Where the Highland Lakes works: Job and population numbers
When it comes to overall employment, retail is a large factor in the Highland Lakes economy. Almost 3,000 jobs fall under that category. But as for as direct employment goes, public school districts are at the head of the class with Marble Falls and Burnet districts employing more than 1,100 people combined.
The Highland Lakes economy remains a vibrant one with a low unemployment rate. Here’s a look at some of job and economic numbers from annual wages to the top industry employment breakdowns.
Burnet County*
Population — 45,017
Median age — 44 (state median age is 34.3; national is 37.8)
Age breakdown (years)
- Under 18 — 21.7 percent (9,788)
- 18 to 24 — 8.9 percent (3,992)
- 25 to 34 — 9 percent (4,073)
- 35 to 44 — 11.5 percent (5,179)
- 45 to 54 — 12.1 percent (5,447)
- 55 to 64 — 15.3 percent (6,872)
- 65 to 74 — 12.7 percent (5,735)
- 75 and up — 8.7 percent (3,931)
Labor Force Participation Rate and Size (population 16 years and older) — 56.2 percent (20,346)
Prime Age Labor Force Participation Rate and Size (25-54) — 80.5 percent (11,839)
Total Employment (as of 2019 second quarter) — 17,138
Unemployment Rate (seasonally adjusted, as of July 2019) — 2.5 percent
Annual Average Wage (as of 2019 second quarter) — $41,820
Industry Employment Breakdown (and average annual wages)
Top 10
- Retail Trade — 2,318 employed ($32,749)
- Health Care and Social Assistance — 2,279 ($49,235)
- Accommodations and Food Services — 2,040 ($21,107)
- Construction — 1,937 ($49,797)
- Education Services — 1,585 ($38,686)
- Manufacturing — 1,025 ($62,425)
- Other Services — 849 ($25,414)
- Public Administration — 810 ($48,172)
- Administration and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services — 705 ($33,403)
- Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting — 662 ($6,478)
Llano County*
Population — 20,195
Median age — 57.1 (state median age is 34.3; national is 37.8)
Age breakdown (years)
- Under 18 — 14.5 percent (2,928)
- 18 to 24 — 5.5 percent (1,104)
- 25 to 34 — 8.1 percent (1,635)
- 35 to 44 — 7 percent (1,421)
- 45 to 54 — 12.3 percent (2,480)
- 55 to 64 — 17.2 percent (3,465)
- 65 to 74 — 19.3 percent (3,890)
- 75 and up — 16.2 percent (3,272)
Labor Force Participation Rate and Size (population 16 years and older) — 47.1 percent (8,349)
Prime Age Labor Force Participation Rate and Size (25-54) — 79.3 percent (4,392)
Total Employment (as of 2019 second quarter) — 5,927
Unemployment Rate (seasonally adjusted, as of July 2019) — 3.2 percent
Annual Average Wage (as of 2019 second quarter) — $36,555
Industry Employment Breakdown (and average annual wages)
Top 10
- Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation — 775 ($36,100)
- Construction — 657 ($41,360)
- Retail Trade — 632 ($24,855)
- Accommodation and Food Services — 528 ($18,877)
- Health Care and Social Assistance — 492 ($41,775)
- Educational Services — 405 ($41,064)
- Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting — 331 ($9,866)
- Other Services — 301 ($27,040)
- Administration and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services — 267 ($32,847)
- Public Administration — 261 ($41,928)
(* Based on Jobs EQ and Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area economic overview published August 2019)
Top Employers in Marble Falls and immediate area**
- Marble Falls Independent School District — 685
- Horseshoe Bay Resort — 662
- Baylor Scott & White — 573
- H-E-B Grocery — 324
- Wal-Mart — 285
- Lowe’s — 140
- City of Marble Falls — 137
- Granite Mesa Health Center — 115
- Gibraltar — 127
- The Home Depot — 110
(** Marble Falls Economic Development Corp.)
Top Employers in Burnet and immediate area***
- Burnet Consolidated Independent School District — 495
- Burnet County — 316
- Stealth Products — 150
- City of Burnet — 148
- Entegris — 141
- Texas Department of Criminal Justice — 130
- Seton Highland Lakes — 120
- H-E-B Grocery — 116
- YMCA of the Highland Lakes — 90
- Hoover Companies — 80
- Sure Cast — 53
(*** City of Burnet; based on American Fact Finder, Employer Websites, Phone/Email Interviews with Companies)