In 100 years, which metro will be Texas's largest (Houston, Dallas: how much, moving to)

[jluke65780]

Originally Posted by JVTX72

Because 100 years ago I don't think they cared. Waco was one of the top 5 cities though 100 years ago.

Waco still would've been Top 5 if not for the tornado.

[geos]

Originally Posted by tstone

When in American history have we ever taken a step backwards? For some it's all gloom & doom, but I trust that Americans will have the ingenuity to keep us pressing forward until the next mega-meteor strikes.

Let's look beyond American history and look at human history. The fall of the Roman Empire, Greek Empire, Egyptian Empire, Mycenaean Empire, Babylonian Empire, Carthage, the Dark Ages, destruction of the library at Alexandria - human knowledge and progress is not linear; there are setbacks, in some cases severe setbacks. We're at a major crossroads in human civilization. The Oil Age (the Crack of the 20th century) on which civilization is built is coming to an end and there's nothing on the horizon with a prayer of replacing it on the same scale. Oil detox will be painful. My guess is rural areas with decent precipitation like the Panhandle will more easily convert to a self sustaining horse & buggy lifestyle during the coming Dim Ages than cities like Dallas/FW. The Jetsons will be disappointed.

[texdav]

I thnik you need to look at the fortune 500 companies;were they are located and what they do. I believe Houston will keep climbing in onhter largest cities list of ryears to come. Look at the fortune 500 were they are based and what they do . Most ofd texas will be strong for decdes to come.

[whitegiant]

Originally Posted by Lucidus

According to census estimates as of July 07:

Amarillo, TX 242,240
Lubbock-Levelland, TX 289,437
Midland-Odessa, TX 255,978

source:
http://www.census.gov/population/www/estimates/metro_general/2007/CBSA-EST2007-01.csv (broken link)
http://www.census.gov/population/www/estimates/metro_general/2007/CBSA-EST2007-02.csv (broken link)

So as of now M-O is larger than Amarillo and adding population twice as fast as Lubbock, it could pass Lubbock-Levelland in 10 years or so. It will still not be a large MSA and I am not trying to claim that, only that it could become the largest MSA of the West Texas ones excluding El Paso.

As for water, Odessa at least seems to OK. It is one of the founding cities of the Colorado River Municipal Water District. Even the dryest years of drought I have never seen Odessa have water restrictions. I have seen them in San Angelo.

I also agree that Tyler has a good outlook for growth.

yea it may look like midland and odessa are getting big but they will become slummy towns when the boom is over

[whitegiant]

I say austin it keeps growin

[WillysB]

The Gulf Coast Metro....

New Orleans to Corpus Christi

[crbcrbrgv]

Without question, Houston will be the largest metropolitan area. In fact, I would argue that within 50 years it will surpass Chicago. Houston has the best economy in Texas. The weather is better than most metropolitan areas in the country. Houston is also the least Texas feeling city in the state. Never underestimate what a draw this is to the average American.

[Spade]

I would not be surprised if Killeen is absorbed by Austin area in the next 50 years. It sure looks like both areas are growing towards each other.

[WillysB]

They should call it MetroHood. Killeen/Belton/Temple are in a growth phase likened to that I've seen in first in Houston then in Dallas.

Temple has a nice industrial district going on hidden away in the northwest part of town. Toyota will open an assembly plant there in '09. And a tech industrial in the southeast area.

Most of I35 from Dallas to Austin is going 6 lane divided and hiway 36 in Temple @ I35 is under going MAJOR renovation. I can see that as giving Ft Hood easy access to Houston and the the port and IAH.

And city leaders from Temple are investigating commuter train possibilities from Killeen to Temple to Houston. An Austin/Dallas extension may be included in the prospects but been a few weeks since I read about it so not sure.

[tgannaway89]

SA and Austin will without a doubt grow together within 50 years. How interconnected they may be depends on efforts by both cities. The I-35 corridor between the cities is booming, and there isn't much land left to develop immediately off the interstate. With the possibility of increased passenger rail between the cities and both cities looking to add light-rail it could become a very large, dense metro. I predict that the Austin metro will surpass the SA metro in population. Dallas/Fort Worth will hold the lead for a while and Houston will keep second.