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San Antonio is a key reason why Texas is doing so well during this recession. Forbes recognized the city as one of the country's most recession-proof cities in 2008, and judging by its booming workforce, the city is still growing strong. The Brookings Institution also named San Antonio one of the strongest-performing economies among the 100 largest metropolitan areas in the nation and #1 in overall performance based on employment and unemployment levels. The San Antonio Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) is comprised of eight South Texas counties, including Atascosa, Bandera, Bexar, Comal, Guadalupe, Kendall, Medina and Wilson.
San Antonio MSA workforce in May 2011 was 998,087, an increase of nearly 8,000 compared to May 2010. Manufacturing, education and health services, as well as leisure and hospitality industries, led the employment sectors. In this 12-month period, total nonfarm employment increased 3,356 and the greatest increased industry was education and health services by 7,400.
Source: Texas Workforce Commission, Tracer2 & San Antonio Relocation Guide 2011
Workforce Statistics
San Antonio MSA Annual Averages
| Year | Total Civilian Labor Force | Percent Growth | Number of Workers Unemployed | Percent Unemployment |
|---|
| 2001 |
831,394 |
1.7% |
37,905 |
4.6% |
| 2002 |
855,558 |
2.9% |
48,705 |
5.7% |
| 2003 |
870,811 |
1.8% |
52,869 |
6.1% |
| 2004 |
883,939 |
1.5% |
49,214 |
5.6% |
| 2005 |
900,436 |
1.9% |
43,960 |
5.0% |
| 2006 |
919,771 |
2.1% |
42,520 |
4.6% |
| 2007 |
925,424 |
0.6% |
37,906 |
4.1% |
| 2008 |
946,210 |
2.2% |
44,108 |
4.7% |
| 2009 |
965,670 |
2.1% |
64,391 |
6.7% |
| 2010 |
988,724 |
2.4% |
72,505 |
7.3% |
Leading Employment Sectors
May 2011 San Antonio MSA
| Sector | May 2011 Employment | May 2010 Employment | Change from May 2010 | % Change 2010-2011 |
|---|
| Total Nonfarm |
855,800 |
850,800 |
5,000 |
0.6% |
| Government |
163,900 |
164,300 |
-2,400 |
-1.4% |
| Trade, Transportation and Utilities |
142,700 |
141,900 |
800 |
0.6% |
| Education and Health Services |
135,800 |
128,400 |
7,400 |
5.8% |
| Leisure and Hospitality |
106,600 |
105,400 |
1,200 |
1.1% |
| Professional and Business Services |
99,500 |
100,700 |
-1,200 |
-1.2% |
| Financial Activities |
65,400 |
65,900 |
-500 |
-0.8% |
| Manufacturing |
44,900 |
43,900 |
1,000 |
2.3% |
| Construction |
43,600 |
44,300 |
-700 |
-1.6% |
| Other Services |
32,100 |
31,700 |
400 |
1.3% |
| Information |
17,600 |
18,900 |
-1,300 |
-6.9% |
| Mining and Logging |
3,700 |
3,400 |
300 |
8.8% |
| Source: Texas Workforce Commission |
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