Bell County, Kentucky Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Bell County is located in Kentucky with a total population of 23,878. It is the 49th most populous county out of 120 in Kentucky.

Age Demographics

The median age in Bell County is 41.2 years. This is 5% higher than the state median of 39.1 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Bell County is $32,403. This is 48% lower than the state median of $62,417. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 59% lower. The poverty rate stands at 27.1%. This is 68% higher than the state poverty rate of 16.1%. 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 10.5%. This is 118% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $83,000. Housing costs are 57% lower than the state median of $192,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.6x, Bell County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 61.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 11% lower than the state average of 68.3%.

Race & Ethnicity

Bell County has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 93.2% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 2.2%. The Black or African American population (2.2%) is well below the state average of 7.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 4.7%. The Asian population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 1.5%.

Education

13.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 48% lower than the state rate of 27.0%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 79.4%.