Town in Kaufman County, part of the Dallas-Fort Worth metro
Living in Kemp, TX
719th of 745Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people
Overall score 4 of 100
175th of 181 in the Dallas-Fort Worth area
Kemp gets an overall grade of F and ranks 719th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on cost of living and safety, and trails on internet access and schools.
- Fast-growing
- Schools scores low (6 of 100)
- Education levels scores low (9 of 100)
- Population
- 1,453+30.1% since 2020
- Median rent
- $1,03626% lower than Texas
- Median home value
- $168,10041% lower than Texas
- Household income
- $55,833Median
- Average commute
- 35 minOne way
- Violent crime
- 134Per 100k, 2025
What it's like to live in Kemp
Kemp sits about 40 miles from downtown Dallas, in the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metro. 1,453 people lived here in 2025, up 30.1% from 2020, so it is one of the faster-growing places in Texas. It is small-town and rural in feel.
The median age is 39.3, 46% of households have children, 73% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $55,833 a year (29% lower than the Texas median).
Pros of living in Kemp
- Low violent crime. 134 violent crimes per 100,000 people in 2025, 65% lower than the Texas rate.
- Lower rent. Median rent is $1,036, 26% lower than the Texas median.
- Growing fast. The population grew 30% from 2020 to 2025, which usually means new homes, shops and jobs.
Cons of living in Kemp
- Weaker school ratings. None of the 5 rated campuses earn an A or B from the state.
- Higher poverty. 25% of people live below the poverty line, against 14% across Texas.
- Long commutes. The average trip to work takes 35 minutes, against 27 across Texas.
- Spotty home internet. Only 71% of homes have a broadband plan.
Who Kemp suits
- FamiliesNot the best fit: 0% of rated schools earn an A or B and violent crime is 65% lower than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 7% for families.
- Young professionalsNot the best fit: household income is 29% lower than the Texas median, with 14 restaurants and 0 cafes in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 10% for young professionals.
- RetireesNot the best fit: 15% of working-age adults are uninsured and violent crime is 65% lower than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 21% for retirees.
- Remote workersNot the best fit: 71% of homes have broadband and the median rent of $1,036 is 26% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 3% for remote workers.
- People on a budgetNot the best fit: the median rent of $1,036 is 26% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 36% for people on a budget.
Kemp report card
Ten grades, one for each part of daily life we measure. Most compare Kemp with other US towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. Schools, safety and errands compare it with other Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people.
Cost of living: grade C
Median rent $1,036, homes cost 3.0x income.
44 of 100 vs US townsJobs and income: grade D+
Median household income $55,833, 2.7% unemployed.
30 of 100 vs US townsSchools: grade F
5 rated campuses, 0% rated A or B.
6 of 100 vs TX townsSafety: grade C
134 violent crimes per 100k, 1,476 property crimes per 100k.
42 of 100 vs TX townsErrands and things to do: no grade
3 grocery stores, 14 restaurants, 2 parks mapped in town.
No score vs TX townsGetting around: grade D
Average commute 35 min, 16% work from home.
21 of 100 vs US townsEducation levels: grade D-
13% have a bachelor’s degree.
9 of 100 vs US townsHealth: grade D
15% of adults uninsured.
17 of 100 vs US townsHome ownership: grade C-
73% of homes owner-occupied.
33 of 100 vs US townsInternet access: grade F
71% of homes have broadband.
3 of 100 vs US towns
Where Kemp stands out compared with Texas
Better than Texas
- Homes owned by the people living in them: 73%11 points higher than Texas (63%)
- Median rent: $1,03626% lower than Texas ($1,403)
- Home value to income: 3.0x17% lower than Texas (3.6x)
Worse than Texas
- Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 13%21 points lower than Texas (34%)
- Homes with broadband internet: 71%20 points lower than Texas (91%)
- Average commute: 35 min33% higher than Texas (27 min)
Cost of living in Kemp
Kemp renters pay a median of $1,036 a month, 26% lower than the statewide median. The usual rule is to spend no more than 30% of income on rent, which means earning around $41,000 a year for a median unit. Right now 50% of renters here pay more than 30% of their income on rent.
HUD sets fair market rents for this area at $1,536 for a one-bedroom, $1,807 for a two-bedroom and $2,275 for a three-bedroom (fiscal year 2027). These figures include utilities and describe a modest unit, so newer apartments often ask for more.
The median home is worth $168,100, 41% lower than the Texas median. With 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28%, the monthly payment comes to about $920 before tax, or $1,157 with property tax. That is $121 a month more than the median rent, a gap that can be worth it if you plan to stay a while.
Texas has no state income tax, but it leans on property taxes instead, though they are lighter here than in much of the state. The median homeowner in Kemp pays $2,843 a year, 33% lower than the Texas median of $4,232. Budget for it, along with homeowners insurance, which our numbers do not include.
Typical rent by apartment size
| Measure | Here | Texas | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median rent26% lower than Texas | $1,036 | $1,403 | $1,413 |
| Median home value41% lower than Texas | $168,100 | $283,800 | $332,700 |
| Home value to income17% lower than Texas | 3.0x | 3.6x | 4.1x |
| Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent2 points lower than Texas | 50% | 52% | 51% |
| Median property tax per year33% lower than Texas | $2,843 | $4,232 | $3,119 |
| Homes owned by the people living in them11 points higher than Texas | 73% | 63% | 65% |
| Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas | 1977 | 1992 | 1980 |
Monthly cost to buy a median home
- Mortgage payment
- $920
- Property tax
- $237
- Median rent, for comparison
- $1,036
Based on a $168,100 home in Kemp, 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28% (Freddie Mac average, week of 2026-10-01). Property tax is the median paid locally, or the county median where the local figure is not published. Insurance and fees are not included.
Is Kemp safe?
In 2025, Kemp Police Department reported 2 violent crimes and 22 property crimes. That works out to 134 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 65% lower than the Texas rate of 387, and 1,476 property crimes per 100,000, 29% lower than the state rate.
Violent crime is down about 66% since 2021, based on the yearly rates below.
Crime rates describe the whole area a police department covers. Some streets are much quieter than the average and some are busier, so look at the neighborhood grades and visit at different times of day.
Violent crimes per 100,000 people by year. The dashed line is the Texas rate for 2025.
Property crimes per 100,000 people by year.
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer, Kemp Police Department, 2025. Rates count reported crimes only and cover the area this police department serves.
Schools in Kemp
Kemp has 5 public school campuses with a 2025 state rating inside the city, and 0% of them earn an A or B. Most students here are served by Kemp ISD.
Texas districts usually assign students by attendance zone rather than the closest campus, so check the zone for a specific address with the district before you sign a lease or buy.
Ratings are the 2025 Texas Education Agency A to F accountability ratings. Always check which school serves a specific address with the district.
Top-rated schools
- CKemp Int WestElementary, Kemp ISD76 of 100
- CKemp High SchoolHigh, Kemp ISD72 of 100
- DKemp IntermediateElementary, Kemp ISD66 of 100
- DKemp PriElementary, Kemp ISD66 of 100
- FKemp Junior HighMiddle, Kemp ISD57 of 100
Daily life in Kemp
Everyday places mapped inside Kemp, from Overture Maps. Well-known spots include Kemp City Park.
The average one-way commute is 35 minutes, 33% longer than the Texas average. 16% of workers work from home. Fewer than 3% walk, bike or take transit to work, so plan on driving for almost everything.
Downtown Dallas is about 40 miles away in a straight line. Many people who live in Kemp work elsewhere in the metro, so test the drive at rush hour before you commit.
The median household income is $55,833, income per person is $27,581, unemployment is 2.7% and 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.
Jobs, income and education
| Measure | Here | Texas | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income29% lower than Texas | $55,833 | $78,476 | $80,734 |
| Income per person32% lower than Texas | $27,581 | $40,752 | $44,673 |
| Unemployment rate3 points lower than Texas | 2.7% | 5.3% | 5.2% |
| People below the poverty line11 points higher than Texas | 25% | 14% | 12% |
| Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher21 points lower than Texas | 13% | 34% | 36% |
| Adults with a high school diploma or higher8 points lower than Texas | 78% | 86% | 90% |
| Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance5 points lower than Texas | 15% | 20% | 11% |
| Homes with broadband internet20 points lower than Texas | 71% | 91% | 91% |
Getting to work
| Measure | Here | Texas | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average commute33% higher than Texas | 35 min | 27 min | 26 min |
| Workers who work from home1 points higher than Texas | 16% | 14% | 15% |
Who lives in Kemp
Median age 39.3 years. 46% of households have children.
Race and ethnicity
Shown for information only. It is never part of any grade.
Weather in Kemp
Kemp has a hot Texas climate. July highs average 96°F and January lows about 36°F. There are about 103 days a year at 90°F or above, and about 38 inches of rain a year.
Average daily high and low by month, °F, with rain below. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals from Terrell Muni Ap, 18 mi away. Orange months average 90°F or more.
Natural hazard risk
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, December 2025, Census tract level averaged for the city. Check the FEMA flood map for any address before you buy.
Places near Kemp
Nearby, Seven Points gets an F, Mabank gets a C and Kaufman gets a D+. Each is graded against Texas places of its own size, so a small town and a big city can both earn an A.
- FSeven PointsTown, 1,167 people7 mi
- CMabankTown, 5,187 people9 mi
- D+KaufmanTown, 8,538 people10 mi
- B-Gun Barrel CityTown, 6,570 people10 mi
- C-ToolTown, 2,367 people12 mi
- C-Payne SpringsTown, 1,201 people13 mi
Kemp in the Dallas-Fort Worth area
How it ranks among 181 places in the metro.
- 1A+Flower Mound78,389 people26 mito downtown
- 2A+Trophy Club13,733 people29 mito downtown
- 3A+University Park25,155 people4 mito downtown
- 172FWilmer6,391 people14 mito downtown
- 173FQuinlan1,618 people38 mito downtown
- 174FHaltom City45,767 people29 mito downtown
- 175FKemp1,302 people40 mito downtown
- 176FElmo1,379 people36 mito downtown
- 177FTerrell20,366 people28 mito downtown
- 178FLancaster40,820 people14 mito downtown
Living in Kemp: common questions
Is Kemp, TX a good place to live?
Kemp gets an overall grade of F and ranks 719th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on cost of living and safety, and trails on internet access and schools.
How much does it cost to live in Kemp?
Renters in Kemp pay a median of $1,036 a month, 26% lower than the Texas median. The median home is worth $168,100, 41% lower than the Texas median. A median home costs 3.0x the median household income, compared with 3.6x across Texas. With 20% down at a 7.28% rate, the monthly payment on a median home is about $1,157, including property tax.
Is Kemp safe?
In 2025, Kemp Police Department reported 134 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 65% lower than the Texas rate. Property crime was 1,476 per 100,000, 29% lower than the Texas rate.
Are the schools good in Kemp?
We found 5 rated public school campuses inside Kemp. 0% are rated A or B by the Texas Education Agency. Its schools score is 6 of 100 compared with other Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people.
What is the weather like in Kemp?
Summers in Kemp peak at about 96°F in July, and January nights fall to about 36°F. Expect around 103 days a year at 90°F or hotter, and 38 inches of rain.
How long is the commute in Kemp?
The average one-way commute is 35 min, 33% higher than the Texas average. About 16% of workers work from home. It is about 40 miles from downtown Dallas.
Sources: US Census Bureau 2020-2024 ACS 5-year and 2025 population estimates, CDC PLACES 2025, Texas Education Agency 2025 ratings, FBI Crime Data Explorer, FEMA National Risk Index, NOAA climate normals, HUD fair market rents, Overture Maps. Updated 2026-10-04. How we grade.