Bells, Tennessee Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Bells, Tennessee had a total population of 2,373, the 188th largest city in Tennessee, with a median household income of $56,027, which is 19% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 25.7%.
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 (25.7%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Bells Quick Facts
How Bells 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 | 2,531 | 2,373 | -6.2% |
| Median household income | $54,132 | $56,027 | +3.5% |
| Median home value | $164,000 | $169,000 | +3.0% |
How Bells 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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 46 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Bells Rankings in Tennessee
Explore Tennessee Rankings
Other Cities in Crockett County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alamo | 2,311 | $54,063 | 16.5% | $141,500 |
| Friendship | 692 | $32,153 | 42.3% | $108,000 |
| Maury City | 683 | $65,318 | 12.6% | $78,900 |
| Gadsden | 459 | $60,139 | 19.3% | $153,700 |
Cities Similar to Bells
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Carthage | 2,364 | $55,662 | $200,300 | 18.5% | 17.2% |
| Alamo | 2,311 | $54,063 | $141,500 | 14.2% | 16.5% |
| Walnut Hill | 2,415 | $51,742 | $219,900 | 26.0% | 5.9% |
| Dyer | 2,217 | $54,766 | $113,500 | 15.9% | 16.7% |
| Adamsville | 2,278 | $51,422 | $148,600 | 13.9% | 28.6% |
Population Overview
Bells is a small community located in Tennessee, within Crockett County. The total population is 2,373. It ranks as the 188th most populous out of 502 Census-designated places in Tennessee.
Age Demographics
The median age in Bells is 32.0 years. This is 18% lower than the state median of 38.9 years. With 31.2% of the population under 18, Bells has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Bells is $56,027. This is 19% lower than the state median of $69,595. It is also 31% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 25.7%. This is 86% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.8%. 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 2.7%. This is 43% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $169,000. Housing costs are 41% lower than the state median of $286,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x. 50.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 25% lower than the state average of 66.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Bells is White (non-Hispanic), making up 57.9% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 20.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (16.8% vs 7.4%).
Education
15.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 52% lower than the state rate of 31.1%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 84.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Bells, Tennessee 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 Tennessee state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 502 Census-designated places in Tennessee. 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 Bells, Tennessee?
Bells, Tennessee has a population of 2,373 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Bells, TN?
The median household income in Bells is $56,027, which is 31% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Bells, TN?
The poverty rate in Bells is 25.7%. This means approximately 596 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Bells, Tennessee?
Bells's population is 57.9% White, 20.0% Black, 16.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Bells, TN?
The median home value in Bells is $169,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x.
How educated is Bells, Tennessee?
15.0% of adults (25+) in Bells hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.