Bell County: Temple, Killeen make ‘Best Cities for Vets’ list

Temple and Killeen are ranked among the best places for veterans to live in a survey by Military Times.

Military Times evaluated 599 places, dividing them into 282 small cities with populations of less than 100,000; 234 medium-sized cities with populations between 100,000-250,000; and 83 large cities with populations of 250,000 or more.

Locations were compared across three categories: veteran and military culture and services, economics, and other factors such as crime, health, school quality and traffic.

Out of 234 medium-sized cities, Killeen is ranked 21st as one of 2019’s best places for vets to live.

According to the site, 30 percent of Killeen’s population is made up of veterans with a median income of more than $41,000 a year.

Killeen also has an organization that was listed in another “Best for Vets” category that was taken into consideration.

Central Texas College ranked third in the Best for Vets: Colleges in the 2018 Online and Nontraditional schools category.

"When we opened our doors more than 50 years ago, one of our goals was to offer the best higher educational opportunities for members of the military,” says Central Texas College Chancellor Jim Yeonopolus.

“CTC's inclusion on the list of best colleges for veterans is not only an indication of the commitment to our original goal but an accomplishment we will continue to strive to achieve."

Temple came in 29th on the list of small cities with a veteran unemployment rate of less than four percent and a veteran median income of $44,008, according to the site.

Military Times says the goal of the list is to help veterans find the perfect place to call home after leaving the military.