Think of all the people who know more about Reality shows than who is President of the Federal Reserve. You are right in saying people are feeling the pains of economics than ever before. When the Houston oil bust came about neighborhoods became vacant. People moved up north where the economy was thriving. It was easily notice since the Houston Freeways were wide open for the drive to and from work.
Today Houston is thriving, freeways are congested (notice many out of state license plates). Restaurants have wait times and jobs are plentiful. If you can relocate consider San Antonio or Houston. Come visit sometime you will see Houston and San Antonio is very open to newcomers.
That’s good that they’ve turned it around; my former boss retired and moved to the outskirts of Houston, and he likes it there.