[trx_title type=”6″ style=”iconed” align=”center” icon=”icon-user-add”]Regional Partners[/trx_title]
[trx_title type=”6″ style=”iconed” align=”center” icon=”icon-sliders”]Regional Demographics[/trx_title]
[trx_title type=”6″ style=”iconed” align=”center” icon=”icon-users-group”]Regional Community[/trx_title]
[trx_title type=”6″ style=”iconed” align=”center” icon=”icon-location”]Regional Map[/trx_title]
Central Texas consists of seven counties and thirty-two cities in the heart of the Texas Triangle with a total population of 518,529 as of the 2020 Census. The Texas Demographic Center’s population projections for the year 2060 show that the region is likely to continue its rapid growth and is expected to reach 655,200 people and increase in population by 10.4% between 2023 and 2028.
Our region is ripe for growth and development as the crossroads between I-14 and I-35-the largest freight corridor in North America, close proximity to Samsung’s microchip fabrication facility in Taylor (the largest on Earth), major centers of commerce, interstate rail lines, and international airports! Central Texas is home to Fort Cavazos (the largest military installation in the United States and source of veteran talent), Baylor Scott & White medical complex, two universities, two colleges, Meta, SpaceX, McLane Company Inc., Wilson Art International, major distribution facilities, and 32 cities that offer unique economic assets and incentives suitable for international industries and small businesses alike!
From 2018 to 2024, Central Texas jobs increased 4.8% from 205,925 to 215,725, outpacing the national jobs growth rate during that period of 4.3%. The presence of institutes of higher education such as Central Texas College, Temple College, Texas A&M-Central Texas, and University of Mary Hardin-Baylor have helped 10.1% of the region attain an Associate’s Degree, 1.3% higher than the national average. The current regional economy is as follows:
Economic Facts
This snapshot shows our largest, fastest growing, highest paid, and most employed industries as of June 2024.
- Fastest Growing Industries: Construction, retail trade, and accommodation and food services (with Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services right behind).
- Largest Industries: Government, health care and social assistance, and retail trade.
This snapshot shows our largest, fastest growing, highest paid, and most frequently included in job postings occupational fields as of June 2024.
- Largest Occupations: Office and Administrative Support, Transportation and Material Moving, Military-Only.
- Fastest Growing Occupations: Management, Transportation and Material Moving, and Healthcare Practitioners and Technical.
In 2017 the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development completed a Comprehensive Housing Market Analysis for the Killeen-Temple area. The report noted that “Economic conditions in the Killeen-Temple Housing Market Area (HMA) continue to strengthen,” with positive indicators such as an increase in new and existing home sales, 1.9% annual increase in nonfarm employment and payrolls. Fort Cavazos contributes significantly to the growth of the Killeen-Temple HMA with 38,642 service-members and 5,111 full time civilian employees as well as 13,226 contractors and 114,035 indirect jobs created. The Fort has been involved in various construction projects such as barracks renovation, a 63,000 panel solar farm, a medical center, and multi-family housing.
In addition to the military construction projects, increased multifamily construction and road-widening projects along I-14 and I-35 have also contributed to accelerated growth in the sector since 2015.
Occupations were ranked by analyzing three factors: number employed, five-year growth, and average annual wages. The top 20 occupations, as ranked, are shown here. This snapshot displays the most numerous, growing, and well-paid occupations from a list of 460 SOC job fields, grouped by industry, across the Killeen-Temple MSA.
See the Bureau of Labor Statistics for a complete explanation of the Standardized Occupation Codes (SOC).
Central Texas is home to 31,735 companies. The top 10 largest employers are below, as well as those seeking the most new hires. 87.9% of our businesses are small businesses with less than 20 employees; however, we are also home to 197 large companies employing at least 100 people-including 14 with 500+ employees!
If you are looking for employment in Central Texas, visit our partners at Workforce Solutions of Central Texas! If you are looking to invest in our region, take a look at what potential pipelines for products, services, distribution, and employees we have to offer!
