AQUA BOOK 2014 | Page 11

Aransas County BY THE NUMBERS 2013 Population 24,178 Employment 10,516 Unemployment Rate 6.0% Wages Per Employee $39,459 Average Personal Income $45,521 Sales Volume ($ mil) 830 New Home Value $135,600 — % National Average 61% Aransas county Employment Growth is one of three 10% counties that make up the Corpus Christi metro area, 5% and it is the smallest of the three by area or population 0% 2008 2009 size. Rockport, the county’s largest -5% city, is a favorite destination for Winter Texans and -10% retirees. Other than the period of the last economic downturn, which devastated its tourism industry, the economy of Aransas county has been relatively stable. In 2013, its employment grew 4.2 percent from the previous year, 10 Texas 6 2010 2011 2012 2013 4 2 0 2008 and the growth of wages was twice as much. Business activity was also solid, with a double-digit gain in sales. Since the last housing boom that ended in late 2005, the local housing market has remained Mining 6.2% Accommodation & Food Services 19.4% Arts & Recreation 2.6% Educational Health Care & Services Social Assistance (Private) 8.9% 0.3% U.S. 8 Unclassified Industry Agriculture 0.2% 0.3% Government 16.7% Change From 2008 4.1% 4.3% 1.5% 26.0% 11.8% 47.1% -4.0% Unemployment Rate Industry Composition by Employment, 2013 Other Services (except Public Admin) 3.4% Change From 2012 1.5% 4.2% -0.1% 8.2% 4.5% 14.3% 0% Utilities 0.2% Construction 5.4% Manufacturing 0.9% Wholesale Trade 1.0% 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 depressed. The average value of new homes now at about $136,000 is nearly 40 percent below the national average. As the South Texas economy has continued to gain traction, the county labor market quickly returned to its pre-recession conditions. Local businesses added 4 percent more jobs. With steady gains in employment over the past two years, the county’s jobless rate has shown steady improvement. By the end of 2013, the local unemployment dipped below 6 percent. Retail Trade 19.0% Transportation & Warehousing 2.8% Finance & Information Insurance 1.1% 2.5% Administrative & Support 3.0% Professional & Scientific Services 4.6% Management of Businesses 0.0% Real Estate & Rental 1.7% Annual Review of the South Texas Economy – 2014 Edition |