Profile: Llano County

Llano County is a small rural county in central Texas, with a population of 20,360 people and 4,620 jobs. The county’s population grew 14% from 2006-2016 and job base grew 7%.

The county’s modest population growth is due to the migration of people into the county. Domestic migration has risen over the past five years and the county had 620 domestic migrants in 2016. Llano is one of the few counties in central Texas where deaths out number births.

Llano County has a significantly older population. According to the Census, 29% of Llano County’s population are residents between 45 and 64 years of age (versus 26% for the U.S.) and 35% of county residents are 65 years or older  (versus 15% for the U.S.). As a result, the county has lower concentrations of both children and young adults than the nation. Of the total population, 96% were born in the United States, with 4% born abroad.  Of the foreign-born population, 63% are not naturalized US citizens.

Llano County’s population is 87% White, 10% Hispanic, and 1% Black. The three largest ancestral groups are German, English, and Irish.

According to the Census, 87% of county residents had at least a high school degree and 27% had a Bachelor’s degree or higher. These educational attainment statistics are below  the U.S. average (89% high school, 30% bachelor’s degree).

Llano County’s median household income remained below the national average for many years, and was 83% of U.S. median household income in 2015.

The percent of overall population in poverty in Llano County has remained consistent with national trends since 2005.  Between 2010 and 2015 overall population in poverty in Llano County rose slightly from 12.4% to 14.8%. The percentage of children in poverty grew faster than the county as a whole, going from 23.9% in 2005 to 27.3% in 2015.

Llano County’s economy has generally tracked the U.S. economy, with low points during during 2009 and 2010.  Llano County has struggled with the recession, losing 430 jobs in 2009 and 2010 but gaining 470 from 2011 to 2016.

The Llano County unemployment rate has fallen from its recent high of 8.1% in 2010 to 4.1% in 2016. The county rate has been lower than the U.S. rate since 2006.

The largest industries in Llano County are:

• Leisure and Hospitality– 28% of county employment
• Trade, Transportation, and Utilities – 19%
• Government – 18%
• Health Services – 9%
• Construction– 8%

Two industries in Llano County saw major growth over the last five years: Natural Resources and Mining grew 110% and Manufacturing grew 72%.

Four industries declined from 2011 – 2016: Health Services declined 23%, Information declined 9%, Professional and Business Services employment dropped 7%, and Government declined 5%.

The average salary in Llano County is 64% of the U.S. average and from 2011-2016 grew 11%, which was on par with the U.S. growth rate.

The only industry in the county with a larger average salary than the U.S. average is Leisure and Hospitality. The county’s fastest growing salaries are in Manufacturing and Trade, Transportation, and Utilities. Manufacturing salaries grew 52% in the last five years, much more than the national increase of 10%.