Rockdale, Texas is a small town located between Austin, College Station, and Waco. With its convenient location, Rockdale has become a frequent topic in discussions surrounding population growth and economic development. Our town has recognized the importance of economic development and has taken proactive steps to foster growth by implementing various initiatives to attract new businesses, including tax incentives, streamlined permitting processes, and workforce development programs.
Who Currently Resides in Rockdale?
Rockdale has a population of just over 6,000 residents. We have approximately 2,300 households in our town, which have an average annual income of $76,959. Our largest age group is children between zero and 13 years old, indicating that Rockdale is primarily home to growing families. The largest employer in Rockdale is Rockdale Independent School District, with 306 employees. The second and third largest employers are construction companies, supporting today’s industrial and residential development efforts in Rockdale.
The Economic History of Rockdale
Just like many Central Texas towns, Rockdale enjoyed economic development from the railway. In 1873, early settlers came after hearing about a new town along the railway. Today, this railway is the Union Pacific mainline. Fast forward to the 1980s, ALCOA industrialized the community with its aluminum smelting facility. At the ALCOA facility’s peak, it employed nearly 3,000 Rockdale residents. Luminant also opened two large coal-fired power plants, which employed around 2,000 people By 2008, ALCOA and Luminant closed their facilities and since then, the manufacturing jobs in Rockdale have decreased significantly.
What’s Driving Rockdale’s Economic Development Today?
Despite being a small Central Texas town today, we have a very large future ahead. Rockdale is in a fast growth cycle and we’re being proactive about our growth trajectory. The town is actively involved in planning to ensure that its growth is sustainable, beneficial, and welcomed by all. What’s driving this economic growth in our small town? There are a few reasons.
Residential Development
Our population is expected to increase by five times its current figure by 2041, which will help grow the local economy significantly. Austin added 71,000 jobs in 2022 alone, making it the third fastest-growing job market in the U.S. Employees in the Austin area are moving out of the city for more affordable housing and a lower cost of living. These factors and its commuting ease make Rockdale a highly desirable location. So, residential development is a top priority for investors and construction teams.
A conservative projection for the next 18 years of residential growth is 5,379 owner-occupied homes and 3,989 multi-family units. There is a planned residential development in progress, which will provide 672 lots and a 13-acre elementary school site. With our population growth trajectory, there is still a great need for additional residential development in Rockdale.
Industrial Development
With new families moving to Rockdale, more facilities and businesses are essential, driving industrial development. Over 12% of our residents work in the construction industry, building new homes and businesses for the people moving to our town. Currently, there are three major industrial projects on neighboring Texas land, including a Samsung plant, a new logistics center, and an industrial park. Additionally, large developments and employers are relocating to northeast Austin, just along US Highway 79.
Texas land has significantly increased in price, so opening centers in Austin isn’t feasible for many businesses. A new 3,300-acre Advanced Manufacturing and Logistics Center is currently being built just five miles west of Rockdale, which will be an industrial mega-site in Central Texas. We expect more manufacturing and distribution centers will be built in the near future.
Business Opportunities
Rockdale has many business opportunities as a small town between three major Texas cities. It is also located in the center of seven surrounding counties, which altogether have a population of 1.4 million Texans. We attract thousands of visitors looking for a weekend getaway each year. Today, around 23% of our residents work in the retail industry, selling products and merchandise to both locals and tourists. 12% of our locals work in the hospitality industry, providing short-term stays and restaurant services. These numbers are expected to increase with our population growth.
Additionally, with our expected growth, people are recognizing a great investment opportunity. Multiplying our population by five will open the floodgates for business owners and investors. We are looking forward to new retail centers, consumer services, construction warehouses, and even community centers. Many businesses are essential to making a town run, so our growth is creating many business opportunities.
Looking Forward to the Future
The Rockdale community is excited about the future of our town. Our town is an easy commute for neighboring counties and cities, making it a great spot for dining, shopping, working, and even living. As Rockdale expands and brings more retailers, restaurants, breweries, and other business opportunities to support its growth, we are planning even further economic development.
