Due to its unique status as a border city, I often meet people who ask whether it's a good idea to buy a home in El Paso. While other major Texas cities boast rapid population growth, El Paso has shown a relatively quiet trend. However, when we take a closer look at the actual figures, the city's strengths and limitations become apparent.

As of 2025, the population of El Paso is approximately 678,000, with the metropolitan area totaling around 996,000. However, since the 2020 census, there has been a slight decrease of about 0.07%, and the Texas Demographic Center has projected that El Paso County's population growth rate over the next 35 years could be the lowest in a century. It's important to note that this trend is different from other major Texas cities.

That said, this does not mean that El Paso's economy is stagnant. The city's real competitive edge lies in border trade with Ciudad Juárez, Mexico. The average trade volume passing through El Paso was $170.4 billion as of April this year, which is a 16.3% increase compared to the beginning of the year. Commercial activity is also expected to exceed $20 billion by 2025, marking a new record with a 3.2% increase from the previous year. This indicates a steadily growing role as a hub for border logistics and manufacturing supply chains.

However, the unemployment rate is somewhat disappointing. As of the latest report, El Paso's unemployment rate is 4.5%, a slight increase from 4.4% the previous month, which is higher than the Texas average of 4.1% and the national average of 4.2%. Employment in manufacturing has also shown a slight decline recently, which is interpreted as a structural change aligning with a shift from labor-intensive production to software and automation.

In terms of infrastructure, improving border crossing efficiency and expanding logistics infrastructure are ongoing investment priorities. As trade volume continues to grow, discussions about expanding port and customs facilities are also underway, and it will be important to see how this impacts future employment.

Ultimately, whether El Paso can be called a city that will continue to grow in 10 years is a cautious question. The pace of population growth is certainly slower compared to other major Texas cities, but the solid industrial base of border trade is a clear strength. Many believe there is a likelihood of a gradual but steady trend continuing.

Therefore, for Korean families interested in El Paso, it may be more realistic to focus on stable living costs rather than quick profits from property appreciation. While housing prices are relatively lower compared to other major Texas cities, making it attractive for residential purposes, I would advise considering the slow population growth rate if expecting investment returns.