Harker Heights, Texas Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids

Harker Heights, Texas

City

City of Harker Heights

Flag

Motto(s):

The Bright Star of Central Texas

Location of Harker Heights, Texas

Texas

Area

• Total

15.66 sq mi (40.55 km²)

• Land

15.61 sq mi (40.43 km²)

• Water

0.05 sq mi (0.12 km²)

Elevation

817 ft (249 m)

Population

(2020)

• Total

33,097

• Density

2,077.07/sq mi (801.95/km²)

Time zone

UTC-6 (Central (CST))

• Summer (DST)

UTC-5 (CDT)

ZIP codes

76542, 76543, 76548

Area code(s)

254

FIPS code

48-32312

GNIS feature ID

2410701

Harker Heights is a city in Bell County, Texas, in the United States. It's a growing city, with about 33,000 people living there in 2020. This makes it the third-largest city in Bell County. The city was officially started in 1960. Its name comes from Harley Kern, one of the people who first owned the land. Harker Heights is part of a larger area that includes the cities of Killeen and Temple.

History of Harker Heights
Geography of Harker Heights
Population and People
Climate
Images for kids
See also

History of Harker Heights

Harker Heights is located very close to Fort Cavazos. This is a large base for the United States Army. The base became a permanent military spot in 1950. As the base grew, more and more people moved to the area around it.

In 1955, a special water district was set up near the military base. This district included land owned by two hog farmers, Pinckney R. Cox and Harley Kern. These two men divided their land into smaller pieces in 1957. They started selling these pieces of land for people to build homes.

By 1960, many homes had been built. About 600 to 700 lots were developed. New residents had access to water and other services. People wanted the area to become an official city. So, on September 24, 1960, Harker Heights was officially established. Pinckney R. Cox was elected as the first mayor.

Harley Kern had passed away before the city was formed. The name "Harker" in Harker Heights is a mix of his name, Harley Kern. It was a way to honor him as one of the original landowners. Over time, the city grew bigger. It added nearby areas like Forest Hills, Highland Oaks, and Comanche Hills.

Geography of Harker Heights

Harker Heights is located in central Texas. The city of Killeen is to its west. To the east, you'll find the city of Nolanville. The southern edge of Harker Heights reaches hills that look over Stillhouse Hollow Lake. This lake is part of the Lampasas River.

A major highway, Interstate 14/U.S. Highway 190, goes right through the city. This four-lane freeway connects Harker Heights to Killeen in the west. It also links to Interstate 35 in Belton, about 12 miles to the east. Belton is roughly halfway between the cities of Waco and Austin.

The total area of Harker Heights is about 15.2 square miles (39.4 square kilometers). Only a very small part of this area, about 0.32%, is covered by water.

Population and People

Harker Heights has grown a lot over the years. In 1970, about 4,216 people lived here. By 2000, the population had grown to 17,308. The most recent count in 2020 showed that 33,097 people call Harker Heights home. This shows how quickly the city has expanded!

Many people in Harker Heights are connected to the U.S. Army. This includes soldiers and their families from nearby Fort Cavazos. It also includes people who work in businesses that support the base.

The city is a mix of different cultures and backgrounds. In 2020, about 41% of the people were White. About 22% were Black or African American. Around 22% of the population identified as Hispanic or Latino. There are also smaller groups of Asian, Native American, and Pacific Islander residents. Many people also identify as being of mixed heritage. This mix of people makes Harker Heights a diverse community.

Climate

The weather in Harker Heights is known for its hot and humid summers. Winters are generally mild and cool. This type of weather is called a humid subtropical climate. It means the area gets a good amount of rain throughout the year, and it can feel quite muggy in the summer months.