DATA POINTS

By
THE CAPITAL AREA
COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS
www.datapoints.org MARCH 2011
CENSUS 2010 POPULATION RELEASE STATE OF THE REGION 2011 RECAP EMPLOYMENT UPDATE - JAN
The U.S. Census Bureau recently released CAPCOG’S Community & Economic 7.3% CAPCOG UNEMPLOYMENT RATE
final 2010 population data for all counties Development Division recently presented
and cities within the region. In addition to its annual “State of the Region” report. +0.5% CHANGE SINCE DECEMBER
providing crucial information for the Ten highlights include:
redistricting process, the data provides the -4,608 JOBS LOST IN JANUARY
most comprehensive account of 1. The CAPCOG region has grown by more
population growth during the past decade. than 33 percent since 2000, nearly four COUNTY UNEMPLOYMENT JOBS + / -
times the national growth rate. Bastrop 8.7% -144
While the U.S. Census Bureau provides Blanco 6.3% -67
population counts on an annual basis, 2. More than 65 percent of all population Burnet 7.0% -230
these estimates are derived through growth in the CAPCOG region during the Caldwell 9.2% -67
statistical processes. Only the decennial past decade has been fueled by the
Fayette 6.5% -176
census provides a comprehensive physical migration of new residents.
count of the population. Hays 7.4% -339
3. Since 2000, nearly 1 million people Lano 8.2% -248
Overall, population estimates proved have moved to four metropolitan areas— Lee 6.6% -97
rather accurate. At 1,830,003, the Austin, Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio. Travis 7.0% -2,347
population of the CAPCOG region is 0.7 Williamson 7.5% -893
percent higher than previous tallies. The 4. In 2009, one in four Americans who
largest discrepancies occurred in smaller moved relocated to either Austin, Dallas, SOURCE: Texas Workforce Commission
counties. The population of Blanco, for Houston, or San Antonio. RETAIL SALES TAX COLLECTION - FEB
example, is more than 14 percent higher CHANGE SINCE
than previous estimates. Additionally, the 5. During the past decade, the proportion COUNTY TOTAL FEB 2010
population counts of Fayette and Llano of white residents has declined while the Bastrop $596,924 7.6%
were both more than 5 percent greater ratio of Hispanic and Asian residents has
Blanco $59,596 -9.9%
than previous estimates. increased.
Burnet $887,925 -7.5%
In Bastrop, Burnet, and Travis, previous 6. More than 37 percent of CAPCOG Caldwell $307,712 24.0%
population estimates were higher than residents possess a college degree— Fayette $252,744 10.5%
actual growth. In the cases of Bastrop and nearly 10 percentage points higher than Hays $3,309,068 9.4%
Travis, the overcounts were less than 1 the national average. Lee $161,564 19.6%
percent. In Burnet, however, the 2010
Llano $83,971 6.2%
population count is 5 percent lower than 7. In 2009, more than 75 percent of the
previous population estimates. net increase in the number of college Travis $18,195,922 3.3%
educated residents within the CAPCOG Williamson $11,147,060 13.0%
CENSUS 2010 POPULATION COUNTIES region was attributable to new residents SOURCE: Texas Comptroller
2009 2010 moving into the region.
COUNTY CHANGE AUSTIN METRO REAL ESTATE - JAN
ESTIMATE COUNT
8. During the past decade, median DEC 09 DEC 10 CHANGE
Bastrop 74.9K 74.2K -0.9%
household income has fallen in all 10 Sales 1,507 1,575 4.5%
Blanco 9.2K 10.5K 14.1% counties within the CAPCOG region. Average Price $249.8K $247.0K -1.1%
Burnet 45.2K 42.8K -5.3%
Total Listings 9,366 9,284 -0.9%
Caldwell 37.8K 38.1K 0.7% 9. Since 2001, the strongest job growth Inventory 5.4 5.6 3.7%
Fayette 22.9K 24.6K 7.3% within the CAPCOG region has occurred (Months)
within the Leisure and Hospitality sector.
Hays 155.6K 157.1K 1.0% SOURCE: Texas State Realty Center
Lee 16.2K 16.6K 2.3% 10. A majority of workers in the CAPCOG For questions about Data Points, please
Llano 18.3K 19.3K 5.6% region live and work in separate counties contact John Rees
Travis 1026.2K 1024.3K -0.2% (with the notable exception of Travis 512.916.6183
Williamson County). jrees@capcog.org
410.7K 422.7K 2.9%
DATA POINTS
By
THE CAPITAL AREA
COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS
MISREADING AUSTIN’S SKYLINE
The recent release of the U.S. Census Bureau’s population figures for the Austin AUSTIN MSA POPULATION GROWTH
metropolitan area underscored the region’s explosive growth. During the past
decade, the Austin metropolitan area added more than 465,000 new residents. 2000: 1,249,763

One of the most striking signs of Austin’s growth is the downtown skyline. During
the past decade, the urban core has been transformed by the construction of a
dozen high-profile condominiums. Despite appearances to the contrary, the region City of
Suburbs
has arguably become less urban in recent years. Austin
47.5%
52.5%
In 2000, more than half of all residents in the Austin metropolitan area lived within
the City of Austin. By 2010, the majority of residents in the Austin metropolitan area
lived outside of the City. During this period, jurisdictions outside of the City of
Austin have captured more than 70 percent of all population growth. 2010: 1,716,289

As the population of the metropolitan area becomes more decentralized, the region
risks succumbing to the sprawl that has overtaken many other fast growing regions
in the U.S. With future population growth within the Austin metropolitan area likely
to occur disproportionately outside of the Austin city limits, it is crucial that the City of
Suburbs Austin
region invest in activity centers that concentrate public infrastructure investment.
53.9% 46.1%
By stressing the importance of development that includes a balance of residential,
commercial, and recreational uses, the Central Texas region can create
communities that are at once self-sustaining and fiscally prudent.

HOUSING (UN)AFFORDABILITY IN THE CAPCOG REGION

Demographia recently released the 7th Annual International Housing Affordability Survey, an analysis of 325 metropolitan
housing markets throughout the world. To rate housing affordability, the Demographia International Housing Affordability Survey
looks at the ratio between median house prices and gross annual median household incomes. Affordable markets are those
where median housing prices are less than 3 times greater than annual median household incomes

With a ratio of 3.3, the Austin metropolitan area is deemed moderately unaffordable. During the past five years, this ratio has
steadily increased as housing has become less affordable. Median household income within the region have declined slightly
while home prices have experienced modest appreciation. If this trends continues, Austin risks becoming what Joel Kotkin calls
“productive resorts”–regions of commerce and recreation for the elite and those who work for them. In such cities, which
includes places such as New York and San Francisco, there is little room for the middle class.

REGIONAL HOUSING AFFORDABILITY RATIOS (2000 VERSUS 2010)

Median Median Median Median
2000 Household Home 2010 Household Home
Income Value Ratio Income Value Ratio
Austin $54,972 $155,559 2.8 Austin $50,732 $205,000 4.0
Cedar Park $86,957 $163,028 1.9 Cedar Park $73,300 $180,800 2.5
Georgetown $69,664 $179,253 2.6 Georgetown $61,683 $184,300 3.0
Kyle $61,211 $117,056 1.9 Kyle $70,226 $144,700 2.1
Leander $68,899 $126,585 1.8 Leander $68,949 $156,100 2.3
Pflugerville $92,698 $170,239 1.8 Pflugerville $73,601 $167,900 2.3
Round Rock $77,720 $153,499 2.0 Round Rock $68,127 $165,300 2.4
San Marcos $33,235 $97,868 2.9 San Marcos $26,627 $122,500 4.6
0 1 2
AFFORDABLE 3 UNAFFORDABLE
4 5 6 0 1 2
AFFORDABLE 3 UNAFFORDABLE
4 5 6