Austin economy among most international in U.S.

AUSTIN – According to a study by the Brookings Institution based on 2010 figures, Austin ranks as one of the most international economies among the nation’s cities.

The Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos area’s economy had the ninth highest percentage of international trade among cities nationwide, at 22.3 percent.

The Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown area was the only other Texas region to make the list at 23.9 percent, ranking at No. 5. The list was led by the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, Calif., area at 35.9 percent.

Austin also generates the ninth most patents per capita of any U.S. metropolitan area.

The large amount of international trade stems in part from Austin’s role as a high-value goods producer and major electronics center. The average good in Austin trades for $1,990 per ton.

See the full report at Brookings Institution.