Killeen, Texas
Killeen is a Texas city whose current Census footprint includes Bell County. Start with the quick read below for what gives Killeen its character, then the practical property-tax, insurance, district, and local-record checks worth making before you rely on a monthly estimate.
Place essentials
Official Census snapshot- Census place type
- City
- July 2025 population
- 161,883
- Change from 2020 base
- +5.7%
- Land area
- 54.6 sq. mi.
- County footprint
- Bell County
Place type, county footprint, and land area use the Census Bureau's January 1, 2025 geography. Population uses Vintage 2025 estimates through July 1, 2025; change compares that estimate with the April 1, 2020 estimates base. Geography file | Population file
Official routes
Use the office for the parcel address; a mailing city is not always the governing city.
Local checks
- Bell CAD parcel account
- Flood zone / FEMA map check
- Foundation inspection (clay soils)
- School district confirmation
- Hail/wind coverage and roof age
What buyers should know
Military-market sensitivity: Killeen's home values track PCS cycles, BAH adjustments, and base population levels closely. Buyers who may resell in 3-5 years should get comfortable with that demand driver and check current BAH rates before anchoring to a price.
Flood and foundation due diligence are both worth spending money on here. Nolan Creek floodplain parcels require FEMA flood insurance; the expansive Blackland clay soils cause slab movement citywide, so a structural engineer's review is standard practice, not an upgrade.
School district and city-limit status both affect your tax bill and resale pool. Not every address in the Killeen area falls in Killeen ISD or inside city limits — verify both on the Bell CAD parcel record before you make an offer.
Local character
Start with Killeen itself
A few landmarks, stories, and everyday places that help give Killeen its shape.
Killeen Trail
The Andy K. Wells trail was Killeen's first hike-and-bike path
Killeen's 2.5-mile Andy K. Wells Hike and Bike Trail, off East Veterans Memorial Boulevard, was the city's first such trail and grew from a family land donation.
Killeen Park
Lions Club Park is Killeen's close-in spot for a walk or a gathering
Killeen's Lions Club Park pairs a 1.4-mile hike-and-bike loop with pavilions, an amphitheater, and indoor meeting rooms you can reserve.
Then zoom out to Bell County
History / Military
Fort Hood and Bell County's military history
Fort Hood, established in 1942 near Killeen, transformed Bell County from a farming region into one of the most military-connected communities in the United States.
Property tax
How the homestead exemption cuts your property tax in Bell County
Texas law gives homeowners who live in their own home a significant exemption from school district property taxes, and Bell County residents must file with Bell CAD to claim it.
History / Courthouse
Bell County Courthouse: Belton's 1884 landmark
The Bell County Courthouse in Belton, completed in 1884 from local limestone, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976 and anchors the county seat's historic downtown.
Nearby places
Other local pages to compare
Nearby counties
Local notes for nearby counties
Next steps for Killeen
Compare nearby places
Put Census population, land area, county footprints, and official office routes side by side.
Open comparison ->Estimate property tax
Use the official local rates and appraisal value for this parcel.
Open estimator ->Build a buyer timeline
Track homestead, appraisal notice, protest, and tax-bill dates.
Build timeline ->Read insurance guide
Check flood, windstorm, roof, deductibles, and coverage questions.
Read guide ->