This analysis predates the COVID-19 crisis and the economic impacts that followed. It is offered as an overview of the Metroplex regional economy and a resource for comparative purposes.
The 19-county Metroplex region covers about 15,600 square miles in northern Texas, stretching from Oklahoma south to the Brazos River and from the Cedar Creek Reservoir on the east to Possum Kingdom Lake on the west.
The Metroplex region includes two metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs): the Sherman-Denison MSA, composed of Grayson County, and the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington MSA. The Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington MSA, in turn, comprises two Metropolitan Divisions (MDs): the Fort Worth-Arlington MD, which includes Hood, Johnson, Parker, Somervell, Tarrant and Wise counties, and the Dallas-Plano-Irving MD, which includes Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Hunt, Kaufman and Rockwall counties. Counties in the region not associated with an MSA include Cooke, Erath, Fannin, Navarro and Palo Pinto counties. The Metroplex region revolves around the cities of Dallas (Dallas County) and Fort Worth (Tarrant County). Dallas is the third-largest city in Texas; Dallas and Fort Worth are among the nation’s fastest-growing cities.
This report examines regional economic trends including population, household income, jobs and wages, and education, as well as economic conditions unique to the Metroplex region.
Population
The Metroplex region had an estimated total population of about 8 million in 2019, or about 27.5 percent of the state’s total population. This marked an increase of about 18.5 percent (more than 1.2 million people) since the 2010 Census. Dallas and Tarrant counties, respectively, contained an estimated 33 percent and 26.3 percent of the region’s population. The Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington MSA accounted for 94.9 percent of the region’s population and 26.1 percent of the state’s population.
From 2010 to 2019, the region’s population grew faster than that of the state as a whole (Exhibit 1), and while the population of each county in the region rose during this period, Collin, Denton, Kaufman and Rockwall counties outpaced all others, each growing by more than 30 percent — twice as fast as the state’s population.
Exhibit 1
Metroplex Region Population by County,
2010 and 2019
County
2010 Census
Estimate
(as of July 2019)
Change 2010 to 2019
Percent Change
Collin
782,341
1,034,730
252,389
32.3%
Cooke
38,437
41,257
2,820
7.3%
Dallas
2,368,139
2,635,516
267,377
11.3%
Denton
662,614
887,207
224,593
33.9%
Ellis
149,610
184,826
35,216
23.5%
Erath
37,890
42,698
4,808
12.7%
Fannin
33,915
35,514
1,599
4.7%
Grayson
120,877
136,212
15,335
12.7%
Hood
51,182
61,643
10,461
20.4%
Hunt
86,129
98,594
12,465
14.5%
Johnson
150,934
175,817
24,883
16.5%
Kaufman
103,350
136,154
32,804
31.7%
Navarro
47,735
50,113
2,378
5.0%
Palo Pinto
28,111
29,189
1,078
3.8%
Parker
116,927
142,878
25,951
22.2%
Rockwall
78,337
104,915
26,578
33.9%
Somervell
8,490
9,128
638
7.5%
Tarrant
1,809,034
2,102,515
293,481
16.2%
Wise
59,127
69,984
10,857
18.4%
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington MSA
6,426,214
7,573,136
1,206,594
19.0%
City of Dallas
1,197,816
1,343,573
145,757
12.2%
City of Fort Worth
741,206
909,585
168,379
22.7%
Metroplex Region Total
6,733,179
7,978,890
1,245,711
18.5%
Texas Total
25,145,561
28,995,881
3,850,320
15.3%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
Population Composition
According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2018 American Community Survey, the Metroplex region’s median age was on par with that of the state. While 13 of the region’s 19 counties had a median age significantly higher than the state’s median age of 34.2 years in 2018, the region’s most populous counties were on par with the state, and Erath County’s population was one of Texas’ youngest, at a median of 30.2 years. The Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington MSA had a median age on par with that of the state.
Nearly 28 percent of the Metroplex region’s total population was Hispanic in 2018 — more than 11 percentage points lower than the state’s total Hispanic share of 38.6 percent (Exhibit 2).
Household Income
The Metroplex region’s median household income was $67,546 in 2018. Texas’ household income is generally distributed among five income levels (Exhibit 3). Of more than 9 million Texas households, 21 percent had incomes of less than $25,000 in 2018, while 17 percent had incomes greater than $125,000. In every region in the state, nearly 18 percent of households had average incomes between $50,000 and $75,000. In the Metroplex region, about 39.5 percent of the region’s households had incomes of less than $50,000, versus about 44 percent for the state.
Exhibit 2
Metroplex Region Population by Race and Ethnicity, 2018
Ethnicity
Metroplex Region
State Total
Hispanic
27.7%
38.6%
Black (not Hispanic)
14.6%
11.6%
White (not Hispanic)
49.4%
43.4%
Other
8.3%
6.3%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
Exhibit 3
Metroplex Region and Texas Household Income Percentile, 2018
Income Level
Metroplex Region
State Total
less than $25,000
17.5%
21.1%
$25,000 to $50,000
22.0%
23.0%
$50,000 to $75,000
18.2%
17.9%
$75,000 to $125,000
22.0%
20.6%
more than $125,000
20.3%
17.4%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
Regional Industries
In 2019, the Metroplex region accounted for nearly 30 percent of the state’s total employment, making it the largest employment base in the state. Exhibit 4 lists the industries with the greatest regional employment concentrations compared to the national average, as measured by location quotient (LQ). LQ represents an industry’s proportionate concentration in the region; an LQ greater than 1.0 means that industry employment is more concentrated in the region than nationally. A high LQ can identify industries that have a competitive advantage in the region, such as the ability to produce products more efficiently and of a higher quality.
Based on location quotients, the Metroplex region is a leader in air transportation, oil and gas extraction and banking.
Exhibit 4
Top 10 Metroplex Region Industries, 2019
Industry
LQ
Number Employed
Average Annual Wages
Air Transportation
3.06
39,308
$142,886
Oil and Gas Extraction
2.76
10,207
$205,730
Monetary Authorities- Central Bank
2.14
1,086
$108,973
Telecommunications
1.94
35,413
115,601
Credit Intermediation and Related Activities
1.68
113,480
$95,390
Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions
1.67
10,526
$30,859
Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing
1.64
44,927
$141,422
Data Processing, Hosting and Related Services
1.56
13,787
$116,614
Lessors of Nonfinancial Intangible Assets (except Copyrighted Works)
1.47
864
$194,531
Support Activities for Transportation
1.46
30,307
$68,566
Total - All Industries
0.99
3,725,387
$63,128
Data are as of Q4 2019 except wage data, which are for covered employment in 2018.
Source: JobsEQ
U.S. Military Installation Impact
Texas has 14 U.S. military installations within its borders. In 2019, these bases directly employed more than 226,000 and supported nearly 634,000 jobs in all. They also contributed an estimated $75.3 billion annually to the state’s gross domestic product (GDP). Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, they only installation within the Metroplex region, supported an estimated 20,000 jobs and contributed about $2.3 billion to the state’s GDP in 2019 (Exhibit 5).
Exhibit 5
U.S. Military Impact on the Metroplex Region Estimated 2019
Region
Total Jobs Supported
Contribution to State GDP
Metroplex
20,042
$2.3 billion
State of Texas
633,892
$75.3 billion
Sources: Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, Texas Military Preparedness Commission and REMI
From 2009 to 2019, Metroplex regional employment rose by more than 25 percent or more than 746,000 jobs (Exhibit 6), higher growth than in the state. Employment in the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington MSA increased by nearly 26 percent and contributed most of the region’s job growth.
Exhibit 6
Metroplex Region Employment Trends, 2019
Area
Number of Jobs (2019)
Actual Change (2009 to 2019)
Percent Change (2009 to 2019)
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington MSA
3,570,137
732,190
25.8%
Metroplex Region
3,705,805
746,115
25.2%
Texas
12,531,100
2,284,407
22.3%
United States
147,886,638
17,768,373
13.7%
Note: Figures include private- and public-sector employees with the exception of active-duty military personnel, railroad employees, religious institution employees and the self-employed.
Sources: JobsEQ and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Significant Regional Occupations
The Metroplex region’s most significant occupations are shown in Exhibits 7 and 8, first by location quotient and second by numeric growth during the last five years.
Exhibit 7
Top Occupations in the Metroplex Region by Location Quotient,
2014 to 2019
Occupation
Number Employed
Average Annual Wages
LQ
Unemployment Rate
Five-Year Employment Change
Air Transportation Workers
18,779
$110,200
2.65
0.5%
4,977
Electrical and Electronic Equipment Mechanics, Installers and Repairers
22,837
$49,000
1.48
2.5%
1,442
Sales Representatives, Services
76,050
$73,500
1.36
2.6%
18,566
Extraction Workers
7,707
$43,500
1.33
4.9%
-3,402
Helpers, Construction Trades
8,003
$32,400
1.30
7.2%
-157
Note: Data are as of Q4 2019 except wage data, which are for covered employment in 2018.
Source: JobsEQ
Exhibit 8
Top Occupations in the Metroplex Region by Numeric Growth,
2014 to 2019
Occupation
Number Employed
Average Annual Wages
LQ
Unemployment Rate
Five-Year Employment Change
Food and Beverage Serving Workers
203,231
$22,300
1.03
5.6%
32,971
Material Moving Workers
141,458
$32,600
1.10
5.9%
27,940
Computer Occupations
136,708
$93,800
1.20
1.9%
27,841
Business Operations Specialists
129,793
$76,000
0.95
2.6%
24,748
Construction Trades Workers
151,510
$39,900
1.05
5.2%
23,915
Note: Data are as of Q4 2019 except wage data, which are for covered employment in 2018.
Source: JobsEQ
Education
A strong educational foundation provides a cornerstone for growth and competitiveness in the global economy, offering opportunities for workplace advancement and business expansion.
Wages by Educational Attainment
Post-secondary education delivers a good return on investments of time and tuition. In the Metroplex region, workers with some college or associate degrees and with stable jobs — defined as those employed with the same firm throughout a calendar quarter — earned an average of $5,338 more annually in 2018 than those with high school degrees, while those with at least a bachelor’s degree earned an average of $24,350 more (Exhibit 9).
Exhibit 9
Average Annual Earnings by Educational Attainment, Metroplex Region and Texas, 2018
Educational Attainment
Number Employed, Region
Percent of Region
Average Annual Earnings, Region
Number Employed, Texas
Percent of Texas
Average Annual Earnings, Texas
Less than High School
538,481
15.0%
$41,304
2,065,483
17.1%
$42,808
High School or Equivalent, No College
790,302
22.1%
$47,257
2,765,759
22.9%
$52,035
Some College or Associate Degree
967,689
27.0%
$52,595
3,245,675
26.9%
$60,428
Bachelor’s Degree or Advanced Degree
835,104
23.3%
$71,607
2,454,975
20.3%
$95,716
Educational Attainment Unavailable
450,929
12.6%
$21,399
1,544,282
12.8%
$22,087
Total
3,582,505
$50,105
12,076,174
$58,787
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau and JobsEQ
The Metroplex region’s high school graduation rate has regularly mirrored the state’s rate. During the 2017-18 school year, 89.6 percent of the region’s public high school senior students graduated, on par with the state’s rate of 90 percent (Exhibit 10).
Exhibit 10
Metroplex Region Public High School Graduation Rates,
2009-10 to 2017-18 School Year
Region
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
Metroplex
85.0%
85.9%
87.7%
87.8%
88.2%
88.6%
88.8%
89.5%
89.6%
Texas
84.3%
85.9%
87.7%
88.0%
88.3%
89.0%
89.1%
89.7%
90.0%
Source: Texas Education Agency
Many high school graduates enroll in postsecondary programs, which offer greater job prospects and the possibility of higher wages. Residents of the Metroplex region enjoy the state’s largest variety of options for higher educational achievement (Exhibit 11).
Exhibit 11 Metroplex Region Institutions of Higher Education
Universities
Amberton University
Austin College
Dallas Baptist University
Paul Quinn College
Southern Methodist University
Southwestern Adventist University
Southwestern Assemblies of God University
Southwestern Christian College
Tarleton State University
Texas A&M University-Commerce
Texas Christian University
Texas Wesleyan University
Texas Woman's University
The University of Texas at Arlington
The University of Texas at Dallas
University of Dallas
University of North Texas
University of North Texas at Dallas
UNT Dallas College of Law
Health Science Schools
The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
University of North Texas Health Science Center
Junior and Community Colleges
Collin County Community College District
Dallas County Community College
Brookhaven College
Cedar Valley College
Eastfield College
El Centro College
Mountain View College
North Lake College
Richland College
Grayson College
Navarro College
North Central Texas College
Parker University
Tarrant County College
Connect Campus
Northeast Campus
Northwest Campus
South Campus
Southeast Campus
Trinity River Campus
Texas State Technical College-North Texas
Weatherford College
Source: Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
The Metroplex region’s eight community college districts provided technical and academic coursework for about 190,000 students in the 2017-18 school year (Exhibit 12).
Exhibit 12
Metroplex Region Community College Overview, 2017-18 School Year
*The percentage of academic or technical graduates employed in the fourth quarter of the calendar year after graduation and/or enrolled in a Texas two- or four-year institution in the following fall after graduation, as specified.
Source: Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
In that year, community colleges in the Metroplex region awarded more than 14,000 certificates and associate degrees in general studies and liberal arts; the next most-common awards were for health professions, business administration and marketing (Exhibit 13).
Exhibit 13
Top 10 Certificates and Degree Awards in the Metroplex Region’s Community Colleges,
2017-18 School Year
Certificates and Degrees
Number Awarded
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
14,150
Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences
7,290
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services
3,852
Personal and Culinary Services
2,990
Mechanic and Repair Technologies/Technicians
2,489
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services
1,548
Security and Protective Services
1,119
Engineering Technologies/Technicians
1,010
Skilled Precision Production of Leather, Metal or Wood Products
679
Education
545
Source: JobsEQ
Regional Economy
The relative health of the Metroplex region’s economy can be gauged by its sales tax revenue and by comparisons with other areas on education, population, per capita income and unemployment rate. Together, these data are good indicators of the region’s economic dynamics and competitiveness.
Sales Tax Revenue
Sales taxes are inherently volatile in the short term but when reviewed over time can provide a useful indication of the state’s economic condition.
Between 2007 and 2019, sales receipts subject to state sales tax directly attributed to the Metroplex region trended upward. The region’s taxable sales climbed significantly following the 2009 recession, and receipts from 2019 indicate that upward climb continued to accelerate (Exhibit 14). For 2019, receipts subject to state sales tax directly attributable to businesses in the Metroplex region exceeded $127 billion, contributing about 23 percent to the state’s overall taxable sales. The Fort Worth-Arlington MD directly accounted for $36.2 billion of this amount, while Dallas-Plano-Irving directly accounted for $86.7 billion.
Exhibit 14
Metroplex Region, Taxable Sales, 2007-2019
Year
Revenue Metroplex Region
2007
87.7 billion dollars
2008
91.4 billion dollars
2009
81.5 billion dollars
2010
82.0 billion dollars
2011
88.5 billion dollars
2012
94.4 billion dollars
2013
98.4 billion dollars
2014
105.0 billion dollars
2015
106.5 billion dollars
2016
109.5 billion dollars
2017
115.0 billion dollars
2018
121.0 billion dollars
2019
127.2 billion dollars
Note: Numbers shown are for reported revenue subject to sales tax and directly attributed to the region.
Source: Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
In 1997, the U.S., Canada and Mexico jointly released the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS), which classifies all business enterprises for the purpose of collecting, analyzing and publishing economic statistics. A review of two-digit NAICS codes allows for a broad analysis of industry sectors.
In 2019, the Metroplex region’s retail trade and food services and accommodation sectors contributed most to taxable sales, together accounting for 53.5 percent of the region’s total taxable sales. Also of note were the wholesale trade, construction and manufacturing sectors, which contributed a combined 21 percent of the region’s reported taxable sales.
Metroplex Region vs. the U.S.
Exhibit 15 shows how the Metroplex region compares with other states and the nation on a number of demographic and economic measures. The Metroplex region would be the 42nd largest state in terms of land area (sized between West Virginia and Maryland) and have the 13th largest population. The region would have had the 18th highest per capita income in 2018 and the 13th highest share of residents with bachelor’s degrees.
Exhibit 15
Metroplex Region Compared to the U.S.
Measure
Metroplex Region
Rank if Region
were a State
Texas
State Rank
U.S.
Square Miles
15,574
42
268,597
2
3,531,905
Population, 2019
7,978,8890
13
28,995,881
2
328,239,523
Population with at Least a High School Diploma, 2018
85.2%
47
83.2%
49
87.7%
Population with Bachelor’s Degree or Higher, 2018
33.7%
13
29.3%
28
31.5%
Population Under 18 Years, 2018
25.8%
2
25.8%
2
22.4%
Population 65 Years and Above, 2018
11.6%
50
12.6%
48
16.0%
Population Percent Change, 2010 to 2019
18.5%
1
15.3%
2
6.3%
Per Capita Income, 2018
$55,249
18
$50,355
26
$54,446
Unemployment Rate, 2019
3.3%
18
3.5%
27
3.7%
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
Metroplex Regional Summary
The Metroplex region is a microcosm of the state, both urban and rural, with a vibrant and diverse economy. Tarrant County, with the city of Fort Worth at its center, and Dallas County, anchored by Dallas, are the region’s twin economic cores.
The Metroplex region and its 19 counties have many unique economic conditions and challenges. If the region were a state, it would be the 13th most populous, similar in population to Washington state. The region’s high school graduation rate mirrors the state’s rate, and it offers many options for higher educational achievement, with 19 universities and two health science schools.
The regional economy is strong and accounts for about 23 percent of the state’s overall taxable sales. From 2009 to 2019, the region saw a higher rate of job growth than the state. The Metroplex region’s concentration of high-paying, high-growth industries (including air transportation, money and banking and technology) make its economy distinctive.
