The 12 Big Metro Economies That Are Ready to Bloom Through 2021

The Austin, TX, economic train keeps chugging along.

A LawnStarter analysis of economic projections compiled by IHS Global Insight for the U.S. Conference of Mayors shows that among the 50 U.S. metro areas with the biggest economies, the Austin area’s economy will expand the most from 2015 to 2021. The Austin area’s projected growth rate of 44.12 percent edges the projected rates for two other Texas metro areas — Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston — by less than 1 percentage point.

“Austin is one of the brightest regional economic stars in the United States, with no change anticipated,” economist Jon Hockenyos says in a report for the City of Austin. “Austin remains, relative to its peer communities, a high-value proposition.”

Frost Bank Tower in Austin, TX
Flickr/Kumar Appaiah

In all, four metro areas in Texas and two in California appear in our top 12.

For this ranking, LawnStarter examined IHS Global Insight’s forecast for the 50 biggest metro economies in the U.S. as gauged by something known as gross metropolitan product (GMP). This yardstick measures the total economic output, in goods and services, for a metro area. A similar yet better-known economic yardstick is gross domestic product (GDP), which counts a nation’s output of goods and services.

Here are the country’s top 12 metro areas for projected growth in GMP from 2015 to 2021.

1. Austin, TX

360 Bridge in Austin, TX
Flickr/Roy Niswanger

Projected size of economy in 2015: $114.7 billion
Projected size of economy in 2021: $165.3 billion
Projected increase 2015-21: 44.12%

More people? More traffic. Let us free up some of your day so you can enjoy more of what Austin has to offer. 

2. Dallas-Fort Worth, TX

Skyline of Dallas, TX
Flickr/Daxis

Projected size of economy in 2015: $486.7 billion
Projected size of economy in 2021: $698.8 billion
Projected increase 2015-21: 43.58%

We offer top-notch service for those in the Dallas and Fort Worth areas. Book your service in minutes.

3. Houston, TX

Bayou Place in Houston, TX
Flickr/Katie Haugland

Projected size of economy in 2015: $535.1 billion
Projected size of economy in 2021: $767.7 billion
Projected increase 2015-21: 43.47%

Enjoy more of Houston. You can order service fast on our Houston lawn care page.

4. Raleigh, NC

Skyline of Raleigh, NC
Flickr/James Willamor

Projected size of economy in 2015: $74.3 billion
Projected size of economy in 2021: $105.4 billion
Projected increase 2015-21: 41.86%

Let us take care of all your Raleigh lawn care needs! 

5. Las Vegas, NV

The Strip in Las Vegas, NV
Flickr/Bill Gracey

Projected size of economy in 2015: $101.8 billion
Projected size of economy in 2021: $143.3 billion
Projected increase 2015-21: 40.77%

6. Phoenix, AZ

Skyline of Phoenix, AZ
Flickr/Alan Stark

Projected size of economy in 2015: $228.4 billion
Projected size of economy in 2021: $321 billion
Projected increase 2015-21: 40.54%

7. Salt Lake City, UT

Skyline of Salt Lake City, UT
Flickr/Ron Reiring

Projected size of economy in 2015: $82.4 billion
Projected size of economy in 2021: $115.1 billion
Projected increase 2015-21: 39.68%

8. Riverside-San Bernardino, CA

Santa Fe Depot in San Bernardino, CA
Flickr/A.Davey

Projected size of economy in 2015: $140.7 billion
Projected size of economy in 2021: $196.4 billion
Projected increase 2015-21: 39.59%

9. Orlando, FL

Lake Eola in Orlando, FL
Flickr/Matthew Paulson

Projected size of economy in 2015: $122.9 billion
Projected size of economy in 2021: $171.4 billion
Projected increase 2015-21: 39.46%

Manage your Orlando lawn care from the comfort of your screen.

10. Sacramento, CA

Skyline of Sacramento, CA
Flickr/Kevin Cortopassi

Projected size of economy in 2015: $117.8 billion
Projected size of economy in 2021: $164 billion
Projected increase 2015-21: 39.22%

11. San Antonio, TX

Skyline of San Antonio, TX
Flickr/Om

Projected size of economy in 2015: $103.9 billion
Projected size of economy in 2021: $144.4 billion
Projected increase 2015-21: 38.98%

Head over to our San Antonio lawn care page to see how easy it is to order service!

12. Denver, CO

Skyline of Denver, CO
Flickr/Keith

Projected size of economy in 2015: $194.9 billion
Projected size of economy in 2021: $270.8 billion
Projected increase 2015-21: 38.94%

Top photo: Flickr/Don Mason

John Egan

John Egan is the former editor in chief of LawnStarter.com. Now, he is a freelance writer extraordinaire. He lives in Austin, Texas.

Posts by John Egan