Fort-Worth-Arlington Area of Economic Development

Fort-Worth-Arlington Region for Business

Unparalleled business attributes and top-tier infrastructure position Fort-Worth Arlington for sustainable economic success.

Fort Worth is the 13th largest city in the nation, with a high median household income and an unemployment rate well below the national average. Fort Worth is within a four-hour flight of all major U.S. destinations, in addition to direct service to hundreds of international cities. With a 12 percent lower cost of doing business than the national average, a low cost of real estate, pro-business government and an abundance of open land to develop, it’s no surprise that major companies continue to flock to this region

Arlington sits in the center of North Texas, one of the fastest growing regions in the U.S. In fact, North Texas’ population is expected to double by 2050. Arlington is home to the nation’s fourth-largest labor supply, many of whom are graduates of the University of Texas at Arlington, the largest university in North Texas. Just 10 minutes north of Arlington is the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), with more direct international flights than any airport in the U.S.

Rankings

The Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital in Fort Worth with three flags in front of the building

#2 Top Metro in South Central Region For Corporate Facility Investment Projects (Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington)

Site Selection 2022
View of downtown from the Reata, an elevated restaurant in Fort Worth, Texas.

#2 Top Metro with Population Over One Million (Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington)

Site Selection 2022
View of downtown Fort Worth at dusk.

#1 Fastest-Growing Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) (Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington)

Business Facilities 2022
A woman runs alongside her dog on a sidewalk next to a river at Trinity Trails in Fort Worth, Texas.

#10 Most Diverse City in America (Arlington)

Niche 2023
Cars drive on the 7th Street bridge at night in Fort Worth, Texas.

#5 Strongest Metropolitan area economy in the United States (Dallas-Fort Worth)

Kenan Institute 2022
A man paints on a canvas at the annual Crockett Artist Fair party in Fort Worth, Texas

#2 Best Places to Retire in Texas (Dallas-Fort Worth)

U.S. News & World Report 2022

Fort Worth-Arlington Economic Strengths

Learn more about the economic strengths and business advantages that this metropolitan division offers.

A man concentrates on a computer monitor while working at Lockheed Martin headquarters
A statue of a cowgirl outside the entrance to the Cowgirl Hall of Fame & Museum in Fort Worth, Texas
A red and white passenger train pulls into a railway station.
  • Business Climate
  • Talent
  • Infrastructure
Business Climate
A man concentrates on a computer monitor while working at Lockheed Martin headquarters

A Robust Cluster of Companies Fosters a Healthy Business Climate

Fort Worth-Arlington’s strong economy is supported by companies across a range of business sectors, from energy to life sciences.

Major business clusters in Fort Worth-Arlington include aerospace and aviation, defense and security, energy, financial services, food processing, information technology, life sciences, manufacturing and transportation and logistics. Major employers include Acme Brick, Airbus Helicopters, Alcon Laboratories, American Airlines, Bell Helicopter Textron, BNSF Railway, GE Manufacturing Solutions, General Motors, GM Financial, J.P. Morgan Chase, Justin Brands, Lockheed Martin, Pier 1 Imports, Pratt & Whitney and XTO Energy.

Talent
A statue of a cowgirl outside the entrance to the Cowgirl Hall of Fame & Museum in Fort Worth, Texas

A Diverse Talent Pool that Continues to Grow

Home to the largest university in North Texas, the Fort Worth-Arlington region has no shortage of skilled talent to support your business.

Higher education institutions in Fort Worth-Arlington include Tarrant County College District, Texas Christian University, The University of Texas at Arlington and Weatherford College. In addition, University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth offers education for students in the life sciences field.

Infrastructure
A red and white passenger train pulls into a railway station.

Convenient Access to Global Markets

A strong system of highways, rail and bus make commuting throughout the Metroplex easy.

Interstate Highways I-20, I-30 and I-35 provide connectivity throughout North Texas and beyond, while Dallas Fort Worth International Airport offers domestic and international air travel. Fort Worth Alliance Airport is a multi-modal business, industrial and private airport. Major Class I railroad carrier services offer reliable transportation by rail. This region is also home to two Foreign Trade Zones: No. 39 Dallas/Fort Worth Airport and No. 196 Fort Worth.