Texas
Texas counties lead the US in population growth, Census says
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Six out of the 10 fastest-growing counties in the U.S. from 2022 to 2023 are in Texas, according to recent estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau.
Kaufman County, just east of Dallas, led the list with a 7.6% increase that brought its population over 185,000, Census data shows. Rockwall and Liberty counties followed closely behind, each with growth bursts of 6.5% and 5.7%, respectively.
Population increases across the southern U.S. were largely due to people relocating from other parts of the country, Census officials said. On average, counties in the South experienced faster growth in 2023 than in 2022.
“Domestic migration patterns are changing, and the impact on counties is especially evident,” said Lauren Bowers, chief of the Census Bureau’s Population Estimates Branch, in a Thursday statement.
Big counties see major population increases
Texas also holds eight out of the ten counties across the country that added the most residents from 2022 to 2023. Harris, Collin and Montgomery counties led the pack.
Harris County added 53,788 residents, more than any other county in the U.S. With nearly 5 million total residents, it’s now the third most populous county in the country. Harris also saw the second-highest gains from international migration of all counties nationwide.
Collin, Denton and Tarrant counties in the Dallas-Fort Worth area also had significant gains, bringing in tens of thousands of new people. Denton is now the seventh county in Texas to surpass 1 million residents.
Notably, Dallas County didn’t make the Census’ top ten list.
Growth in the state’s major counties boosted Texas’ overall population. The state grew more than any other in the country in 2023, by nearly half a million people, according to earlier Census estimates.
Texas’ cities are booming
Texas’ four most populous metro areas — Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio and Austin — were among the top 10 metro areas with the biggest population increases from 2022 to 2023.
The greater Dallas area saw the highest jump. It added 152,598 residents, bringing its total population over 8 million. The greater Houston area followed closely behind, adding 139,789 over the same period. Its total population is now over 7.5 million residents.
Nearly 70% of Texas residents live in the state’s four largest metro areas, according to estimates from the Texas Demographic Center.
But the Midland metro area grew more rapidly than any of them. From 2022 to 2023, Midland’s population increased by nearly 3% — making it the seventh fastest-growing metro area in the country.
Midland is part of the Permian Basin, the highest-producing oil field in the U.S., and is home to much of Texas’ oil and gas production.
Tracee Bentley, CEO of Permian Strategic Partnership — a collaboration between Permian Basin communities and oil and gas companies — said job growth in the energy sector could be driving population increases in Midland.
“The nature of the jobs that you’re seeing in the oil and gas space are attracting some of the younger professionals who want to come here,” Bentley said.
Overall, more U.S. counties saw population gains than losses in 2023, but the South saw faster growth than much of the rest of the country, according to Census data.
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Texas
Texas weather: How to file insurance claims after hail storm
TEXAS – The possibility of hail was a concern for some residents during Monday’s storms. Many Central Texas communities have been hit hard during the past week.
If you have hail damage, make sure you document everything, even picking up hailstones and taking pictures of those can be part of your claim.
“If they’re that ping pong ball size or bigger, then there’s most likely damage. If you’re getting damage on the hood and the roof of your car, then most likely it’s a good idea to also get your roof inspected on your home,” Rich Johnson, director of communications and public affairs at the Insurance Council of Texas said.
After you call your insurance company, they will send an adjuster out to assess the damage.
If you want a second opinion, call a contractor. Many of them offer free estimates.
“It’s just another way to document it. Especially up on your roof, where you don’t want to be going. They have the equipment and the skills to take pictures and document what’s going on up on your roof,” Johnson said.
The adjuster will write up an estimate for the insurance company.
The Texas Department of Insurance says you can make temporary repairs like covering broken windows, but don’t make permanent repairs until an adjuster sees the damage.
Save any receipts and save proof you paid the deductible on the claim.
“It’s all based on your insurance contract. You’ll have the deductible, which is the cost out of pocket. The cost of repairs will need to exceed your deductible,” Johnson said.
There are also some things you can do before the next storm rolls around.
“If you have decking or a shed, or the side, the outside of your home, go ahead and document it before anything happens,” Johnson said. “If you have to store a car outside, and you can’t get it inside, if you have moving blankets or any kind of padded material that might be able to attach to your hood, it might save you that headache down the road of having to file a claim.”
How long the entire process takes depends on the company and how many claims are being made. Johnson says the adjuster can usually come out within a week to ten days.
For information from the Insurance Council of Texas, click here.
For more from the Texas Department of Insurance, click here.
Texas
Get to know Texas WR Jordan Whittington | Pick 213
A well-regarded national recruit, Whittington initially played running back at Texas but battled injuries his first few years. He overcame them and became a critical part of not only the Longhorns’ wide receiver room but program as a whole.
“Because of the experience he had in his time here, the fact that he changed positions, and all that he’s overcome, he’s really a resilient player,” Sarkisian said after Whittington was drafted by the Rams. “That’s something he’s helped so many young players with and a big part of who he is as an unselfish and supportive teammate.”
Texas
Movies and TV shows casting in Texas
The glitz and glam of Hollywood captures the attention of Americans starting from an early age. Beyond celebrities’ Instagram Stories and red carpet poses, there are actors out there paying their dues and honing their craft in pursuit of a sustainable career or a fulfilling sideline. Submitting to casting calls is a big part of that journey.
Whether you’re a working actor or an aspiring one, you might be curious to know which movies and TV shows are casting roles near you. Backstage compiled a list of projects casting right now in Texas, and which roles they’re looking to fill.
Texas open casting calls for movie and TV productions
‘Happiest Place…’
– Project type: short film
– Roles:
— Natalie (supporting, female, 15-21)
— Clayton (supporting, male, 25-35)
— Morgan (lead, female, 18-25)
– Average hourly rate: $30
– Casting locations: Dallas, Richmond, Houston, Austin
– Learn more about the short film here
‘Lone Child’
– Project type: feature film
– Roles:
— August (supporting, female, 9-14)
— Sister Corazon (supporting, female, 18-100)
— Alejandro (supporting, male, 25-35)
– Average hourly rate: $31
– Casting locations: Dallas, Plano, Irving, Fort Worth
– Learn more about the feature film here
‘Loser’
– Project type: feature film
– Roles:
— Marion (supporting, female, 18-35)
— Otis (supporting, male, 18-25)
— Director of Photography (crew)
– Average hourly rate: $15
– Casting locations: Austin, Killeen
– Learn more about the feature film here
‘Paintings’
– Project type: feature film
– Roles:
— Adam (supporting, male, 25-30)
— Kidnapped Girl (day player, female, 18-20)
— Mr. Harden (day player, male, 55-75)
– Average hourly rate: $18
– Casting locations: Houston
– Learn more about the feature film here
‘Echoes of Change’
– Project type: feature film
– Roles:
— Captain Eddard Hawke (supporting, 28-100)
— Luke Stanfield (day player, male, 18-100)
— Mimi Samms (supporting, female, 20-100)
– Average hourly rate: $125
– Casting locations: Houston
– Learn more about the feature film here
‘Spice King’
– Project type: short film
– Roles:
— Director of Photography (crew)
— Pinky (supporting, female, 18-26)
— Raj (lead, male, 18-26)
– Average hourly rate: $31
– Casting locations: Houston, Austin
– Learn more about the short film here
‘Great Gold Bird’
– Project type: short film
– Roles:
— Henry (lead, male, 37-50)
– Average hourly rate: $46
– Casting locations: Austin
– Learn more about the short film here
‘Lunch Box’
– Project type: short film
– Roles:
— Cat (lead, 28-40)
— Scottie (lead, female, 9-13)
— Orville (supporting, male, 50-70)
– Average hourly rate: $40
– Casting locations: Austin
– Learn more about the short film here
‘Lady Outlaw’
– Project type: feature film
– Roles:
— Belle (supporting, female, 21-35)
— George (lead, male, 30-50)
— Dunn Brothers (supporting, male, 18-25)
– Average hourly rate: $12
– Casting locations: Blanco, Austin, Sabinal, San Antonio
– Learn more about the feature film here
‘A Day In The Park’
– Project type: short film
– Roles:
— April (lead, female, 20-40)
— Camera Operator (crew)
– Average hourly rate: $20
– Casting locations: Porter, Houston, Spring,
– Learn more about the short film here
Nationwide open casting calls for movie and TV productions
‘Spider-Man: Fallout,’ Fan-Film’
– Project type: short film
– Roles:
— Extras (background extra, 10-70)
— Kindred (lead, male, 22-35)
— Jinx (voiceover, female, 20-30)
– Average hourly rate: not available
– Learn more about the short film here
‘Vanderpump Villa – hit show on Hulu’
– Project type: reality TV
– Roles:
— Celebration Parties With Guests of 6-8 People (lead, 21-100)
— Hospitality Professionals (lead, 21-100)
— Real Fine Dining Servers (lead, 21-50)
– Average hourly rate: not available
– Learn more about the reality TV show here
Open casting calls for movie and TV productions in neighboring states
‘Reality’
– Project type: scripted show
– Roles:
— Bible Study Children (day player, 10-14)
— Football Players (background extra, male, 18-30)
– Average hourly rate: not available
– Casting locations: Marland, Oklahoma
– Learn more about the scripted show here
‘There Should Be Flowers’
– Project type: feature film
– Roles:
— Bradley (supporting, male, non-binary, trans male, 35-55)
— Isabel’s Friends (day player, 16-25)
— Murphy (day player, 35-70)
– Average hourly rate: $25
– Casting locations: Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, New Mexico; Santa Fe, New Mexico; Los Lunas, New Mexico
– Learn more about the feature film here
‘Bayou Horse’
– Project type: feature film
– Roles:
— Laura (lead, female, 24-38)
– Average hourly rate: $20
– Casting locations: New Orleans, Louisiana
– Learn more about the feature film here
This story was produced by Backstage and reviewed and distributed by Stacker Media.
© Stacker 2024. All rights reserved.
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