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U.S. Military Installations in Texas Economic Impact on the Texas Economy, 2017
The Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts analyzed the economic impact of the various U.S. Military installations within Texas (bases in Texas) on the state’s economy at the request of the Texas Military Preparedness Commission (TMPC). The Comptroller estimates that a compilation of the populations directly affiliated with bases in Texas contributed at least $101.6 billion to the Texas economy in 2017.[1]
Bases in Texas provided the data used in this analysis to the TMPC. Starting with this information, the Comptroller's office collected additional data from each of the state’s 13 U.S. military installations using a survey designed to ensure consistency in determining the total direct and indirect contribution of the base’s populations to state-level employment, gross domestic product, output and disposable personal income.[2] Below is a compilation of the economic contribution derived from these data of the population associated with bases in Texas.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total direct employment | 224,065 |
| Total employment [3] | 624,690 |
| Output [4] | $101,613,187,000 |
| Gross domestic product [5] | $62,332,277,000 |
| Disposable personal income [6] | $39,796,577,000 |
Source: Regional Economic Models, Inc. (REMI) - model for Texas
Although the estimated total contributions presented above provide a strong indicator of the economic importance of bases in Texas to the state, the Comptroller acknowledges there is potential for additional positive economic impact to the state. Each installation’s distinctive characteristics contribute to the Texas economy but, while instrumental to the state’s economic growth, cannot always be precisely quantified. Data from U.S. military bases in Texas were compiled and used for the analysis and is provided below.
U.S. Military Bases Located in Texas
| Description | Full Time Equivalent (FTE) |
|---|---|
| FULL-TIME DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE | |
| Active Duty Army | 73,100 |
| Active Duty Navy & Marines | 6,429 |
| Active Duty Air Force | 24,532 |
| Active Duty Coast Guard | 127 |
| Active Duty National Guard | 5,340 |
| Civilian Personnel Appropriated | 45,715 |
| Civilian Personnel Non-Appropriated | 11,400 |
| PART-TIME DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE | |
| Army Reserve | 6,635 |
| Navy Reserve | 1,114 |
| Air Force Reserve | 1,379 |
| Coast Guard Reserve | 330 |
| Part-time Civilian Personnel Appropriated | 254 |
| Part-time Civilian Personnel Non-Appropriated | 1,438 |
| OTHER | |
| Contractors, Total (staff) | 22,943 |
| Average Daily Student Load | 23,329 |
| Total Direct Employment | 224,065 |
| Description | Number |
|---|---|
| Dependents | 186,367 |
| On-installation School Attendance | 11,646 |
| Off-installation School Attendance | 65,575 |
| Military retirees accessing station/base/post/camp facilities or resources (e.g. hospitals, PXs, exchanges, etc.) |
577,597 |
End Notes
- This study represents an analysis of the economic impact of the population and employees directly affiliated with the base. This includes active duty, visiting, and other military personnel, dependents, civilian employees and contractors directly affiliated with the base – as reported in documents emailed to Alexandra Taylor, Texas Military Preparedness Commission and additional clarification interviews.
- Estimate inputs and assumptions include the following: (1) all data submitted is for 2017; (2) input includes full-time, permanent employees and a full-time equivalent (FTE) for any part-time employees; (3) dependents are associated with bases in Texas; (4) all economic impact is within Texas.
- Total employment” refers to both direct and indirect employment.
- “Output” refers to the total value of all goods and services (both final and intermediate) produced in Texas.
- “Gross domestic product” refers to the total value of all final goods and services produced in Texas.
- “Disposable personal income” refers to post-income-tax income.