Sherman, located just south of the Texas-Oklahoma border, is experiencing rapid economic change driven by the semiconductor industry. The city, which had approximately 52,000 residents as of July 2025 according to Census Bureau estimates, saw its population increase by about 20% between 2020 and 2025.
This growth has shifted the local economy, making manufacturing the most vital sector despite the long-standing presence of Austin College, a private liberal arts institution established in 1876.
Major technology firms are sourcing components from companies based in the city. Apple obtains parts for its iPhones and iPads from GlobalWafers America and Coherent, both of which operate in Sherman. Additionally, Texas Instruments maintains its SM1 plant in the area.
Coherent is currently collaborating with AI chipmaker Nvidia to increase the production of indium phosphide wafers. These companies state that such wafers serve as the optical backbone for modern artificial intelligence infrastructure.
Mayor Shawn Teamann described the location as accessible yet self-sufficient, noting that while travelers pass through cornfields and cattle to arrive, the city provides all necessary resources for business operations. He highlighted the city's water rights to Lake Texoma, one of the largest reservoirs in the country, as a strategic advantage.
Teamann explained that the ability to draw, treat, and distribute water from the lake allows the city to remain efficient and scalable, potentially avoiding the water supply crises affecting other growing municipalities.
