Bell City, Missouri Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Bell City, Missouri had a total population of 496, the 520th largest city in Missouri. The poverty rate is 36.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (36.7%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 35.5% is notably above the national average.
Bell City Quick Facts
How Bell City 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 | 554 | 496 | -10.5% |
| Median home value | $50,000 | $47,500 | -5.0% |
How Bell City 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: 40 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Bell City Rankings in Missouri
Explore Missouri Rankings
Other Cities in Stoddard County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dexter | 7,891 | $51,701 | 17.0% | $137,200 |
| Bloomfield | 2,069 | $41,838 | 25.1% | $67,100 |
| Bernie | 1,725 | $48,438 | 24.1% | $98,100 |
| Advance | 1,450 | $59,688 | 14.0% | $127,500 |
| Puxico | 846 | $47,500 | 18.0% | $89,500 |
| Essex | 413 | $62,536 | 24.6% | $108,700 |
| Penermon | 102 | $17,625 | 87.3% | $44,700 |
| Dudley | 99 | $50,750 | 7.1% | $190,000 |
| Grayridge | 96 | $40,313 | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Bell City
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Green Ridge | 496 | $62,974 | $118,500 | 21.8% | 18.8% |
| Washburn | 498 | $66,250 | $122,500 | 8.1% | 18.1% |
| Atlanta | 499 | $68,000 | $98,800 | 9.5% | 7.4% |
| Kidder | 501 | $62,500 | $82,900 | 5.9% | 22.7% |
| Wilbur Park | 491 | $91,667 | $204,900 | 48.0% | 11.2% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 496, Bell City's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Bell City is a small community located in Missouri, within Stoddard County. The total population is 496. It ranks as the 520th most populous out of 1,062 Census-designated places in Missouri.
Age Demographics
The median age in Bell City is 34.9 years. This is 11% lower than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The poverty rate stands at 36.7%. This is 192% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.6%. 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 35.5%. This is 782% higher than the state rate of 4.0%. The median home value is $47,500. Housing costs are 79% lower than the state median of $230,300. 44.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 34% lower than the state average of 68.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Bell City is White (non-Hispanic), making up 78.6% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 5.4%.
Education
10.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 68% lower than the state rate of 32.4%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 78.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Bell City, Missouri 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 Missouri state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,062 Census-designated places in Missouri. 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 City, Missouri?
Bell City, Missouri has a population of 496 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Bell City, MO?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for Bell City — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Bell City, MO?
The poverty rate in Bell City is 36.7%. This means approximately 180 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Bell City, Missouri?
Bell City's population is 78.6% White, 0.0% Black, 5.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Bell City, MO?
The median home value in Bell City is $47,500.
How educated is Bell City, Missouri?
10.4% of adults (25+) in Bell City hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.