Texas.Careers.org
Fast Facts: Texas is the 2nd largest U.S. state in both area and population, and the largest geographical state in the contiguous United States. Houston is the largest city in Texas (4th largest in the U.S.) and the state capital is Austin.
Texas Careers: The 2008 U.S. Census estimated Texas population at over 24.3 million. Forbes recently highly ranked Texas as the 9th “Best State for Business.”
Texas Career Education: Texas ranked 30th in a 2009 K-12 “Academic Achievement” study by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
Texas Economy: Texas leads in many areas, including cotton generating over one-fourth of the nation’s cotton revenues. Cotton Bowl anyone?
For details and sources, click the “Career Information” tab below.
Texas Fast Facts:
Location, Location, Location…: Located in the south central United States, Texas is the second largest U.S. state in both area and population, and the largest geographical state in the contiguous United States.
Cities: Houston is the largest city in Texas and the fourth largest in the United States, while other major cities include San Antonio, El Paso and the state capital of Austin.
Behind the Name: Texas is often nicknamed the “Lone Star State.”
A Closer Look: Due to its long history as a center of the American cattle industry, the image of the rugged cowboy is often associated with Texas throughout the world. [Ed. Note: And we thought it was due to the popularity of the Dallas Cowboys.] No state has a greater variety of reptiles, or a more diverse selection of flowers, than the great state of Texas.
Did You Know? The state has technically been under the rule of six separate “nations,” including France, Spain, Mexico, the Confederate States of America, and the United States of America along with the independent Republic of Texas itself.
Texas Careers and Employment:
Population: 24,326,974 (16.7% increase since 2000) – 50.1% Female, 49.9% Male (2008 U.S. Census Bureau).
Business Environment: Ranked 9th in Forbes Magazine’s “Best States for Business,” 2008.
Top Industries: In terms of paid employees, according to a 2008 U.S. Census Bureau study: (1) retail trade; (2) health care and social assisatance; (3) manufacturing; (4) administrative and support and waste management and remediation services; and (5) accommodation and food services.
Taxes: No Income Tax and Sales Tax, 6.25% (Federation of Tax Administrators).
Cost of Living: 90.5 in relation to the “National Average” of 100 (Federal Cost of Living Index).
Quality of Life: Ranked 32nd of 50 states by CNBC, 2009.
Weather: Average Temperature (In °F) – Jan: 45.63; Apr: 64.84; July: 82.30; Oct: 66.01 (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration).
K-12: Ranked 30th of 50 states in “Academic Achievement” by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, 2009.
Texas Economics:
In General: Over time Texas has developed from a state focused in ranching, to a national oil producing center, to the corporate headquarters of various major U.S. companies. Sectors that produce the most jobs in Texas include the service industry (38%), the wholesale and retail trade (20%), military and government services (14%) and manufacturing (11%).
Service Industry: The biggest service industry in Texas is the community, business and personal services group, including private health care, hotels and motels, law firms, engineering companies and repair shops.
Agriculture: Texas ranks first in the nation for total livestock and livestock product receipts and second behind California for total agricultural receipts. Cotton is Texas’ most valuable crop; generating over one-fourth of the nation’s cotton revenues it is the nation’s number one cotton-producer. Texas is also a leading producer of greenhouse and nursery products (flowers, ornamental shrubs, young trees).
Manufacturing: The manufacture of computers and electronic equipment (computers, electronic components, military communication systems) is a key facet of Texas’ immense manufacturing sector. Texas leads the nation states in the chemical production sector, producing benzene, ethylene, fertilizers, propylene and sulfuric acid.
Mining: The total value of Texas mined products is the highest in the country, producing about one-fifth of the country’s oil and almost one-third of the nation’s supply of natural gas.
Did You Know? In addition to the state’s considerable agriculture, industry and manufacturing prowess, Texas’ shrimp catch is one of the largest in the country.
Texas Education:
In General: With more than 200 institutions of higher education, Texas offers students seeking university-level education a wide range of opportunities. Texas includes large top-tier public and private universities in addition to many small church-affiliated colleges.
In the Rankings: U.S. News and World Report rankings: National Rankings – Rice University (#17), University of Texas, Austin (#47), Texas A&M University, College Station (#64), Southern Methodist University (#66), Baylor University (#76); Liberal Arts Rankings – Southwestern University (#68), Austin College (#71).
Online Education: There are a variety of accredited online universities offering degrees in the state of Texas.
A Closer Look: The state higher education system includes six publicly funded universities such as the University of Texas, Texas A&M and Texas Tech.
Did You Know? Texas’s controversial alternative affirmative action plan guarantees Texas students who graduated in the top ten percent of their high school class automatic admission to state-funded universities.
Sources: In addition to specific citations noted in this “Career Information” section, supplementary source materials include: the U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service; Netstate.com; Education-Portal.com; USCollegeSearch.org; and Wikipedia.com.