Economy at a Glance – April 2022
Houston employment has finally returned to pre-pandemic levels. Hitting that milestone elevates the region to an elite status. Of the nation’s twenty most populous metros, only seven have recovered all their pandemic job losses. Houston is one of the seven.
The region’s recovery has been uneven, though. Employment in some sectors is well ahead of where it stood prior to the pandemic. Other sectors are close to full recovery. A few have made little progress.
Economic growth remains strong. At 57.3, the Houston Purchasing Managers Index signals continued expansion. Sales tax collections continue to grow at a double-digit pace. Container traffic at the Port of Houston should set another record this year. Construction activity is well above pre-pandemic levels.
If the current pace of growth holds, Houston could create over 100,000 jobs this year, well above…