Job Growth
The Houston MSA’s population, at just over 5.62 million in mid-2007, is expected to add 2.17 million by 2030, according to Woods & Poole Economics.
In the 12 months ending September 2008, payroll employment in the 10-county Houston MSA grew 2.2 percent, a stellar performance in comparison to the nation's 0.4 percent decline.
The Houston MSA recorded 2.6 million payroll jobs in March 2008, more than the job counts of 29 states, including Colorado, Alabama or South Carolina.
Diversifying sectors (energy independent) account for 72 percent of net job growth in the base since 1986.
Service-providing industries, which account for 80 percent of Houston MSA jobs, have garnered 86 percent of Houston's net job growth over the past 10 years.
Adults who have completed college are slightly more common in Houston than they are nationwide (27.8 percent versus 27.2 percent).
The number of jobs in Houston has increased 22.1 percent in the past 10 years.
Sources: Texas Workforce Commission; Greater Houston Partnership
