After moving past Columbus, Ohio, to become the 15th-largest city in the nation, Austin continues to grow despite the economic downturn. Austin city demographer Ryan Robinson expects Travis County to add more than 30,000 people this year, including births. New residents keep the local economy going by renting apartments, buying homes and cars and starting new businesses. Of the country's largest metropolitan regions, Austin–Round Rock boasts the fourth-largest rate of self-employment, according to Brian Kelsey, director of community and economic development for the Capital Area Council of Governments. Twenty-two percent of the area's workforce meets that qualification, serving as either an asset or a liability, depending on the state of the economy.
Just over 2,100 single-family homes were sold last month, according to the June 2009 Multiple Listing Service report by the Austin Board of Realtors. That’s 4 percent less than a year ago. Meanwhile, the median price was $199,900, unchanged from last year. "We've seen the year-over-year gap in sales volume close steadily throughout 2009, and that momentum continues this month," said Jay Gohil, chairman of the Austin Board of Realtors. Home prices in the Austin area have continued gaining momentum since the beginning of the year. Over the first two quarters of 2009, the average sale price for a single-family home has increased $20,824, while median sales price has increased $24,400. Also, since January 2009, sales volume is up 61 percent, and active listings are up 14 percent.