Introduction
Llano County is situated to the northwest of Austin. The county seat is Llano. In 2022, the population of Llano County was 22,540.
Demographic Profile
The population of Llano County has increased by around 3,000 over the past decade. Every year in the past ten has seen population growth, except 2020. Like many areas around the country, Llano County saw a drop in population in 2020 (-2.4%). However, Llano County recovered more quickly than most areas which saw population decline due to Covid. In 2021, the county experienced the greatest growth year of the decade (3.4%). Because of negative natural growth (more deaths than births), most of Llano County’s growth is due to domestic migration.
Figure 1: Population Growth, 2012-2022, Llano County
Source: American Community Survey, 2022, 5-Year Estimate Llano County
Figure 2: Population Change Components, 2012-2022, Llano County
Source: American Community Survey, 2022, 5-Year Estimate Llano County
Employment Trends
The unemployment rate in Llano County in 2022 was 6.0%. This is somewhat higher than the state and national unemployment rate (5.2% and 5.3%, respectively). The rate of non-participation in the labor force is also higher; 52.8% of the adult population in Llano County is not in the labor force. In the US, 36.5% of adults are not in the labor force, and 34.9% in Texas.
Table 1: Employment Status of Llano County
|
Subject |
Estimate |
Percent |
|
Population 16 years and over |
18,537 |
--- |
|
In labor force |
8,746 |
47.2% |
|
Civilian Labor Force |
8,735 |
47.1% |
|
Employed |
8,211 |
44.3% |
|
Unemployed |
524 |
2.8% |
|
Not in labor force |
9,791 |
52.8% |
|
Unemployment rate |
--- |
6.0% |
Source: American Community Survey, 2022, 5-Year Estimate Llano County
Educational Attainment
In Llano County, 91.5% of the population (over 25 years-old) holds at least a high school degree, and 31.8% of the population has a bachelor’s degree or higher. While a larger proportion of Llano County has a high school degree than state and national averages (88.4% and 89.1%, respectively), those holding at least a four-year degree make up a smaller percentage of the population when compared to the state and nation (33.4% and 34.3%, respectively).
Figure 3: Educational Attainment in Llano County
Source: American Community Survey, 2022, 5-Year Estimate Llano County
Wage Trends
Interestingly, Median Household Income (MHI) growth trends in Llano County seem to contrast with national trends, experiencing peaks and valleys in contradiction to each other. Despite running mostly contrarily to national trends, MHI in Llano County has only declined in two years out of the past decade, 2014 and 2022.
Figure 4: Median Household Income Growth, 2012-2022, Llano County vs. US
Source: Census Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates (SAIPE)
Per capita income trends in Llano County are more in line with national trends. Only 2016 saw a decline in per capita income.
Figure 5: Per Capita Income Growth, 2012-2022, Llano County vs. US
Source: BEA Regional Economic Accounts
Industry and Occupation Snapshots
Hospitality, Back Office, and Personal Services rank the highest in Llano County’s occupation clusters. Overall, employment in Llano County is weighted more heavily towards services occupations.
Figure 6: Occupation Cluster Employment, 2022, Llano County
Source: Headlight Data cluster calculations using data from DTG
Gross Regional Product
With the notable exception of 2015 (30.5%, driven by growth in Utilities), Llano County’s growth in Gross Regional Product (GRP) has not been subject to major fluctuations. Every year in the past decade has seen some growth in GRP. Additionally, 2018 onward shows a promising upward trend in percentage point growth for GRP.
Figure 7: Growth in Gross Regional Product, 2012-2022, Llano County vs. US
Source: BEA Regional Economic Accounts
In Llano County, the industry that generates the most GRP is Real estate and rental and leasing, followed by Utilities, and Arts, entertainment, and recreation.
Figure 8: Gross Regional Product by Industry ($1Ms), Llano County
Source: BEA Regional Economic Accounts
One way to visualize this is by thinking of the GRP for Llano County as a $100 bill. Of that $100, Real estate-related revenue contributed $30, Utilities $22, and Arts, entertainment, and recreation $13. The other $35 was brought in by all other industries.
Figure 9: Gross Regional Product Visualization, Llano County
Source: BEA Regional Economic Accounts