Population & Demographics: Understanding Our Diverse Community
A Dynamic Community of Over Half a Million: Where Growth Meets Opportunity
As you consider Temple for your medical practice, you're looking at a metropolitan area experiencing explosive growth that rivals Texas's largest cities. The Killeen-Temple Metropolitan Statistical Area now exceeds 509,000 residents, growing at the eighth-fastest rate among all Texas metros—an extraordinary 21% increase since 2020. Temple itself has surged beyond 100,000 residents, reflecting a 21.06% growth rate that signals genuine confidence from the families choosing to build their futures here. This isn't a stagnant or shrinking market—it's a community where your practice will grow alongside your patients.
Unlike metropolitan areas where physicians compete for aging populations, Temple offers a balanced and dynamic demographic profile. With a median age of 33.8 years, you'll care for young families, working professionals, and active retirees in equal measure. This distribution supports robust demand across pediatrics, primary care, internal medicine, and specialty services alike. A thriving, multigenerational patient base ensures a sustainable and fulfilling practice.
- Metropolitan Statistical Area: 509,487 residents (2024)
- City of Temple: 100,057+ residents (2025)
- Growth rate: 21% increase since 2020 (8th fastest in Texas)
- Median age: 33.8 years
- Household composition: 68% families, 32% single-person households
- Average household size: 2.44 persons
A Tapestry of Cultures and Backgrounds
Your practice in Temple will serve one of Texas's most culturally rich and diverse populations. The community reflects 62.4% White, 29.1% Hispanic or Latino, 13.2% Black or African American, and steadily growing Asian and multiracial populations. This diversity translates into vibrant festivals, global cuisines, and a welcoming environment that enriches both your professional and personal life.
The Cultural Activities Center anchors Temple's arts landscape, offering the Texas Music Series, Classical Music Series, and rotating cultural exhibits. Meanwhile, First Friday Downtown transforms the historic district into a multicultural street festival with international food vendors, live music—from conjunto to country—and dynamic art displays. Your family will experience a truly global environment without leaving Central Texas.
Military Heritage: Serving Those Who Served
Temple's proximity to Fort Cavazos, the nation's largest active-duty armored post, creates a unique and deeply rewarding patient population. Over 60,000 veterans live in the region, comprising 13% of the population—more than double the national average. Approximately 300 service members transition from Fort Cavazos monthly, and 39% choose to stay, drawn by employment opportunities, high-quality healthcare, and a supportive veteran community.
This military presence ensures steady patient volume through the VA Community Care Network, TRICARE, and private insurers—creating stable, diversified revenue streams. Baylor Scott & White Health, McLane Company, and BNSF Railway are among the many local employers recognized as Military Friendly®, providing exceptional opportunities for physician spouses as well.
- Veteran population: 60,000+ (13% of region)
- Monthly military transitions: ~300 personnel
- Fort Cavazos economic impact: Billions annually
- Military-friendly employers: Multiple Gold & Silver designees
- VA healthcare partnerships: Extensive Community Care Network access
Economic Vitality and Professional Opportunities
Temple's median household income of $64,945 and per capita income of $45,208 provide a strong foundation for healthcare utilization. These figures represent a community with steady employment, widespread insurance coverage, and the economic stability necessary to support robust medical practices. While a 17.25% poverty rate presents challenges, it also opens the door for impactful public health initiatives and federal program participation.
Economic diversity ensures that relocating physicians aren't bringing their families to a one-industry town. Temple is home to McLane Company (a Fortune 500 leader), Wilsonart International (global manufacturing), and major BNSF Railway facilities. Academic institutions—including Temple College, the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, and Texas A&M Health Science Center—offer opportunities in education, research, and administration. A thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem rounds out a resilient and future-ready economy.
Educational Attainment and Community Values
Temple values education at every level. Temple College serves more than 5,000 students annually, and local universities support a culture of lifelong learning. The presence of the Texas A&M College of Medicine and the incoming Baylor College of Medicine creates an intellectually rich environment where continuing medical education is both accessible and encouraged.
Czech heritage influences community values, emphasizing family, hard work, service, and cultural preservation. These traditions shape a civic-minded community where long-standing local businesses, charitable organizations, and neighborly relationships create a genuine sense of belonging. As a physician, you'll quickly become part of this social fabric—trusted, appreciated, and integrated into community life.
Temple’s demographics form the ideal foundation for building a thriving medical practice. This is a region experiencing robust growth while preserving the accessibility and personal connections that make practicing medicine meaningful. Your patients will include tech workers commuting to Austin, military families with deep roots, Czech descendants tending century-old farms, and young professionals seeking affordability and opportunity. In Temple, you'll rediscover something many urban physicians have lost—the chance to truly know your community while building a practice that grows with a thriving, diverse population.
