Hometown glory
Economic energizer: Dallas-Fort Worth ranks third in the nation for privatesector growth
With the economy as the no. 1 issue for voters, every politician is quick to point to his or her record in the coveted and mysterious area of "job growth." Although whom gets the credit is up for debate, no one creates jobs better than Texas.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics recently released a database showing the 21 major metro markets (populations greater than 500,000) that have added private sector jobs since the recession officially began in December 2007. Texas lays claim to the top four metro areas (Houston, Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth and San Antonio) for job growth, tallying up a combined 215,600 private sector jobs added in five years. That's more job growth than all the other cities and states in American combined, which according to the database totals 135,600.
Houston nearly beats the entire country on its own (thank you, oil business) with 114,800 jobs added since December 2007. Dallas-Fort Worth carries its own weight, though, adding the princely sum of 33,100 jobs. For reference, that's 5,100 more people than currently attend the University of Missouri or 1,000 more people than can fit in SMU's Gerald Ford Stadium.
What does all this mean for the estimated 12.5 million unemployed Americans? Move to Texas. It's better here.
