Killeen, Texas, United States

🇺🇸 Killeen is a city in Bell County, Texas, United States. According to the 2020 census, its population was 153,095, making it the 19th-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 Hood Metropolitan Statistical Area. Killeen is 55 miles (89 km) north of Austin, 125 miles (201 km) south-west of Dallas, and 125 miles (201 km) north-east of San Antonio.

Killeen is directly adjacent to the main cantonment of Fort Hood. Its economy depends on the activities of the post, and the soldiers and their families stationed there. It is known as a military "boom town" because of its rapid growth and high influx of soldiers.

Economy According to the city's 2021 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, the top employers in the city include: 1 III Corps & Fort Hood; 2 Killeen Independent School District; 3 Military Defense Contractors & Others; 4 Civilian Personnel Office; 5 Teleperformance; 6 Central Texas College; 7 City of Killeen; 8 AdventHealth; 9 Seton Medical Center Harker Heights; 10 Texas A&M University–Central Texas.

Killeen Mall serves as the city's main shopping destination, and one of two regional shopping malls in Bell County.

Vive Les Arts Theatre Killeen is home to Vive Les Arts Theatre, a full-time arts organization which produces several Main Stage and Children's Theatre shows each year.

Colleges and universities Central Texas College was established in 1965 to serve Bell, Burnet, Coryell, Hamilton, Lampasas, Llano, Mason, Mills, and San Saba Counties, in addition to Fort Hood. CTC offers more than 40 associate degrees and certificates of completion.

Texas A&M University-Central Texas was established on September 1, 1999, as Tarleton State University-Central Texas. The university currently offers bachelor's and master's degrees.