Top navigation skipped
Exhibit 1
Exhibit 2 Southeast Region, Components of Annual Population Change from Previous Year, 2012-2022
Exhibit 3
Exhibit 4
Share of Population by Race/Ethnicity, Southeast Region, 2012 and 2022
Exhibit 5 Southeast Region, Components of Annual Population Change from Previous Year, 2012-2022
Exhibit 6
Educational Attainment by Gender, Southeast Region, 2022
Exhibit 7
Exhibit 8
Exhibit 9
Exhibit 10
Exhibit 11
Exhibit 12
Median Household Income, Southeast Region and Texas, 2011-2021
Exhibit 13
Exhibit 14
Exhibit 15
Exhibit 16
Exhibit 17
Exhibit 18
Texas Housing Affordability Index by Metropolitan Areas, Southeast Region, 2017-2022
Exhibit 19
Exhibit 20
Exhibit 21
Exhibit 22
Exhibit 23
Southeast Region 2024 Regional Report
About the 2024 Regional Reports
The 2024 regional reports utilize sources from JobsEQ, REMI, Texas A&M Real Estate Center, Texas Department of Transportation, U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts.
Introduction
Texas’ people, industries and geography are all highly diverse. This report examines the Southeast region — one of the 12 economic regions created by the Texas Comptroller’s office — to analyze economic data and trends, as well as the economic conditions unique to each region and the state.
Population
Core based statistical areas (CBSA), classified by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (PDF), describe the socioeconomic relationships between communities and across urban and rural territory. CBSAs consist of one or more counties that include a core urban area (UA) with a population of at least 10,000 and adjacent counties with a high degree of economic and social integration, as measured by commuting ties to that core. There are two types of CBSAs:
- Metropolitan Statistical Areas (metro areas): associated with at least one UA with a population of at least 50,000.
- Micropolitan Statistical Areas (micro areas): associated with at least one UA with a population of at least 10,000.
The Southeast region comprises 15 counties located largely in easternmost Texas, covering more than 12,000 square miles stretching from the Gulf of Mexico to Nacogdoches along the Louisiana border. The Southeast region includes one metropolitan area — Beaumont-Port Arthur — and two micropolitan areas — Lufkin and Nacogdoches.
Exhibit 1 highlights CBSA designations by county and includes population, population density and median ages for all the region’s counties. The Southeast region’s population decreased by 0.1 percent (about 700 people) between 2012 and 2022, compared with a more than 15 percent growth statewide. Polk County led the region in both total population gains, adding 7,700 residents, and percentage growth at 17 percent during this period.
The Beaumont-Port Arthur metropolitan area saw little population growth during the 10-year period, increasing by 1 percent. Population fell by 0.9 percent in micropolitan counties and 2.3 percent in non-CBSA designated counties.
The Southeast region had a median age of 38.8 years in 2021, older than the statewide median age of 35 years. Median ages in the region ranged from 31.2 in Nacogdoches County to 53.9 in Sabine County.
| County | CBSA Title | Metropolitan/ Micropolitan | 2022 Population | Total Change, 2012-2022 | Percent Change, 2012-2022 | Median Age, 2021 | Population Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Angelina | Lufkin | Micropolitan | 87,101 | -410 | -0.5% | 37.7 | 108.3 |
| Hardin | Beaumont-Port Arthur | Metropolitan | 57,811 | 2,682 | 4.9% | 39.8 | 63.1 |
| Houston | N/A | N/A | 21,950 | -1,262 | -5.4% | 44.1 | 17.9 |
| Jasper | N/A | N/A | 32,484 | -3,371 | -9.4% | 42.5 | 35.1 |
| Jefferson | Beaumont-Port Arthur | Metropolitan | 250,830 | -787 | -0.3% | 36.4 | 292.6 |
| Nacogdoches | Nacogdoches | Micropolitan | 64,862 | -1,006 | -1.5% | 31.2 | 68.3 |
| Newton | N/A | N/A | 12,052 | -2,381 | -16.5% | 44.7 | 13.1 |
| Orange | Beaumont-Port Arthur | Metropolitan | 84,934 | 2,026 | 2.4% | 38 | 254.1 |
| Polk | N/A | N/A | 53,255 | 7,738 | 17.0% | 44 | 47.4 |
| Sabine | N/A | N/A | 10,048 | -478 | -4.5% | 53.9 | 20.1 |
| San Augustine | N/A | N/A | 7,857 | -932 | -10.6% | 48.7 | 14.9 |
| San Jacinto | Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands | Metropolitan | 28,348 | 1,392 | 5.2% | 45.3 | 48.1 |
| Shelby | N/A | N/A | 24,008 | -2,054 | -7.9% | 38.9 | 30.2 |
| Trinity | N/A | N/A | 13,996 | -379 | -2.6% | 49.3 | 19.6 |
| Tyler | N/A | N/A | 20,030 | -1,474 | -6.9% | 42.6 | 21.4 |
| Southeast Region Total* | N/A | N/A | 769,566 | -696 | -0.1% | 38.8 | 64.0 |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur Metropolitan Area | N/A | N/A | 393,575 | 3,921 | 1.0% | 37.2 | 189.2 |
| All Micropolitan Counties* | N/A | N/A | 151,963 | -1,416 | -0.9% | 34.9 | 86.6 |
| All Non-CBSA Counties* | N/A | N/A | 195,680 | -4,593 | -2.3% | 44.1 | 25.4 |
| Texas Total | N/A | N/A | 30,029,572 | 3,945,452 | 15.1% | 35.0 | 111.6 |
*Median ages are estimated by JobsEQ using the weighted average of the median values from the composing counties.
Note: Population density defined as number of people per square mile of land area.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, Population and Housing Unit Estimates Program; Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts analysis; JobsEQ
The region experienced fluctuations in net domestic migration between 2012 and 2022, including heavy losses in 2018, followed by upticks in 2021 and 2022. Population gains by natural increase (births minus deaths) slowed throughout this period and even declined in 2021 and 2022, coinciding with the COVID-19 pandemic. The region saw net gains in international migration every year during this period (Exhibit 2).
Exhibit 2 data
| Year | Natural Increase | Net Domestic Migration | Net International Migration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 1,637 | -2,858 | 815 |
| 2014 | 1,565 | -2,235 | 1,072 |
| 2015 | 1,666 | 1,547 | 1,057 |
| 2016 | 1,815 | 866 | 842 |
| 2017 | 1,150 | 941 | 695 |
| 2018 | 555 | -5,283 | 513 |
| 2019 | 1,021 | -1,629 | 339 |
| 2020 | 130 | 189 | 326 |
| 2021 | -2,317 | 1,931 | 286 |
| 2022 | -1,658 | 1,933 | 702 |
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, Population and Housing Unit Estimates Program; Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts analysis
Population by Race and Ethnicity
Hispanics led population gains in the Southeast region between 2012 and 2022, growing by nearly 27,700, an increase of 26 percent. The region’s white population, fell by more than 28,700, a 5.9 percent decline. The region’s Black population also experienced a decline of 3.3 percent. Those comprising two or more races and other races saw gains of 30.7 percent during this period, though their total gains were much more modest when compared with Hispanics. The Asian population rose by nearly 13 percent (Exhibit 3).
| Year | White | Black | Asian | Two or More Races and Other Races | Hispanic or Latino | Total Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 486,276 | 152,413 | 12,948 | 12,240 | 106,385 | 770,262 |
| 2022 | 457,540 | 147,332 | 14,624 | 16,002 | 134,068 | 769,566 |
| Total Change | -28,736 | -5,081 | 1,676 | 3,762 | 27,683 | -696 |
| Percent Change | -5.9% | -3.3% | 12.9% | 30.7% | 26.0% | -0.1% |
Note: “Other races” include American Indian and Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islanders.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, Population and Housing Unit Estimates Program; Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts analysis.
The region’s white population fell from 63.1 percent of the total population in 2012 to 59.5 percent in 2022, while the Hispanic population grew from 13.8 percent to 17.4 percent during this period. The region’s Black population remains the second largest racial group, though its regional share fell slightly from 19.8 percent in 2012 to 19.1 percent in 2022. All other racial groups comprised nearly 23 percent of the regional population in 2022 (Exhibit 4).
Exhibit 4 data
| Race/Ethnicity | 2012 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| White | 63.1% | 59.5% |
| Black or African American | 19.8% | 19.1% |
| Asian | 1.7% | 1.9% |
| Two or More Races and Other Races | 1.6% | 2.1% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 13.8% | 17.4% |
Note: “Other races” include American Indian and Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islanders.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, Population and Housing Unit Estimates Program; Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts analysis
Population by Age Group
Like the state, the region saw its largest population gains among people ages 65 or older, reflecting the large Baby Boomer cohort (those born between 1946 and 1964). The population aged 4 and under fell by nearly 2 percent statewide and by almost 8 percent regionally. Unlike statewide trends, all other age groups in the region experienced population declines during this period (Exhibit 5).
With its 65-and-older population leading regional population gains, the share of this group grew from around 15 percent in 2012 to almost 18 percent in 2022.
Exhibit 5 data
| Age Group | Southeast Region | Texas |
|---|---|---|
| 65 or older | 17.1% | 41.9% |
| 50 to 64 | -5.1% | 13.0% |
| 35 to 49 | -1.9% | 15.2% |
| 20 to 34 | -3.0% | 14.4% |
| 5 to 19 | -1.0% | 10.0% |
| 0 to 4 | -8.1% | -1.8% |
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, Population and Housing Unit Estimates Program; Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts analysis
Education
Educational Attainment Levels
The share of the Southeast region population with a bachelor’s degree or higher was 17.8 percent in 2022. In 2022, a higher share of women than men in the region had at least a bachelor’s degree, 19.7 percent versus 16 percent (Exhibit 6). Postsecondary educational attainment levels between women and men have widened since 2012, when 16.3 percent of women had at least a bachelor’s degree, compared with 14.6 percent of men.
The share of the region that has earned at least a high school diploma rose from 81.6 percent in 2012 to 85.2 percent in 2022.
Exhibit 6 data
| Educational Attainment | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Less than high school graduate | 15.8% | 13.9% | 14.8% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency) | 37.5% | 32.9% | 35.2% |
| Some college, no degree | 23.6% | 24.1% | 23.9% |
| Associate degree | 7.1% | 9.5% | 8.3% |
| Bachelor's degree | 11.0% | 13.4% | 12.2% |
| Graduate or professional degree | 5.0% | 6.3% | 5.6% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 5-Year Estimates, 2018-2022; Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
Occupational Earnings by Educational Attainment Requirements
A strong educational foundation provides the basis for growth and competitiveness in the global economy. Postsecondary education delivers returns on investments of time and tuition.
Data for 2023 indicate that occupations in the Southeast region requiring at least an associate degree or certificate paid an average of $7,300 more annually than jobs requiring no postsecondary education. Occupations requiring a bachelor’s degree paid an average of $35,700 more annually than those requiring an associate degree or certificate, and occupations requiring a post-graduate degree paid an average of $33,200 more annually than those requiring a bachelor’s degree (Exhibit 7).
| Typical Entry-Level Educational Requirement | Total Employment | Share of Total Regional Employment | Average Annual Wages |
|---|---|---|---|
| No postsecondary award | 197,169 | 67.2% | $41,688 |
| Associate degree or certificate | 24,602 | 8.4% | $49,014 |
| Bachelor's degree | 61,699 | 21.0% | $84,750 |
| Post-graduate degree | 9,986 | 3.4% | $117,987 |
| Total | 293,456 | N/A | $54,000 |
Note: Data as of 2023 Q2
Sources: JobsEQ; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Regional Institutions of Higher Education
The Southeast region offers a variety of options for higher educational achievement, including two public universities and four community colleges. Lamar University in Beaumont had the highest enrollment of the region’s institutions of higher education in 2023 and saw its enrollment rise by 13 percent between 2019 and 2023. Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches saw the largest decrease in enrollment in the region over the last four years, while Lamar State College-Orange and Lamar Institute of Technology saw a 26.2 and 25.5 percent increase, respectively. Enrollment in all institutions of higher education in the region rose by 3.3 percent (Exhibit 8).
| Institution | Type of Institution | Fall 2019 Enrollment | Fall 2023 Enrollment* | Percent Change in Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lamar University | University | 14,811 | 16,721 | 12.9% |
| Stephen F. Austin State University | University | 12,862 | 10,888 | -15.3% |
| Lamar Institute of Technology | Junior or Community College | 4,011 | 5,035 | 25.5% |
| Angelina College | Junior or Community College | 4,564 | 4,062 | -11.0% |
| Lamar State College-Orange | Junior or Community College | 2,395 | 3,022 | 26.2% |
| Lamar State College-Port Arthur | Junior or Community College | 2,710 | 2,988 | 10.3% |
| Total – Southeast Region | N/A | 41,353 | 42,716 | 3.3% |
*Fall 2023 enrollment numbers are preliminary and not certified.
Source: Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
Health Care
Availability of Hospital Services
Residents of the Southeast region have access to a variety of hospital facilities from which to receive services. General hospitals offer a comprehensive range of services and facilities for medical diagnoses and treatments, including surgical services. Special hospitals provide clinical laboratory facilities, diagnostic X-ray facilities, treatment facilities or other definitive medical treatments (Exhibit 9).
| Facility Type | Number of Facilities | Total Number of Beds | Average Number of Beds Per Facility |
|---|---|---|---|
| General and Special Hospital | 24 | 2,353 | 98.0 |
| Private Psychiatric Hospital | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| State Psychiatric Hospital | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
Source: Texas Health and Human Services Commission
Health Care Access
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, one of five Texans under age 65 did not have health insurance in 2021. The rate of uninsured in Texas — 20.3 percent — was the highest among U.S. states and about twice the national average of 10.2 percent.
At 21.1 percent in 2021, the Southeast region’s uninsured rate was higher than the state average, although rates in four of its 15 counties were lower than the state average. The rates of individual counties ranged from a low of 16 percent in Orange County to a high of 26.7 percent in Shelby County (Exhibit 10).
| County | Uninsured Population | Percent Uninsured |
|---|---|---|
| Angelina | 15,643 | 22.5% |
| Hardin | 7,703 | 16.3% |
| Houston | 3,028 | 20.5% |
| Jasper | 4,967 | 19.5% |
| Jefferson | 44,774 | 22.7% |
| Nacogdoches | 11,040 | 22.0% |
| Newton | 2,030 | 22.5% |
| Orange | 11,318 | 16.0% |
| Polk | 7,731 | 20.2% |
| Sabine | 1,483 | 21.3% |
| San Augustine | 1,453 | 25.3% |
| San Jacinto | 4,973 | 23.3% |
| Shelby | 5,189 | 26.7% |
| Trinity | 2,045 | 20.3% |
| Tyler | 3,097 | 22.3% |
| Southeast Region | 126,474 | 21.1% |
Note: Uninsured population includes ages 0-64 only.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Small Area Health Insurance Estimates
Regional Economy and Employment
Gross Domestic Product
Gross domestic product (GDP) in the Southeast region totaled $46.5 billion in 2022, accounting for 1.9 percent of Texas’ GDP. Some of the region’s industries, however, contribute a higher share to the state economy, indicating regional industry specialization. By this measure, the agricultural, forestry, fishing and hunting industry was the most unique and specialized, accounting for about 11.4 percent of the industry GDP statewide. Nondurable goods manufacturing — notably petroleum products and chemical products — also plays an outsize role in the region, accounting for about 7.2 percent of industry GDP in Texas (Exhibit 11).
| Industry | Southeast Region (billions) | Southeast Region Industry GDP as Share of Total Regional GDP | Texas (billions) | Southeast Region Industry GDP as Share of Texas Industry GDP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting | $1.3 | 2.7% | $11.2 | 11.4% |
| Nondurable goods manufacturing | $11.1 | 23.9% | $154.9 | 7.2% |
| Utilities | $1.4 | 3.0% | $41.4 | 3.3% |
| Construction | $2.8 | 6.0% | $110.2 | 2.5% |
| Retail trade | $3.3 | 7.0% | $148.0 | 2.2% |
| All industry total | $46.5 | N/A | $2,402.1 | 1.9% |
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis; Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
Median Household Income
The Southeast region had a median household income of $53,346 in 2021, up from $41,691 in 2011, a 28 percent increase. Median household income in Texas, by comparison, was $67,321 in 2021, up from $50,920 in 2011, a 32.2 percent increase (Exhibit 12).
Exhibit 12 data
| Year | Southeast Region | Texas |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | $41,691 | $50,920 |
| 2012 | $42,209 | $51,563 |
| 2013 | $42,142 | $51,900 |
| 2014 | $42,398 | $52,576 |
| 2015 | $43,125 | $53,207 |
| 2016 | $44,240 | $54,727 |
| 2017 | $45,701 | $57,051 |
| 2018 | $47,730 | $59,570 |
| 2019 | $49,781 | $61,874 |
| 2020 | $50,396 | $63,826 |
| 2021 | $53,346 | $67,321 |
Sources: JobsEQ; American Community Survey, 5-year estimates
Jobs and Industry
Between 2012 and 2022, total regional employment fell by 1.4 percent, lower than growth in Texas (23.5 percent) and the U.S. (13.9 percent). The Beaumont-Port Arthur metro area saw negative employment gains during this period, dropping by nearly 3 percent (Exhibit 13).
| Region | Total Employed, 2022 | Total Change, 2012-2022 | Percent Change, 2012-2022 | Average Annual Wages, 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 150,025,578 | 18,329,359 | 13.9% | $69,986 |
| Texas | 13,249,180 | 2,521,454 | 23.5% | $69,614 |
| Southeast Region | 260,982 | -3,648 | -1.4% | $55,998 |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur Metro Area | 152,257 | -4,427 | -2.8% | $62,045 |
Source: JobsEQ using data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages
The Southeast region’s largest industries by employment are in restaurants, public education, public safety activities and health services. Some of these large regional industry sectors experienced strong employment growth in the 10-year period ending in 2022, including a 13 percent gain in restaurant jobs and 12 percent gain in physician office jobs. Many of these industries also have large location quotient (LQ) levels — a measure of an industry’s relative size in a region compared with its average size in the nation — such as construction-related activities for utility systems and nonresidential buildings. An LQ of 1.25 or higher indicates that the region has a comparative advantage in the industry and that the industry is highly concentrated and unique to the regional economy (Exhibit 14).
| Industry | Employment | Employment Change, 2012-2022 | Percent Change, 2012-2022 | Average Annual Wages | Location Quotient | Establishments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elementary and Secondary Schools | 22,314 | -258 | -1.1% | $43,144 | 1.53 | 102 |
| Restaurants and Other Eating Places | 21,946 | 2,502 | 12.9% | $19,395 | 1.15 | 1,074 |
| Justice, Public Order and Safety Activities | 7,517 | -1,119 | -13.0% | $66,654 | 2.25 | 143 |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals | 7,440 | -1,045 | -12.3% | $62,357 | 0.69 | 26 |
| Home Health Care Services | 7,169 | -1,702 | -19.2% | $29,011 | 2.59 | 160 |
| Warehouse Clubs, Supercenters and Other General Merchandise Retailers | 5,982 | -615 | -9.3% | $28,914 | 1.49 | 269 |
| Utility System Construction | 5,726 | -301 | -5.0% | $91,938 | 5.67 | 107 |
| Offices of Physicians | 5,702 | 592 | 11.6% | $76,876 | 1.11 | 674 |
| Grocery and Convenience Retailers | 5,691 | 103 | 1.8% | $25,605 | 1.14 | 216 |
| Nonresidential Building Construction | 5,175 | -127 | -2.4% | $76,254 | 3.45 | 143 |
| Total - All Industries | 260,982 | -3,648 | -1.4% | $55,998 | 1.00 | 16,517 |
Source: JobsEQ using data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages
Restaurants and other eating places led total employment growth among industries in the region between 2012 and 2022, adding more than 21,000 jobs, a 13 percent gain. The commercial and industrial machinery and equipment repair industry experienced some of the fastest growth, increasing by 106 percent during the period. The industry also boasted high average annual wages, exceeding $83,000 in 2022 (Exhibit 15).
| Industry | Employment | Employment Change, 2012-2022 | Percent Change, 2012-2022 | Average Annual Wages | Location Quotient | Establishments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Restaurants and Other Eating Places | 21,946 | 2,502 | 12.9% | $19,395 | 1.15 | 1,074 |
| Individual and Family Services | 3,797 | 1,751 | 85.6% | $28,792 | 0.71 | 243 |
| Services to Buildings and Dwellings | 3,266 | 1,000 | 44.1% | $34,043 | 0.82 | 354 |
| Outpatient Care Centers | 1,609 | 703 | 77.6% | $57,129 | 0.82 | 94 |
| Commercial and Industrial Machinery and Equipment (except Automotive and Electronic) Repair and Maintenance | 1,250 | 644 | 106.2% | $83,042 | 3.08 | 84 |
| Offices of Physicians | 5,702 | 592 | 11.6% | $76,876 | 1.11 | 674 |
| Support Activities for Rail Transportation | 1,336 | 577 | 76.1% | $62,534 | 21.36 | 22 |
| Machinery, Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers | 2,542 | 542 | 27.1% | $87,008 | 1.94 | 189 |
| Lessors of Real Estate | 1,464 | 519 | 54.9% | $51,640 | 1.27 | 255 |
| Building Material and Supplies Dealers | 3,098 | 472 | 18.0% | $40,339 | 1.38 | 154 |
| Total - All Industries | 260,982 | -3,648 | -1.4% | $55,998 | 1.00 | 16,517 |
Source: JobsEQ using data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages
Ranking regional industries by LQ — a method to identify heavily concentrated and specialized industries in an area — shows that petroleum and coal manufacturing, support activities for rail transportation, pipeline transportation of crude oil, and chemical manufacturing are highly specialized in the region. The pesticide and fertilizer agricultural chemical manufacturing industry had an LQ exceeding 7.0, meaning the industry is seven times as large in the Southeast region compared with the national average. This industry also boasted strong job growth and high average wages from 2012 through 2022 (Exhibit 16).
| Industry | Employment | Employment Change, 2012-2022 | Percent Change, 2012-2022 | Average Annual Wages | Location Quotient | Establishments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing | 4,456 | -294 | -6.2% | $154,423 | 23.69 | 19 |
| Support Activities for Rail Transportation | 1,336 | 577 | 76.1% | $62,534 | 21.36 | 22 |
| Pipeline Transportation of Crude Oil | 279 | -153 | -35.5% | $107,366 | 14.23 | 16 |
| Basic Chemical Manufacturing | 3,505 | -139 | -3.8% | $142,484 | 12.86 | 42 |
| Veneer, Plywood and Engineered Wood Product Manufacturing | 1,812 | 213 | 13.3% | $61,593 | 11.78 | 13 |
| Logging | 838 | 39 | 4.8% | $56,980 | 10.22 | 122 |
| Sawmills and Wood Preservation | 1,526 | 219 | 16.8% | $56,560 | 9.15 | 41 |
| Resin, Synthetic Rubber, and Artificial and Synthetic Fibers and Filaments Manufacturing | 1,552 | -358 | -18.8% | $134,708 | 8.96 | 11 |
| Timber Tract Operations | 94 | -149 | -61.2% | $54,379 | 7.75 | 16 |
| Pesticide, Fertilizer and Other Agricultural Chemical Manufacturing | 476 | 298 | 167.6% | $129,665 | 7.05 | 5 |
| Pulp, Paper and Paperboard Mills | 1,084 | -38 | -3.4% | $115,736 | 6.82 | 3 |
Source: JobsEQ using data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages
Regional Occupations
Among occupations, general and operations managers and logisticians and project management specialists had average wages far above regional averages and saw some of the strongest job gains from 2012 through 2022. Another high-wage occupation that saw strong growth was chemical processing machine setters, operators and tenders. Supervisors of food preparation and customer service workers also saw strong growth during the period (Exhibit 17).
| Occupation | Employment | Employment Change, 2012-2022 | Percent Change, 2012-2022 | Average Annual Wages | Location Quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General and Operations Managers | 7,418 | 2,464 | 49.7% | $100,900 | 1.20 |
| Logisticians and Project Management Specialists | 1,999 | 929 | 86.9% | $93,600 | 1.03 |
| Customer Service Representatives | 4,624 | 697 | 17.8% | $35,700 | 0.88 |
| Laborers and Material Movers | 11,011 | 677 | 6.5% | $33,100 | 0.89 |
| Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | 2,669 | 586 | 28.1% | $38,600 | 1.07 |
| Cooks | 4,309 | 571 | 15.3% | $28,600 | 0.87 |
| Driver/Sales Workers and Truck Drivers | 6,333 | 542 | 9.4% | $47,200 | 0.98 |
| Chemical Processing Machine Setters, Operators and Tenders | 1,129 | 413 | 57.7% | $70,700 | 3.64 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | 7,566 | 407 | 5.7% | $23,800 | 1.15 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | 2,593 | 379 | 17.1% | $72,900 | 1.95 |
Source: JobsEQ using data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics programs
Southeast Regional Infrastructure
Housing Affordability
The Texas A&M Real Estate Center’s Texas Housing Affordability Index (THAI) measures the ability of a household earning the median family income to purchase a median-priced home. An index ratio greater than 1 means that the median family income is more than the income required to purchase the median home in a specific area. The calculations for the index assume that consumers are making a down payment of 20 percent and have a family income that is 25 percent of the price of the median home.
According to the THAI, a median-income family in the Beaumont-Port Arthur metro area would have more than one and a half the income needed to afford the median home in the area, though affordability has declined in recent years (Exhibit 18)
Exhibit 18 data
| Year | Beaumont-Port Arthur MSA | Texas |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 2.01 | 1.54 |
| 2018 | 1.84 | 1.39 |
| 2019 | 1.75 | 1.43 |
| 2020 | 2.29 | 1.78 |
| 2021 | 2.05 | 1.53 |
| 2022 | 1.79 | 1.19 |
Source: Texas A&M Real Estate Center
Regional Transportation
Metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) are federally mandated policymaking organizations created to coordinate transportation planning in urbanized areas. One MPO coordinates transportation planning in the Southeast region — Beaumont-Port Arthur MPO/Southeast Texas Regional Planning Commission.
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) oversees the construction and maintenance of state highways through its 25 districts across the state. The Southeast region includes two of these county-based districts, with offices in Beaumont and Lufkin.
Exhibit 19 lists road miles and vehicle miles traveled for the region’s roadway network by road type, as of 2022. On-system roads are those under the jurisdiction of TxDOT, whereas off-system roads are under jurisdiction of cities, counties, the federal government or private entities (e.g., private toll roads). Centerline refers to mileage of a roadway regardless of lanes; it is taken from the center of the roadway. Lane mileage refers to the mileage for all lanes combined. Daily vehicle miles traveled refers to the estimated daily mileage of all vehicles using that roadway, whereas daily truck miles traveled refers to the estimated daily mileage of trucks using that roadway.
| Road Type | Centerline Miles | Lane Miles | Daily Vehicle Miles Traveled | Daily Truck Miles Traveled |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interstate Highways | 49.6 | 251.3 | 2,956,326.2 | 829,541.4 |
| U.S. Highways | 663.2 | 2,101.3 | 7,958,409.8 | 1,506,090.5 |
| State Highways, Spurs, Loops, Business Routes | 1,105.3 | 2,749.9 | 5,735,692.6 | 789,244.6 |
| Farm or Ranch to Market Roads and Spurs | 2,525.0 | 5,157.3 | 3,421,522.5 | 340,025.7 |
| Pass, Parks and Recreation Roads | 68.0 | 136.1 | 79,430.4 | 7,099.2 |
| Frontage Roads | 176.3 | 354.5 | 642,650.7 | 35,115.1 |
| On-System Subtotal | 4,587.4 | 10,750.3 | 20,794,032.1 | 3,507,116.4 |
| City Streets | 2,902.3 | 5,974.5 | 2,489,863.3 | 103,664.1 |
| Certified County Roads | 8,426.8 | 16,846.9 | 1,108,199.2 | 40,236.5 |
| Toll Road Authority Roads | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Federal Roads | 724.7 | 1,449.4 | 32,997.7 | 1,164.9 |
| Off-System Subtotal | 12,053.8 | 24,270.7 | 3,631,060.1 | 145,065.5 |
| Grand Total | 16,641.2 | 35,021.1 | 24,425,092.3 | 3,652,181.9 |
Sources: Texas Department of Transportation
Transit Districts
Several transit districts help provide safe, reliable and accessible transportation services to citizens of the Southeast region. The region includes two Urban Transit Systems (serving areas with populations between 50,000 and 200,000) in Beaumont and Port Arthur and two Rural Transit Systems (serving areas outside the urbanized area) (Exhibit 20).
| Transit District | Type | Total Operating Expense | Total Revenue | Unlinked Passenger Trips | Passenger Trips Per Capita | Operating Expense Per Trip |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beaumont Transit System | Small Urban | $5,855,577 | $2,586,664 | 237,605 | 1.61 | $24.64 |
| Port Arthur Transit | Small Urban | $2,350,476 | $606,696 | 98,597 | 0.64 | $23.84 |
| Brazos Transit District | Rural | $5,394,562 | $146,203 | 137,031 | 0.18 | $39.37 |
| South East Texas Regional Planning Commission | Rural | $1,600,132 | $433,099 | 46,935 | 0.38 | $34.09 |
Sources: Texas Department of Transportation
Airports
Texas has 27 airports offering passenger or commercial service, including one in the Southeast region — the Jack Brooks Regional airport in Beaumont. The airport saw a 13.5 percent increase in the number of enplanements (passenger boardings) in 2022 compared with 2021 (Exhibit 21).
| U.S. Rank | Airport ID | City | Airport Name | 2021 Enplanements | 2022 Enplanements | Percent Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 307 | BPT | Beaumont | Jack Brooks Regional | 21,914 | 24,882 | 13.5% |
Source: Federal Aviation Administration
Trade
Ports of entry in Texas account for approximately 20 percent of all U.S. international trade. Each region contributes to international trade in direct (ports of entry) and indirect (purchasing of imports/exports) ways. The Southeast region has four direct trade official ports of entry (Exhibit 22).
| Port of Entry | Exports | Imports |
|---|---|---|
| Orange | $159,436 | $89,926 |
| Sabine | $16,030,998,709 | $18,614,287 |
| Port Arthur | $19,496,787,880 | $16,320,573,051 |
| Beaumont | $23,641,487,603 | $1,900,433,482 |
| Texas | $547,512,278,647 | $503,099,541,717 |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, USA Trade Online, Port Level Data for 2022
Region vs. Texas
If the Southeast region were a state, it would have the 42nd largest area and the 48th largest population. The region is relatively young — the share of the region under age 18 was 23.5 percent in 2022, compared with 21.7 percent in the U.S. (Exhibit 23).
| Indicator | Southeast Region Value | Rank if Region were a State | Texas Value | U.S. Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Square Miles (land) | 12,011 | 42 | 261,267 | 3,533,038 |
| Population, 2022 | 769,566 | 48 | 30,029,572 | 333,287,557 |
| Population Percent Change, 2012-2022 | -0.1% | 47 | 15.1% | 6.2% |
| Population with High School Diploma or Higher, 2022 | 82.5% | 49 | 85.2% | 89.1% |
| Population with Bachelor’s Degree or Higher, 2022 | 20.9% | 50 | 32.3% | 34.3% |
| Per Capita Personal Income, 2022 | $49,179 | 50 | $62,586 | $65,470 |
| Median Household Income, 2021 | $53,346 | 48 | $67,321 | $69,021 |
| Population Age 65 or Over, 2022 | 17.8% | 26 | 13.4% | 17.3% |
| Population Under Age 18, 2022 | 23.5% | 9 | 24.8% | 21.7% |
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics; U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis; Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts analysis
Southeast Region Economic Development Highlights
- Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LLC and Qatar Energy are proceeding with the construction of an $8.5 billion integrated polymers facility in Orange, expected to create more than 500 full-time jobs and about 4,500 construction jobs as well as generate an estimated $50 billion for the community in residual economic impacts.
- ExxonMobil completed the Beaumont Light Atmospheric Distillation Expansion project. The $2 billion dollar project increases the Beaumont Refinery’s light crude refining capacity by 250,000 barrels per day. ExxonMobil hired more than 50 full-time employees to help with the expanded operations.
- Linde, a German industrial gases company, plans to invest $1.8 billion to supply OCI — a Dutch fertilizer company — with clean hydrogen for its new blue ammonia plant in Beaumont.
- Sempra Infrastructure Partners LP reached a positive final investment decision for the development, construction and operation of the Port Arthur LNG Phase 1 project in Jefferson County. The project will create an estimated 5,000 highly skilled jobs during construction.
- A&A Texas Capital LP, an exclusive licensee of Genics Inc. technology dedicated to wood protection and fire prevention, plans to establish its first U.S. manufacturing plant in the city of Crockett’s Industrial Park, creating 39 jobs.
Questions?
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the material on this page, please contact the Comptroller’s Data Analysis and Transparency Division.