Bell, CA

California · Metropolitan Area

Bell is a mid-size city in California with a population of 32,830. Residents earn $60,641 per year, which is 19% below the national average.

1.8 /5.0
D Poor
32,830 Population 13,080/sq mi density
$60,641 Median Income $22,004 per capita
$561,400 Home Value $680,326 Zillow
$1,538 Median Rent
65°F Avg Temperature
602 Violent Crime/100K 1,991 property/100K
D
Overall
1.8 / 5.0
Poor overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.2 / 5.0
$60,641 median income, 4.5% unemployment
F
Affordability
1.4 / 5.0
$561,400 home value, $1,538/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
602 violent crimes/100K (58% above avg)
D
Education
1.7 / 5.0
8.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $60,641
19% lower than US avg
Home Value $561,400
99% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 602/100K
58% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 8.7%
74% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,538
32% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 33.2%
3% higher than US avg
Unemployment 4.5%
25% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 19.3%
56% higher than US avg

How Bell Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population32,830
Median Age33.9 yrs
Density13,080/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%
Largest GroupWhite 32%

Economy

B
Median Income$60,641
Per Capita$22,004
Unemployment4.5%
Poverty19.3%
County GDP$1,002,965M
Commute31 min

Housing

F
Home Value$561,400
Rent$1,538
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$680,326

Crime

F
Violent602/100K
Property1,991/100K
Murder2.8/100K
Assault344/100K
Burglary433/100K

Health

Obesity33.2%
UninsuredN/A
Depression19.7%
Heart Disease6.2%

Climate

Avg Temp65°F
AQI48 (Good)
Rain11.8 in/yr
Elevation141 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+8.7%
High School+57.5%
School Score4.69

Community

2024 VoteR 32% / D 65%
Commute31 min
EV Stations6
Libraries258

Is Bell a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Bell receives an overall livability score of 1.8 out of 5.0, earning a grade of D. Areas to be aware of include elevated crime rates, high housing costs, an elevated poverty rate. Bell faces significant challenges across several quality-of-life categories.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Bell is $60,641, 19% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 4.5%, indicating a healthy job market. The poverty rate of 19.3% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 31 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Bell is $561,400, making it a premium housing market at 99% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,538 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. With a home price-to-income ratio of 9.3x, housing affordability is a significant challenge for many families.

Safety & Crime

With 602 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, public safety is a notable concern — this is significantly above the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,991 per 100,000, near the national average.

Education

8.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 57.5% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Bell enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 65°F. Winters average 58°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 11.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Bell has a population of 32,830 with a density of 13,080 people per square mile. The median age is 33.9 years, 13% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (31.7%), with 2.8% Hispanic, 2.1% Black.

Population

32,830
Total Population
13,080
People / sq mi
33.9yrs
Median Age
13% below US avg
2.5mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 50.1%
Female 49.9%

Race & Ethnicity

Bell vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only12.6%
84% below US avg
Spanish87.4%
552% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Bell vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Bell is $60,641, which is 19% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 4.5% (above the 3.6% US average). 19.3% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 31 minutes.

Income: Bell vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$60,641
19% below US avg
Per Capita Income$22,004
Avg Weekly Wage$1,607
IRS Avg AGI$97,528

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment4.5%
25% above US avg
Poverty Rate19.3%
56% above US avg
Establishments (County)572,385
County GDP$1,002,965M

Business (County)

Restaurants24,882
Healthcare37,635
Retail29,130
Manufacturing10,448

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$10,469
199% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.86%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time31.3 min
Work from Home4.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Bell is $561,400, 99% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,538 (32% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $680,326.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$561,400
99% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$680,326
Median List Price$782,500

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$782,500
$/Sq Ft$411
Homes Sold3
Sale-to-List Ratio94.8%
Price Drops50.0%
Inventory6

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,538
32% above US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,513
1 Bedroom$1,647
2 Bedrooms$2,053
3 Bedrooms$2,752
4 Bedrooms$3,165

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied26.7%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$10,469
199% above US avg
Effective Rate1.86%
In Bell, 33.2% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 19.7% report depression. 38.7% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Bell vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity33.2%
3% above US avg
Diabetes16.0%
Heart Disease6.2%
High Blood Pressure30.9%
Asthma9.2%
COPD5.5%
Stroke3.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking14.9%
Physical Inactivity38.7%
Depression19.7%
Mental Distress18.9%
Physical Distress19.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate86.1%
Checkup Rate67.7%
Premature Death6,746/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.5/10
Exercise Access98.0%
Healthcare Facilities37,635
Bell has a violent crime rate of 602 per 100,000 residents, 58% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,991 per 100,000 (2% above US avg). The murder rate is 2.8 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Bell vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent601.8/100K
58% above US avg
Murder2.8/100K
56% below US avg
Rape52.7/100K
Robbery202.5/100K
Assault343.9/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,991.2/100K
2% above US avg
Burglary432.6/100K
Theft1,159.2/100K
Vehicle Theft399.4/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)817
FEMA Disasters1,001

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Bell has an average annual temperature of 65°F (18°C). Winters average 58°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation is 11.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Temperature

58°F Jan (15°C) 71°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average64.5°F
19% above US avg
January Average58°F (15°C)
July Average71°F (22°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall11.8 inches
69% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation141 ft (43 m)
Area2.5 sq mi (6.5 km²)
Population Density13,080/sq mi
Coordinates33.9797°N, 118.1792°W
County FIPS06037
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 8.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (74% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 32.9-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 31.9%
D 64.8%

Winner: Democrat by 32.9 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+8.7%
74% below US avg
High School+57.5%
School Test Score4.69
D Education Grade (1.7/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density13,080/sq mi
Total Area2.5 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations6
Alt Fuel Stations7
Public Libraries258
Healthcare Facilities37,635
Restaurants24,882
Retail Stores29,130

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)817
FEMA Disaster Declarations1,001
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute31.3 min
Work from Home4.0%

Nearby Cities

Compare Bell with another city: