Texas Tops List For Job Growth

Forbes ranked all 398 current metropolitan statistical areas, based on employment data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported from November 1999 to January 2011 for Forbes' list of the best cities for jobs,. Rankings are based on recent growth trends, mid-term growth and long-term growth and momentum. Forbes, also broke down rankings by size since regional economies differ markedly due to their scale.

No place displayed more vibrancy than Texas. The Lone Star State dominated the three size categories, with the No. 1 mid-sized city, El Paso (No. 3 overall, up 22 places from last year) and No.1 large metropolitan area Austin (No. 6 overall), joining Killeen-Temple-Fort Hood (the No. 1 small city) atop their respective lists.

Texas, also produced three other of the top 10 smallest regions, including energy-dominated No. 4 Midland, and No. 10 Odessa.

It also added two other mid-size cities to its belt: No. 2 Corpus Christi and No. 4 McAllen-Edinburgh-Mission.

Whatever they are drinking in Texas, other states may want to imbibe.

California -- which boasted zero regions in the top 150 -- is a prime example. A group of California officials, led by Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, recently trekked to the Lone Star State to learn possible lessons about what drives job creation.

No. 1: Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, Texas
2010 rank: 1
Overall rank (for big, mid-sized and small cities): 6
Nonfarm employment change: 1.5%

No. 3: Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown, Texas

2010 rank: 3
Overall rank (for big, mid-sized and small cities): 14
Nonfarm employment change: 1.9%

No. 4: San Antonio-New Braunfels, Texas

2010 rank: 2
Overall rank (for big, mid-sized and small cities): 17
Nonfarm employment change: 0.8%

No. 5: Dallas-Plano-Irving, Texas
2010 rank: 5
Overall rank (for big, mid-sized and small cities): 18
Nonfarm employment change: 2.3%