Temple, TX Properties | Nikki Duncan

Back

Temple is a substantial city in Bell County, Texas, occupying a strategic position along Interstate 35 in the heart of Central Texas. It is one of the principal cities of the Killeen-Temple-Fort Hood metropolitan area, a region anchored economically by the military installation at Fort Hood and by Temple's own healthcare and distribution industries. The city sits roughly 68 miles north of Austin and 34 miles south of Waco, placing it within a convenient corridor between two larger Texas metros while retaining a distinct identity of its own. The city's economy is dominated by healthcare. Baylor Scott & White Medical Center - Temple is one of the largest teaching hospitals in the state and a nationally recognized institution, employing thousands and drawing patients from across Central Texas. The medical center has anchored Temple for more than a century and supports a broad ecosystem of clinics, specialty practices, and related services. Logistics and distribution also play a growing role, aided by the city's location on I-35, one of the nation's primary north-south freight corridors. Temple's development patterns reflect both its historic core and its steady outward growth. The downtown and surrounding neighborhoods retain the scale and character of an earlier era, while newer subdivisions extend toward Belton and the lake. The population is diverse and family-oriented, with a mix of long-time residents, healthcare professionals, and military-connected families drawn by the region's employment base. For residents, Temple offers a comparatively affordable Central Texas lifestyle with strong institutional anchors. Its schools, parks, and lake access provide the amenities of a larger city, while its position on I-35 keeps Austin and Waco within a short drive. The combination of healthcare employment, lower housing costs, and highway connectivity has made Temple an increasingly common choice for families and professionals across the region.

Population 101,765

County Bell County

Active Listings 1434

Frequently Asked Questions

What county is Temple in?

Temple is located in Bell County, Texas, in the Central Texas region along Interstate 35. It is a principal city of the Killeen-Temple-Fort Hood metropolitan area, which spans much of Bell County.

What is Temple known for?

Temple is best known as the home of Baylor Scott & White Medical Center, a large teaching hospital that serves as a regional healthcare anchor and one of the city's largest employers.

What school districts serve Temple?

Most of Temple is served by Temple Independent School District, a 6A district with more than 8,800 students that offers the International Baccalaureate program. The western and southwestern portions of the city are served by Belton ISD.

How far is Temple from Austin and Waco?

Temple sits along Interstate 35 about 68 miles north of Austin and 34 miles south of Waco. The drive to Austin takes roughly an hour, and Waco is about 35 minutes to the north.

What is there to do outdoors in Temple?

Belton Lake is the main outdoor recreation destination near Temple, offering fishing, boating, swimming, and lakeside parks such as Temple Lake Park. The Bell County Expo Center also hosts trade shows and community events nearby.

City Guide

About Temple

Real Estate & Housing

Temple's housing stock spans more than a century of construction. The city's older core, including the Bellaire District, features established mid-century homes and historic neighborhoods near downtown and Interstate 35, many on mature, tree-lined lots. These areas offer character and convenience at lower price points than newer construction. Newer development has expanded primarily to the south and west, where master-planned and subdivision communities such as Lake Pointe, Windmill Farms, and Hills of Westwood offer contemporary homes, community amenities, and access to Belton ISD in some areas. Ranch-style single-family homes remain a hallmark of the region's building tradition. The overall market offers a wide spectrum, from modest starter homes to larger executive properties, making Temple accessible to first-time buyers, medical professionals, and families alike.

Neighborhoods

Temple's neighborhoods reflect the city's growth from railroad town to regional center. The Bellaire District, near downtown and Interstate 35, is known for its mid-century homes and established character. The Midway area blends suburban convenience with proximity to the city's major institutions and corridors. Lake Pointe, situated between Belton and downtown Temple, is a popular newer community near the Bell County Expo Center and Belton Lake. Windmill Farms and Hills of Westwood represent additional newer subdivisions favored by families, with several Temple addresses zoned to Belton ISD. Together these areas give buyers a choice between historic in-town neighborhoods and modern, amenity-oriented developments, often within minutes of the city's medical district and retail hubs.

Lifestyle in Temple

Temple's lifestyle reflects its role as a regional healthcare and commercial center. The presence of Baylor Scott & White Medical Center brings a large professional workforce of physicians, nurses, researchers, and medical students, giving the city a steady, service-oriented character. Downtown Temple offers a walkable core of locally owned restaurants, shops, and a growing arts scene, including the Central Texas Film Society and community events. The city's dining landscape spans longtime Texas staples and newer establishments, while its retail corridors along Interstate 35 and the H K Dodgen Loop provide everyday conveniences. Families are drawn to the community's parks, youth sports, and strong school programming. Temple's position between Austin and Waco also makes it a practical base for residents who want Central Texas affordability while keeping both larger cities within about an hour's drive.

Schools & Education

Temple is served primarily by Temple Independent School District, a 6A district enrolling more than 8,800 students across elementary, middle, and high schools. Temple ISD is notable as the first district in Central Texas to offer the International Baccalaureate diploma and has expanded IB programming into its middle grades, alongside strong advanced academics, fine arts, athletics, and career and technical education pathways. The western and southwestern portions of the city fall within Belton Independent School District, a highly regarded neighboring district with strong academic programming. This dual-district structure means a Temple address may be zoned to either system, a consideration many families weigh when choosing a neighborhood. The region's education landscape is further supported by nearby higher education and workforce training institutions serving the Killeen-Temple area.

Getting Around

Interstate 35 is Temple's primary transportation artery, running north-south through the city and connecting it directly to Austin, about 68 miles south, and Waco, about 34 miles north. The H K Dodgen Loop provides an inner ring road around the city's retail and commercial areas. These corridors place Temple on one of Texas's busiest freight and travel routes while giving residents straightforward highway access across Central Texas. Most commuting is by car, consistent with the region's suburban and exurban character. Temple's location between Austin and Waco makes it a practical base for residents who work in either city, with drive times of roughly an hour to Austin and 35 minutes to Waco. Regional and long-distance travel is served by nearby airports, with the Killeen-Temple corridor offering additional connections to the broader Texas transportation network.

Parks & Recreation

Belton Lake anchors outdoor recreation around Temple, offering some of the best fishing and boating in Central Texas. Temple Lake Park, a day-use facility on the lake's shores, provides picnic sites, a playground, a swim beach, and boat ramps, while Miller Springs and other shoreline access points offer camping and water access below Belton Dam. Anglers pursue bass, catfish, and crappie on the reservoir. Within the city, a network of neighborhood parks, sports fields, and trails supports organized youth athletics and everyday recreation. The Bell County Expo Center, located between Belton and downtown Temple, hosts rodeos, trade shows, concerts, and community gatherings. Residents also take advantage of the city's proximity to larger cultural and outdoor destinations in Austin and the Texas Hill Country to the south.

MARKET SNAPSHOT