population estimates.

Employment Performance 

Texas employment gained 124,800 non-agricultural jobs in 2004.  In December 2004, Texas' non-agricultural employment grew by 7,000 jobs. This was the largest over-the-year gain since May 2001 and marked six consecutive months of state nonagricultural job growth. Texas is keeping pace with national employment growth rates and showing positive job growth in most industry areas. Between December 2003 and December 2004, Texas saw a non-farm employment percentage change of over 1 percent.