Fort Hood Pumps Nearly 38 Billion Dollars Into The Texas Economy

While military installations statewide are hitting historic highs in financial productivity, Fort Hood continues to lead the pack as a premier multi-billion-dollar driver of the Texas economy.

Financial Powerhouse: Comptroller Details Fort Hood's Massive Fiscal Footprint

A newly released report from the state capitol highlights how Fort Hood continues to function as an immense financial engine for both Central Texas and the state's broader economic landscape. The Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts study found that Fort Hood generates roughly $37.87 billion in total regional economic output.

Military Bases Bring Big Bucks

The study compiled in tandem with the Texas Military Preparedness Commission emphasizes the value of the state’s 14 primary military hubs. Across Texas, these installations inject $148.8 billion into the broader economy, support nearly 629,000 direct and indirect positions, and bolster the state’s gross domestic product by $91.4 billion.

Labor Demographics

Fort Hood firmly preserves its reputation as one of the largest single-site employers in the American Southwest. The data indicates that the facility maintains a direct workforce of 53,767 full-time equivalent positions. This roster features 33,485 active-duty Army personnel, 347 Air Force service members, 22 Navy personnel, and 621 National Guard and Reserve elements.

Civilian Workforce

The defense installation is also supported by a robust civilian labor force, which incorporates 4,453 appropriated civilian workers, 530 non-appropriated personnel, and 685 part-time staff members. Private defense contractors provide 11,087 full-time personnel who operate directly on or for the base. The facility sustains a grand total of 159,692 direct and indirect jobs across the state. The gross domestic product directly linked to Fort Hood reached an impressive $22.95 billion,up from the $16.96 billion observed five years prior.

Collaborative Infrastructure

The base serves as the operational home for entities including the III Armored Corps, the 1st Cavalry Division, and the U.S. Army Operational Test Command. To facilitate the complex logistical demands of these major commands, local municipal governments like Killeen have established expansive intergovernmental support agreements. These shared municipal services cover essential areas such as regional water distribution, wastewater management, pavement repairs, and fare-free public transit routes connecting the civilian and military sectors.

The Border-to-Border Economic Tapestry

The state’s major bases span more than 1.4 million acres across multiple distinct economic territories. Though Fort Hood ranks as a premier driver of the state's military economy, the comptroller’s findings demonstrate an overall upward financial trajectory across all Texas defense sites. In 2015, 15 installations generated $136.6 billion in total activity and supported roughly 806,000 jobs. By 2021, 14 active bases generated $114.1 billion in output while supporting 622,000 positions.

How They Rank

Joint Base San Antonio remains the single largest military contributor to the Texas economy, generating $53 billion. Fort Hood secures the second place ranking statewide, followed by El Paso’s Fort Bliss, which generated $29 billion. Smaller installations also turned in impressive numbers, including Goodfellow Air Force Base at $3.8 billion, the Red River Army Depot at $1.2 billion, and the newly established U.S. Army Transformation and Training Command in Austin, which brought in $1.04 billion.