The Central State

Central Texas continues to be amongst the fastest-growing regions in the U.S., and it is expected that an Austin-San Antonio Megaplex will emerge along the I-35 corridor as one defined metro service area (MSA) before the 2030 Census. As our lives and geographical boundaries in Central Texas continue to merge, so will the spread of disease and illnesses that affect the regional population’s physical and mental health. For this reason, new datasets and new analysis methods are needed to capture data reflecting the ways people living in the new MSA travel, live, and work.

To support mental health service agencies, law enforcement, educators, health professionals, and the public living in the merging MSA, this project brings together impartial, independent local, state, and national health data in real-time into one accessible location. The initiative focuses on enhancing resilience by examining data on critical factors such as people, community resources, technology, environmental issues, and economic challenges. By creating a user-friendly platform, this project enables organizations, schools, nonprofits, local agencies, and other community groups to share and utilize data-driven insights, highlight regional strengths, and identify areas for improvement.

Through fostering collaboration and leveraging data, The Central State aims to empower organizations and drive innovation in health and economic resilience across the emerging MSA.