Killeen, Texas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Killeen, Texas had a total population of 158,159, the 19th largest city in Texas, with a median household income of $60,977, which is 22% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 17.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- One of the most racially diverse communities in Texas (diversity index: 73/100).
- Unemployment rate of 9.7% is notably above the national average.
Killeen Quick Facts
How Killeen Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,144 | 158,159 | +1.3% |
| Median household income | $58,339 | $60,977 | +4.5% |
| Median home value | $196,000 | $215,400 | +9.9% |
How Killeen Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
This community is exceptionally diverse, with no single racial or ethnic group dominating the population.
State average: 67 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Killeen Rankings in Texas
Explore Texas Rankings
Other Cities in Bell County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temple | 89,602 | $68,204 | 16.0% | $239,000 |
| Copperas Cove | 37,947 | $71,225 | 11.4% | $180,500 |
| Harker Heights | 34,128 | $81,190 | 10.2% | $287,800 |
| 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 Killeen
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pasadena | 149,433 | $64,927 | $209,600 | 16.2% | 18.9% |
| McAllen | 145,385 | $61,579 | $190,400 | 32.5% | 20.0% |
| Denton | 152,866 | $76,019 | $348,200 | 41.8% | 15.8% |
| Mesquite | 149,299 | $72,537 | $245,700 | 19.6% | 13.4% |
| Waco | 143,570 | $54,365 | $221,700 | 28.7% | 23.1% |
Population Overview
Killeen is a major urban center located in Texas, within Bell County. The total population is 158,159. It ranks as the 19th most populous out of 1,795 Census-designated places in Texas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Killeen is 30.3 years. This is 15% lower than the state median of 35.6 years. With 29.3% of the population under 18, Killeen has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Killeen is $60,977. This is 22% lower than the state median of $78,476. It is also 24% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 17.4%. This is 26% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.8%. The unemployment rate is 9.7%. This is 84% higher than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $215,400. Housing costs are 24% lower than the state median of $283,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x. 49.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 21% lower than the state average of 62.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Killeen is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 27.2%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (35.5% vs 11.9%).
Education
21.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 35% 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 92.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Killeen, 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 Killeen, Texas?
Killeen, Texas has a population of 158,159 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Killeen, TX?
The median household income in Killeen is $60,977, which is 24% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Killeen, TX?
The poverty rate in Killeen is 17.4%. This means approximately 27,481 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Killeen, Texas?
Killeen's population is 25.6% White, 35.5% Black, 27.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Killeen, TX?
The median home value in Killeen is $215,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x.
How educated is Killeen, Texas?
21.9% of adults (25+) in Killeen hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.