Hays County

Hays County joins Williamson County as one of the fastest growing counties in Texas. The county’s location on I-35 between Austin and San Antonio makes it ideal for companies needing good roadway links. The state’s sixth largest public university, Texas State University in San Marcos, provides the area with a young, well-educated workforce. The state’s largest outlet mall, located on I-35 south of San Marcos, makes the area a strong retail center. The County's next largest city is Kyle, another thriving community on the I-35 corridor.

  Hays County Austin MSA
Population 2009 61,923 1,705,075
Population growth 1999-2009 66.1% 41.4%
Land area (sq. mi.) 2000 678 4,224
Households 2008 51,265 657,357
Homeownership rate 2000 64.8% 58.2%
Median age 2000 28.4 30.9
High school grads 2000 84.7% 84.8%
College grads 2000 31.3% 36.7%
Labor force 2009 78,239 885,803
Unemployment rate 2009 6.6% 6.9%
Public school enrollment 2008-09 27,506 281,718
High school graduates 2008 1,468 14,685
Median household income 2007 $43,228 $46,263
Percapita income 2007 $18,585 $22,710
Retail sales 2008 (000s) $2,214.3 $26,729.8
Business
2007		 Firms 2,723 34,009
Employment 47,100 749,658
Avg. weekly wage $591 $899
Mfg. business
2007		 Firms 148 1,347
Employment 4,127 60,272
Avg. weekly wage $894 $1,540
Largest cities San Marcos
Kyle
Buda
Wimberley
Dripping Springs
Woodcreek 		Austin
Round Rock
San Marcos
Cedar Park
Georgetown
Pflugerville
Largest school districts Hays
San Marcos
Dripping Springs 		Austin
Round Rock
Leander
Pflugerville
Georgetown
Hays

Sources: Claritas/TradeDimensions for income; Texas Workforce Commission for labor force, unemployment, businesses, employees, and wages; Texas Education Agency for public school enrollment and graduates; Texas Comptroller for retail sales; and U.S. Bureau of the Census for all other data.