Bell Gardens, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Bell Gardens, California had a total population of 38,229, the 224th largest city in California, with a median household income of $62,298, which is 37% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 20.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 37% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Only 7.1% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 9.1x the median household income.
Bell Gardens Quick Facts
How Bell Gardens Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 38,661 | 38,229 | -1.1% |
| Median household income | $55,372 | $62,298 | +12.5% |
| Median home value | $527,900 | $563,900 | +6.8% |
How Bell Gardens Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 70 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Bell Gardens Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in Los Angeles County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | 3,857,263 | $81,939 | 16.6% | $921,200 |
| Long Beach | 455,548 | $87,430 | 14.8% | $806,600 |
| Santa Clarita | 230,221 | $123,062 | 7.4% | $784,700 |
| Glendale | 190,748 | $88,393 | 12.9% | $1,102,300 |
| Lancaster | 169,169 | $81,511 | 15.6% | $446,600 |
| Palmdale | 164,634 | $81,770 | 15.7% | $471,000 |
| Pomona | 147,943 | $79,479 | 14.3% | $593,800 |
| Torrance | 142,130 | $116,217 | 7.8% | $1,074,700 |
| Pasadena | 136,969 | $105,192 | 13.3% | $1,093,300 |
| East Los Angeles | 111,647 | $68,741 | 17.3% | $643,100 |
Cities Similar to Bell Gardens
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adelanto | 37,964 | $68,685 | $349,100 | 7.7% | 17.2% |
| Foothill Farms | 36,435 | $68,260 | $414,000 | 18.2% | 17.6% |
| Montclair | 37,810 | $77,659 | $569,100 | 18.8% | 17.7% |
| Calexico | 38,585 | $49,783 | $313,600 | 18.9% | 19.7% |
| Coachella | 43,307 | $68,596 | $367,600 | 7.5% | 10.2% |
Population Overview
Bell Gardens is a mid-sized community located in California, within Los Angeles County. The total population is 38,229. It ranks as the 224th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Bell Gardens is 32.3 years. This is 15% lower than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Bell Gardens is $62,298. This is 37% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 23% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 20.0%. This is 66% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. The unemployment rate is 5.9%. This is 11% lower than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $563,900. Housing costs are 23% lower than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 9.1x 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 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Bell Gardens has a predominantly Hispanic or Latino population, comprising 97.1% of all residents. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 1.4%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (1.4%) is well below the state average of 33.8%. The Black or African American population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 5.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (97.1% vs 40.2%). The Asian population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.
Education
7.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 81% lower than the state rate of 37.1%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 52.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Bell Gardens, California is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against California state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,570 Census-designated places in California. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Bell Gardens, California?
Bell Gardens, California has a population of 38,229 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Bell Gardens, CA?
The median household income in Bell Gardens is $62,298, which is 23% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Bell Gardens, CA?
The poverty rate in Bell Gardens is 20.0%. This means approximately 7,558 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Bell Gardens, California?
Bell Gardens's population is 1.4% White, 0.5% Black, 97.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Bell Gardens, CA?
The median home value in Bell Gardens is $563,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 9.1x.
How educated is Bell Gardens, California?
7.1% of adults (25+) in Bell Gardens hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.