Williamson County Posts Nation's 2nd Highest Growth

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, TX — The county has tied for the second largest percent increase in employment in the U.S. with a year-to-year growth of nearly 4 percent, officials said.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the county posted a 3.9 percent gain from June 2018 to June 2019. The largest increase in employment was in Adams County, Colorado, with a gain of 5.3 percent. WilCo tied with Richmond County, New York, and Utah County, Utah.

Officials noted WilCo ranked 25th for percent change in average weekly wage for the second quarter 2019 with a 5.3 percent increase. By comparison, Travis County ranked 79th with 4.4 percent.

“Williamson County’s economic development plan has been to bring more jobs here to our county for our residents, so they are not stuck in traffic during long commutes. It also has been to have a diversified work force," County Judge Bill Gravell said in prepared statement. "So, it is exciting to see that our young adults can find good employment opportunities here in a wide variety of career fields.”

Also according to the U.S. Department of Labor, industries that have the largest increase overall are education and health services, leisure and hospitality, and construction. Williamson County’s yearly employment growth has ranged from 2.9 percent to 4.7 percent over the past five years:

• June 2018 to June 2019 ranked 2nd with 3.9 percent.
• June 2017 to June 2018 ranked 10th with 4.0 percent.
• June 2016 to June 2017 ranked 37th with 3.1 percent.
• June 2015 to June 2016 ranked 4th with 4.7 percent.
• March 2014 to March 2015 ranked 97th with 2.9 percent.