220 Life Science Firms Have Picked Dallas Since 2010 – Here’s Why

Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington is the third-largest growing metro area in the nation as more families flock to Texas. While people from all backgrounds are moving here, the region has seen a surge in life science professionals since 2019. The life science labor pool has increased by 26,000 in just five years, a 17% growth rate.

“Life science companies are increasingly focused on the DFW Metroplex when developing expansion or relocation plans,” says Matt Carlson, Executive Director of the DeSoto Development Corporation (DDC). “The educated workforce, central location, and existing hub of firms make DFW attractive. This is why more than 220 companies have committed to the region in recent years.”

DeSoto, a suburb in the heart of Dallas's Southern Crescent, is poised to take advantage of this growth. With a planned Innovation corridor, creation of high-opportunity development nodes, and rapid population growth make it a top choice for life science and biotechnology companies.

If you haven’t considered DeSoto for your life science operations, it needs to be on your radar. The life sciences ecosystem here is young yet rapidly maturing. Its growth is driven by a new generation of researchers, developers, and investors who see DFW as the next frontier. Dallas–Fort Worth stands alongside Boston, San Diego, and the Research Triangle Park in terms of innovation, thanks to its Metroplex labs, incubators, and workforce.

The DDC Is Actively Involved in Project Development

DFW is home to more than 200 incorporated cities and towns, which means there are plenty of options for life science and biotechnology companies looking to move to the heart of America – and DeSoto will lead the way. The DDC is actively involved in business attraction and is executing plans to streamline expansion projects. Here are a few opportunity zones created by the DDC:

• Desoto Medical Village: this will be a hub for medical researchers and innovators in the heart of downtown. 
• Sports Training and Medicine Complex: this will be a center focused on athletic healing and health.
• Innovation Corridor: this includes stretches of underdeveloped land in one of the best locations in DeSoto. Life science companies can open their doors off I-20, close to DFW International Airport.  

Not only do life science and biotechnology companies have a home in DeSoto, they also have specific neighborhoods based on their needs. A startup focused on athlete health can find a home in the Sports Training and Medicine Complex. A company shipping advanced prosthetics can enjoy easy access to DFW in the Innovation Corridor. Find a space that works best for your organization.

Your Biotech Workforce is Already Here 

DeSoto is one of the fastest-growing communities in Dallas, an already fast-growing metro area. The population increased by 14% between 2010 and 2021, with an expected 45% projected population increase by 2045. In 20 years, the population of DeSoto could reach 87,256.

Job creation is keeping up with this demand. There was a 61% increase in jobs between 2010 and 2019 as DeSoto grew. However, there are still more people than jobs. Research shows most residents commute to greater DFW for work and spend an average of 30 minutes on the road.

The labor pool in DeSoto is skilled. Nearly half (47%) of residents have a bachelor's degree, while 22% have a graduate degree. The top industries employing DeSoto residents include:

• Healthcare and social assistance (13.1%)
• Transportation and warehousing (10.4%)
• Manufacturing (9.73%)

Employers can also hire from seven Carnegie-designated research institutions (five R1 and two R2) with more than 70,000 annual graduates looking to stay in the area.

Additionally, the medtech workforce is here. According to "Emerging Life Sciences Markets: Dallas, TX" by CBRE, the DFW region already boasts top-15 rankings in medtech and biopharma manufacturing talent, and offers salaries for life sciences workers below the US average, providing companies with a compelling cost and talent value proposition.

The residents of DeSoto are educated, diverse, and ready to work closer to home. Local educators offer life science training and workforce development programs to close any gaps. Hiring is not a problem here.

The Diversity of DFW Makes it a Hub for Clinical Trials 

There’s a reason why life science and biotechnology companies operate in large communities with diverse populations. The larger the pool they can pull from, the more diverse they can make their clinical trials.

In some cases, life science companies need to focus on specific demographics for their medications and technology. It’s easier to find people who meet those criteria in large metro areas. In other cases, companies want a large, diverse pool of patients to understand how different treatments affect all patients.

Establishing your operations in DeSoto can help you reach your diversity goals when running clinical trials. Not only is DFW one of the most diverse communities in the nation, but DeSoto itself is made up of 66.9% black or African American residents and 18.5% Hispanic or Latino residents. Life science companies can directly connect with the community and develop products and treatments that support their friends and neighbors. 

Establish Your Supply Chain in the Center of the Country 

There’s no better city than Dallas to establish your operations. Industry observers at Capital Analytics note that DFW checks all the boxes for life sciences growth, from its STEM pipeline to real estate availability and a central logistics location. For companies looking for alternatives to Boston or San Diego, that combination matters. Companies can develop supply chains in the heart of America, easily reaching either coast and any state within a few days. Texas is a hub for major interstate connections, whether you are heading East to West or North to South.

“The best way to get anywhere in the country is to work near DFW,” says Carlson. “There are several flights daily to Los Angeles, New York, and every hub in between. Our region has rail, roads, and even ports.”

DeSoto is a 30-minute drive to DFW and minutes away from major interstate interchanges. Whether your organization orders materials or ships delicate products, your supply chain is secure. 

DDC prides itself on working closely with companies ready to expand to DeSoto. If you find the Innovation Corridor or Downtown Area right for you, our team can make connections, identify incentives, and work closely with your organization to open your doors. DDC's close relationships with utility and government partners make it easy for DDC to assist companies and remove roadblocks.  

Let us help you expand your operations and start the next chapter of your organization. Contact us today or browse available properties in your desired areas.

Want to learn more? Download DeSoto 2030: Life Science Innovation Core and learn about the various hubs and opportunities awaiting biotechnology companies and other healthcare firms in the region.