Keller, TX is an affluent suburb in Tarrant County in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Keller, the 74th most populous city in Texas, combines small-town charm with big-city amenities. That makes it an attractive option for investors interested in purchasing property and Keller property management. Keller is also a huge draw for families; the majority of the suburb is residential, but its easy access to the Dallas-Fort Worth area makes for an easy commute, and the Keller Independent School District is highly praised in the state of Texas, serving over 34,000 students in Tarrant County.
History of Keller, TX
The area now known as Keller was first settled in 1845 by a small group of families from Missouri, who set up camp at nearby Big Bear Creek. The families established a small church, Mount Gilstead Baptist Church, which also served as the schoolhouse for the settlers’ children.
During this time, the area became widely referred to as “Double Spring” due to the two large springs in the area. By the 1870s, Double Spring had attracted more settlers and had a cotton gin, several stores, and a blacksmith shop to serve the population.
John C. Keller, one of the settlers, established the site for the new railroad depot, and in 1881, the Texas and Pacific Railway from Fort Worth to Texarkana was completed, with Double Spring being a stop along the way.
Keller was established in 1882, after the settlement of Athos, which encompassed 40 acres of the Double Spring area, was renamed to honor John C. Keller and his contributions as foreman of the railroad.
Population
As of 2014, Keller, TX has a population of 43,942, which was up an incredible 60.6% from the town’s population in the year 2000. The population is split near identically between the genders, with 49.9% of the population being male and 50.1% being female.
Keller, TX is not a very diverse area; 81.4% of Keller residents are white. However, there is a somewhat large Hispanic community that makes up 8% of the population. The rest of the population identifies as Asian (4.4%), African American (2.1%), or having two or more races (1.8%).
The median age in Keller, TX is 40.7 years, which is nearly 7 years higher than the median age of 33.9 for the entire state of Texas. Keller is a popular destination for families, and it shows in the demographics, with 34.7% of the population falling between the ages of 25 to 44 and 33.7% falling under the age of 18.
Keller is also an extremely affluent community. The median household income is $122,541, which is more than double the median household income of $51,704 for Texas. As expected with that type of income level, Keller also attracts highly educated people; 57.8% hold a bachelor’s degree and nearly 20% hold a graduate degree of some kind.
Job Growth
Keller, TX is also a solid choice for investors due to its stable economy and job growth. The unemployment rate is 3.5%, which is nearly 2% lower than the national average unemployment rate of 5.2% in the United States.
While job growth has been on par with the national average (recent job growth is at 1.12%, which is just slightly lower than the national average of 1.59%), the future job growth in Keller, TX looks promising. Job growth over the next ten years is projected at 38.73%.
Due to the stable economy, Keller is also the home to many affluent families and individuals. 57.08% of households in Keller, TX make more than $100,000 per year, which is disproportionately high when you compare it to the percentage of American households that bring in that kind of income, which is 23.08%.
Education
Keller students are served by the Keller Independent School District (KISD). KISD is one of the largest school districts in Texas, especially in relation to the size of Keller. KISD has 23 elementary schools, 12 middle schools, and 5 high schools. Typically, a town of Keller’s size would normally house 5 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 1 high school. However, because KISD serves over 34,000 students from Keller and surrounding towns in Tarrant County, more establishments were needed to serve the growing population.
Keller Real Estate
Keller, TX prides itself on its healthy real estate market and in 2009, the suburb was ranked 7th in Money Magazine’s 100 Best Places to Live in the United States. Young professionals and families flock from all over the state of Texas — and the entire country — in order to call Keller, TX home.
The estimated median home listing price in Keller, TX is currently $385,000, which is nearly triple the median home price in Texas of $132,000. This is largely due to the affluent population that’s attracted to the Keller area. However, the median closing price is $220,000, which means that there is wiggle room on asking prices and investors can find a bargain in Keller, TX if they look hard enough.
There aren’t as many rental units available in Keller, with barely over 150 units currently on the market. This offers investors a unique opportunity — because there is a lack of units available, rentals tend to rent quickly, and with the highly educated and affluent residents of Keller, you’re likely to be able to find a responsible, long-term tenant to take care of your property. With the median gross rent coming in at $1,231, you’ll be able to fetch a good price for your rental as well.
Purchasing an investment property in Keller, TX is a solid choice for investors. The high median income will allow you to find financially responsible tenants, and the proximity to the Dallas-Fort Worth area will allow you to market your property towards business commuters who work in the city but want a safe and comfortable suburb to call home.
Looking to Buy in Keller, TX?
If you’re looking to invest in the real estate market in Texas, you won’t find many better places than Keller. Before you decide to buy, it’s important that you do thorough research to get a firm understanding of the Keller area, the different neighborhoods, and what the best fit is going to be for your long-term investment goals.
When you do settle on the right property, you’ll definitely want to connect with a Keller property management company. Property management is a huge responsibility, so you want to work with the right company to ensure that your property and tenants are taken care of with minimal interaction and oversight on your part.
If you have any questions or want to learn more about investing in Keller, TX and partnering with a highly trusted Keller property management company, please don’t hesitate to contact us here at LEAP Property Management. Our client-centric approach to property management and years of experience in managing properties in Keller will be invaluable to you as you go through the process of buying and owning property in the Keller, TX area.