Harker Heights, Texas | |
---|---|
City of Harker Heights | |
Motto: The Bright Star of Central Texas | |
Coordinates: 31°4′6″N97°39′20″W / 31.06833°N 97.65556°W | |
Country | United States |
State | Texas |
County | Bell |
Area | |
• Total | 15.66 sq mi (40.55 km2) |
• Land | 15.61 sq mi (40.43 km2) |
• Water | 0.05 sq mi (0.12 km2) |
Elevation | 764 ft (233 m) |
Population (2020) | |
• Total | 33,097 |
• Density | 2,077.07/sq mi (801.95/km2) |
Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
ZIP codes | 76542, 76543, 76548 |
Area code | 254 |
FIPS code | 48-32312 [2] |
GNIS feature ID | 1388539 [3] |
Website | ci.Harker-Heights.TX.us |
Harker Heights is a city in Bell County, Texas, United States. As of the 2020 census, 33,097 people resided in the city, [4] up from a population of 17,308 in 2000. This makes Harker Heights the third-largest city in Bell County, after Killeen and Temple. Incorporated in 1960, the city derives its name from one of the two original landowners and founder, Harley Kern. Harker Heights is part of the Killeen–Temple–Fort Hood metropolitan area. People usually refer to the town as just "Heights".
Harker Heights is located near Fort Cavazos, a major United States Army post that was designated a permanent military facility in 1950. As the post expanded, the surrounding civilian population increased. Water Control and Improvement District No. 4 was established on land near the Killeen city limits and the military post in 1955, and included the land owned by Pinckney R. Cox and Harley Kern, two hog farmers. These two men subdivided their land in 1957 and began selling lots. By 1960, between 600 and 700 of the lots had been developed and new residents supplied with water and other utility services. Following a petition for an incorporation election, the city was established on September 24, 1960, and Cox was elected mayor. Kern had died before the incorporation, and the Harker in Harker Heights was a concatenation of Harley Kern's name as a tribute to one of the original landowners. The town's boundaries expanded to include Forest Hills, Highland Oaks, and Comanche Hills. Cox, Sam Garth Jr., and Barney Sissom created GIASISCO Corporation, which was meant to help expand the town from 400 to 950 acres (160 to 380 ha). [5]
Harker Heights is bordered by the city of Killeen to the west and Nolanville to the east. The city limits extend south to hills overlooking Stillhouse Hollow Lake on the Lampasas River.
Interstate 14/U.S. Highway 190 is a four-lane freeway that passes through the city, connecting Killeen to the west with Interstate 35 in Belton 12 miles (19 km) to the east, at a point about halfway between Waco and Austin.
According to the United States Census Bureau, Harker Heights has a total area of 15.2 square miles (39.4 km2), of which 0.04 square miles (0.1 km2), or 0.32%, is covered by water. [6]
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1970 | 4,216 | — | |
1980 | 7,345 | 74.2% | |
1990 | 12,841 | 74.8% | |
2000 | 17,308 | 34.8% | |
2010 | 26,700 | 54.3% | |
2020 | 33,097 | 24.0% | |
U.S. Decennial Census [7] |
Race | Number | Percentage |
---|---|---|
White (NH) | 13,715 | 41.44% |
Black or African American (NH) | 7,198 | 21.75% |
Native American or Alaska Native (NH) | 132 | 0.4% |
Asian (NH) | 1,522 | 4.6% |
Pacific Islander (NH) | 412 | 1.24% |
Some Other Race (NH) | 202 | 0.61% |
Mixed/multiracial (NH) | 2,557 | 7.73% |
Hispanic or Latino | 7,359 | 22.23% |
Total | 33,097 |
As of the 2020 United States census, 33,097 people, 11,067 households, and 8,082 families were residing in the city.
The population is heavily engaged in economic activities directly or indirectly related to the U.S. Army at nearby Fort Cavazos. The population density was 1,759.1 inhabitants per square mile (679.2/km2). The 10,347 housing units had 9,488 units occupied, and 859 units vacant. The racial makeup of the city was 62.9% White, 20.0% African American, 1.0% Native American, 3.90% Asian, and 0.90% Pacific Islander; Hispanics or Latinos were 18.4% of the population. [11]
Of the 6,227 households, 42.8% had children under 18 living with them, 62.8% were married couples living together, 9.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.7% were not families. About 18.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 3.0% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.76, and the average family size was 3.13.
In the city, the population was distributed as 30.5% under 18, 10.5% from 18 to 24, 34.8% from 25 to 44, 18.0% from 45 to 64, and 7.2% who were 65 or older. The median age was 31.6 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $59,491. The per capita income for the city was $24,161. About 7.4% of families and 10.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.2% of those under age 18 and 4.9% of those age 65 or over.
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen climate classification system, Harker Heights has a humid subtropical climate. [12]
In 2022, city voters approved the decriminalization of possession of misdemeanor amounts of marijuana, [13] although it is still illegal under state law.
Killeen is a city in Bell County, Texas, United States. According to the 2020 census, its population was 153,095, making it the 17th-most populous city in Texas and the largest of the three principal cities of Bell County. It is the principal city of the Killeen–Temple–Fort Cervazos Metropolitan Statistical Area. Killeen is 55 miles (89 km) north of Austin, 125 miles (201 km) southwest of Dallas, and 125 miles (201 km) northeast of San Antonio.
Nolanville is a city in Bell County, Texas, United States. The population was 5,917 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Killeen–Temple–Fort Hood Metropolitan Statistical Area.
De Kalb is a city in Bowie County, Texas, United States; it is part of the Texarkana metropolitan statistical area. Its two area codes are 430 and 903. Its ZIP code is 75559. It is in the Central Time Zone, and its population was 1,527 at the 2020 United States census.
Silverton is a city in Briscoe County, Texas, United States. The population was 731 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Briscoe County.
Roanoke is a city in Denton County, Texas, United States and part of the Dallas–Fort Worth Metroplex. The population was 5,962 at the 2010 census. With a 2020 population of 10,537, it is the 236th largest city in Texas and the 2991st largest city in the United States. Roanoke is currently growing at a rate of 3.77% annually and its population has increased by 76.74% since the most recent census, which recorded a population of 5,962 in 2010. A small part of the city extends into Tarrant. The city was originally founded after competition with Elizabethtown, located just off Highway 114. Settlers from Elizabethtown eventually moved to Roanoke permanently, and Elizabethtown currently resides as a ghost town.
Roby is a city in and the county seat of Fisher County, Texas, United States. The population was 643 at the 2010 census.
Rotan is a city in Fisher County, Texas, United States. The population was 1,508 at the 2010 census, down from 1,611 at the 2000 census.
Turkey is a city in Hall County, Texas, United States. The population was 421 at the 2010 census, down from 494 at the 2000 census.
Grapeland is a city in Houston County, Texas, United States. Its population was 1,465 as of the 2020 census.
Liberty is a city in the U.S. state of Texas, within Liberty County. The population was 8,279 at the 2020 census. It serves as the seat of Liberty County.
Bishop is a city in Nueces County, Texas, United States. The population was 3,134 in the 2010 census, down from 3305 in 2000 census.
Strawn is a city in Palo Pinto County, Texas, United States. The population was 653 at the 2010 census. Strawn, on State Highway 16 and 108, Farm to Market Road 2372, and the Missouri Pacific Railroad in southwestern Palo Pinto County, was one of several towns developed about 1880 when the Texas and Pacific Railway began service. The site, known earlier as North Fork for its location on Palo Pinto Creek, was laid out on the land of two early ranchers, Stephen Bethel Strawn and James N. Stuart. Stuart built the area's first house in 1875. A community to the west, Russell's Pocket, and one to the east, Davidsonville, were merged to form Strawn.
Friona is a city in Parmer County, Texas, United States. The population was 4,123 at the 2010 census. Friona was established as a small community in 1898 by XIT Ranch, originally called Frio, which is also the word for "cold" in Spanish.
Emory is a city in Rains County, Texas, United States. The population was 1,239 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Rains County. Previously known as Springville, the city and county are named after Emory Rains, who was a legislator from the area. Rains was the author of the Homestead Law of Texas, which was later used as a model for the protection of homesteads throughout the United States. Special legislation passed to create Rains County called for the citizens to vote on the location of the county seat and for that selected town to be named Emory.
Glen Rose is a city in and the county seat of Somervell County, Texas, United States. As of the 2020 census, the city population was 2,659.
Tye is a city in Taylor County, Texas, United States. The population was 1,242 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Abilene, Texas Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Bartlett is a city in Bell and Williamson counties in the U.S. state of Texas. The population was 1,633 at the 2020 census.
Ackerly is a city in Dawson and Martin Counties in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2020 Census, the population was 264. The Martin county portion of Ackerly is part of the Midland-Odessa metropolitan area.
Hamlin is a city in Jones and Fisher Counties in the U.S. state of Texas. The population was 2,124 at the 2010 census, and in 2018, the estimated population was 1,997. The Jones County portion of Hamlin is part of the Abilene, Texas metropolitan area.
Killeen–Temple is a metropolitan statistical area in Central Texas that covers three counties: Bell, Coryell, and Lampasas. As of the 2020 census, the MSA had a population of 475,367.