Is Fort Hood Safe, Pros and cons of living in Fort Hood
Fort Hood, Texas, is a significant United States Army installation located in the heart of Central Texas. It is one of the largest military bases in the world, serving as a home to numerous units and a substantial military community. The post’s history dates back to World War II, established in 1942 to support armored warfare training. It has since evolved into a vital training and readiness center for the U.S. Army.
The area surrounding Fort Hood offers a blend of suburban charm and convenient access to essential services and recreational activities. Its strategic location provides residents with proximity to major Texas cities while maintaining a distinct community atmosphere. This makes it a popular choice for military families and personnel seeking a balance between military life and civilian amenities.
Is it Safe to Live in Fort Hood?
Concerns regarding safety at Fort Hood have been raised, with reports indicating higher rates of certain crimes compared to other Army installations. In 2020, the Army secretary noted that Fort Hood experienced one of the highest rates of murder, sexual assault, and harassment within the Army. Between 2015 and 2019, the installation averaged 129 violent felonies annually, including homicides, violent sex crimes, kidnapping, robbery, and aggravated assault (according to PBS News and West-Point.ORG). This figure was higher than averages at comparable large Army installations like Fort Bragg and Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) during the same period.
Further analysis indicates that Fort Hood has an overall crime rate of approximately 8 per 1,000 residents, which is considered near the average for U.S. cities of all sizes (according to NeighborhoodScout). However, the chance of being a victim of crime in Fort Hood is about 1 in 122. The cost of crime per resident is estimated at $722 annually, which is higher than the national and Texas state averages (according to NeighborhoodScout). While the southwest part of the city is generally considered the safest, crime rates can vary significantly by neighborhood, with some south neighborhoods having a crime risk of 1 in 12, while others in the southwest have a risk of 1 in 32 (according to NeighborhoodScout).
Climate and Weather
Fort Hood experiences a climate characterized by hot, muggy summers and short, cold, windy winters, with partly cloudy conditions prevailing throughout the year. Temperatures typically range from 40°F to 96°F, rarely dropping below 28°F or exceeding 102°F (according to WeatherSpark). The hot season extends from June to mid-September, with August being the hottest month, averaging a high of 95°F and a low of 75°F (according to WeatherSpark).
Conversely, the cool season lasts from late November to late February, with average daily high temperatures below 67°F. January is the coldest month, with average lows around 41°F and highs of 61°F (according to WeatherSpark). Rainfall is distributed throughout the year, with the wettest season occurring from late April to late October. May typically sees the most wet days, averaging about 10.0 days with at least 0.04 inches of precipitation (according to WeatherSpark).
Demographics and Population
Fort Hood is home to a population of approximately 26,814 residents as of 2024, representing a slight decrease from previous years (according to Data USA). The population is diverse, with White individuals making up the largest segment at 46.2%, followed by Hispanic (22.1%), and Black or African American (19.4%) residents (according to Census Dots and World Population Review). This demographic makeup is considered more diverse than that of Texas overall.
Citizenship is high, with about 97% of residents being U.S. citizens (according to Data USA). The foreign-born population stands at approximately 5.65%, which is comparable to the national average (according to Data USA). The median age in Fort Hood is around 22 years, with a notably higher ratio of males to females (according to World Population Review).
Cost of Living
The overall cost of living in Fort Hood is generally lower than the national average, with estimates suggesting it is about 14% to 15% less expensive (according to Payscale and Salary.com). Housing expenses are a significant factor in this affordability, being approximately 53% lower than the national average (according to Payscale). For single individuals, monthly living costs are estimated around $1,852, while a family of four might expect to spend about $4,250 per month (according to Salary.com).
Utilities, groceries, and transportation costs are also typically on par with or slightly below national averages (according to Payscale and eXp Realty®). For instance, grocery prices are about 7% lower than the national average (according to Payscale). However, utility prices can be slightly higher than the national average, and transportation expenses like gas and bus fares are generally lower (according to Payscale).
Housing Market
Housing in the Fort Hood area offers a range of options, with a dynamic rental market that largely caters to the military community. The median home price in Fort Hood is approximately $140,242, which is considerably lower than the Texas state average (according to Hood Homes Blog and Realtor.com®). The average rent for an apartment in Fort Hood is around $1,209 per month (according to Hood Homes Blog).
Rental prices can vary by property type and size, with a two-bedroom apartment averaging $1,481 and a three-bedroom averaging $1,440 (according to Rentometer). Houses for rent are generally more expensive, averaging about $1,495 per month (according to Zumper). The housing market can be competitive, with homes sometimes selling quickly, and multiple offers being common in a strong market (according to Redfin).
Job Market and Major Employers
Fort Hood itself is a primary source of employment, with a significant military and civilian workforce. Major employers in the greater Killeen-Temple-Fort Hood area include Fort Cavazos (formerly Fort Hood), Baylor Scott & White Health, and various defense contractors and advanced manufacturing companies (according to TxEDC). The military installation supports tens of thousands of active-duty personnel, family members, and civilian employees, creating a substantial ecosystem of related industries and services.
The region benefits from a strong pipeline of skilled technical talent transitioning from military service. These individuals are often trained in areas such as IT, engineering, aviation maintenance, logistics, and cybersecurity, making them attractive to employers in manufacturing, defense, and high-tech sectors (according to TxEDC). The unemployment rate for the Killeen-Temple-Fort Hood area was 5.10% as of the latest data, which is slightly lower than the long-term average (according to YCharts).
Average Salary and Income
The average annual salary in Fort Hood is approximately $46,262, which translates to about $22.24 per hour (according to ZipRecruiter). Salaries can vary widely based on occupation and experience, with top-paying jobs including Forensic Pathologist and Pediatrician Surgeon. For U.S. Army Soldiers specifically, the average yearly pay in Fort Hood is around $49,752, which is notably above the national average (according to Indeed.com).
The median household income in Fort Hood is reported at $62,835 (according to Census Dots). However, it is important to note that some sources provide different median income figures, such as $54,137 (according to Livability.com). A portion of families, around 10.6%, live below the poverty line (according to Census Dots).
Education and School Ratings
Fort Hood is served by the Killeen Independent School District (ISD), which includes several public schools. The district’s public schools show strong performance in math and reading proficiency compared to the Texas state average. Fort Hood public schools have an average math proficiency score of 48% and a reading proficiency score of 57%, both exceeding the state averages (according to Niche). Overall, schools in Fort Hood have an average ranking of 8 out of 10, placing them in the top 30% of Texas public schools (according to Niche).
Among the top-ranked schools are Killeen ISD Early College High School, Montague Village Elementary School, and Clarke Elementary School (according to Niche). Montague Village Elementary School, for example, has a student-teacher ratio of 14 to 1 and demonstrates proficiency rates that are higher than the district and state averages in reading and math (according to SchoolDigger.com and Niche).