Published: San Antonio Express-News
By: David Hendricks
Date: February 24, 2011

The six largest Texas metropolitan areas account for an overwhelming majority of the state's economic output and jobs, according to a Brookings Institution report issued Thursday.

The report's point is that policymakers deciding where public resources are placed should understand that metro are where the action is.

“Our research shows that metro areas are poised to lead in the next economy,” said Alan Berube, senior fellow and research director of the institution's Metropolitan Policy Program.

“State economic leaders should cultivate metropolitan-led strategies for economic growth, building from metro areas' distinctive assets and market strengths to grow quality jobs and promote sustainable, statewide prosperity,” Berube added.

Texas' six largest metropolitan areas account for 71 percent of the state's jobs and 74 percent of its economic output.

Adding up the state's 25 largest metropolitan areas, they account for 89 percent of Texas jobs and 89 percent of the state's economic output.

The Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington and the Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown are neck and neck in jobs and economic output. Dallas has 27 percent of the state's jobs and 27.5 percent of the state's economic output. Houston accounts for 23.9 percent of the state's jobs and 28.2 percent of the state's economic output.

The San Antonio metropolitan area has 8.3 percent of the state's jobs and 7.1 percent of the Texas economic output. The Austin-Round Rock metro accounts for 7.2 percent of Texas jobs and 6.9 percent of economic output.

The El Paso and Rio Grande Valley metro areas contribute smaller numbers.

The economic power of metro areas is true in nearly every state, the Brookings report states.

The nation's 366 largest metros account for 85 percent of U.S. exports, 93 percent of workers in science and engineering and 89 percent of workers with a post-secondary degree.

Thursday's report follows a late 2010 Brookings study that said the world's 150 largest metro areas are leading the global economic recovery. The 2010 report listed San Antonio, Austin, Dallas and Houston as dominating the top 15 U.S. cities best poised for job and economic growth.

More Information

The Big 6Texas' six largest metropolitan areas account for most of the state's economic output. Below are listed the economic output numbers in millions of dollars, followed by the percentage of state output: Houston: $326,284, 28.2% Dallas: $317,589, 27.5% San Antonio: $82,360, 7.1% Austin: $79,684, 6.9% El Paso: $25,902, 2.2% McAllen: $17,661,1.5% Total 6 metros: $849,480, 73.5% Source: Brookings Institution Metropolitan Policy Program