BIG Blog

Austin continues to make #1 on all kinds of lists. This time, the Austin economy ranks #1 in the US.   Greg Barr with the Austin Business Journal notes:   The Texas capital, with an unemployment rate of 5.2 percent and five-year wages growth from October 2008 through October 2013 of nearly 15 percent, had held first place for eight of the first 10 months in 2013. The city's average weekly earnings per worker are now $919.12. The biggest reason why Austin remains No. 1 is its job-growth record. On Numbers reports that Austin is the only city in the nation — pause for a second, and let that sink in for minute —with double-digit percentage job growth in that five-year period, at just under 11 percent. By comparison, no other U.S. city has seen five-year job growth higher than 8 percent. Way to go Austin! Competition for jobs should make a #1 list too. Many companies have reported that they receive 100-200 applications per job. Austin is a great place to live and work. I don't think anyone can disagree with that point. As Austin continues to flourish and grow, let's hope that the real estate industry does so accordingly.