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Southeast Region Snapshot2015
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 15 counties comprising the Southeast Region cover the eastern portion of the state bordering Louisiana and the Gulf Coast.
Below, we track regional trends in population growth, personal income, jobs and wages, education and health care access — a wildcard issue that, if left unaddressed, could curtail continued economic expansion.
Glenn Hegar
Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
Southeast Region Counties
- Angelina
- Hardin
- Houston
- Jasper
- Jefferson
- Nacogdoches
- Newton
- Orange
- Polk
- Sabine
- San Augustine
- San Jacinto
- Shelby
- Trinity
- Tyler
The Southeast Region accounts for 59 percent of Texas' forestry and logging.
Source: Economic Modeling Specialists Intl.
Key Industries 2016
- Forestry and Logging
- Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing
- Wood Product Manufacturing
- Chemical Manufacturing
- Paper Manufacturing
- Primary Metal Manufacturing
- Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction
- Pipeline Transportation
Population Growth
Southeast Region vs. Texas and U.S., 2004-2014
- Region: 3%
- Texas: 20%
- U.S.: 9%
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis
Nacogdoches County is Texas' largest blueberry producer.
Source: Nacogdoches Economic Development Corporation
The median age of the Southeast region in 2010: 37.9.
The median age of Texas: 33.6.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
Personal Income
Personal income in the Southeast Region increased from $18.8 billion in 2004 to $28.9 billion in 2014. It accounted for 2.3 percent of the state's $1.23 trillion in personal income in 2014.
| County | 2014 Per Capita Income | 10-Year Per Capita Income Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Hardin | $43,262 | 65% |
| Shelby | $40,083 | 61% |
| Orange | $39,933 | 65% |
| Jefferson | $39,532 | 50% |
| Jasper | $37,747 | 58% |
| Angelina | $37,132 | 36% |
| Polk | $36,102 | 42% |
| Houston | $34,720 | 52% |
| Sabine | $34,318 | 48% |
| San Augustine | $32,516 | 55% |
| Nacogdoches | $32,337 | 40% |
| Trinity | $31,769 | 42% |
| San Jacinto | $31,607 | 48% |
| Tyler | $30,191 | 43% |
| Newton | $28,802 | 61% |
Source: Bureau of Economic Analysis and Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
Per Capita Personal Income Growth, 2004-2014
- Region: 50%
- Texas: 47%
- U.S.: 34%
Source: Bureau of Economic Analysis and Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
Per capita personal income rose by 50 percent, slightly faster than the state's 47 percent average.
Despite faster growth, the region's level of per capita income remained below the state average throughout the period. The Southeast's income grew from $24,993 in 2004 to $37,522 in 2014, compared to Texas' growth from $31,077 to $45,669.
Jobs and Wages
Job Growth, 2004-2014
- Region: 2.9%
- Texas: 21.7%
- U.S.: 5.5%
Source: Economic Modeling Specialists Intl.
The Southeast Region added more than 7,800 jobs from 2004 to 2014.
Jobs in the Beaumont-Port Arthur metropolitan statistical area increased 4.9 percent during this period, and jobs in the region's non-metropolitan counties remained even.
The region's wages were 15 percent below the Texas average of $52,537 in 2014.
With a crude oil capacity of 600,000 barrels a day, Motiva Port Arthur Refinery is the largest refinery in the nation.
Source: Motiva Enterprises, LLC
Education
Southeast Region Public High School Graduates, 2014
- Jefferson County: 29.9%
- Angelina County: 14.1%
- Orange County:13.1%
- Other Counties in South Region
Jefferson, Angelina and Orange counties produced 57 percent of the region's public high school graduates in 2014.
Twelve counties split the remaining 43 percent of graduates.
Source: Texas Education Agency and Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
Health Care Access
Demand for health care tends to increase with age, and the Southeast Region's median age is 4.3 years older than the rest of Texas. The region will require a steady supply of health care professionals, yet the number of physicians (per 100,000 residents) in the region decreased 2 percent from 2007 to 2015. Texas overall has seen a 13 percent bump in this measure over the same period.
| Year | Southeast Region | Texas |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| 2008 | -0.1% | 1.3% |
| 2009 | 2.2% | 1.0% |
| 2010 | 2.5% | 3.6% |
| 2011 | 0.9% | 5.3% |
| 2012 | 0.5% | 8.0% |
| 2013 | -0.7% | 8.7% |
| 2014 | -1.7% | 11.1% |
| 2015 | -2.3% | 13.2% |
Source: Texas Medical Board, Texas Department of State Health Services, and Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
The first major oil gusher occurred in 1901 at Spindletop Hill, south of Beaumont.
Source: Handbook of Texas
Conclusion
Nestled within the Piney Woods, the Southeast Region is the heart of the state's forestry, logging and wood product manufacturing industries. While overall job growth was modest in the Southeast region from 2003 to 2013, average wages increased over the period, driven by high-demand jobs with higher-than-average salaries related to the oil and gas industry.
Health care remains a regional challenge. The Southeast must find ways to not only retain physicians but also attract enough new physicians to keep up with population growth. The region must also continue to find ways of expanding health insurance coverage. If the gap between regional and state health coverage rates begins to close, demand for health care services will increase, and the issue of physician retention will become more of a problem.
Overall, this region retains its majestic beauty while supporting key economic drivers such as shipping and crude oil refining.
Questions?
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the material on this page, please contact the Comptroller’s Data Analysis and Transparency Division.