Cd. Acuņa still serves as an agricultural, cattle and trade transfer center for north and southbound trade and possesses a growing population in search of higher paying jobs.

Currently almost 22,000 people are employed in 47 Cd. Acuņa maquilas. Automobile-related manufacturing and assembly employs more than 10,000 workers. Data processing activities exceed electronic component assembly, employing 3,100 and 2,700 workers, respectively. The manufacture of medical-related products also is important and employs approximately 1,700 people.

Cd. Acuņa averages 12% - 16% representative of its limited maquiladora base.

Population and demographic projections still point to above average growth, as expected to accompany increased trade, border migration and higher birth rates.

A number of mid-sized maquilas have located in the Cd. Acuņa area since the late 1980s, many provide additional training for local workforce. Cd. Acuņa has been an alternative destination for maquila operators in El Paso / Juarez, but wish to locate away from the border's population centers. The aggregate skill level will increase as more maquilas in electronics locate there.