Texas cities benefiting from the economic recovery

TEXAS – The current U.S. economic recovery has been concentrated in a handful of regions, and per capita growth in the energy states has been impressive. Forbes has compiled a list of cities that are benefiting the most from the economic recovery

Placing first on the list is Houston-The Woodlands-Sugarland, where per capita GDP rose 13.2 percent from 2010 to 2013, a major achievement in a region whose population continues to grow rapidly.

Including all 381 MSAs, no places come close to the two oil towns that rank first and second overall. Midland, with 38.8 percent growth since 2010, and Odessa, with 34.1 percent growth over the same period.

Also notable, the town of Victoria clocked over 21 percent growth.

Among the largest metro areas, energy hubs also did well. Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington ranked 13th with 6.5 percent growth and the San Antonio area ranked 16th due to a gusher in the Eagle Ford Shale play, which has pumped $87 billion into the south Texas economy.