Austin ranks No. 1 in Dec. economic rankings

AUSTIN – According to this month’s On Numbers Economic Index, Austin has grabbed first place, supplanting Oklahoma City, which was No. 1 the previous four months and now is No. 2. Rounding out the top five this month are Houston, Columbus and Omaha.

Austin was propelled into first place this month by its strong record of employment growth and its stable housing market.

• The number of private-sector jobs has increased by 7.9 percent since late 2007, easily the fastest pace in America.
   
• Austin’s unemployment rate is 5.3 percent.
   
• The value of an Austin home has risen 4.2 percent in five years, the fourth-best increase in the nation.

Eighteen statistical indicators are analyzed each month by the On Numbers Economic Index, providing a snapshot of conditions in the 102 major metropolitan areas with populations above 500,000.

Read more at the Austin Business Journal.