Texas (TX)

Known as the "Lone Star State," Texas is famous for its vast landscapes, rich history, and strong independent spirit. From bustling cities to wide-open ranchlands, Texas offers a unique blend of culture, adventure, and Southern hospitality. Whether you're exploring live music in Austin, tasting world-famous BBQ, or visiting historical landmarks like the Alamo, there's something for everyone in this diverse state.

• Population: ~30 million
• Weather: Hot summers (85-100°F); mild winters (40-65°F).
• Famous Sites: The Alamo, Big Bend National Park, Space Center Houston, San Antonio River Walk, Palo Duro Canyon.
• Top Activities: BBQ tasting, live music festivals, hiking, rodeos, space exploration exhibits, historical tours.

Texas has a booming job market with strong opportunities in healthcare, technology, energy, and manufacturing. These industries provide stable careers with competitive salaries. Here are the top five in-demand jobs in Texas based on earnings and job openings. Click on the job titles to view more details from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Texas is well-known for its thriving metropolitan areas and numerous academic institutions. Major cities across the state draw thousands of students from all over, creating vibrant communities for education and culture. The following table outlines the ten biggest cities in Texas, their approximate populations, and the number of college students enrolled within each city.

Texas is home to some of the best public and private universities, offering diverse programs in engineering, healthcare, business, and more.

Top Public Colleges & Universities in Texas

• University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin) – The flagship university of Texas, known for top programs in business, engineering, and law.
• Texas A&M University – A leading research institution with strong programs in agriculture, engineering, and business.
• University of Houston (UH) – Offers outstanding programs in law, healthcare, and business, with a strong focus on research.
• Texas Tech University – Known for its engineering, business, and agricultural sciences programs.
• University of North Texas (UNT) – One of Texas's largest universities, recognized for its music, business, and education programs.

Top Private Colleges & Universities in Texas

• Rice University – A top-ranked private university with prestigious programs in business, engineering, and the sciences.
• Southern Methodist University (SMU) – Known for strong business, law, and engineering programs.
• Baylor University – A Christian university with standout healthcare, business, and law programs.
• Texas Christian University (TCU) – Recognized for strong business, liberal arts, and healthcare programs.
• Southwestern University – A top liberal arts college offering a well-rounded education in various disciplines.

Texas is home to some of the top-performing public and private high schools in the nation. These schools are recognized for their strong academic programs, dedicated faculty, and opportunities for student achievement. Whether through rigorous coursework, advanced placement classes, or extracurricular activities, they help prepare students for college and future careers.

Top Public High Schools in Texas

• School for the Talented and Gifted (TAG), Dallas – Consistently ranked as one of the best public schools in the country, TAG offers a challenging curriculum with an emphasis on Advanced Placement courses and independent research.
• School of Science and Engineering, Dallas – Focused on STEM education, this school provides exceptional math and science programs, preparing students for careers in engineering, medicine, and technology.
• Liberal Arts and Science Academy (LASA), Austin – Known for its competitive admissions process, LASA offers advanced coursework in a variety of subjects, fostering critical thinking and innovation.
• Caro Academy of Science and Technology, Houston – A top-rated magnet school with a focus on college preparation, offering specialized programs in health sciences, IT, and engineering.
• Seven Lakes High School, Katy – A highly-rated public school known for academic excellence, strong extracurricular programs, and a dedicated faculty.

Top Private High Schools in Texas

• St. Mark's School of Texas, Dallas – An elite all-boys school offering a rigorous curriculum, outstanding faculty, and exceptional college placement rates.
• The Kinkaid School, Houston – Known for high academic standards and outstanding arts, athletics, and leadership programs, it prepares students for top universities.
• St. John's School, Houston – A prestigious private school with a strong reputation for academic achievement and a well-rounded approach to education.
• Greenhill School, Addison – A co-educational school that fosters intellectual curiosity while offering a wide range of AP courses and extracurricular opportunities.
• Cistercian Preparatory School, Irving – A rigorous, all-boys Catholic prep school focusing on academic excellence and character development.

Texas is home to several major league professional sports teams across the NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL. The state has a rich sports culture, with teams in every major sport and some of the most passionate fan bases in the country.

Here are the major professional sports teams based in Texas:

Major League Teams in Texas

Football 🏈 (NFL)

• Dallas Cowboys – One of the most iconic franchises in the NFL, known as "America's Team." They have a storied history and multiple Super Bowl titles.
• Houston Texans – Based in Houston, the Texans have been in the league since 2002 and continue building their legacy.

Basketball 🏀 (NBA)

• Dallas Mavericks – A strong franchise with an NBA championship win in 2011, led by legends like Dirk Nowitzki.
• Houston Rockets – Two-time NBA champions known for their fast-paced play and influential superstars.
• San Antonio Spurs – A team with a winning culture and multiple championships, led by legendary coach Gregg Popovich.

Baseball ⚾ (MLB)

• Houston Astros – Recent World Series champions with a dominant presence in Major League Baseball.
• Texas Rangers – Based in Arlington, the Rangers claimed their first-ever World Series title in 2023.

Hockey 🏒 (NHL)

• Dallas Stars – Texas’s only NHL team, known for winning the Stanley Cup in 1999 and consistently being competitive.

Minor League & Semi-Pro Teams in Texas

Baseball 🏟️

• Round Rock Express (Triple-A – Texas Rangers affiliate) – A top-level minor league club developing future MLB stars.
• Corpus Christi Hooks (Double-A – Houston Astros affiliate) – A strong team with a dedicated following on the Gulf Coast.
• Frisco RoughRiders (Double-A – Texas Rangers affiliate) – A highly competitive team in the minor league system.

Soccer ⚽

• FC Dallas (MLS) – A competitive Major League Soccer team known for its strong player development system.
• Houston Dynamo FC (MLS) – Two-time MLS Cup winners with a passionate Houston fan base.
• Austin FC (MLS) – One of the league’s newer teams, quickly growing a strong supporter base.

Hockey 🏒

• Texas Stars (AHL – Dallas Stars affiliate) – A key development team for future NHL players.

Basketball 🏀

• Texas Legends (NBA G League – Dallas Mavericks affiliate) – A talented squad in the NBA’s development league.
• Austin Spurs (NBA G League – San Antonio Spurs affiliate) – A crucial part of the Spurs' player development system.
• Rio Grande Valley Vipers (NBA G League – Houston Rockets affiliate) – A successful G League team producing top NBA prospects.

Texas has one of the most extensive sports scenes in the country, hosting championship-winning teams and passionate fan bases. Whether it's football, basketball, baseball, or hockey, there’s always excitement in Texas sports.

1. The Lone Star State ⭐ – Texas is known as "The Lone Star State" to symbolize its history as an independent republic and its struggle for freedom from Mexico.
2. Home to the World's Largest Rodeo 🤠 – The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is the largest rodeo in the world, attracting millions of visitors every year.
3. Everything’s Bigger in Texas 🏠 – Texas is the second-largest state in the U.S., covering 268,597 square miles, which is bigger than many countries!
4. Dr Pepper Was Born Here 🥤 – The popular soft drink Dr Pepper was created in Waco, Texas, in 1885, making it one of the oldest major soft drinks in America.
5. Six Flags, Six Countries 🎡 – Texas has been governed by six nations: Spain, France, Mexico, the Republic of Texas, the United States, and the Confederate States.
6. Bat Capital of the World 🦇 – Austin is home to the largest urban bat colony in North America, with over 1.5 million bats living under the Congress Avenue Bridge.
7. Home of the First Frozen Margarita Machine 🍹 – The first-ever frozen margarita machine was invented in Dallas in 1971, forever changing happy hours worldwide.
8. The King of Country Music Was Born Here 🎶 – Legendary musician George Strait, known as the "King of Country," was born in Poteet, Texas.
9. The State Has Its Own Pledge 🤞 – Texas is one of the few states with an official pledge of allegiance: "Honor the Texas flag; I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one state under God, one and indivisible."
10. Bluebonnets Everywhere 🌸 – The bluebonnet is the official state flower, and every spring, fields across Texas bloom in a breathtaking sea of blue.