The city of Longview is situated mainly in Gregg County with a small portion extending into the western part of Harrison County in East Texas. It is the county seat of Gregg County and presently has a population of approximately 78,036. The city of Longview is situated just south of the Sabine River on the grid of US Highways 80 and 259 and Interstate 20. Longview plays a crucial part in the Longview Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is part of the larger MSA comprising of Rusk, Gregg and Upshur counties, as a commercial center.
The city was first established in 1970 and was incorporated on the 17th of May, the year 1871. The name was derived from a surveyor from the Southern Pacific Railroad Company, though the first railroad didn't enter the city of Longview until the 22nd of February, the year 1872. The very first post office was established a little more than a year before January 27,the year 1871. In the year 1877, The Longview and Sabine Valley Railroad Company started construction of the Santa Fe line that runs from Longview Junction. East Texas Oil Field discovery completely changed Longview's destiny. On the 28th of January, the year 1931 the city of Longview found another oil field.
Among the city's economic assets include the East Texas Oil Field, technology, and manufacturing. The city of Longview is a manufacturing, professional and business regional center.
The major businesses with the highest levels of work are healthcare, educational services, accommodation and food services, construction, chemicals, manufacturing and finance and insurance. About 26% of the work force is within office and sales occupations, 24% in professional and management occupations, and roughly 21 percent of the work force is in service occupations.
The city of Longview is considered an educated municipality, with many occupations requiring a college degree. Amongst these jobs include teachers, nurses, wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives, child, family, and school social workers, financial managers, petroleum engineers, occupational health and safety specialists, and instructional coordinators.
Over one fifth of the adult population in the city of Longview has received a college degree. The average salary hover around the $30,000 mark. The cost of living index during the year 2008 is 80.7.
The economy of Longview is quite healthy, even through the downturn of the national economy. The home prices are continuing to go up as the populations grows. Major chain stores were recently added to the north side of the city to encourage growth. nearly all construction could be found on the north side around Hawkins Pkwy. On the south side, a handful of hotels, a third Wal-Mart super center, two Starbucks, a Kohl's and a new target were developed to be able to help define the south side as a regional shopping center. It is important for the economy of Longview to encourage its people to shop within the city and avoid traveling to Tyler, Dallas, and Shreveport.