Town in Bell County, part of the Killeen metro

Living in Little River-Academy, TX

B+

196th of 745Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people
Overall score 73 of 100
4th of 15 in the Killeen area

Little River-Academy earns a grade of B+ on our index, 196th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on jobs and income and cost of living, and trails on education levels and health.

    Map of Texas showing where Little River-Academy isHoustonSan AntonioDallasFort WorthLittle River-Academy
    Where Little River-Academy is in Texas.
    Population
    2,020+1.3% since 2020
    Median rent
    $1,4634% higher than Texas
    Median home value
    $183,30035% lower than Texas
    Household income
    $75,563Median
    Average commute
    23 minOne way
    Violent crime
    No dataNo full-year report

    What it's like to live in Little River-Academy

    Little River-Academy sits about 21 miles from downtown Killeen, in the Killeen-Temple metro. 2,020 people lived here in 2025, up 1.3% from 2020. It is spread out.

    The median age is 32.7, 44% of households have children, 79% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $75,563 a year (about the same as the Texas median).

    Pros of living in Little River-Academy

    • Homes are affordable for local incomes. The median home costs 2.4 times the median household income, against 3.6 times across Texas.

    Cons of living in Little River-Academy

    • Long, hot summers. Expect about 118 days a year at 90°F or hotter.

    Who Little River-Academy suits

    • FamiliesA reasonable fit: 100% of rated schools earn an A or B. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 61% for families.
    • Young professionalsA reasonable fit: household income is about the same as the Texas median, with 7 restaurants and 0 cafes in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 77% for young professionals.
    • Remote workersA reasonable fit: 89% of homes have broadband and the median rent of $1,463 is 4% higher than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 56% for remote workers.
    • People on a budgetA reasonable fit: the median rent of $1,463 is 4% higher than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 62% for people on a budget.

    Little River-Academy report card

    Ten grades, one for each part of daily life we measure. Most compare Little River-Academy 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 B-

      Median rent $1,463, homes cost 2.4x income.

      60 of 100 vs US towns

    • Jobs and income: grade B-

      Median household income $75,563, 3.2% unemployed.

      62 of 100 vs US towns

    • Schools: grade B-

      5 rated campuses, 100% rated A or B.

      57 of 100 vs TX towns

    • Safety: no grade

      No full year of crime data from local police.

      No score vs TX towns

    • Errands and things to do: no grade

      0 grocery stores, 7 restaurants, 0 parks mapped in town.

      No score vs TX towns

    • Getting around: grade B-

      Average commute 23 min, 12% work from home.

      59 of 100 vs US towns

    • Education levels: grade D+

      19% have a bachelor’s degree.

      25 of 100 vs US towns

    • Health: grade D+

      14% of adults uninsured.

      31 of 100 vs US towns

    • Home ownership: grade C+

      79% of homes owner-occupied.

      49 of 100 vs US towns

    • Internet access: grade C

      89% of homes have broadband.

      45 of 100 vs US towns

    Where Little River-Academy stands out compared with Texas

    Better than Texas

    • Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent: 34%18 points lower than Texas (52%)
    • Homes owned by the people living in them: 79%16 points higher than Texas (63%)
    • Home value to income: 2.4x33% lower than Texas (3.6x)

    Worse than Texas

    • Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 19%15 points lower than Texas (34%)
    • Vacant homes: 13%4 points higher than Texas (9.4%)
    • Homes with broadband internet: 89%2 points lower than Texas (91%)

    Cost of living in Little River-Academy

    Rent is the cost most newcomers feel first. The median rent in Little River-Academy is $1,463 a month, 4% higher than the Texas median of $1,403. To keep that rent at 30% of income, a household needs to earn about $59,000 a year. Right now 34% of renters here pay more than 30% of their income on rent.

    HUD sets fair market rents for this area at $927 for a one-bedroom, $1,138 for a two-bedroom and $1,576 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 $183,300, 35% lower than the Texas median. With 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28%, the monthly payment comes to about $1,003 before tax, or $1,208 with property tax. That is close to the median rent, so buying can make sense if you plan to stay.

    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 Little River-Academy pays $2,451 a year, 42% 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

    Fair market rent by bedroom count in Little River-AcademyStudio$9211 bedroom$9272 bedrooms$1,1383 bedrooms$1,5764 bedrooms$1,902
    HUD fair market rent for FY2027, Killeen-Temple, TX HUD Metro FMR Area. This is what a typical, modest unit rents for, including utilities.
    MeasureHereTexasUS
    Median rent4% higher than Texas$1,463$1,403$1,413
    Median home value35% lower than Texas$183,300$283,800$332,700
    Home value to income33% lower than Texas2.4x3.6x4.1x
    Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent18 points lower than Texas34%52%51%
    Median property tax per year42% lower than Texas$2,451$4,232$3,119
    Homes owned by the people living in them16 points higher than Texas79%63%65%
    Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas198319921980

    Monthly cost to buy a median home

    $1,208
    Mortgage payment
    $1,003
    Property tax
    $204
    Median rent, for comparison
    $1,463

    Based on a $183,300 home in Little River-Academy, 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.

    Schools in Little River-Academy

    Little River-Academy has 5 public school campuses with a 2025 state rating inside the city, and 100% of them earn an A or B. Most students here are served by Academy 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.

    Schools grade
    57
    of 100 vs Texas towns
    Average rating
    81
    Texas median 81

    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

    • BAcademy High SchoolHigh, Academy ISD84 of 100
    • BAcademy Early Childhood CenterOther, Academy ISD81 of 100
    • BAcademy ElementaryElementary, Academy ISD81 of 100
    • BAcademy IntermediateElementary, Academy ISD81 of 100
    • BAcademy MiddleMiddle, Academy ISD80 of 100

    Daily life in Little River-Academy

    Everyday places mapped inside Little River-Academy, from Overture Maps.

    The average one-way commute is 23 minutes, 14% shorter than the Texas average. 12% of workers work from home. Fewer than 3% walk, bike or take transit to work, so plan on driving for almost everything.

    Downtown Killeen is about 21 miles away in a straight line. Many people who live in Little River-Academy work elsewhere in the metro, so test the drive at rush hour before you commit.

    The median household income is $75,563, income per person is $29,663, unemployment is 3.2% and 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.

    Grocery stores
    0
    Pharmacies
    0
    Restaurants
    7
    Cafes
    0
    Bars
    0
    Parks
    0
    Gyms
    0
    Hospitals and urgent care
    0
    Childcare
    1
    Libraries
    0

    Jobs, income and education

    MeasureHereTexasUS
    Median household income4% lower than Texas$75,563$78,476$80,734
    Income per person27% lower than Texas$29,663$40,752$44,673
    Unemployment rate2 points lower than Texas3.2%5.3%5.2%
    People below the poverty line5 points lower than Texas9.0%14%12%
    Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher15 points lower than Texas19%34%36%
    Adults with a high school diploma or higher1 points lower than Texas85%86%90%
    Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance6 points lower than Texas14%20%11%
    Homes with broadband internet2 points lower than Texas89%91%91%

    Getting to work

    MeasureHereTexasUS
    Average commute14% lower than Texas23 min27 min26 min
    Workers who work from home2 points lower than Texas12%14%15%
    Workers who work from home12%
    Workers who take transit0%
    Workers who walk1.8%
    Workers who bike0%

    Who lives in Little River-Academy

    Under 1836%
    18 to 3419%
    35 to 6434%
    65 and over11%

    Median age 32.7 years. 44% of households have children.

    Race and ethnicity
    White61%
    Hispanic or Latino31%
    Black0.4%
    Asian0%
    Other or more than one race7.2%

    Shown for information only. It is never part of any grade.

    Weather in Little River-Academy

    Little River-Academy has a hot Texas climate. July highs average 95°F and January lows about 36°F. There are about 118 days a year at 90°F or above, and about 37 inches of rain a year.

    Average monthly high and low temperatures in Little River-Academy30°50°70°90°60J64F70M78A84M91J95J96A90S81O69N61DRain

    Average daily high and low by month, °F, with rain below. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals from Stillhouse Hollow Dam, 9 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 Little River-Academy

      Nearby, Belton gets a D, Temple gets a D and Holland gets a B+. Each is graded against Texas places of its own size, so a small town and a big city can both earn an A.

      1. DBeltonSmall city, 24,356 people7 mi
      2. DTempleCity, 89,602 people7 mi
      3. B+HollandTown, 1,299 people8 mi
      4. C-RogersTown, 1,303 people9 mi
      5. A-SaladoTown, 2,225 people10 mi
      6. BMorgan's Point ResortTown, 4,750 people12 mi

      Little River-Academy in the Killeen area

      How it ranks among 15 places in the metro.

      1. 1A-Salado2,225 people15 mito downtown
      2. 2A-Kempner1,215 people14 mito downtown
      3. 3B+Holland1,299 people24 mito downtown
      4. 4B+Little River-Academy2,233 people21 mito downtown
      5. 5BTroy2,844 people27 mito downtown
      6. 6BMorgan's Point Resort4,750 people17 mito downtown
      7. 7B-Nolanville6,690 people7 mito downtown

      See all of the best suburbs of killeen

      Living in Little River-Academy: common questions

      Is Little River-Academy, TX a good place to live?

      Little River-Academy earns a grade of B+ on our index, 196th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on jobs and income and cost of living, and trails on education levels and health.

      How much does it cost to live in Little River-Academy?

      Median rent in Little River-Academy is $1,463 a month, 4% higher than the Texas median. The median home is worth $183,300, 35% lower than the Texas median. A median home costs 2.4x 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 $1,208, including property tax.

      Are the schools good in Little River-Academy?

      We found 5 rated public school campuses inside Little River-Academy. 100% are rated A or B by the Texas Education Agency. Its schools score is 57 of 100 compared with other Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people.

      What is the weather like in Little River-Academy?

      Summers in Little River-Academy peak at about 95°F in July, and January nights fall to about 36°F. Expect around 118 days a year at 90°F or hotter, and 37 inches of rain.

      How long is the commute in Little River-Academy?

      The average one-way commute is 23 min, 14% lower than the Texas average. About 12% of workers work from home. It is about 21 miles from downtown Killeen.

      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.