Temple/Killeen, Texas, with a total population of 303,500 in the Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area in 1997, according to "Sales & Marketing Management's 1998 Survey of Buying Power", ranks as the 11th largest market in the State of Texas, and the 158th largest in America. This is a gain of 4,400 people in the last year, and represents a move up one from 159th largest metro market in America last year.

    In retail sales, the Temple/Killeen SMSA ranks as the 189th Largest Metro Market in America with an increase of 5.4% over the past year with total sales of over 2.3 billion dollars.

    According to the Economic Research and Analysis Department of the Texas Workforce Commission. Temple/Killeen is experiencing 3.9% unemployment this year, compared to 4.8% in Texas.

    Located on I-35, the NAFTA highway, Temple is served by four other highways: Federal highway 190, and State highways 36,53, and 95. The Burlington Northern Santa Fe, the Union Pacific Southern Pacific and Amtrak railroads serve Temple. Common carriers include four intrastate carriers, with one local terminal, and five interstate carriers. Greyhound, Kerrville and Arrow bus lines serve Temple. The airport at Temple is hard surface with lighting and has an instrument landing system on 6,301 feet of runway.

    Local universities and colleges include Temple College, the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor and Texas A&M College of Medicine.