Set along Interstate 35 between Austin and Waco, the city of Temple has much to offer its 93,000 residents. "The cost of living is relatively better than what you'll find in the larger cities," says Ali Thompson, a Temple resident and Realtor with Re/Max Temple Belton. "The proximity is another plus. We're an hour from Austin, two hours from Dallas and about two hours from San Antonio." And while it's growing quickly and offers many big-city amenities, "Temple also has a more relaxed, laid-back atmosphere," says Thompson.
What started as a railroad town in the 1880s—it's named after Bernard M. Temple, the chief engineer of its railroad tracks—is now a major medical community. The Temple Sanitarium, built in 1904, evolved into Baylor Scott & White Health, one of the largest healthcare systems in Texas. "We also have the largest VA hospital between Dallas and San Antonio," says Mary Jane Roach, broker and owner of Mary Jane Roach Realty, who has lived in the area for several decades. The Temple Medical and Educational District ( TMED ) and Temple Health & Bioscience District (THBD), hubs for life sciences, biotech companies and medical education, are significant economic drivers.
Temple is also the world headquarters of McLane Company, a major distribution company, and the American headquarters of Wilsonart, a global manufacturer of laminate materials. FedEx, Walmart and H-E-B have distribution centers near the city. Fort Cavazos—one of the largest military bases in the world—is 30 miles away.
Amtrak stops at Temple Station in Downtown Temple.
Explore nature's beauty as you walk the scenic trails of Jaycee Park in Temple, Texas.
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Diverse housing and a historic district
The city has worked to revitalize its downtown with new mixed-use projects like Hawn Plaza, where historic towers have been converted into upscale apartments. As a result, Downtown Temple -adjacent neighborhoods like the Historic District , filled with Victorians, Colonial Revivals and cottages built in the 1920s and '30s, have become increasingly attractive.
Neighborhoods farther out, like East Temple and West Temple , are made up of both established and newer subdivisions, many of which feature community parks with pools and playgrounds. The median sales price for homes in Temple is $280,000, and there is about five months' worth of supply. "Our builders here have been trying to get caught up and increase their volume of homes built, which they've done well this year. So, the pricing of houses has been really good," Roach says of 2024.
Downtown Temple is full of historic homes with charm.
The Historic District in Temple, TX, offers a glimpse into the city's rich past.
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Parks, golf courses and citywide events
Temple has a robust parks system with more than 60 city parks and more than 25 miles of walking, hiking and biking trails. Lions Park, at 108 acres, is one of the largest and features playgrounds, softball and soccer fields and a disc golf course. Lions Junction Family Water Park is a family-friendly seasonal water park with outdoor pools and slides. Just west of the city is Belton Lake, which offers opportunities for fishing and boating. Golf courses around town include the private Wildflower Country Club and the public Sammons Golf Course.
Temple's Parks and Recreation Department puts on an annual summer concert series where bands play at different parks in town each Friday night June through August. Crossroads Park is the site of the annual Fourth of July Fun Fest with fireworks and live music. During the holidays, a Christmas parade winds through downtown and includes a tree lighting at City Hall. Year-round, First Friday takes place downtown with local vendors, live music and food specials.
Sammons Golf Course is a perfect outing for The Historic District’s active residents.
James Wilson Park is a go-to spot for Ferguson Park’s outdoor activities.
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Well-rated school districts including Temple ISD
Most students in the city are zoned for Temple Independent School District, which serves approximately 8,700 students across eight elementary schools, three middle schools and one high school. The district receives a B-plus rating from Niche and has a student-teacher ratio of 15-to-1. The Belton Independent School District (BISD) serves students on the west and southwest side of the city and gets an A-minus on Niche.
Temple College was founded in 1926 and has offered over 80 undergraduate and graduate degree and certificate programs. The Texas A&M School of Medicine also has a regional campus in Temple, training students at Baylor Scott & White Hospital, McLane Children's Hospital and Central Texas VA Hospital.
Lamar Middle is a public school located in Temple, TX, which is in a small city setting.
Historic District residents admire Temple High School's iconic wildcat statue.
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A central location driving distance to Austin and Dallas
Temple is located along Interstate 35, providing residents with an easy route throughout Central Texas. Austin is about 70 miles south of town, and Waco is about 35 miles north. Dallas is 130 miles north via I-35. Most Temple residents get around by car, but the Hill Country Transit District's The HOP has several bus stops around the city. Draughon-Miller Central Texas Regional Airport/Temple Executive Airport is within city limits for private flights. The closest major airport is Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, about 80 miles away.
With the growth that Temple is seeing, the city is making improvements to local infrastructure to decrease congestion and improve traffic conditions. Loop 363, also known as H K Dodgen Loop, currently provides a route around the city, but there are plans to create a larger outer loop. Around 15,000 vehicles travel on the 363 daily; by constructing a larger outer loop and expanding existing roads, more traffic can be diverted, and congestion will decrease on roads throughout the city. The project will create a four-lane highway with a median and bike lanes.
Locals living in Temple can use Highway I-35 to access both Dallas and Austin.
TMED residents enjoy The Hop for quick and reliable public transportation in Temple, TX.
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Shopping and dining in downtown Temple
Temple has seen significant development in its downtown, most notably with the mixed-use Hawn Plaza, historic buildings that include the 1928 Arcadia Theatre, now under renovation. For shopping, the downtown streets feature local boutiques and The Hub, with area vendors and artisans. Downtown newcomers include the Westphalia Market Butcher Baker, with meat, produce and baked goods, and entertainment such as The Tee Box Golf Lounge, which has golf simulators and a bar. "There's a lot of [downtown] restaurants already, but there are a bunch of new restaurants coming in," Roach says, adding that mom-and-pop shops are beginning to pop up in Morgan's Point Resort along Belton Lake. In Midway , shopping centers like Gateway Center and the Temple Mall feature chain restaurants and an array of big-name retail brands.
Relics Antiques in Temple, Texas is a great shop where you can discover a wide array of items.
Cantina 1948 is a cozy spot to enjoy a drink with friends and friendly service.
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Crime and weather in Temple
Temple saw a higher number of violent and property crimes in 2023 than the previous year, but overall, the city has a slightly lower crime rate than the statewide and nationwide averages. The Temple Police Department implemented several projects in 2024, including plans for additions to the police department building and a public safety training center.
Temple has hot, humid summers and mild winters. Bell County is also subject to tornados, with two tornados hitting the area in 2024.
On average, homes in Temple, TX sell after 96 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Temple, TX over the last 12 months is $280,000, consistent with the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
