18. College Station, Tex.

18. College Station, Tex.

Q1 2010 annualized job growth: 1.1%
Q3 2009 annualized job growth: 5.7%

First quarter of recovery: Q1 2010
Unemployment rate: 6.5%
Median household income: $37,371

The College Station metro, in Central Texas, has a strong base anchored by its biggest employer, Texas A&M University. The area has about a dozen museums, art galleries, and nearly 100 parks.