Bell Gardens city, California Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Bell Gardens city is a mid-sized community located in California. The total population is 38,661. It ranks as the 221st most populous out of 1,577 cities and towns in California.

Age Demographics

The median age in Bell Gardens city is 32.0 years. This is 15% lower than the state median of 37.6 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Bell Gardens city is $55,372. This is 43% lower than the state median of $96,334. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 29% lower. The poverty rate stands at 21.8%. This is 82% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 6.0%. This is 6% lower than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $527,900. Housing costs are 24% lower than the state median of $695,400. The home-value-to-income ratio of 9.5x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 21.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 62% lower than the state average of 55.8%.

Race & Ethnicity

Bell Gardens city has a predominantly Hispanic or Latino population, comprising 96.0% of all residents. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 2.1%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (2.1%) is well below the state average of 34.6%. The Black or African American population (1.2%) is well below the state average of 5.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (96.0% vs 39.8%). The Asian population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 15.0%.

Education

6.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 81% lower than the state rate of 36.5%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 53.0%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Bell Gardens city, California is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against California state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,577 Census-designated places in California. For official data, visit data.census.gov.