Basic data concerned with the economic growth of the Coastal Zone for the past 30 years have been assembled by the authors with specific documentation of population, industrial, employment and income trends. Current resources have been analyzed according to their renewable and nonrenewable characteristics. Urban and rural changes have been identified and discussed with emphasis on significant economic data. Future assumptions and economic projections have been generated to evaluate potential economic changes in the Coastal Zone of Texas to the year 2000. Particular emphasis has been placed on population shifts, industry changes and employment levels.