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Harker Heights, Texas Demographics & Population 2026

Highly DiverseNo single racial/ethnic group makes up a majority of the population

During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Harker Heights, Texas had a total population of 34,128, the 111th largest city in Texas, with a median household income of $81,190, which is 3% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 10.2%.

Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes

Key Takeaways

Harker Heights Quick Facts

Population 34,128
Median Household Income $81,190
Median Home Value $287,800
Poverty Rate 10.2%
Unemployment Rate 3.9%
Median Age 33.0 years
Homeownership Rate 61.8%
Affordability Ratio 3.5x
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 30.2%
High School Graduation Rate 93.0%
Diversity Index 73/100
Population 34,128 111th of 1,795
Median Income $81,190 above average
Poverty Rate 10.2% 18% lower than national
Median Home Value $287,800 top 30%

How Harker Heights Changed

Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.

Metric2019–20232020–2024Change
Population33,59534,128+1.6%
Median household income$82,685$81,190-1.8%
Median home value$269,000$287,800+7.0%

How Harker Heights Compares

Economy & Housing

Household Income Distribution

Under $25K 11.8%
$25K-$50K 19.8%
$50K-$100K 30.7%
$100K+ 37.7%
Detailed income brackets
Under $10K
3.0%
$10K-$15K
2.9%
$15K-$20K
2.7%
$20K-$25K
3.2%
$25K-$30K
5.6%
$30K-$35K
2.8%
$35K-$40K
4.6%
$40K-$45K
3.3%
$45K-$50K
3.5%
$50K-$60K
6.1%
$60K-$75K
9.3%
$75K-$100K
15.2%
$100K-$125K
9.7%
$125K-$150K
8.4%
$150K-$200K
10.1%
$200K+
9.4%

Employment

3.9% Unemployment Rate State: 5.3%|National: 5.2%
69.5% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 61.8%
Renter 38.2%
Affordability Index Affordable
3.5x home value to income ratio
Median gross rent $1,146/mo 16.9% of median household income annually

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

73out of 100
Very High Diversity

This community is exceptionally diverse, with no single racial or ethnic group dominating the population.

State average: 67 | National average: 61

Education

Harker Heights Rankings in Texas

#111 Population of 1,795
#472 Median Income of 1,546
#415 Education of 1,795
#358 Home Value of 1,542

Other Cities in Bell County

CityPopulationMedian IncomePovertyHome Value
Killeen 158,159 $60,977 17.4% $215,400
Temple 89,602 $68,204 16.0% $239,000
Copperas Cove 37,947 $71,225 11.4% $180,500
Fort Hood 26,814 $62,835 13.3% N/A
Belton 24,356 $59,130 16.7% $258,700
Nolanville 6,690 $72,480 13.8% $244,900
Morgan's Point Resort 4,750 $79,450 6.3% $245,100
Troy 2,844 $86,311 4.0% $201,500
Little River-Academy 2,233 $75,563 9.0% $183,300
Salado 2,225 $107,679 4.3% $445,900

Cities Similar to Harker Heights

These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.

CityPopulationMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+Poverty
Weatherford35,788$81,516$312,10030.5%10.0%
Cleburne34,344$70,656$221,10020.3%10.0%
La Porte36,730$80,753$234,60017.5%12.2%
Canyon Lake33,883$97,301$389,30036.3%7.3%
Deer Park33,967$100,382$264,60026.5%9.2%

Population Overview

Harker Heights is a mid-sized community located in Texas, within Bell County. The total population is 34,128. It ranks as the 111th most populous out of 1,795 Census-designated places in Texas.

Age Demographics

The median age in Harker Heights is 33.0 years. This is 7% lower than the state median of 35.6 years. With 29.6% of the population under 18, Harker Heights has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Harker Heights is $81,190. This is 3% higher than the state median of $78,476. It is also about the same as the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 10.2%. This is 26% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.8%. The unemployment rate is 3.9%. This is 27% lower than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $287,800. Housing costs are 1% higher than the state median of $283,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x. 61.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 1% lower than the state average of 62.6%.

Race & Ethnicity

Harker Heights is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Black or African American residents account for 27.1%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (27.1% vs 11.9%). The Hispanic or Latino population (19.6%) is well below the state average of 39.7%.

Education

30.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 11% lower than the state rate of 33.8%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 93.0%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Harker Heights, Texas is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Texas state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,795 Census-designated places in Texas. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of Harker Heights, Texas?

Harker Heights, Texas has a population of 34,128 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median household income in Harker Heights, TX?

The median household income in Harker Heights is $81,190, which is about the same as the national median of $80,734.

What is the poverty rate in Harker Heights, TX?

The poverty rate in Harker Heights is 10.2%. This means approximately 3,443 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of Harker Heights, Texas?

Harker Heights's population is 39.4% White, 27.1% Black, 19.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.4% Asian.

What is the median home value in Harker Heights, TX?

The median home value in Harker Heights is $287,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x.

How educated is Harker Heights, Texas?

30.2% of adults (25+) in Harker Heights hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.