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Austin, Texas
2-24-14: As a Commercial Agent in Austin, Texas, one request comes often. Articles with weblinks. My clients seek information they can read about the Austin from local or national news sources. The following four articles were compliled by Bob Roberts at GracyTitle, and are great for your clients as well.
Since the first of the year, Austin has been recognized nationally and internationally. Here are four 2014 articles including Forbes ranking Austin the fastest growing economy, ABJ’s article on how many people move to Austin every day, Jones Lang LaSalle’s ranking Austin number 7 in the world for long term success, and NerdWallet’s ranking Austin number 1 for job seekers.
Forbes ranks Austin No.1 for fourth-straight year
Monday, February 17, 2014, 9:11am CST
Austin is yet again No. 1 on Forbes' 2014 ranking of the fastest-growing cities in the U.S., which takes into account economic growth.
Austin's accolades keep piling up. After the city ranked at or near the top of most economic polls and surveys in 2013, the Texas capital has started 2014 right where it left off, ranking No. 1 on Forbes' list of the country's fastest-growing cities for the fourth year in a row.
Forbes noted that Austin had a 2.5 percent estimated population growth in 2013 — the highest of all geographic regions in the country. It's something that Austin demographer Ryan Robinson laid out in his latest findings that estimate how many people are moving to the Austin area every day.
Forbes also noted that Austin's economy grew at a stellar 5.9 percent in 2013. That's pretty hard to beat, the report said.
Houston, which has ranked near the top of the list in recent years due to the huge surge in domestic oil and gas production, may be seeing its sizzle start to fizzle. The city fell all the way from No. 2 last year to No. 10.
After Austin, the rest of the top five fastest-growing cities in the country are Raleigh, N.C.; Phoenix; Dallas (down from No. 3 a year ago); and Salt Lake City. San Antonio is ranked No. 20 this year.
Texas’ strong population growth, unemployment rate under 6 percent, business-friendly regulatory environment, lack of state income tax and highly educated labor market helped it put four cities on the list.
Florida was the only other state with that number of cities. Read the complete Forbes report here.
Forbes' analysis of the 100 largest U.S. metropolitan statistical areas was based on six metrics, including estimated rates of population growth for 2013 and 2014, job growth for 2013 and gross metropolitan product growth for 2013.
How many people move to Austin a day? Here's the official number
Feb 14, 2014, 2:19pm CST
City of Austin
Austin's population growth rate has been "exponential" since World War II, according to Demographer Ryan Robinson.
Colin Pope Editor- Austin Business Journal
It's one of the most common questions I get: How many people move to Austin on an average day?
You've probably seen several numbers thrown around out there. But finally, I have a specific number I'm comfortable reporting.
Drumroll, please: 110.
That's the official number from Austin Demographer Ryan Robinson. He detailed the city's phenomenal growth at the Austin Young Chamber of Commerce's first annual meeting Friday.
The 110 figure is the "net arrivals per day," Robinson said. In other words, it factors in the relative few who leave this town (why, I have no idea).
As Robinson puts it: "The state of our union is very, very good."
As the region flirts with the 2 million population mark, Robinson pointed out that Austin is the fastest-growing large city in America, according to data from recent years. What's more, he said, he sees a lot more interaction between Austin and San Antonio.
"The power of those two metro areas together is pretty astounding," he said, adding that Austin's young workforce is the oil keeping Austin's economic engine roaring.
The downside to all the growth is housing costs. Austin Business Journal detailed that issue in this in-depth article titled "The incredible shrinking dollar."
Robinson was one of the first professionals to make one of my "20 Austinites to Know" lists. The data at his fingertips is valuable business intelligence, and it's available to you.
Link to article: http://www.bizjournals.com/austin/blog/at-the-watercooler/2014/02/how-many-people-move-to-austin-a-day-heres-the.html
22 January, 2014
San Francisco, London, Dubai, Shanghai and Wuhan lead Jones Lang LaSalle’s list of dynamic cities
CHICAGO and LONDON, January 22, 2014 — Recognizing that commercial real estate is no longer just a consequence of a city’s success but a driver of it, Jones Lang LaSalle (NYSE: JLL) has identified San Francisco, London, Dubai, Shanghai and Wuhan at the forefront of cities that demonstrate the combination of strong short term socio-economic and commercial real estate momentum and longer term foundations for success. In its new, proprietary City Momentum Index (CMI), Jones Lang LaSalle goes beyond traditional, static economic rankings to delve into the underlying drivers that are the hallmark of highly dynamic cities.
According to Jeremy Kelly, Director, Global Research for Jones Lang LaSalle: “City momentum is about far more than just raw GDP growth. The true foundation of highly dynamic cities emerges from such factors as speed of innovation and creation of cutting-edge businesses along with new building construction, property price movement and investment in real estate from cross-border investors and corporations.
“The new City Momentum Index offers a fresh and uniquely comprehensive perspective that identifies the signals of change and characteristics of city momentum. By focusing on the features of a city that are likely to underpin future performance, the CMI stands apart from the standard historic performance upon which most indices are based. It is such measures of dynamism in infrastructure, connectivity and innovation that we believe will be steering many investment and location decisions in the future, though investors and corporates should note that high momentum can pose both risk and opportunity.” 
The cities that top the CMI are characterized by these dynamics:
· Elite cities that wield clear economic might on the global stage, accounting for one-quarter of the world’s direct commercial real estate investment activity from 2012-2013:
San Francisco (1), London (2), Dubai (3), New York (6), Hong Kong (8), Singapore (10), Los Angeles (15) and Tokyo (19)
· Technology-rich cities that took early advantage of technology trends and provide fertile environments for innovation
San Francisco (1), Austin (7), San Jose (9), Boston (17) and Seattle (18)
· Smaller, innovation-friendly cities that gained rapid momentum to achieve global position
Austin (7)
· Rapidly urbanizing cities in China that continue to grow with massive city-building programs despite a slowing economy
Shanghai (4), Wuhan (5), Shenzhen (11), Beijing (13), Chengdu (14) and Tianjin (16)
· Growth hotspots beyond the BRICs driven by urban consumerism
Jakarta (12) and Lima (20)
· Resurgent cities gearing up for events in 2020 with renewed vigor
Tokyo (19) – 2020 Summer Olympics and Dubai (3) – Expo 2020
Link to article: http://www.us.jll.com/united-states/en-us/news/2662/city-momentum-index-identifies-the-worlds-20-most-dynamic-cities
January 7, 2014
by Divya with NerdWallet
As the U.S. economy continues to recover, there arise more opportunities for job seekers across the nation. The federal government is involved in helping people find work, and the Employment and Training Administration of the Department of Labor has multiple career development programs to help workers succeed in a changing marketplace. Many of the largest cities have continued to show growth, helping the economy get back on its feet. But, owing to a variety of factors, some cities have a more positive outlook for job seekers than others. To help consumers make informed decisions, NerdWallet crunched the numbers to find the best U.S. cities for job seekers by asking the following questions:
1. Are jobs available? We looked at the metro area’s unemployment rate to determine job availability. A low unemployment rate led to a higher overall score.
2. Is the city growing? We assessed population growth to ensure that the city is attracting workers and exhibiting a trend of upward growth. High population growth led to a higher overall score.
3. Can you afford to live there? We looked at the median income and the monthly homeowner costs to assess whether residents could live comfortably in the area. We used monthly homeowner costs to proxy cost of living. Cities with high median incomes and a low cost of living scored higher.
For more information, check out our cost of living calculator here.
The Best Cities for Job Seekers
1. Austin, Texas - Austin is experiencing tremendous growth—the city has the highest working-age population increase (5.9%) of the featured cities on our list. Major employers in this burgeoning technology hub include Dell and IBM, and these companies each employ more than 6,000 people. Austin has plenty of resources for job seekers and working professionals, and a good local resource for networking is the Bronze Pages guide. There is a chapter of the American Society for Training & Development in the city, which provides professionals with workshops, study groups and networking opportunities to help further their careers.
2. Washington, District of Columbia - The nation’s capital, sitting along the Potomac River between Maryland and Virginia, grew by 4.6% from 2010 to 2012, and it has one of the higher median incomes at $45,151 a year. In addition to the government sector, Washington also thrives in the education and health care industries. The two largest employers are Georgetown University and George Washington University, with the Washington Hospital Center and Children’s National Hospital coming in behind them. Those looking for help in their job search can reach out to Project Empowerment, a job training program that helps residents with subsidized employment while working with them to secure permanent non-subsidized employment. Students at Georgetown have access to the Cawley Career Education Center, which assists with career planning and networking.
3. Fort Worth, Texas - Located some 30 miles west of Dallas, Fort Worth was originally established as a fort to defend settlers after the Mexican American War. Now, the city’s main industries are the government sector and manufacturing, but the area retains its western spirit and culture. The largest employers are American Airlines and Lockheed Martin, and the Lockheed Martin Aeronautics production plant makes the F-35 Lightning II and F-16 Fighting Falcon. For job seekers, the Dallas/Fort Worth area has many organizations, such as the CCI Training Center, that provide useful career training.
4. Denver, Colorado - Just east of the Rocky Mountains, the Mile High City’s main industries include aerospace and manufacturing. Two of the major employers in the area are Ball Corporation and Lockheed Martin. The Denver Chamber of Commerce helps young people network and get involved in the community through the Denver Metro Chamber Young Professionals Group, while the nonprofit association SCORE Denver provides low-cost services to help entrepreneurs and small businesses succeed. The University of Colorado-Denver has a substantial career services department that even offers a certificate of employability to help students find employment in a competitive job market.
5. Charlotte, North Carolina - Charlotte lies on the southwestern border between North Carolina and South Carolina, and is one of the country’s major financial centers. It has a diverse economy, with the largest employers ranging from manufacturing to financial services. Bank of America has its worldwide headquarters in town, and Wells Fargo has its East Coast division headquarters in the One Wells Fargo Center skyscraper in downtown Charlotte. The University of North Carolina at Charlotte offers multiple services and events for students such as career expos, job fairs and counseling. Charlotte has a thriving arts community as well, and the Arts and Science Council offers many workshops to foster the professional development of creative individuals.
6. Raleigh, North Carolina - The capital of North Carolina is located in the heart of the state, and is known for its research-and-development industry. This is largely due to Research Triangle Park, a hub for tech companies that contains some of the largest employers in the area. IBM is a major employer for the area and can be found in Research Triangle Park. The career development center at North Carolina State University provides assistance to students looking to enter the job market, offering access to internship postings, information sessions and career fairs. The Center for Employment Training, in nearby Durham, provides hands-on training for vocational skills.
7. Omaha, Nebraska - Four of the top ten major employers in the Omaha are in the health care industry, including Alegent Creighton Health and Methodist Health System. First Data Corporation is in the data-processing industry, employing thousands of people who live in the area. Job seekers can look for training through the Nebraska Department of Labor, which offers a searchable index of training providers. This is a useful resource for professionals who want further their educations in their trade. The University of Nebraska-Omaha has an Academic and Career Development Center, and their popular Career Coach program uses local data, such as information on training and wages, to help students find a good career path.
8. Minneapolis, Minnesota - Known as the City of Lakes, Minneapolis has more than 20 lakes and wetlands. The city’s diverse economy is based on commerce, finance, health care and trucking. Some of the largest employers include Target, the University of Minnesota and Wells Fargo. Minneapolis offers plenty of culture as well—there’s a thriving theater scene and several film and arts centers, and the city hosts the Minnesota Fringe Festival, one of the largest performing arts festivals in the country. Minneapolis is one of the best cities for recreation, and hockey fans have plenty to cheer for here as well. The University of Minnesota has a campus in Minneapolis, and they offer programs that enrich the public, such as a yearly Women’s Leadership Conference.
9. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma - Oklahoma City is located right in the center of the state. The energy industry has a strong presence in the area, and major employers include two Fortune 500 energy companies, Chesapeake Energy and Devon Energy. The arts-and-crafts supplier Hobby Lobby has their corporate headquarters here too. The Professional Development Institute at Oklahoma City Community College offers flexible adult education and training programs, with the only state-certified compressed natural gas technician program in the city. The interfaith nonprofit Education and Employment Ministry offers job training and placement assistance for adults.
10. San Antonio, Texas - San Antonio is known for its River Walk along the San Antonio River, which takes visitors through downtown on a vibrant waterway lined with shops and restaurants. Technology and energy are growing industries in the city, partially due to the Southwest Research Institute and Valero Energy, two of its major employers. The financial services industry is strong as well; the United Services Automobile Association is headquartered in San Antonio. PROJECT Quest is an award-winning local workforce training and development program that has a 90% job placement and retention rate for graduates. The University of Texas at San Antonio has a career center that provides students and alumni with resources, such as a virtual library of guidance materials and connections to local businesses.
Rank | City | 2012 population | 2010 population | Population growth | Selected monthly homeowner costs | Median income for workers | Unemployment rate | Overall score |
1 | Austin, Texas | 842,595 | 795,518 | 5.9% | $1,725 | $29,122 | 4.7% | 80.1 |
2 | Washington, DC | 632,323 | 604,453 | 4.6% | $2,301 | $45,151 | 4.9% | 79.4 |
3 | Fort Worth, Texas | 782,027 | 744,114 | 5.1% | $1,396 | $28,636 | 5.6% | 75.4 |
4 | Denver, Colorado | 634,265 | 604,414 | 4.9% | $1,571 | $32,002 | 5.8% | 74.7 |
5 | Charlotte, North Carolina | 775,208 | 734,418 | 5.6% | $1,427 | $30,605 | 6.9% | 73.7 |
6 | Raleigh, North Carolina | 423,743 | 406,609 | 4.2% | $1,439 | $30,778 | 5.4% | 73.2 |
7 | Omaha, Nebraska | 421,564 | 410,269 | 2.8% | $1,294 | $27,390 | 3.6% | 72.2 |
8 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | 392,871 | 383,280 | 2.5% | $1,639 | $30,127 | 4.0% | 68.6 |
9 | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma | 599,309 | 582,278 | 2.9% | $1,259 | $26,515 | 4.7% | 68.6 |
10 | San Antonio, Texas | 1,383,194 | 1,334,359 | 3.7% | $1,246 | $25,935 | 5.6% | 68.3 |
11 | Atlanta, Georgia | 443,768 | 42,2338 | 5.1% | $1,828 | $31,069 | 7.0% | 68.2 |
12 | Nashville-Davidson), Tennessee | 623,255 | 60,2618 | 3.4% | $1,351 | $27,269 | 5.7% | 66.9 |
13 | Dallas, Texas | 1,241,108 | 1,202,797 | 3.2% | $1,480 | $26,682 | 5.6% | 64.8 |
14 | Seattle, Washington | 634,541 | 610,710 | 3.9% | $2,281 | $37,314 | 6.7% | 64.6 |
15 | Phoenix, Arizona | 1,488,759 | 1,449,481 | 2.7% | $1,419 | $29,257 | 6.0% | 63.3 |
16 | Arlington, Texas | 375,598 | 367,185 | 2.3% | $1,400 | $28,434 | 5.6% | 62.5 |
17 | Mesa, Arizona | 452,068 | 440,248 | 2.7% | $1,374 | $27,057 | 6.0% | 62.1 |
18 | Houston, Texas | 2,161,686 | 2,107,208 | 2.6% | $1,464 | $26,504 | 5.6% | 62.1 |
19 | Portland, Oregon | 603,650 | 585,429 | 3.1% | $1,742 | $29,210 | 6.2% | 61.8 |
20 | Virginia Beach, Virginia | 447,021 | 439,172 | 1.8% | $1,822 | $34,373 | 5.5% | 61.2 |
Methodology
The overall score for each city was derived from the following measures:
1. Unemployment rate for the metro area: Bureau of Labor Statistics (November 2013)
2. Population growth from 2010 to 2012: U.S. Census, data set (2012 U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS))
3. Median income workers: U.S. Census, data set (2010-2012 ACS)
4. Selected monthly owner costs: U.S. Census, data set (2010-2012 ACS)
The largest 50 cities in the United States were included in this analysis.
Link to article: http://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/2014/best-cities-for-job-seekers/
| Jim Young |
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