States / Texas
Texas
24.5%
Population of State Living in Coastal Areas
$193 Billion
Coastal Employment
Annual Wages
49
Climate and Weather Disasters
(Affecting Texas 2010 to 2018)*
Coastal Demographics
Of the total population of approximately 26.5 million in Texas, about 6.5 million people live in coastal portions of the state.
Coastal Economy
Coastal Texas employs almost 3.1 million people annually, earning a total of over $193 billion. This equates to more than $493 billion in gross domestic product.
Natural Hazards
Six billion-dollar weather disasters affected Texas in 2018—and a total of 49 affected the state between 2010 and 2018. In August 2017, Hurricane Harvey made landfall in Texas as a category 4, causing widespread devastation due to the large region of extreme rainfall across Houston and surrounding areas. More than 30 inches of rain fell on 6.9 million people, while 1.25 million experienced over 45 inches and 11,000 had over 50 inches. This unprecedented rainfall caused massive flooding that displaced over 30,000 people and damaged or destroyed over 200,000 homes and businesses. Hurricane Harvey’s total costs were $128.8 billion.
Sources:
American Community Survey Five-Year Estimates (NOAA Data)
*Billion-Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters (NOAA Website)
(All economic and demographic facts represent the latest data available [2015] and are regularly updated as new data become available)
Making a Difference
in Texas
Coastal Program Chips in During Pandemic to Keep Beaches Clean
The Takeaway: Unspent travel funds from Texas’ coastal zone management program will aid with beach maintenance expenses so local governments are able to keep the public safe as beaches reopen.
Learn MoreDigital Coast Informs Texas Decisions on Conserving Bird Habitat
The Takeaway: Coastal managers can assist migratory bird survival by learning more about changing marshes, land cover, and sea level rise. Digital Coast data helps.
Learn MoreErosion Response Planning Proven Effective after Harvey
The Takeaway: Protected dunes returned the favor and lessened storm surge.
Learn MoreGames at Three Research Reserves Supercharge Estuary Education
The Takeaway: These interactive games, co-developed with 140 University of Delaware students, help users understand how specific actions can help, or hurt, wetland creatures and habitats.
Learn MoreGulf Coast Towns Lower Flood Insurance Rates, with NOAA’s Help
The Takeaway: Dozens of communities in three states get the information they need to boost hazard resilience and drive down flood insurance costs.
Learn MoreHistoric Pollution Settlement Awards $1 Million to Nurdle Patrol
The Takeaway: The Mission-Aransas Research Reserve’s Nurdle Patrol documented plastic pellet pollution, evidence used to help reach an unprecedented $50 million settlement of a Clean Water Act lawsuit.
Learn MoreMajor Flood Forecast Gap Repaired for Houston Area
The Takeaway: High resolution data from the Digital Coast show how buildings and infrastructure will be affected by floodwaters.
Learn MoreMaster Plan Covers 367-Mile Texas Coast
The Takeaway: Dunes, beaches, wetlands, oyster reefs, and a rookery island will be restored.
Learn MoreNOAA Blue Carbon Enterprises Lessen Climate Change Damage
The Takeaway: Coastal wetlands research, restoration, tools, data, workshops, and partners—NOAA brings every blue carbon asset to the fight against climate-change-related hazards and harm.
Learn MoreNOAA Cheers Citizen Scientists
The Takeaway: These coastal volunteers walk the talk of science and stewardship by gathering data to help ecosystems remain vibrant and communities grow more resilient.
Learn MoreNOAA Research Reserve, Volunteers Save Record Number of Turtles from Cold
The Takeaway: More than 900 cold-stunned sea turtles were rescued and treated, thanks to quick mobilization by Mission-Aransas National Estuarine Research Reserve staff members and volunteers.
Learn MoreNOAA Strengthens Resilience Before, During, and After Disasters
The Takeaway: NOAA initiatives and state partnership programs are making a difference throughout the nation’s coastal zone.
Learn MoreNOAA’s “Green” Expertise Meets New Infrastructure Era
The Takeaway: Some U.S. infrastructure funding that is headed NOAA’s way will maximize the benefits of nature to lessen climate change damage.
Learn MoreNew Research Reserve Findings Back Up Marine Debris Campaign
The Takeaway: New findings and a campaign by the Mission-Aransas Research Reserve are tackling Texas' marine debris problem.
Learn MoreReport Card Increases Stewardship of Galveston Bay Ecosystem
The Takeaway: Data on saltwater and freshwater wetland losses, from the Digital Coast, inform this scientific analysis and the stewardship actions that follow.
Learn MoreSewer Pond Turned into a Thriving Wildlife “Jewel”
The Takeaway: The payoff includes cleaner water and an increasing number of migratory birds and tourists.
Learn MoreStudy of 15 Research Reserves Finds Crabs Pose No Large-Scale Salt Marsh Threat
The Takeaway: While specific crab species can cause local damage, rising seas appear to be a bigger threat to salt marshes nationwide.
Learn MoreTexas Scientists Rescue Record-High Numbers of Stranded Loggerhead Turtles, Investigate Causes
The Takeaway: The Mission-Aransas Research Reserve joins forces with other scientists aiding loggerhead rescue, rehabilitation, and research into stranding causes.
Learn MoreUrban Golf Course-Turned-Wetland Cuts Storm and Flood Impacts
The Takeaway: The project, supported by Texas’ coastal zone management program, provides recreational opportunities and slashes flood risks for thousands of area homes.
Learn More