Fort Hood
Fort Hood Guide: PCS, Housing, Schools & Local Area Info
Welcome to Fort Hood
This Fort Hood guide covers everything military families need to know before PCSing to Fort Hood, Texas, which is one of the largest active-duty U.S. military installations. It’s easy to see why Fort Hood is nicknamed “The Great Place.” Those who live here agree that the quality of life is high. Army pride is strong on Fort Hood. It's home to the 1st Cavalry Division, the largest armored division in the United States. More than 35,000 soldiers operate at Fort Hood. This means the base is so large that 1 out of 10 active duty soldiers in the Army is assigned to Fort Hood.
The Lone Star State offers good barbecue, sweet onions, armor-plated armadillos, and the state flower, named bluebonnets. The area is best suited for those who enjoy long, humid summers and usually mild winters.
Moving to the Fort Hood area? Download your free guide below:
Frequently Asked Questions about Fort Hood
1) Why is Fort Hood called "The Great Place"?
According to Army.mil:
"Like the state of Texas, Fort Hood is big and boasts of being the largest active duty armored post in the United States Armed Forces. Fort Hood is nicknamed the Great Place because of the quality of life the post and area offer Soldiers and their Families. These qualities are important, especially with home-basing initiatives, frequent deployments and Family stability and support."
2) How many gates does Fort Hood have?
While Fort Hood has a total of 15 gates, the base has three main entrances: Clear Creek Gate, TJ Mills Gate, and WS Young Gate.
3) What county is Fort Hood in?
Fort Hood is located in Bell and Corryell counties in Central Texas.
4) Where is Fort Hood located?
Fort Hood is in the city of Killeen, Texas.
Base Location and Information
Official Post Site: Fort Hood
Post Address
761st Tank Battalion Ave
Killeen, Texas 76544
Fort Hood is located between Waco and Austin, Texas. The post is over 340 square miles, which can be overwhelming for service members with new PCS orders. Since it’s such a large installation, it’s important to know which side of the post orders are for before deciding where to live.
Military Bases Near Fort Hood
Fort Hood has two large commissaries, multiple Exchanges, and seven elementary schools. Recreation is plentiful, thanks to strong MWRs, outside-of-the-gate water sport adventures, and support networks on and off base.
Texas hasn’t always been the tourist draw it is today. Within the last decade, there has been a lot of publicity on how amazing everything in Austin is, and how life-changing a visit to the Gaines’ Silos in Waco can be. Both cities are a short trip away from Fort Hood. San Antonio is also close. Military families take advantage of their free admission to SeaWorld. Closer to Fort Hood, festival enthusiasts enjoy agreeable weather all year long. This allows family schedules to be packed with outings dedicated to wine, art, rodeos, and a visit to the Central Texas State Fair. Find great food where the locals eat: Richard Rawling’s Garage, Rudy’s Bar-B-Que, and El Taco Jalisco.
Fort Hood Neighborhoods (Map courtesy Military Town Advisor)
Arrival Lodging
Contact Holiday Inn Express at 254-532-5157, Candlewood Suites at 254-532-8233, or IHG Army Hotels at 877-711-8326 for reservations. Reservations are recommended due to the large number of soldiers in an official status.
Temporary Lodging
Wratten Drive
Off of Tank Destroyer Boulevard
Building 36006
Fort Hood, TX 76544
Fort Hood Housing
Military housing at Fort Hood is privatized. Housing is available in 12 different communities with various floor plan options to accommodate families of different sizes.
Calvary Family Housing provides on-post housing.
Phone (254) 220-4799
18010 T. J. Mills Blvd Ste B209
Fort Hood, TX 76544
Best Places to Live Near Fort Hood
View homes for sale and houses for rent near Fort Hood: Fort Hood Homes.
Popular areas near Fort Hood include:
Killeen - closest to base, large military community, most affordable options, nice neighborhoods.
Harker Heights - more suburban, newer planned neighborhoods, strong schools.
Copperas Cove (known as "the cove") - located out the back gate of Fort Hood, quiet, budget-friendly.
Nolanville - lots of new construction homes in a very family-friendly area.
Belton - farther away from post, near a beautiful lake, a mix of military and civilians, larger and more expensive homes, higher-rated schools.
Where Can I Find Homes Near Fort Hood?
The best place to find homes near Fort Hood is MilitaryByOwner, a website designed specifically for military families navigating PCS moves.
With over 20 years of experience helping service members find housing near bases like Fort Hood, MilitaryByOwner offers listings tailored to military needs, timeline, budget, and proximity to base.
Start Your Search Here:
Base Search
City Search
Fort Hood BAH
The Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) is a U.S.-based allowance determined by geographic duty location, pay grade, and dependency status. It provides uniformed service members compensation based on housing costs in local civilian housing markets when government quarters are not provided. Learn more about your Basic Allowance for Housing.
Fort Hood is near Killeen and Harker Heights and has many options to buy or rent. Some sample Fort Hood BAH rates for zip code 76544:
- E-1 with dependents: $1,662
- E-1 without dependents: $1,374
- E-9 with dependents: $2,409
- E-9 without dependents: $1,806
- O-1 with dependents: $1,731
- O-1 without dependents: $1,623
- O-6 with dependents: $2,769
- O-6 without dependents: $2,325
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Area Weather and Climate
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Texas Hill Country south of Fort Hood
Photo from Canva by Martina Birnbaum
Winter gear isn't necessary for a PCS move to Fort Hood; the local government doesn't even own snow plows. Instead, stock up on sweatshirts, shorts, jeans, T-shirts, and maybe even cowboy boots. Local spring rains equal wildflowers and fields of iconic Bluebonnets. In summer, the average temperature is a sweltering 94 degrees, with a mere 2.3 inches of rain to cool off surfaces. Sometimes summer rain produces steam. The fall season takes its time, so September won't feel brisk. Instead, watch for hurricane threats. Those who dislike harsh winters will appreciate the local climate.
Fort Hood Area Schools
Two major systems serve school-aged children: Fort Hood Post Schools and the Killeen Independent School District.
Private and charter schools are also available in the Fort Hood area. Homeschoolers can connect with Texas Home Educators. The Student Liaison Officer at Fort Hood should also be knowledgeable about home-school transitions.
Fort Hood area schools and resources
- Killeen Independent School District
- Fort Hood Area Schools
- Fort Hood School Liaison Office
- Private School Review
- Texas Home Educators
- Texas Charter Schools
- School Digger (school ratings)
- School Quest (find and compare schools)
- Military Child Education Coalition
Support for Military and Families
There are abundant educational, volunteer, and career-improving possibilities in the Fort Hood area. Some of the top employers include the City of Killeen, Central Texas College, Metroplex Hospital, Lowe’s, and Home Depot. Excelsior College, A&M Central Texas, University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, and Temple College are nearby for those wanting to finish a degree or take classes for personal enrichment.
Things to Do Near Fort Hood
Summer Fun Water Park
- Bell County Museum offers quality exhibits, educational interactives, and fun events for the entire family.
- Central Texas Theatre was known as Vive Les Arts Theatre. It is dedicated to bringing high-quality live performances to the Central Texas area.
- Topsey Exotic Ranch & Park has animal species from all over the world. Visit The Safari, The Walkaround, The Petting Zoo, and The Gift Shop.
- Magnolia Market at the Silos in Waco is a popular destination for fans of the HGTV show "Fixer Upper" and home decor enthusiasts.
- Mayborn Science Museum is located on the campus of Central Texas College in Killeen, and it offers exhibits through both time and space.
- Luv 2 Play Killeen is an indoor playground and entertainment center that offers a variety of activities for children.
- Summer Fun Water Park is a great way to beat the heat and have a blast with a wide range of thrilling water slides, lazy rivers, wave pools, and kiddie area to cater to all ages.
More Fort Hood Area Info
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What’s next? If you’re ready to explore housing options, you can browse homes near Fort Hood to see what’s currently available.
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Base Address:
761st Tank Battalion Ave
Killeen
,
76544-5024