Geography

Regional Information: The Multi-County region consists of 12 counties: Atascosa, Bandera, Bexar, Comal, Frio, Gillespie, Guadalupe, Karnes, Kendall, Kerr, Medina and Wilson counties . The Multi-County region had an estimated population of 1,807,868 in 2000. The region consists of 11,444 square miles with a population density of 157.98 residents per square mile compared to a statewide density of 79.54.


 

Natural amenities of the area, according to the U.S. Department of Interior, reflect an overall percent of surface water of 0.4 percent compared to 2.5 percent statewide. The land surface form topography for the region is a variation which can be described as irregular plains, high hills, open high hills and plains with high hills. Considerably more detailed information can be found at: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/texaswater/sb1/ and http://www.netstate.com/states/geography/tx_geography.htm.

Local Workforce Boards: The counties in the study area are members of the following TWC local workforce board area(s). Local addresses, references to specific needs and services can be found at the following Internet address(es):

In order to contact a board or TWC's Tele Center by phone, call 1-800-939-6631.


Population

According to the 2000 Census, Texas grew from 16,986,510 in 1990 to 20,851,820 in 2000 reflecting an increase of 22.8 percent growth. During this same time period, the Multi-County region had an increase from 1,487,180 persons to 1,807,868 persons which reflected a 21.6 percent change. A variety of data topics for Texas and all the counties is available at: http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/48000.html.

The region's race/ethnic distibution in 2000 is estimated by the Census Bureau to be:

º Hispanic count includes White, Black and other representation when reported.

Population Age

The age distribution of an area can provide valuable insight into the region's economic composition and income potential. By national standards, Texas has a relatively young population. The 2000 Census estimates for Texas show a population composition as follows:

Population Gender

The gender distribution of an area can provide additional insight into the region's overall distribution in the population by male and female. Of the area's population, 884,138 were male which represents 48.9 percent and 923,730 were female which represents 51.1 percent. This compares to the statewide percentage of 49.6 percent for male and 50.4 percent for female.

Special Age Groups and Gender

Youth and Older Workers: Other age cohorts may be of special interest for Workforce Development Board's summer youth programs and older worker programs. The Multi-County region has 246,269 persons age 14-21 representing 13.3 percent of the population. This compares with 13.3 percent statewide. For the potential older age cohort, 196,015 persons or 10.6 percent are 55 or over in the Multi-County region based on the 2000 Census. This compares to 9.9 percent statewide.

Ages 25-44: If the population cohort 45 and over is higher than the state average, this suggests a stable, mature population comprised of mainly "empty-nesters," retirees and the aged. When the 25-44 age cohort is higher than the state average, this is a healthy economic situation since this group contains the greatest share of the labor force. Decreases over time in this group, especially when similar changes are not occurring statewide, can be an indication that people are moving out of an area they consider to be a poor labor market. In Multi-County the total number in the age groups of 25 to 44, was 584,409 or 31.6 percent. This compares to a statewide percentage of 31.9 percent.

Ages 18 and Older: For the population generally considered in the ages to participate in the labor market, the total population who were 18 years and over totaled 14,965,061 in Texas which represented 71.8 percent of the total population. In this study area, the total persons in this age group was 1,299,841 or 71.9 percent of the total population. Within this age group in Texas the number of males in 2000 who were 18 years and over represented 7,338,177 persons or 35.2 percent of the total population while females age 18 years and over represented 7,626,884 or 36.6 percent. In the Multi-County area, males 18 and over represented 624,832 or 34.6 percent in comparison and females totaled to 675,009 or 37.3 percent.

Veteran Status: According to the U.S. Bureau of Census, the area had 1,274,046 persons in the population age 18 years and older in the year 2000. Of that number, 203,430 or 16.0 percent responded as being a civilian veteran, compared to 11.8 percent statewide. A "civilian veteran" is a person 18 years old or over who has served (even for a short time), but is not now serving, on active duty in the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or the Coast Guard, or who served in the U.S. Merchant Marine during World War II. People who served in the National Guard or military Reserves are classified as veterans only if they were ever called or ordered to active duty, not counting the 4-6 months for initial training or yearly summer camps.

Disability Status: From the 2000 Census, data on Disability Status were derived when respondents reported long-lasting conditions: (a) blindness, deafness, or a severe vision or hearing impairment, (sensory disability) and (b) a condition that substantially limits one or more basic physical activities such as walking, climbing stairs, reaching, lifting, or carrying (physical disability). Disability status was also derived if the individuals in the working age range of 21 to 64 years had a physical, mental, or emotional condition lasting 6 months or more that made it difficult to perform certain activities such as: (a) learning, remembering, or concentrating (mental disability); (b) dressing, bathing, or getting around inside the home (self-care disability); (c) going outside the home alone to shop or visit a doctor's office (going outside the home disability); and (d) working at a job or business (employment disability).

It was reported in the 2000 Census that the area had an estimated 445,837 persons residing there between the ages of 5 to 20 years of age with approximately 38,186 or 8.6 percent with a disability. In Texas, the percent with disabilities in this same age bracket was 7.9 percent. In the working age population group - ages 21 to 64 years, the area had approximately 977,119 persons, of which 212,331 were categorized to be in a disability status. This represented 21.7 percent compared to 19.9 percent in the state overall. For those persons in this age group that had a disability, approximately 124,202 or 58.5 percent were employed. For those who had no disability, an estimated 567,728 or 74.2 percent were employed. For the retirement age group of 65 years of age and older, 194,998 persons resided of which 87,024 were disabled. The percent of this age group with a disabled status was 44.6 percent and this compared to 44.8 percent in Texas overall.

Ages 65 and Older: For the population who are considered to be at the age of retirement or older - 65 years and older, the total number of persons in Texas was 2,072,532 or 9.9 percent of the total population in 2000. This region had a total of 205,046 or 11.3 percent in this older age group. In the same age group of 65 years and over, males in Texas represented 862,181 or 4.1 percent of the total population and females totaled to 1,210,351 or 5.8 percent, while in this study area, males totaled to 85,749 or 4.7 percent of all persons in this area and females represented 119,297 or 6.6 percent of all persons. For other general and special population information from the 2000 Census as well as specific populations topics, link to http://www.census.gov/census2000/states/tx.html.

Population Projections

The Office of the State Demographer for the State of Texas distributes the most widely used population projections for Texas. Projection estimates in these tables and the methodology for migration scenarios have been revised as of June, 2004 by the Texas State Data Center and Office of the State Demographer - now housed at University of Texas San Antonio. Each projection series includes three scenarios resulting in three alternative sets of population values for the State and each county are presented in these projections. These scenarios assume the same set of mortality and fertility assumptions in each scenario but differ in their assumptions relative to net migration. The net migration assumptions made for three scenarios are derived from 1990-2000 patterns which have been altered relative to expected future population trends. This is done by systematically and uniformly altering the adjusted 1990-2000 net migration rates by age, sex and race/ethnicity. The scenarios so produced are referred to as the zero migration (0.0) scenario, the one-half 1990-2000 (0.5) scenario, the 1990-2000 (1.0) scenario and the 1990-2000 (2.0) scenario.

The recommended scenario for most county based projection reporting used is believed to be the 0.5 scenario as most appropriate scenario for most counties in Texas. This scenario has been prepared as an approximate average of the zero (0.0) and 1990-2000 (1.0) scenarios. It assumes rates of net migration one-half of those of the 1990s. The reason for including this scenario is that many counties in the State are unlikely to continue to experience the overall levels of relatively extensive growth of the 1990s. A scenario which projects rates of population growth that are approximately an average of the zero and the 1990-2000 scenarios is one that suggests slower but steadier growth than occurred during 1990-2000 (For a more detailed discussion see http://txsdc.utsa.edu).

Using this projection scenario, the following table represents population projections for Multi-County:

     * Anglo, Black,and Other excludes Hispanic counts.

For comparison purposes, the Texas population projections, using the same scenario methodology, are as follows:

     * Anglo, Black,and Other excludes Hispanic counts.

County to County Migration

Out Migration: Using Internal Revenue Service (IRS) information regarding changes in residences between two filing years 2000 and 2001, statistics regarding moving in and out of counties can reveal patterns of migration as well as patterns of out of state and foreign migration to and from selected counties. During this time Multi-County reported 646,871 total tax returns with sufficient Out-Migration data. Of these returns approximately 7.2 percent showed a change in residences by moving out from their originating county in 2000 to another county in 2001. Of these who moved out of their original county, 58.9 percent moved to another county within Texas, while 38.0 percent moved to a different state but within the U.S. Those who moved from their originating county in the year 2000 to a foreign country in 2001 was approximately 3.1 percent.

In-Migration: During the period 2000 to 2001, there were approximately 649,714 total tax returns with sufficient In-Migration data. Of these returns approximately 7.6 percent showed a change in residences by moving in from their originating county in 2000 to a county in the study area in 2001. Of these who moved into the study area from another county, 59.7 percent moved from other counties in Texas, while 37.0 percent moved from a county in a different state but within the U.S. Those who moved into the study area during the 2000-2001 period from a foreign country was approximately 3.4 percent.

Vital Statistics: According to the Texas Department of State Health Services for vital statistics for the year 2002, the Multi-County area had a total of 30,560 live births which represents a live birth rate of 15.8 births for every 1,000 persons in the study area compared to a statewide rate of 16.7 births per 1,000 persons in the population. The area had a total of 14,321 deaths representing a rate of 7.4 for every 1,000 persons compared to a statewide rate of 7.0.


Employment

Civilian Labor Force (CLF): The most recent civilian labor force estimates from TWC for Texas statewide in September 2006 is 11,535,540 which is an increase in the labor force of 240,018 persons since September 2005. This represents a 2.1 percent change in Texas during this time period. These estimates are not seasonally adjusted. Multi-County had a civilian labor force of 975,005 for September 2006 which was a change of 20,487 in CLF since September 2005. This change represented an increase of 2.1 percent for the study area. For another glimpse into TWC/LMI's Texas and County information, link to: http://www.tracer2.com/cgi/dataanalysis/AreaSelection.asp?tableName=Labforce.

Occupations: The best source of occupational information at the county level is from the 2000 Census. The total number of persons 16 years of age or older who were employed in Multi-County during the 2000 Census was 773,915. The following presents a table of those employed by occupational categories for this region compared to statewide percentages:

Class of Worker: Another way to view the types of workers in an area's labor force is by class of worker. According to the 2000 Census, the area had 587,881 employees who were private wage and salary workers representing 76.0 percent of all workers. The region had another 128,191 persons who were government workers or 16.6 percent, 55,275 who were self employed workers or 7.1 percent and 2,568 who were unpaid family workers representing 0.3 percent. This compares to the Texas statewide distribution of 78.0 percent for private wage and salary workers, 14.6 percent for government workers, 7.1 percent for self employed, and 0.3 percent for unpaid family workers.

Unemployment: According to TWC unemployment figures for September 2006 Multi-County had an unemployment estimate of 42,758 persons which represents a rate of 4.4 compared to a Texas statewide unemployment rate of 4.7 for the same month. For the study area these estimates represent a decrease from September 2005 unemployment rate of 4.7 percent. The Texas statewide unemployment rate was 5.2 for September 2005. For the latest unemployment rates, see TWC's LMI website - Unemployment Rates (LAUS): http://www.tracer2.com/cgi/dataanalysis/AreaSelection.asp?tableName=Labforce and for a description of methodology link to: http://www.tracer2.com/article.asp?ARTICLEID=148.

Reporting Establishments: The TWC indicates 34,955 business reporting units operating in Multi-County in the first quarter of 2006 with an average of 23.26 workers per unit. Average firm size makes a difference for job hunting and job development strategy because larger firms tend to have better defined ports of entry and in-house training capabilities. Although definitions vary greatly, small business can be defined as less than 50 workers and medium sized is 250 or less. The Texas average is 23.19 workers per unit. Regions with higher than average number of workers per unit tend to be dominated economically by a few very large employers.

Commuting to Work: Commuting to work for workers 16 years and over has a number of implications for transportation and municipal services study. Multi-County had a total of 596,803 or 76.1 percent who drove their car to work alone, 117,249 or 15.0 percent who car pooled, 20,332 or 2.6 percent used public transportation, 18,523 or 2.4 percent who walked to work, 9,838 or 1.3 percent of regional workers who used other means to work, and 21,437 or 2.7 percent who worked at home. These methods of commuting to work compare to the Texas statewide results by: car alone (77.7%), car pool (14.5%), public transportation (1.9%), walked (1.9%), other means (1.3%), and worked at home (2.8%).

Employers by Employee Size Class: According to the information used by the Industrial Profiles system which utilizes the American Labor Market Information System's (ALMIS) employer contact data from INFOUSA, Inc. for Fall, 2004, the area had approximately 13,977 establishments which employed 10 or more employees. Of these employers, approximately 0.4 percent employed over 1000 employees. 0.5 percent employed between approximately 500 and 999 employees, 7.5 percent employed between approximately 100 and 499 employees, 12.1 percent employed between 50 and 99 employees, 30.7 percent employed between 20 and 49 employees, and 48.8 percent employed between approximately 10 and 19 employees.

Top 10 Manufacturers for the Multi-County Region:

·  Cardell Kitchen & Bath Cabinet

·  Zachry Construction Corp

·  Motorola

·  Ccc Group Inc

·  Coca-Cola Bottling Co

·  SMI Texas

·  Structural Metals Inc

·  Holt Co Of Texas

·  Radio Cap Co Inc

·  Standard Aero


Income

Personal Income: According to the most recent data released by the BEA 2004, Multi-County's total personal income, excluding farm, was $56,246,970,000 which represented an increase of $3,351,233,000 when compared to the 2003 total personal income, excluding farm, of $ 52,895,737,000. For Statewide personal income, the total of $650,874,586,000 for 2003 and $690,587,968,000 for the year 2004, shows an increase of $39,713,382,000. This indicates that Multi-County has a personal income showing a rate change of 6.3 percent compared to the statewide income at a rate change of 6.1 percent for the same period. Income from all government and government enterprises for the area was a total of $10,027,429,000 for the year 2004. This was an increase of 4.9 percent from the 2003 figure of $9,555,447,000. Texas statewide had an increase of 5.4 percent for government income. Military income, excluding federal civilian income, for 2004 was $2,707,901,000 compared to $2,620,322,000 in 2003 for the study area. This was an increase of 3.3 percent compared to a statewide change of a decrease of 6.7 percent percent for the same period. For further information link to: http://www.bea.gov/bea/regional/reis.

Per Capita Income: Total personal income is a widely used measure of regional economic health while per capita income is generally used to compare the relative well-being of residents across areas (not accounting for differences in area cost of living). The per capita personal income for 2004 was $28,805 in Multi-County while Texas statewide had a per capita income of $30,732. For more information on this data, please go to http://www.bea.gov/bea/regional/reis.

Government Transfer Payments: The Multi-County region received over $8,432,919,000 in transfer of payments in FY2004 which reflected a $4,319 per capita transfer payment compared to the Texas per capita payment of $3,882. Transfer payments includes the total amount of government allocations to people who qualify for income assistance. This consists largely of supplemental security income payments, family assistance, general assistance payments, food stamp payments, and other assistance payments, including emergency assistance. For more information on this data, please go to http://www.bea.gov/bea/regional/reis.

Residence Adjustment: Some areas function as major employment centers and others serve as "bedroom communities". This means that residents may work in one region but live, pay taxes and spend most of their income in their resident region. The degree to which a regional area serves as a bedroom community can be measured by a "residence adjustment" to the area personal income. The residence adjustment in the Multi-County region was $301,428 in 2003. By 2004 the adjustment represented an increase to $322,199. A negative number implies that workers commute into the region to earn income but do not reside there. Growth over time of negative residence adjustments generally implies an eroding tax base for the region. Similarly, a positive figure implies that on balance the region exports jobs and income to residents of other regions. For more information on this data, please go to http://www.bea.gov/bea/regional/reis.

Average Weekly Wage: TWC reported an average weekly wage during 1^st quarter 2005 for all covered wages and salaried employment in the Multi-County region to be $659.75. Average weekly wages for 1^st quarter 2006 was $714.01, an increase of 8.2 percent. This is compared to an increase of 8.6 percent statewide for the same period of time. The Texas statewide average weekly wage in the 1^st quarter of 2006 was $824.64.  These wage data are the result of the reported quarterly wages and salaries paid by employers divided by 13 weeks. For the most current information, link to: http://www.tracer2.com/cgi/dataanalysis/AreaSelection.asp?tableName=Industry

UI Benefits: The region had $95,978,082 in Unemployment Insurance benefits paid during calendar year 2001. In the Multi-County region, the average duration before exhausting regular UI benefits in calendar year 2001 was approximately 16.97 weeks, while the statewide average duration before exhausting regular UI benefits in calendar year 2001 was approximately 15.85 weeks. The most likely interpretation of longer duration times is greater difficulty finding a job. Therefore, duration can serve as a good barometer for local general economic conditions. The average weekly benefits payment for Regular UI in 2001 was $212.82 for the Multi-County region compared to $238.53 in Texas statewide.

Personal Income by Place of Residence: Personal income by place of residence, based on the 2000 Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) estimates was roughly $63,660 for the Multi-County region. This compares to $78,626 statewide. This figure is much higher than the per capita income level because it includes all wage earners living within a single household. Also, income data from BEA will be different than income data from other agencies due to that fact the BEA includes other sources of income such as farm wages, dividends, interest, rent and transfer payments. For more information on this data, please go to http://www.bea.gov/bea/regional/reis.

Poverty Population: The U.S. Department of Census estimated a 2002 poverty population for the Multi-County region for people of all ages at 295,814 persons. That figure represents 15.7 percent of the non-institutional population compared to a Texas percentage of 15.4 percent for people of all ages. The estimated number of people under the age of 18 in the study area in poverty was 107,760 in 1999. This figure was 6.2 percent of all people under 18 in the study area compared to Texas statewide which was 6.0 percent of all people under 18 as estimated in 1999. According to the 2000 Census, the number of families living below poverty status in 1999 were 55,007 which was 11.9 percent of all families in the study area. This compared to 12.0 percent of all families statewide living in poverty status in 1999. The total number of individuals living below poverty status was 267,118 in 1999 which was 14.8 percent of all individuals in the study area. This compared to 15.0 percent of all individuals living below poverty status statewide. For the most recent Poverty information, see: http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/saipe/county.html .

Gross Retail Sales: Income can be viewed in several ways and under different definitions. Per capita income tends to have a direct relationship with the growth of gross sales and most service sector industries in an area. Gross sales for the region estimated by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts were $6,491,174,560 in the 4^th quarter 2004 which represented an increase of 7.9 percent to $7,002,675,816.00 by the 4^th quarter 2005. The statewide change for the same period was an increase of 8.6 percent in gross sales. The total number of reporting outlets for the same period was 19,166 in the 4^th quarter 2004 and 17,279 in the 4^th quarter 2005. This region had a decrease of -9.8 percent in the study area compared to the statewide change for the same period of a decrease of -13.0 percent. For the most recent Gross Retail Sales information, please see: http://www.window.state.tx.us/taxinfo/sales/.


Housing

Household Units and Size: The total number of housing units in 2000 in Multi-County according the Census was 636,796 with an average household size of 2.8 persons. The average household size for Texas was 2.7 persons for the same period. Home ownership rates for this area was 65.0 percent compared to Texas statewide which had a rate of 63.8 percent. While in Texas statewide the percent of households with persons under 18 years of age in 2000 was 40.9 percent, this study area had a percent of 40.8. The percent of households with persons 65 years of age or older was 19.9 percent in Texas statewide while 22.6 percent of Multi-County had households with individuals 65 years of age and older.

Types of Structures: While Texas had approximately 63.4 percent of the housing units in the category of one detached structures in 2000 according to the census, the study area had approximately 66.2 percent. Mobile homes in the area made up 8.3 percent when compared to a statewide percentage of 9.0 percent. More recently built housing structures in the area shows new development has taken place in the region. The total number of new housing structures built between 1995 and March 2000 was 94,837 or 13.7 percent in Multi-County compared to 13.2 percent statewide.

Owner and Renter Occupied: According to the 2000 Census, the percent of owner-occupied units with a value of $100,000 or greater in Multi-County was 32.4 percent compared to 36.7 percent for the state. The percent of renter-occupied units with rent values of $500 per month or greater was 56.4 percent as compared to the Texas percentage of 60.4 percent. For this area, the total number of renter-occupied housing units was 222,787 which represented 35.0 percent of all occupied housing units in 2000. This compares to a Texas statewide percentage of 36.2 percent for the same period.


Education

The total number of public independent school districts in Multi-County for the school year 1999-2000 was 52 according to the Texas Education Agency. The overall average daily attendance for the same year was 313,860.

Enrollment: School enrollment data from the 2000 Census showed that there were 515,031 persons in the population who were 3 years of age and older and enrolled in school in the study area during the census collection period. Of this population, the following table shows a breakdown of what types of schools persons were enrolled compared to similar statewide information:

Educational Attainment: The total number of persons 25 years of age or older who responded to the level of educational attainment during the 2000 Census was 1,119,736. Of those persons, the following presents a table on various levels of educational attainment for this region compared to statewide percentages:

Another useful grouping of these statistics shows that the percent of high school graduates or higher was 76.9 percent for the area compared to 75.7 percent for Texas. Also, the percent with bachelor's degree or higher was 21.9 percent as compared to 23.2 percent for Texas.


Health

Health Facilities - The number of acute and psychiatric care hospitals in Multi-County as of September 2006 was 42, with an average total beds capacity of approximately 161.4 compared to a statewide ratio of 122.0 beds per hospital according to statistical reports from the Texas Department of State Health Services. Link to http://www.dshs.state.tx.us for more data reporting on health care facilities. The Texas State Board of Pharmacy data for September 2006 shows there are 423 licensed pharmacies in the study area. The total number of licensed pharmacies statewide is 5,813. For additional information on Texas Pharmacies, link to the Texas State Board of Pharmacy at http://www.tsbp.state.tx.us/index.htm.

Health Practitioners - According to the Texas Department of State Health Services September 2005 report, there were 4,841 direct patient care and primary care physicians who practiced in the region. The ratio of total persons to each physician in the area was 405.8 residents per each physician. This compares to a statewide ratio of 446.4 persons for each physician in Texas. Another way of reporting these figures is by showing the number of physicians as a ratio per 100,000 residents. In this study area, the ratio in direct patient care was 574.9 as compared to the statewide ratio of 642.3 in direct patient care physicians per 100,000 population as of 2005. The ratio of physicians in primary care was 1,379.5 compared to a statewide ratio of 1,463.5 physicians in primary care per 100,000 persons in the population statewide. Link to http://www.dshs.state.tx.us for more data reporting as well as http://www.texasshcc.org.

The study area had a total of 14,293 registered nurses (RN) working in the study area, representing a ratio of 137.4 persons for each RN in the area. The statewide ratio was 159.1 persons for each RN in the state. For the same time period, the ratio of RNs per 100,000 population was 727.8 compared to 628.5 per 100,000 statewide. Link to http://www.dshs.state.tx.us for more data reporting as well as http://www.texasshcc.org.

The number of licensed vocational nurses (LVN) who practiced in the area was 6,996 representing a ratio of 280.8 persons per each LVN in the area. This compared to 371.7 persons per each LVN statewide. The ratio of LVNs per 100,000 population was 356.1 compared to 269.0 per 100,000 population statewide. See http://www.dshs.state.tx.us as well as http://www.texasshcc.org for a wider variety of Health Professionals and related information.

The Texas Department of State Health Services information for September 2005 also reports that there were 799 dentists in the study area, with a ratio of 2,458.5 persons for each dentist in the area. The ratio of dentists per 100,000 residents was 40.7. By comparison, there was a statewide ratio of 35.7 dentists per 100,000 residents, with a total of 8,213 dentists statewide. See http://www.dshs.state.tx.us as well as http://www.texasshcc.org for a wider variety of Health Professionals and related information.

According to data from the Texas Department of State Health Services for September 2005, there were 3,978 licensed Emergency Medical Technicians, or EMTs, for the study area; a ratio of 202.5 licensed EMTs per 100,000 residents. The statewide ratio was 218.6 EMTs per 100,000 residents, with a total of 50,291 EMTs statewide. See http://www.dshs.state.tx.us as well as http://www.texasshcc.org for a wider variety of Health Professionals and related information.

Also, according to the September 2005 report from the Texas Department of State Health Services, there were 1,560 pharmacists in this area, which is a ratio of 1,259.2 persons for each pharmacist. Texas has 16,944 pharmacists statewide, or a ratio of 1,357.6 persons for each pharmacist in the area. The ratio of pharmacists per 100,000 residents was 79.4 compared to 73.7 per 100,000 residents statewide. See http://www.dshs.state.tx.us as well as http://www.texasshcc.org for a wider variety of Health Professionals and related information.

The Texas Department of State Health Services information for September 2005 shows that for the study area there were 496 occupational therapists; a ratio of 3,960.4 persons for each occupational therapist. The statewide ratio was 4,296.3 persons for each occupational therapist, with a total of 5,354 occupational therapists statewide. The ratio of occupational therapists per 100,000 residents was 25.2 compared to 23.3 statewide. See http://www.dshs.state.tx.us as well as http://www.texasshcc.org for a wider variety of Health Professionals and related information.

Medical & Health Services Employment^*

^* Includes: Hospitals, Medical/Health Offices; Home Health, Nursing, Elderly Residential facilities;
Individual/Family, Emergency & Other Relief Svcs., Vocational Rehab. Svcs.
[NAICS: 6211,6212-19,6221-23,6231-32,6239,6242-43]
Due to confidentiality, employment for small areas may be suppressed and reported as zero.

Health Statistics - Some of the leading causes of mortality in Texas include malignant neoplasms or cancer, heart disease, and chronic lower respiratory disease. From information gathered by Texas Department of State Health Services for 2003, the study area had a total of 3,113 reported deaths from malignant neoplasm cancer. On a statewide level, Texas had 33,782 reported deaths from malignant neoplasm cancer. Texas Department of State Health Services reports that for 2002 there were 3,818 deaths from heart disease, and 617 deaths from lower respiratory disease in the selected study area. By contrast, Texas statewide had 41,654 deaths from heart disease and 7,548 deaths from chronic lower respiratory disease. See http://www.dshs.state.tx.us for a wider variety of Texas health, disease and related information.

Several state agencies collect statistics on health status indicators that can be used to assess the strengths or weaknesses of public health in a local area or community. For this study area, the Texas Department of State Health Services reported for August 2003 there were 217 infant deaths, as compared with a statewide rate of 2,369. See http://www.dshs.state.tx.us for a wider variety of Texas health, disease and related information.

The Texas Department of State Health Services reported that for August 2003 there were 1,839 total teen pregnancies in this area. There were different teen pregnancy rates in the study area depending on race, with 94 for Black teens, 1,528 for Hispanic teens and 217 for White teens. Statewide rates for teenage pregnancy were 19,730 for total teenage pregnancies, with 3,003 for Black teens, 12,693 for Hispanic teens and 4,034 for White teens. See http://www.dshs.state.tx.us for a wider variety of Texas health, disease and related information.

In the Health and Human Services 2003 Data Book, figures show that the number of children under 19 in this area whom were not covered by health insurance is 82,922, which is 6.5% of the reported population in that age group. The number of uninsured children statewide is 885,999, or 7.1% of the reported population for children under 19. For more information, or to view or download the entire data book, see http://www.hhsc.state.tx.us.


Information On The Web

The Bureau of Census has a variety of useful Quick Facts for each county in Texas. These Quick Fact reports are available for each county in the Multi-County area at http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/48000.html. Some counties maintain their own Internet sites for local information. If a county hosts its own Web site, it may be accessed through a URL with the following format http://www.co.County Name Goes Here.tx.us.

To research additional websites on Counties, consider any of the following:

Texas A-Z List of counties with web sites: http://www.state.tx.us/category.jsp?language=eng&categoryId=6.2.1
Texas Conference on Urban Counties: http://www.cuc.org
State of Texas Web Site - Texas Counties:http://www.state.tx.us
Texas Economic Development: http://www.marketplace.state.tx.us
TWC's LMI unit, Tracer: http://www.tracer2.com/
Texas Association of Counties: http://www.county.org
V.G. Young Institute of County Government: http://vgyi.tamu.edu/
Real Estate Center, Texas A&M University: http://recenter.tamu.edu
Bureau of Business Research, University of Texas: http://www.utexas.edu/depts/bbr
National Association of Counties: http://www.naco.org
"Uniform Crime Statistics, County Reports" Geostat-Geospatial & Statistical Data Center, University of Virginia: http://fisher.lib.virginia.edu/crime

Other Facts of Interest

·         According to the Texas Secretary of State's Office, for the November 2004 presidential election, there were 1,215,490 registered voters in Multi-County. The voter turnout was 661,151 representing 54.4 percent of eligible voters. The election results were 398,211 or 60.2 percent for Bush/Cheney, 257,976 or 39.0 percent for Kerry/Edwards, and 4,964 or 0.8 percent for all other presidential candidates. The statewide results were 61.1 percent for Bush/Cheney, 38.2 percent for Kerry/Edwards, and approximately 0.7 percent for all other candidates. See: http://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/voter/index.shtml for other topics of interest.

·         Information from the Texas Department of Protective & Regulatory Services for 2003 showed that the area had 72 foster homes and 38 adoptive homes. The total number of licensed day care facilities were 839 with a total capacity of 70,791. The total number of family homes licensed for 24-hour care was 498. Link to http://www.tdprs.state.tx.us for further information.

·         In Multi-County, there were approximately 340 crimes reported for every 1,000 persons in 1998 and 335 crimes reported in 1999 for every 1,000 persons. This compares to a statewide total of approximately 52 crimes in 1998 and 51 crimes reported for every 1,000 person in Texas. See the Criminal Justice Policy Council website http://www.cjpc.state.tx.us/stattabs/stats.html and the U.S. Dept. of Justice site http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/dtdata.htm for the most recent reported data.