Townapedia
Kemp1
Kemp1 · Renelibrary, CC BY-SA 4.0
Kemp, No. 12818
Kemp, No. 12818 · Rheba, CC BY 2.0

Kemp, Texas

Kemp is a city of 1,302 people in Kaufman County, Texas, founded in 1922.

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Population1,302 +32.6% since 2019
Elevation381 ft 116 m
Founded1922
Land area2.2 sq mi
ZIP code75143
Nearest airportTerrell Municipal Airport (TRL) 19 mi

Why visit Kemp

Townapedia lists 1 museum or landmark, 1 park or trail, 2 places to eat and 1 place to stay in and around town.

August is the warmest month, with average highs of 95°F; January lows average 33°F.

About Kemp

Kemp is a city in Kaufman County, Texas, United States. Its population was 1,129 in 2020.

From the Wikipedia article Kemp, Texas (this version), under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Museums and landmarks1

Kemp

Monument and historic site · 0.4 mi

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Parks, trails and playgrounds1

Yellow Jacket Stadium

Sports field and stadium · 0.8 mi

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Restaurants and cafes2

Sonic

Fast food · Burger · 0.4 mi

109 North State Highway 274, Kemp

Mo-Th 06:00-21:45; Fr,Sa 06:00-22:45; Su 07:00-21:45

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DQ

Fast food · Ice Cream, Burger

Mo-Fr 07:00-22:00; Sa,Su 08:00-22:00

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Where to stay1

Lakeway RV Resort

Campground · 0.4 mi

12100 East US Highway 175, Kemp

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History

The community was named for Sara Kemp, mother of Levi Noble, the first postmaster, and was officially established when the post office opened in 1851. The original townsite was located on present-day County Road 4023, 2 miles (3 km) south of present-day Texas State Highway 274. It grew slowly during its first 30 years. A Presbyterian congregation was organized in 1854, and the Kemp Academy of Learning began operation in 1867. After the Civil War, an increasing number of settlers moved to the community. In 1870, Dr. A. J. Still, hoping to profit from this growth and the possible construction of a railroad through the area, bought land just north of the community (where the current city sits) and after surveying, dividing the tract into lots, and platting it, persuaded the directors of the Southern Pacific Railroad to lay tracks across his property by offering the company a number of lots. Another early settler, Sam Parmalee, followed suit and offered the rail company right-of-way through his property. The mid-1880s witnessed the completion of the rail line through the community, the construction of a depot there, and the designation of Kemp as a terminus on the line.

From the History section of Kemp, Texas on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Churches and places of worship2

  • Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses

    Church · Jehovahs Witness · 0.6 mi

    503 North Main Street, Kemp

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  • Kemp Church of Christ

    Church · Church Of Christ

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Shopping1

  • Heritage Market & Bakery

    Grocery · 0.4 mi

    109 South State Highway 274, Kemp

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Gas and EV charging1

Schools, colleges and libraries10

Map of Kemp

19 places. The map loads OpenStreetMap tiles when you open it.

Climate by month

40°60°80°100°January: 3.1 in of rainFebruary: 2.9 in of rainMarch: 3.7 in of rainApril: 3.9 in of rainMay: 4.5 in of rainJune: 4.6 in of rainJuly: 1.8 in of rainAugust: 2.5 in of rainSeptember: 3.2 in of rainOctober: 4.8 in of rainNovember: 3.2 in of rainDecember: 3.9 in of rainJanuary: 56°FFebruary: 60°FMarch: 67°FApril: 75°FMay: 82°FJune: 90°FJuly: 94°FAugust: 95°FSeptember: 89°FOctober: 78°FNovember: 67°FDecember: 58°FJanuary: 33°FFebruary: 37°FMarch: 45°FApril: 52°FMay: 62°FJune: 70°FJuly: 73°FAugust: 72°FSeptember: 66°FOctober: 54°FNovember: 44°FDecember: 35°FJFMAMJJASOND
Average high Average low Rain
Monthly table
MonthHighLowRainSnow
Jan56°F33°F3.1 in0.0 in
Feb60°F37°F2.9 in0.0 in
Mar67°F45°F3.7 in0.0 in
Apr75°F52°F3.9 in0.0 in
May82°F62°F4.5 in0.0 in
Jun90°F70°F4.6 in0.0 in
Jul94°F73°F1.8 in0.0 in
Aug95°F72°F2.5 in0.0 in
Sep89°F66°F3.2 in0.0 in
Oct78°F54°F4.8 in0.0 in
Nov67°F44°F3.2 in0.0 in
Dec58°F35°F3.9 in0.0 in

U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 for Kaufman 3 Se (9 mi away), rain and snow from Rosser, NOAA NCEI.

People and cost of living

$55,833median household income
$168,100median home value
$1,036median monthly rent
39.3median age
12.9%of adults have a bachelor's degree or higher
73.2%of homes are owner-occupied
35.5 minaverage commute
Age of residents
Under 1832%18 to 3414%35 to 6436%65 and over18%

American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020-2024, U.S. Census Bureau. Estimates have margins of error, larger for small towns.

Disaster history

Kaufman County has had 15 federal disaster declarations since 2000, most often for hurricanes.

  • 2024-05-17: Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, And Flooding (Flood)
  • 2021-02-19: Severe Winter Storms (Severe Ice Storm)
  • 2021-02-14: Severe Winter Storm (Severe Ice Storm)
  • 2020-03-25: Covid-19 Pandemic (Biological)
  • 2020-03-13: Covid-19 (Biological)
  • 2016-02-09: Severe Winter Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, And Flooding (Severe Storm)

OpenFEMA disaster declarations summaries.

Getting there and nearby towns

Terrell Municipal Airport (TRL) is the nearest airport with scheduled flights listed in OpenStreetMap, 19 miles away.

  • Combine 20 mi northwest, about 32 min by car
  • Terrell 21 mi north, about 33 min by car
  • Heartland 21 mi northwest, about 34 min by car
  • Canton 23 mi east, about 36 min by car
  • Seagoville 24 mi northwest, about 38 min by car
  • Forney 25 mi northwest, about 40 min by car
  • Ennis 25 mi west, about 40 min by car
  • Corsicana 28 mi southwest, about 46 min by car
  • Athens 28 mi southeast, about 45 min by car
  • Mesquite 30 mi northwest, about 49 min by car

Drive times are estimates from straight-line distance, not routes.

Reviews, tips and questions

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Sources and licences

Photo credits

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