Doctor Demographics

I write about where to put a practice, the market conditions that are influencing the places where dentistry works best, and the trends that are helping or inhibiting practice.

Blog By:
Mike Green

Big Wins in the Big State of Texas: Your Practice's Next Move?

Hello and welcome, all you wonderful people, to the Perfect Place to Put a Practice podcast. I’m your host, Mike Green, and today we’re diving into the new “it” spot in Texas. That’s right—there’s a fresh standout location in the Lone Star State, a place I absolutely love. Texas is a fantastic state with a business-friendly environment and a welcoming government, making it a natural magnet for doctors and professionals. You don’t mess with Texas, as we all know, and many of you listening are likely thriving there already. If you’ve found yourself practicing in Texas, congratulations—you’re in a prime part of the country. In past episodes, we’ve covered areas like Dallas-Fort Worth, Austin, and some great smaller spots between the big metro areas. But today, I’m spotlighting what I consider the new “it” spot in Texas, a location I predict will be a top contender for the next three to five years if you’re looking to establish a practice: Houston.

Houston has amazing things happening—really cool developments, especially with recent announcements as of March 2025, when I’m recording this. If you’re tuning in from the future, hello from the past! I hope my predictions hold true and you’re doing wonderfully as a doctor there. Before we dive into the data, a couple of quick housekeeping notes. First, if you’re listening on your morning commute, thank you—we’re thrilled most of you enjoy us that way. But you might be missing out on the slide deck we include with every episode. You can find it on our website at drdemographics.com/podcast or on YouTube. We’ve recently switched channels for logistical reasons, so check out our new one, DrDemographics Live, where exciting things are in store. Just search “DrDemographics Live” on YouTube—it should pop right up. You’ll also find older episodes on the original DrDemographics channel, featuring me, Scott, or both of us.

Second, our last episode on demographic marketing got fantastic feedback. If you’re looking to elevate your marketing, March is the perfect time—we call it “Marketing Month.” We’re running a special on marketing reports right now. Head to our website, order a report, and at checkout, enter the coupon code “March25” to save some money. We always offer a discount for podcast listeners, which I’ll share again at the end, but this March deal is extra sweet. Lastly, I apologize for missing a couple of weeks—we’ve been swamped with travel and on-site consultations. Speaking of which, we’re booking our 2025 schedule for in-person visits. If you’d like us to spend a day with you and your staff, training on demographics and psychographics or just chatting face-to-face, email me at mike@drdemographics.com. We only do two offices a month, and it’s affordable considering the effort. We’re filling our 24 spots for the year quietly for now, so podcast listeners get first dibs. Call the number on our site and ask for me if you’re interested.

Now, onto the main event: the beautiful, awesome city of Houston. I love Houston—there’s so much excitement brewing there. You might have caught some of it on the news, though it’s often polarized or politicized. We’re cutting through that noise to focus on the hard facts and how they’ll attract business, families, and the need for great doctors like you. I’m calling Houston the “Opportunity Zone” because three major forces are at play. First, Houston’s already a hub where energy, healthcare, and tech converge, creating a vibrant energy that’s been thriving for years. But over the next five years—or longer—bigger things are coming. Economic growth is booming across the Greater Houston area, with most communities showing strong growth rates and positive developments, despite some slower pockets.

The second big factor is massive investments creating thousands of jobs, drawing new families—many from outside Houston or even Texas. These newcomers are investing in homes, enrolling kids in schools, and needing providers. Leading this charge for the next five years is what I’m calling the “Apple Impact.” Just weeks ago, Tim Cook announced Apple’s $500 billion U.S. investment, with a hefty chunk earmarked for Houston. While Houston might not scream “tech hub” to everyone, it’s proving itself, especially in the north with companies like Foxconn, a major Apple tech supplier, pouring in funds. Apple’s building a massive AI server factory, expected to generate 20,000 jobs nationwide, with thousands likely in Houston. These well-paid roles span labor, science, and executive levels, fitting perfectly into the area. Though the exact location isn’t public yet, I’d bet on the northern sector near Foxconn’s setup—it just makes sense. Those jobs will bring families who don’t yet have local providers, giving you a prime shot at building a patient base.

Beyond Apple, other sectors are shining. Healthcare growth is massive—Houston hosts the world’s largest medical complex, still expanding with projects like Helix Park from 2023 and Houston Methodist’s 75,000-foot lease. Over 320,000 healthcare workers call it home, with great insurance, stable homeownership, and a focus on health—oral, optical, everything. These career-driven families, not entry-level workers, are in it for the long haul, 15 to 25 years, bringing top talent and ripple effects for providers like you. Then there’s energy, especially on Houston’s east side, where huge investments continue. With the current administration’s deregulation push—“drill, baby, drill,” as our president might say—the energy sector typically grows, benefiting Gulf States like Texas. This shift is moving from labor-heavy to high-skill, high-paid jobs, with 71,200 new energy jobs forecast for 2025 alone.

Add in other tech and retail giants like Tesla, Meta, HP, and Samsung, plus developments like the 65-acre Grand at 249 retail center expanding in 2025, and Houston’s a well-positioned hub. NASA’s Space Center is growing too, fueled by government aerospace focus, creating more high-skill jobs and great families needing care. So, where should you set up? For Apple’s influence, I’d look northwest, around The Woodlands—affluent suburbs likely to house those high-earners. South Houston’s your spot for healthcare, with its medical boom and insured families. West Houston’s energy-driven growth is another winner. These areas are drawing affluent, educated families who prioritize health and expect top-notch care—which I know you’ll deliver.