Is Killeen, TX A Good Place To Live?
Located in the heart of central Texas, Killeen meets the needs of families while also benefiting from the economic strength of Fort Hood, one of the country’s largest military bases. There are a variety of fun music joints available to Killeen residents, in addition to down-home barbecue and a range of outdoor recreational activities. It has people thinking whether Killeen is a good place to live, so is it?
Killen has a great cost of living, fantastic weather, a variety of transportation options, and a good and solid education system. However, the traffic jams, lack of good quality healthcare, and higher crime rates can be a deal-breaker.
When it comes to living in Killeen, there are a lot of factors to consider, both good and bad. So, it’s not easy to answer whether Killeen is an excellent place to live, as each family has its own set of standards on what makes an area good or bad. Therefore, this article will take you through what you need to know to decide for yourself.
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Kileen Texas Residents
As of 2018, Killeen had a population of 143k people, a median age of 28.6, and a median household income of $50,418, making it the eighth-most populous city in the state.
As of 2018, the population of Killeen, Texas, grew from 140,513 to 143,070, an increase of 1.82%. Its median household income also rose from $48,898 to $50,418, an increase of 3.11%.
Killeen, Texas, has a diverse population, having about 35% of the population occupied by African American non-Hispanic individuals, of which 35% are white non-Hispanic.
As far as white Hispanics, the population sits at 15%, with the remainder stemming from Hispanic individuals. In Killeen, TX, 0% of households speak a language other than English as their primary language at home, and 96.2% are citizens.
Why Is Kileen A Good Place To Live?
Located in the Bell County region of Central Texas, Killeen is a military town, home to the Fort Hood army base.
Despite its affordable living costs and low unemployment rate, Charlotte has reasonable living costs. Here are a few other reasons Killeen is a great place to live:
1. Wonderful Weather
The temperature in the city varies from season to season; it can be scorching during the summer when temperatures reach the 90s and mildly cold during the winter when temperatures can drop into the 30s.
A typical year in Killeen is characterized by 32 inches of rain, which is spread evenly across the year. On average, Ivy City receives 229 shining days every year, and accumulating snowfall is minimal–only one inch every year.
2. Great Neighborhoods
Military-friendly Killeen is a town that has many transient families that live there temporarily while near Fort Hood. You must do thorough research before choosing a region of a city to live in and ensure that the area is both safe, convenient, and within your budget.
In Killeen, east stagecoach road/mountain lion road, both of these roads have more affluent neighborhoods, as well as West Stan Schlueter Loop/Bunny Trail, Turkey Trot Road, and Maxdal/Youngsport.
If you are relocating with a family and crime rates are your top concern, check out Hood Road/Central Ave, Reese Creek Road/Yates Road, Santee Court/Shawnee Court, and Kiowa Court/Tonkawa Court.
3. Killeen Schools
Your children will be enrolled in the Killeen Independent School District if you move to the area with them. KISD serves communities in Killeen, Harker Heights, Fort Hood, Nolanville, and west Bell County. It is located between Round Rock and Dallas and is the largest school district in the area.
Among its 32 elementary schools, 11 middle schools, four high schools, and five specialized campuses, the district operates an extensive network. You can also enroll your child in Memorial Christian Academy, a parochial K-12 school that provides religious-based training, or Creek View Academy, a K-9 charter school.
Students interested in higher education may attend Texas A&M University in the city. They can earn bachelor’s and master’s degrees there. A public university is a university of upper-division, which means that freshman and sophomore students must attend another educational institution for their freshman and sophomore coursework.
4. Great Employment Opportunities
Finding a job when you relocate, no matter where you go, can be pretty stressful. When you move to Texas without securing employment, you should consult the Workforce Solutions website for assistance and resources regarding job hunting in the Central Texas region.
The Killeen Chamber of Commerce can provide you with information on starting a business in the city if you are an aspiring entrepreneur. In addition to the public library, the city’s government website is another place to apply for city jobs. There are plenty of opportunities in the city and surrounding areas so that employment won’t be a worry.
5. Reasonable Costs Of Living
The cost of living in Killeen is quite reasonable, so you needn’t worry about money. There is a 13 percent drop in average living expenses compared to the national average. A median home price of $137,900 in the area means housing costs are 22 percent less than in average American cities.
You can expect to pay around $483 for a one-bedroom apartment, $586 for a two-bedroom, and $733 for a three-bedroom if you decide to rent rather than buy. Rental rates may also vary depending on the quality of the unit and whether any amenities are provided.
There are also reasonable prices for other services in the city. The average cost of utilities is seven percent lower than the average in the city. The average cost of groceries is 16 percent lower than the average in most other cities. The cost of health insurance is also low-ten percent less than the average nationally.
Check out the cost of living in Galveston, Texas.
6. Lots Of Transportation Options
When you live in the city and don’t have access to a vehicle, or if you don’t have one, you may need to take the public transportation system. Killeen’s public transportation system is provided by Central Texas HOP, a fixed-route bus system that offers rides to residents of the city and nearby Copperas Cove, Harker Heights, and Temple-Belton.
For the elderly and disabled, HOP also offers door-to-door paratransit services. Monday through Friday, from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m., the HOP runs from 9:00 a.m. to noon on Saturdays. There will be no admission after 6:15 p.m.
Drawbacks Of Living In Killeen, Texas
To understand whether a specific area is a good place to live, you have to understand both sides of the fence. Since we’ve talked about the benefits of living in Killeen, you also need to understand the disadvantages.
Poor Quality Of Healthcare
As a state, Texas has a lower standard of health care than most others. The US Department of Health and Human Service Agency on Research and Healthcare Quality supports this claim.
Those with existing health issues, the elderly, and seniors moving to Texas for high pay are more likely to be concerned about this than young people not currently afflicted by any health issues.
Traffic Congestion
Traffic jams and urban sprawl in major population centers. The state of Texas has a lot of land, and developers are making good use of this to build houses for all of the people who are flocking to the state for jobs and a lower cost of living.
Major employment centers are surrounded by a lot of roads (with numerous traffic lights) that lead into the cities. You get closer, and it becomes slower and more congested.
The Humidity Is Unreal
It can be impossible for some to live in Texas for a long time because of the humidity and heat. You might not be concerned with this kind of weather when you are at the beach, on vacation, when it’s only for a couple of weeks per year.
Since Texas is closer to the equator than most states, it experiences fewer hurricanes. Summerlike conditions last much longer than a calendar summer in many parts of the state.
There Are Hurricanes
The effects of a direct hurricane hit made national headlines for weeks, causing massive flooding and damage. The vast majority of people who do not live in Texas now may have forgotten about that. You will start to feel the impact of hurricanes for about six months of every year once you move to Texas.
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Related Questions
Is Killeen a bad place?
There was probably the highest murder rate in Texas in general. A GI town, Killeen is home to a significant percentage of people who served in the military. There are some not-nice areas in Killeen with high crime, but I would not classify it in the same league as DFW’s Pleasant Grove or Stop Six.
What is the best place to live in Killeen?
We are pleased to welcome you to Fort Hood, the Great Place! Located halfway between Waco and Austin, Fort Hood lies within the city limits of Killeen, Texas.
How dangerous is Killeen?
Violence and property crime are the most common types of crimes in Killeen, and one in 38 people here become victims. Consequently, Killeen doesn’t rank as the safest town in America, according to FBI crime data. According to the Texas Crime Statistics Survey, Killeen has a higher crime rate than all other cities and towns.
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Heather is a passionate writer who loves anything DIY. Growing up, she learned everything from home repairs to design, and wants to share her tips with you. When she's not writing, she's usually hiking or searching for her next DIY project.
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