economy

Alamo Region Snapshot 2015

As the state's chief financial officer, I am charged with monitoring the economic health of our state. Therefore, it's vitally important that my office studies factors related to our regional economies.

The 19 counties comprising the Alamo Region have helped boost Texas' remarkable growth and resiliency over the past 10 years.

Below, we track regional trends in population growth, personal income, jobs and wages, education and water — a wildcard issue that, if left unaddressed, could curtail continued economic expansion.

– Glenn Hegar
Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts

Alamo Region Counties

• Atascosa
• Bandera
• Bexar
• Calhoun
• Comal
• Dewitt
• Frio
• Gillespie
• Goliad
• Gonzales
• Guadalupe
• Jackson
• Karnes
• Kendall
• Kerr
• Lavaca
• Medina
• Victoria
• Wilson

Key Industries 2016

• Data Processing, Hosting, and Related Services
• Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing
• Motor Vehicle Manufacturing
• Oil and Gas Extraction
• Support Activities for Mining
• Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing
• Cable and Subscription Programming
• Medical and Diagnostic Laboratories
• Commercial and Industrial Machinery and Equipment Rental and Leasing
• Federal Government (Military)
• Insurance Carriers
• Depository Credit Intermediation

Population Growth

Alamo Region vs. Texas and U.S. 2004-2014

• Region: 23%
• Texas: 20%
• U.S.: 9%

Source: Bureau of Economic Analysis and Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts

San Antonio is the seventh-largest city in the United States.

The Alamo Region accounted for 13% of all net migration to Texas in 2014 and it accounts for 10% of the total Texas population.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau and Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts

Personal Income

Personal income in the Alamo Region rose from $63 billion in 2004 to nearly $110 billion in 2014. It accounted for 9 percent of the state's $1.23 trillion of personal income in 2014.

The Alamo Region's per capita personal income growth lagged behind the Texas average, largely due to its faster growth in the non-working-age population.

Alamo Region Income Highlights

County	2014 Per Capita Income	10-Year Per Capita Income Growth
Kendall	$65,960	66%
Gillespie	$51,224	59%
Comal	$49,626	51%
DeWitt	$47,470	109%
Victoria	$47,419	57%
Kerr	$44,059	43%
Lavaca	$43,525	67%
Gonzales	$41,629	65%
Bandera	$40,868	48%
Bexar	$40,857	37%
Karnes	$40,545	124%
Jackson	$40,467	60%
Goliad	$40,243	63%
Wilson	$39,301	54%
Calhoun	$39,013	72%
Guadalupe	$38,439	41%
Atascosa	$37,172	73%
Medina	$35,478	54%
Frio	$35,084	107%

Source: Bureau of Economic Analysis and Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts

Per Capita Personal Income Growth
2004-2014

• Region: 43%
• Texas: 47%
• U.S.: 34%

Source: Bureau of Economic Analysis and Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts

Jobs and Wages

Job Growth: 2004-2014

In 2014, Texas wages were $7,700 (or 17 percent) higher than the Alamo Region average. Nearly three-quarters of the region's total job growth occurred in Bexar County.

• Region: 21.1%
• Texas: 21.7%
• U.S.: 5.5%

Source: Economic Modeling Specialists Intl. and Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts

Education

Alamo Region Public High School Graduates, 2014

• Bexar County Percentage: 69%
  • San Antonio's Northside ISD & North East ISD: 38%
  • Other school districts in Bexar County percentage: 31%
• Other Counties in Alamo Region percentage: 31%

Bexar County produced 69 percent of the Alamo Region's public high school graduates in 2014.

Northside ISD and North East ISD, both in Bexar County, accounted for more than a third of all Alamo Region graduates.

Source: Texas Education Agency and Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts

Water

Although the Alamo region had more water than it needed in 2010, it is projected to face water shortages by 2020. This factor could hinder economic and demographic growth; shortages are projected to grow through 2060, when the region is expected to need 22 percent more water than it will have available.

To address these challenges, areas like Bexar County strive to curb consumption through comprehensive water conservation strategies. San Antonio has reduced its per capita water consumption by 40 percent over the past 30 years despite having one of the fastest growing populations in the country.

Source: San Antonio Water System

Projected Water Supply vs. Demand 2010-2060

Year	Water Demand	Existing Water Supplies
2010	885,093	977,724
2020	993,753	976,987
2030	1,046,851	971,246
2040	1,090,747	966,430
2050	1,134,749	965,432
2060	1,183,475	964,859

Source: Texas Water Development Board and Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts

Conclusion

The Alamo Region is one of Texas' fastest-growing and most vibrant regions. It rolls from the Hill Country to the coast, encompassing both the nation's seventh-largest city and rural counties known for their wildflowers, tourist attractions and burgeoning wineries. No wonder the region accounted for a substantial portion of the state's net migration in 2014.

Population growth has not come without a price, however. Rapid expansion has dampened per capita income growth, and wages lag behind state averages. The region also must continue securing water supplies to match the needs of its populace and industry — a process already under way with implementation of some of the state's most progressive management policies.

Overall, the region has reaped the benefits of a strong economy while maintaining a heritage that, from dining to architecture to music and beyond, has played a major role in shaping Texas' character.

Questions?

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