Brewster County has witnessed a steady increase in sales tax allocations over the past years, aligning with a growing population and expanding economic activities. According to data released by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts and analyzed by the County Information Program, Texas Association of Counties, Brewster County’s sales tax allocations have seen a notable rise, reaching $1,039,539.73 in 2023.
This increment represents a 3.3% increase from 2022, which posted sales tax allocations of $1,005,846.92. The upward trend is notable since 2015, where there was a significant 34.6% surge compared to the previous year. However, the real allocations, when adjusted for inflation, showed a slight decline of 0.7% in 2023, indicating the nuanced impacts of economic factors on county revenue.
The rise in sales tax allocations correlates with Brewster County’s population growth. Census estimates show a steady climb from 8,866 in 2000 to 9,513 in 2023. The county seat, Alpine, also recorded a population increase, rising to 6,039 in 2023 from 5,786 in 2000.
Brewster County’s demographic changes include a significant Hispanic presence at 45.5%, with the non-Hispanic population forming a majority. The county has also maintained a robust educational attainment level, with 47.7% of its residents aged 25 and over holding at least a bachelor’s degree, according to the latest American Community Survey.
Economically, the county has navigated through various challenges, with the annual unemployment rate marking a decrease to 3.2% in 2023 from a high of 6.6% in 2020. The average annual pay has similarly seen growth, increasing from $40,642 in 2019 to $48,518 in 2023.
These financial and demographic developments reflect Brewster County’s evolving economic landscape, characterized by resilience and gradual growth. The data, while obtained from official sources, comes with a disclaimer from the County Information Program, noting the importance of addressing questions about the data’s accuracy directly to the original sources.
For more detailed information on Brewster County’s financial and demographic statistics, interested parties can contact the County Information Program, Texas Association of Counties, or visit the Texas Comptroller’s website for historical summaries and allocation data.
