U.S. Census data reveals several insights about the area served by BEC. Here’s what stands out:
Key Observations
Population Changes
- Growth: Bexar, Kendall, and Medina Counties show significant increases. Kendall County rose nearly 33%.
- Decline: Bandera and Real Counties declined, with Real County dropping 16.7%.
Economic Indicators
- Highest Income: Kendall County median household income = $110,498. Strong economy with spending power.
- Lowest Income: Real County = $45,417. Indicates fewer high-paying jobs and challenges.
- Regional Averages: Between $57,849 (Uvalde) and $73,462 (Medina). Moderate stability overall.
Commuting Trends
- Bandera County: Average commute time = 40.4 minutes. Suggests residents travel to urban areas like San Antonio.
- Solutions: Transportation improvements or remote work promotion.
Broadband Access
- Broadband adoption high in most counties.
- Real County lags at 70.7%. Opportunity to expand service.
Aging Population
- Bandera (29.7%), Real (30.5%), and Kerr (29.3%) have high percentages age 65+.
- Highlights demand for healthcare, retirement living, and senior lifestyle services.
Educational Attainment
- Kendall County: 49.1% with bachelor’s degree or higher. Attracts skilled-business workforce.
- Bandera (25.5%) and Real (19.1%) fall behind, limiting higher-paying job access.
- Overall: Need for workforce development programs to attract specialized businesses.