Texas Region Map

About Texas Region Map

Explore the map of Texas regions showing all 12 regions with all counties, county boundaries, state boundary, and country boundary.

12 Economic Regions of Texas

Economic Region	Key Metro Areas	Approx. Population (2023)	Dominant Industries	Economic Highlights
Alamo	San Antonio, New Braunfels	2.9 million	Military, Aerospace, Healthcare, Tourism	Home to several military bases and a booming healthcare sector; major tourist destination
Capital	Austin, Round Rock, Georgetown	2.4 million	Technology, Education, Government	Fast-growing tech hub; headquarters of many startups and state government
Central Texas	Waco, Temple, Killeen	1.1 million	Defense, Education, Agriculture	Fort Cavazos (formerly Fort Hood) is a major economic driver
Gulf Coast	Houston, Sugar Land, The Woodlands	7.5 million	Energy, Petrochemicals, Healthcare, Shipping	Global leader in energy and home to one of the busiest ports in the U.S.
High Plains	Amarillo, Lubbock	885,000	Agriculture, Wind Energy, Education	Major cotton and beef production center; growing renewable energy sector
Metroplex	Dallas, Fort Worth, Arlington	8.1 million	Finance, Technology, Logistics, Aviation	One of the fastest-growing and most diverse economies in the U.S.
North Texas	Sherman, Denison, Wichita Falls	1.2 million	Manufacturing, Military, Aerospace	Strong manufacturing base; proximity to DFW supports economic spillover
Northwest Texas	Abilene, San Angelo	720,000	Agriculture, Energy, Military	Home to Dyess Air Force Base; agriculture and oil important to regional economy
South Texas	Laredo, Eagle Pass, Uvalde	1.4 million	Trade, Logistics, Agriculture	Major international trade corridor with Mexico; strong logistics sector
Southeast Texas	Beaumont, Port Arthur, Orange	480,000	Petrochemical, Shipping, Energy	Important energy and shipping hub; concentration of refineries and ports
Upper East Texas	Tyler, Longview, Texarkana	1.5 million	Healthcare, Education, Manufacturing	Expanding medical sector and manufacturing base; anchored by regional universities
Upper Rio Grande	El Paso	870,000	Trade, Manufacturing, Defense	Strategic cross-border trade location; Fort Bliss boosts defense economy

Regions of Texas

Texas spans across a large area with diverse economic activities so the state divides into 12 economic regions for effective growth management. The economic regions were created to match geographic and economic and demographic patterns which enables policymakers and businesses and researchers to conduct more precise economic performance and development analysis. Each economic region maintains its own unique industrial characteristics together with distinct population numbers and specific challenges and possibilities. The population of Texas reached 30 million residents in 2023 while economic regions serve to understand growth patterns between urban and suburban and rural areas.

Alamo Region

The Alamo Region which surrounds San Antonio maintains its military strength while supporting healthcare facilities and tourism activities. The population exceeds 2.9 million residents who live in Bexar County and its adjacent areas. The region maintains several major military installations including Joint Base San Antonio which generates defense-related spending. The region supports its tourism economy through its historic sites including the Alamo and its active cultural heritage.

Capital Region

The Capital Region consisting of Austin, Round Rock and Georgetown stands as one of the nation's fastest-growing metropolitan areas. The population exceeds 2.4 million in this region which functions as a major center for technology and education and public administration. The city of Austin maintains its position as a leading technology center which draws new startups and venture capital investments and global corporations. The region contains the University of Texas at Austin and functions as the state capital which creates a vibrant and knowledgeable workforce.

Central Texas Region

The Central Texas Region spans Waco Temple and Killeen with a population of 1.1 million people who maintain strong connections to military operations education and agricultural activities. The United States military base Fort Cavazos (previously known as Fort Hood) operates as a leading economic force in the area. The region maintains economic diversity through its combination of higher education institutions and agricultural research centers.

Gulf Coast Region

The Gulf Coast Region serves as the most populous economic area in Texas because it contains Houston and supports more than 7.5 million residents. The region functions as a worldwide center for energy operations which includes oil production and gas processing and petrochemical manufacturing. The Port of Houston operates as one of the busiest ports in the United States which enables substantial logistics and shipping operations. The region maintains a well-developed healthcare infrastructure while its biomedical research sector expands quickly which positions it as a leading economic center in the southern United States.

High Plains Region

The High Plains Region in the Texas Panhandle encompasses Amarillo and Lubbock and supports a population of 885,000 people. The region stands as a major cotton and cattle production area of the United States while its flat landscape and steady wind patterns have established it as a prime location for wind energy projects. The region depends on agriculture and agribusiness and renewable energy production while receiving backing from local research institutions and universities.

Metroplex Region

The Metroplex Region includes the Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington metropolitan area which holds the title of most economically diverse region in Texas. The population exceeds 8.1 million making it one of the biggest metropolitan areas in the United States. The economy of this area depends on finance together with information technology and defense and aviation and logistics sectors. The Metroplex features multiple Fortune 500 headquarters together with major transportation infrastructure which includes Dallas Fort Worth International Airport which operates as one of the world's busiest airports.

North Texas Region

The North Texas Region spans north of the Metroplex to include Sherman, Denison and Wichita Falls with a population of about 1.2 million. The region is recognized for its manufacturing capabilities, aerospace engineering, and growing healthcare services. It benefits from its proximity to the Dallas–Fort Worth area while maintaining its distinct identity rooted in traditional industries like defense and industrial production.

Northwest Texas Region

The Northwest Texas Region comprises Abilene and San Angelo together with their adjacent rural counties which have a total population of 720,000. The regional economy depends mainly on agriculture together with oil and gas production and military facilities including Dyess Air Force Base. The region maintains a solid educational base through higher education and vocational training which enables workforce development and regional resilience despite its rural character and limited population density.

South Texas Region

The South Texas Region borders Mexico where Laredo, Eagle Pass and Uvalde are located and has a population of 1.4 million people. The Port of Laredo functions as a vital international trade hub because it stands as one of North America's busiest inland ports. The regional economy depends on logistics operations together with warehousing facilities and agricultural production and retail activities. The region maintains powerful economic connections with northern Mexico because of its border position.

Southeast Texas Region

The Southeast Texas Region encompasses the Beaumont–Port Arthur–Orange triangle with a total population of about 480,000. The region operates as a major industrial center because it contains numerous petrochemical facilities and oil refineries and maritime trade operations. The area contains among the biggest refining operations in the United States while maintaining its essential role in national energy infrastructure. The Sabine-Neches Waterway enables both import and export operations which create employment opportunities and drive economic expansion throughout the region.

Upper East Texas Region

The Upper East Texas Region contains more than 1.5 million people who live in cities including Tyler and Longview and Texarkana. The regional economy depends on healthcare services and manufacturing operations and educational institutions. The regional economy benefits from a network of hospitals and colleges which create employment opportunities and drive innovation. The Piney Woods landscape depends on forestry together with food processing and light manufacturing to maintain its rural economic stability.

Upper Rio Grande Region

The Upper Rio Grande Region which includes El Paso has approximately 870,000 residents. The economy of this region operates through international trade and manufacturing and defense activities. The border position of this region enables cross-border trade and maquiladora partnerships. The U.S. Army base Fort Bliss operates as one of the biggest military bases in the country while providing employment opportunities to both military personnel and civilians who contribute to local economic development. The area's strategic position and trade connections drive manufacturing and logistics expansion especially in automotive and electronics sectors.