Corpus Christi, situated on the Texas Gulf Coast midway between Houston and the Mexican border, is the 8th largest city in Texas and the 59th largest city in the nation. Boasting a year-round tropical climate and an outstanding quality of life, Corpus Christi has enjoyed impressive growth over the past 20 years. The population is rather young, with a median age of 31.1 years. And the population reflects the region, with about 56 percent of citizens in the Corpus Christi MSA being of Hispanic origin. The tropical climate makes Corpus Christi the second most frequented visitor destination in Texas, with between 5 and 6 million visitors per year.
Tourism is an economic mainstay of the region, pumping over half a billion dollars into the economy.
The petrochemical industry is the real driving force behind the economy - over 10,000 people are employed directly by local oil refineries and chemical manufacturers, and about 30,000 others are employed indirectly by the petrochemical industry's economic impact. Adding to the economic mix are the three military installations in the area that employ about 9,000 civilian and military personnel in aviation, ship maintenance and other defense support.