Llano County's economy is defined by its natural resources: agriculture, mining, nature tourism and hunting. Know as the "Hunting Capital of Texas" the Llano Basin boasts a large deer population and is a popular destination for hunters across the county. Outdoor enthusiasts can also visit Enchanted Rock, the Bluebonnet Trail, and Lake Buchanan in Llano County.
Though agriculture, primarily livestock, ranching and vineyards, define the economic base of the county, the service and retail sectors have experienced growth due to the increase in tourism to the county, as well as the county's growing popularity as a place to retire. However, if the county wishes to continue growing economically, needs to look at industries that do not rely heavily on transportation. While adjacent to Blanco and Burnet Counties, which have U.S. Highway 281 running through them, major trade does not pass through the county. The county should consider looking attracting industries such as transactional services or technology development, which do not rely heavily on highway transportation, to maintain the quality of life in the county.
The areas near the Highland Lakes, on the eastern border of the county, have proven to be a great retirement location. Llano county has the highest percentage of individuals over 70 years old in the country; 1 in 4 persons in the county is over 70. The county's economy is changing reflecting this demographic, shown in increased employment in nursing and personal care, hospitals, and private home aids. Traditionally, an aging population in a county meant the departure of its younger residents, potentially creating a deficit in able-bodied workers. This is not the case in Llano County, where age groups from 0 to 54 years have all increased between 1990 and 1998, with ages 18 to 21 increasing 68 percent. While this is a positive sign, the county needs to ensure that enough employment and social opportunities exist to keep the younger population in the county.
While the aging population has actually contributed to the economic growth of the region in terms of the creation of jobs serving this population, it has a secondary impact that may hamper service provision. Once an individual reaches 65 years old, that individual's school tax payment becomes frozen at that amount. With an increasing number of individuals over 65 entering the region, this can have a detrimental impact on the county's schools, resulting in higher tax rates for the rest of the county's citizens.
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