A recent bizjournal report ranked Austin among the Top 10 growth centers in the nation.
The majority of the top ten fastest growing metropolitan areas began their growth in the ‘90s having continued to prosper, even weathering the latest economic storm. On average, the metro areas saw a growth of at least 13% in population from 2000 – 2007. The study focused on four main factors: population, private sector employment, per capita income and gross metropolitan product. With the Austin area continuing to see growth in its technological, medical and educational fields, it’s no surprise that our grand city placed fourth only after Las Vegas, NV., Raleigh, NC and Ft. Meyers-Cape Coral, FL.
What I found most surprising when reading the study was that the McAllen-Edinburg area also ranked in the top ten. Usually known for its extreme poverty, partly because of its proximity to the U.S./Mexico border, this area has seen an increase in job growth from the private sector employers in the past four to five years. Houston also made the list.
In times like these, it’s always great to find and read studies and articles solidifying my belief that Austin is now and will hopefully continue to be one of the strongest markets in the nation.