County seat and commercial center of Coryell County, Gatesville's economy is based primarily on retail, agriculture, corrections, and manufacturing. The State of Texas is the city's largest employer, with approximately 2500 employees at several prison facilities. Manufacturing facilities include plastic medical teaching supplies and specialized heavy industrial trailers. Major employers include:
- Texas Department of Criminal Justice
- Kalyn Siebert manufactures trailers for commercial and military use
- Laerdal manufactures plastic medical teaching supplies
- Gatesville Independent School District
- Coryell Health
- City and County Government
- Walmart
- HEB
- Fort Hood