Killeen, Texas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Killeen, Texas
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Avenue D in downtown Killeen
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| Motto(s):
"Dedicated Service - Every Day, for Everyone"
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Location of Killeen, Texas
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 Killeen, Texas
Location in Texas
Killeen, Texas
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States | |
| State | Texas | |
| County | Bell | |
| Government | ||
| • Type | Council-Manager | |
| Area | ||
| • City | 55.50 sq mi (143.75 km2) | |
| • Land | 54.85 sq mi (142.06 km2) | |
| • Water | 0.65 sq mi (1.69 km2) | |
| Elevation | 863 ft (263 m) | |
| Population
(2020)
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| • City | 153,095 | |
| • Density | 2,765.16/sq mi (1,067.63/km2) | |
| • Urban | 257,222 (US: 157th) | |
| • Urban density | 2,561.4/sq mi (989.0/km2) | |
| • Metro | 475,367 (US: 115th) | |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central (CST)) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) | |
| ZIP codes |
76540, 76541, 76542, 76543, 76548, 76549
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| Area code(s) | 254 | |
| FIPS code | 48-39148 | |
| GNIS feature ID | 2411542 | |
Killeen is a city in the state of Texas, located in Bell County. It's a pretty big city, with over 153,000 people living there in 2020. This makes it the 19th largest city in Texas. Killeen is also the main city in the larger Killeen–Temple–Fort Cavazos area.
The city is very close to Fort Cavazos, a large military base. Because of this, Killeen's economy relies a lot on the activities at the base and the soldiers and their families who live there. Killeen is often called a "military boom town" because it grew very quickly as more soldiers moved in.
Contents
History of Killeen
How Killeen Started
Killeen began in 1881 when a railroad company, the Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe Railway, built tracks through central Texas. They bought land near a small farming community called Palo Alto. The railroad company created a new town on this land and named it after Frank P. Killeen, one of their managers.
By 1882, the new town had a train station, stores, and a school. Many people from nearby communities moved to Killeen. By 1884, about 350 people lived there. Killeen grew because it became an important place for shipping cotton, wool, and grain. By 1900, the population was around 780.
Growth with the Military Base
Killeen stayed a small farming town until the 1940s. That's when Camp Hood (which later became Fort Hood and then Fort Cavazos) was built in 1942 for military training during World War II. Thousands of workers, soldiers, and their families moved to the area. Killeen quickly became a "boomtown."
The new military base changed Killeen a lot. It covered many farms, so the town's farming businesses closed. New businesses opened to serve the military camp. Killeen faced a tough time after World War II when Camp Hood was almost empty. But when Fort Hood became a permanent army base in 1950, the city grew rapidly again. Its population jumped from about 1,300 in 1949 to over 7,000 in 1950. Many new buildings were constructed.
Killeen in Recent Times
By 1955, Killeen had over 21,000 residents. There was another small slowdown in the mid-1950s, but the city kept growing through the 1960s. This was especially true during the Vietnam War, which brought more activity to Fort Hood. By 1970, Killeen had grown to over 35,000 people. It also added an airport, a new library, and a college.
By 1980, Killeen was the largest city in Bell County, with over 49,000 people. By 1990, the population was over 63,000. The military presence at Fort Hood also made the city's population more diverse. People from many different backgrounds moved to Killeen.
In 1990, the city prepared for war when thousands of troops from Fort Hood were sent to the Middle East. In 1991, the Killeen Kangaroos high school football team won the state championship! By 2000, Killeen's population was over 86,000, and by 2010, it was over 127,000. Many soldiers from Killeen have served in recent wars.
Geography and Climate
Where is Killeen?
Killeen is located in the western part of Bell County, Texas. It is right next to Fort Cavazos to the north and Harker Heights to the east. Killeen is about 16 miles west of Belton, which is the county seat.
The city covers a total area of about 55.5 square miles (143.75 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a small amount of water.
Killeen's Weather
Killeen has a climate with hot summers and mild winters. Here's a quick look at the weather:
| Climate data for Killeen, Texas | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 88 (31) |
94 (34) |
96 (36) |
98 (37) |
100 (38) |
107 (42) |
109 (43) |
107 (42) |
112 (44) |
102 (39) |
91 (33) |
82 (28) |
112 (44) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 58 (14) |
63 (17) |
70 (21) |
78 (26) |
84 (29) |
91 (33) |
95 (35) |
96 (36) |
89 (32) |
80 (27) |
68 (20) |
60 (16) |
78 (26) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 34 (1) |
38 (3) |
45 (7) |
53 (12) |
61 (16) |
69 (21) |
72 (22) |
71 (22) |
65 (18) |
56 (13) |
44 (7) |
36 (2) |
54 (12) |
| Record low °F (°C) | 5 (−15) |
2 (−17) |
19 (−7) |
32 (0) |
44 (7) |
51 (11) |
55 (13) |
56 (13) |
42 (6) |
24 (−4) |
19 (−7) |
−2 (−19) |
−2 (−19) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 1.66 (42) |
2.46 (62) |
2.93 (74) |
2.46 (62) |
4.49 (114) |
3.70 (94) |
1.34 (34) |
1.85 (47) |
3.13 (80) |
3.23 (82) |
2.93 (74) |
2.70 (69) |
32.88 (835) |
| Source: weather.com | |||||||||||||
People of Killeen
Population Changes Over Time
Killeen has grown a lot since it was founded. Here's how its population has changed:
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1890 | 285 | — | |
| 1900 | 780 | 173.7% | |
| 1910 | 1,265 | 62.2% | |
| 1920 | 1,208 | −4.5% | |
| 1930 | 1,260 | 4.3% | |
| 1940 | 1,268 | 0.6% | |
| 1950 | 7,045 | 455.6% | |
| 1960 | 23,377 | 231.8% | |
| 1970 | 35,507 | 51.9% | |
| 1980 | 46,296 | 30.4% | |
| 1990 | 63,535 | 37.2% | |
| 2000 | 86,911 | 36.8% | |
| 2010 | 127,921 | 47.2% | |
| 2020 | 153,095 | 19.7% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Who Lives in Killeen?
In 2020, Killeen had 153,095 people living there. There were about 54,840 households, which are groups of people living together.
Killeen is a very diverse city. People from many different backgrounds live there. The population includes people who identify as White, Black or African American, Asian, Native American, Pacific Islander, and people of mixed races. A large part of the population is also of Hispanic or Latino background, including people of Mexican and Puerto Rican descent.
The city's population is quite young. About 33% of residents are under 20 years old, and many are young adults between 20 and 39. The average age in Killeen is 27 years old.
Killeen is known for having affordable homes. In 2007, it was even called the most affordable housing market in the United States!
Economy and Jobs
Main Employers in Killeen
Killeen's economy is strongly connected to Fort Cavazos. Many people in the city work for the military base or for businesses that support it. Here are some of the top employers in Killeen:
| # | Employer | # of Employees |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | III Corps & Fort Cavazos | 36,786 |
| 2 | Killeen Independent School District | 6,800 |
| 3 | Military Defense Contractors & Others | 6,209 |
| 4 | Civilian Personnel Office | 5,083 |
| 5 | Teleperformance | 1,800 |
| 6 | Central Texas College | 1,488 |
| 7 | City of Killeen | 1,173 |
| 8 | AdventHealth | 1,000 |
| 9 | Seton Medical Center Harker Heights | 480 |
| 10 | Texas A&M University–Central Texas | 305 |
The Killeen Mall is the main place for shopping in the city.
Arts and Culture
Local Arts Scene
Killeen is home to the Vive Les Arts Theatre. This group puts on many plays and shows each year, including ones for children. It's a great place to enjoy live performances!
Education in Killeen
Schools for All Ages
The Killeen Independent School District (KISD) is a very large school district. It serves Killeen, Harker Heights, Fort Cavazos, and other nearby areas. KISD has many elementary schools (for younger kids), middle schools, and high schools.
There are five main high schools in Killeen ISD:
- Killeen High School (the Kangaroos)
- Ellison High School (the Eagles)
- Harker Heights High School (the Knights)
- Shoemaker High School (the Grey Wolves)
- Early College High School (the Lions)
A sixth high school, Chaparral, is set to open in Fall 2022.
There are also some private schools in Killeen, like Memorial Christian Academy and Creek View Academy.
Colleges and Universities
Killeen has options for higher education too:
- Central Texas College was started in 1965. It offers many associate degrees and certificates.
- Texas A&M University-Central Texas offers bachelor's and master's degrees.
Getting Around Killeen
Transportation Options
Killeen has two airports: Skylark Field for smaller planes and Killeen Regional Airport for commercial flights.
The city also has a public bus system called the Hill Country Transit District (The HOP). These buses are easy to spot with their teal and purple colors (and some newer green ones!). They connect Killeen to nearby cities like Temple, Copperas Cove, and Harker Heights.
Major highways that go through Killeen include Interstate 14/U.S. Highway 190 (also called Central Texas Expressway) and State Highway 195. Interstate 35 is about 16 miles east in Belton.
Famous People from Killeen
Many interesting people have connections to Killeen, including:
- Brad Buckley – A politician in the Texas House of Representatives.
- Mike Dimes – A rapper.
- Ta'Quon Graham – An NFL football player.
- Michael Hancock – The mayor of Denver, Colorado.
- Tommie Harris – A football defensive tackle.
- Oveta Culp Hobby – The first Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare.
- Cory Jefferson – A basketball player.
- Shane Kimbrough – A NASA astronaut.
- Royce O'Neale – An NBA basketball player.
Sister Cities
Killeen has special connections with two other cities around the world:
- Osan, South Korea (since 1995)
- San Juan, Puerto Rico
See also
In Spanish: Killeen (Texas) para niños
