CNBC.  Texas is benefiting from an economy driven by energy production and Economist Jim Gaines at the Real Estate Center at TAMU agrees.   The middle of the country, the spine, has done much better than the 2 coasts.  A common thread is energy, from Texas to the Dakotas – there has been a real boom time due to the exploration & drilling activity.  This boom means more jobs.  Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show Texas ranks in the top ten in job growth for the past 10 years.  Not only has this given Texas the ability to weather the national economic storm, but also the diversity of the Texas economy, which has helped drive job growth and demand for real estate, according to Texas Association of Realtors Chairman Joe Stewart.