Bell, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Bell, California had a total population of 32,476, the 253rd largest city in California, with a median household income of $61,020, which is 38% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 21.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 38% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Only 9.7% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 9.7x the median household income.
Bell Quick Facts
How Bell 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 | 32,830 | 32,476 | -1.1% |
| Median household income | $60,641 | $61,020 | +0.6% |
| Median home value | $561,400 | $591,600 | +5.4% |
How Bell 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 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
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atwater | 32,162 | $64,472 | $363,400 | 12.9% | 20.9% |
| Banning | 31,093 | $61,764 | $352,100 | 16.5% | 18.8% |
| Desert Hot Springs | 33,200 | $52,761 | $354,800 | 16.7% | 18.0% |
| Westmont | 34,123 | $50,509 | $653,800 | 12.8% | 25.3% |
| Oildale | 34,687 | $51,298 | $238,800 | 12.3% | 25.2% |
Population Overview
Bell is a mid-sized community located in California, within Los Angeles County. The total population is 32,476. It ranks as the 253rd most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Bell is 34.3 years. This is 9% lower than the state median of 37.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Bell is $61,020. This is 38% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 24% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 21.6%. This is 80% 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 6.9%. This is 4% higher than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $591,600. Housing costs are 19% lower than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 9.7x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 26.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 53% lower than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Bell has a predominantly Hispanic or Latino population, comprising 89.5% of all residents. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 6.9%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (6.9%) is well below the state average of 33.8%. The Black or African American population (1.8%) is well below the state average of 5.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (89.5% vs 40.2%). The Asian population (1.0%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.
Education
9.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 74% 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 57.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Bell, 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, California?
Bell, California has a population of 32,476 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Bell, CA?
The median household income in Bell is $61,020, which is 24% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Bell, CA?
The poverty rate in Bell is 21.6%. This means approximately 7,008 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Bell, California?
Bell's population is 6.9% White, 1.8% Black, 89.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Bell, CA?
The median home value in Bell is $591,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 9.7x.
How educated is Bell, California?
9.7% of adults (25+) in Bell hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.