The West Central Texas region has long been known for the strong work ethic and excellent work behaviors of its residents. The region’s economy originated with cattle and crops, then produced significant oil wells and mines, and then evolved to include varied business and manufacturing employment clusters and multiple colleges and universities. In 2016, 141,494 persons were employed in the labor force. Unemployment rates decreased to an average of 4.4% in 2016. Table 13 below reviews the monthly unemployment rates, and labor force numbers and portrays a region that, in most years, works diligently and effectively.
Despite the overall decline in the unemployment rate, individual county’s economic experiences vary greatly. Coleman, Jones, and Scurry, for instance, are characterized by average unemployment rates persistently higher than the region. Mitchell, Scurry, Shackleford, and Stonewall counties experienced increases in the unemployment rate from 2012 through 2016 despite an overall regional decline. Additionally, during the same period, Brown county experienced an increase in their labor force, while the region as a whole experienced a slight contraction.
Despite the overall decline in the unemployment rate, individual county’s economic experiences vary greatly. Coleman, Jones, and Scurry, for instance, are characterized by average unemployment rates persistently higher than the region. Mitchell, Scurry, Shackleford, and Stonewall counties experienced increases in the unemployment rate from 2012 through 2016 despite an overall regional decline. Additionally, during the same period, Brown county experienced an increase in their labor force, while the region as a whole experienced a slight contraction.
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Relative to the labor force, the per capita income and median household incomes of the individual counties are collected in the Table 14 below. Review of historical data reveals that Texas has a lower per capita personal income (PCPI) and median household income (MHI) than the national averages. Review of the individual counties quickly reveals an even more disparate ratio for the West Central Texas region compared to the state and nation. The lowest PCPI averages were in Jones and Mitchell counties. Jones county has a high unemployment rate. Conversely, Mitchell County has low PCPI and low unemployment rate, clearly illustrating the proportion of residents classified as “working poor” in this small region. The highest PCPI rates are found in Throckmorton, Kent, Fisher Scurry, Taylor, and Shackelford counties. However the highest median household income ratios are found in Scurry, Shackelford, Callahan, Taylor and Stonewall counties. The lowest MHI rates are found in Scurry, Mitchell, Shackleford, and Kent counties
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Analysis of the economic indicators also require scrutiny of the 15 knowledge-based industry clusters for the region to clearly understand the strengths of the West Central Texas region. The regional Cluster is included within this document; however the knowledge-based Industry Clusters for each of the 19 counties has been independently reviewed and is included in Appendix B. The West Central Texas Economic Development District is sensitive and directed to regional review but is dedicated to assist the individual counties and Economic Development Corporations with data provision and explanation of individual county strengths that may or may not be a leading economic industry cluster for the region. Independent discussion of the county industry cluster is between the counties; PCPI: $25,436 - $14,827, MHI: $47,513 - $31,373.
The average weekly wage within the counties provides concise understanding of the per capita personal income rates and the median household incomes within the counties. In Table 2.6, the county wage rates (in comparison to the state weekly wages) reveal a moderate weekly wage rate for the region.
The fluctuation within the individual counties further explains the commuter patterns within each of the counties which is discussed later. Employees are traveling outside several of the counties to obtain a higher wage in other surrounding areas. The range of $637 found in Kent County compared to the $1,119 in Knox County reveal a weekly wage increase change of 43%. Both counties are located in the northern boundaries of the region; away from the urban City of Abilene available through technical assistance provided by the WCTEDD.
The Poverty Rates for the area, found in Table 2.7, further illustrate the number of persons who are employed at low wage jobs in the region. In 2009, 8 of the 19 counties in the region had poverty rates higher than the regional average of 17.4%. In 2010, 9 of the 19 counties had poverty rates higher than the already high regional average. The next two years, 2011-2012, 9 counties had poverty rates higher than the regional average with the inclusion of Scurry County. In each case the majority of the counties who had significant numbers of persons living in poverty had unemployment rates lower than that of the state average unemployment rate. Once again, the lower wages in the area reveal a strong work ethic of people in the region who work diligently for lower than average wages.
The fluctuation within the individual counties further explains the commuter patterns within each of the counties which is discussed later. Employees are traveling outside several of the counties to obtain a higher wage in other surrounding areas. The range of $637 found in Kent County compared to the $1,119 in Knox County reveal a weekly wage increase change of 43%. Both counties are located in the northern boundaries of the region; away from the urban City of Abilene available through technical assistance provided by the WCTEDD.
The Poverty Rates for the area, found in Table 2.7, further illustrate the number of persons who are employed at low wage jobs in the region. In 2009, 8 of the 19 counties in the region had poverty rates higher than the regional average of 17.4%. In 2010, 9 of the 19 counties had poverty rates higher than the already high regional average. The next two years, 2011-2012, 9 counties had poverty rates higher than the regional average with the inclusion of Scurry County. In each case the majority of the counties who had significant numbers of persons living in poverty had unemployment rates lower than that of the state average unemployment rate. Once again, the lower wages in the area reveal a strong work ethic of people in the region who work diligently for lower than average wages.
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