An Analysis of Industrial and Occupational Structure of Non-Metropolitan Counties in Texas, 1960-1980 / H. L. Goodwin, Jr. and John K. Thomas.

Analysis of census data indicates major population, industrial, and occupational changes occurred in many of Texas' 254 counties from 1960 to 1980. While 103 counties experienced rapid population growth by both natural and migration, patterns of change were dissimilar. Population grew steadily in metropolitan counties over the two decades. Counties contiguous to metropolitan areas generally experienced consistent growth, while others grew primarily in the 1970's, or continued to lose population, thus supporting the "population turn-around." Absolute numbers of employed workers increased for metropolitan and decreased for urban- and rural-nonmetropolitan counties from 1960-1970, but from 1970-1980, increases were observed for all three county types (53.5%, 51.0%, and 38.8%, respectively.) Over the period, decreases in employment occurred for operative and farmer/farm worker occupations, while professional/technical/kindred, manager/administrator, and sales and clerical occupational employment increased. Farmer/farm workers decreased 54.1% in metropolitan counties, 64.2% in urban-nonmetropolitan counties, and 57% in rural-nonmetropolitan counties. The largest increase in occupational structure was for the sales category, up 35.1% in metropolitan counties, 61.2% in urban-nonmetropolitan counties, and 93.6% in rural-nonmetropolitan counties. These changes suggest the gradual evolution from agrarian dependent to multi-dimensional occupation structures associated with increased industrial diversification. A short list of references concludes the report. (NEC)

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