Texas turns 190 today, marking the beginning of the 10-year countdown to the state’s bicentennial in 2036.
On this day in 1836, Texas formally declared its independence. The milestone falls this year on the eve of Texas’ party primary elections, underscoring how the decisions that voters make will help determine the lives and possibilities for Texans over the next 100 years.
Founded in 2016 as Texas approached its 180th birthday, Texas 2036 was created to encourage long-term, data-driven planning for the state’s future.
Texas is now home to 31.7 million people and a $2.8 trillion economy. By 2036, the population could exceed 35 million, with both a growing number of children and a rapidly expanding senior population.
“As Texas enters the final decade before its 200th birthday, we have an opportunity to think in generations,” said Tom Luce, founder and chairman emeritus of Texas 2036. “Ten years ago, we asked what we wanted our third century to look like. That question matters even more today.”
Over the past decade, Texas voters and lawmakers have taken major steps to prepare for growth, including committing more than $22 billion to strengthen water infrastructure and increase water supplies, reforming community college funding to better align with workforce outcomes and expanding access to affordable health coverage for millions of Texans.
“Texas has benefited from extraordinary growth,” said David Leebron, president and CEO of Texas 2036. “But growth alone does not guarantee opportunity. The next decade will determine whether we have prepared Texans for a changing economy, secure our infrastructure and expanded opportunities for families across our state.”
Beginning this month, Texas 2036 will launch a “Future of Texas” series examining the key issues that will define the decade ahead, including workforce readiness, artificial intelligence, water security and health care access.
“As we celebrate Texas Independence Day and prepare to vote, we are reminded that the future of Texas is not something that simply happens,” Leebron said. “It is something we must shape.”