More Rio Grande Valley residents hold college degrees than ever — yet gaps in attainment still shape the workforce

Editor’s Note: Rio Grande Valley Business Journal reporter Kristen Mosbrucker-Garza interviewed Lloyd B. Potter, who has served as the Texas State Demographer for the past 15 years. He is also Director of the Institute for Demographic and Socioeconomic Research and a professor emeritus at the University of Texas at San Antonio. The following transcript has been edited for clarity.

Why it matters

The Rio Grande Valley’s changing demographics are a key factor for business executives weighing investment opportunities — or not.

Over decades, some economic indicators have improved, while others continue to lag.

Key takeaways

• The Valley’s college attainment rate is climbing, but many first-generation students still struggle to finish degrees.
• Education gaps continue to shape the region’s job market, limiting growth in higher-paying industries.
• SpaceX has brought highly skilled workers to Cameron County, but its broader impact on the Valley remains uncertain.
• Family ties keep many educated residents in the region — or bring them back — even when jobs exist elsewhere.

College graduates on the rise in the RGV, sometimes a tough sell

Kristen Mosbrucker-Garza | Rio Grande Valley Business Journal: How has educational attainment in the RGV changed between 2014 and 2024? The Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis found a steady increase in adults with bachelor’s degrees or higher.