Bells, TN

Tennessee · Metropolitan Area

Bells is a small town in Tennessee with a population of 2,531. Residents earn $54,132 per year, which is 28% below the national average.

2.8 /5.0
C+ Fair
2,531 Population 1,068/sq mi density
$54,132 Median Income $38,482 per capita
$164,000 Home Value $198,775 Zillow
$1,014 Median Rent
60°F Avg Temperature
245 Violent Crime/100K 1,922 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.8 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.1 / 5.0
$54,132 median income, 2.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$164,000 home value, $1,014/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
245 violent crimes/100K (35% below avg)
C
Education
2.1 / 5.0
13.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $54,132
28% lower than US avg
Home Value $164,000
42% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 245/100K
35% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 13.8%
59% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,014
13% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 44.1%
37% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.0%
44% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 26.1%
110% higher than US avg

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

People

Population2,531
Median Age33.1 yrs
Density1,068/mi²
Male / Female45% / 55%
Largest GroupWhite 65%

Economy

B
Median Income$54,132
Per Capita$38,482
Unemployment2.0%
Poverty26.1%
County GDP$761M
Commute22 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$164,000
Rent$1,014
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$198,775

Crime

F
Violent245/100K
Property1,922/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault204/100K
Burglary531/100K

Health

Obesity44.1%
UninsuredN/A
Depression27.9%
Heart Disease6.2%

Climate

Avg Temp60°F
AQI40 (Good)
Rain53.6 in/yr
Elevation364 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+13.8%
High School+87.9%
School Score5.08

Community

2024 VoteR 79% / D 20%
Commute22 min
Libraries1

Is Bells a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Bells receives an overall livability score of 2.8 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Bells has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Bells is $54,132, 28% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.0%. The poverty rate of 26.1% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Bells is $164,000, 42% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $1,014 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 3x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Bells is below the national average at 245 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,922 per 100,000, near the national average.

Education

13.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 87.9% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.1/10.

Climate & Weather

Bells enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 60°F. Winters average 38°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 53.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Bells has a population of 2,531 with a density of 1,068 people per square mile. The median age is 33.1 years, 15% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (64.5%), with 1.3% Hispanic, 19% Black.

Population

2,531
Total Population
1,068
People / sq mi
33.1yrs
Median Age
15% below US avg
2.4mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 45.4%
Female 54.6%

Race & Ethnicity

Bells vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only83.0%
6% above US avg
Spanish17.0%
27% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Bells vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Bells is $54,132, which is 28% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 26.1% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Income: Bells vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$54,132
28% below US avg
Per Capita Income$38,482
Avg Weekly Wage$1,050
IRS Avg AGI$58,520

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.0%
44% below US avg
Poverty Rate26.1%
110% above US avg
Establishments (County)301
County GDP$761M

Business (County)

Restaurants19
Healthcare20
Retail44
Manufacturing16

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,180
38% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.33%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time21.7 min
Work from Home2.8%

Walkability

The median home value in Bells is $164,000, 42% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,014 (13% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $198,775.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$164,000
42% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$198,775

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

$/Sq Ft$150
Homes Sold2
Sale-to-List Ratio100.0%
Price Drops100.0%
Inventory1

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,014
13% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$882
1 Bedroom$924
2 Bedrooms$1,118
3 Bedrooms$1,445
4 Bedrooms$1,644

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied51.0%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,180
38% below US avg
Effective Rate1.33%
In Bells, 44.1% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 27.9% report depression. 30.7% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity44.1%
37% above US avg
Diabetes14.2%
Heart Disease6.2%
High Blood Pressure39.3%
Asthma11.4%
COPD8.1%
Stroke3.7%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking14.0%
Physical Inactivity30.7%
Depression27.9%
Mental Distress21.1%
Physical Distress15.8%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate77.5%
Checkup Rate77.2%
Premature Death12,899/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.5/10
Exercise Access18.0%
Healthcare Facilities20
Bells has a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, 35% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,922 per 100,000 (2% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent245.3/100K
35% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery40.9/100K
Assault204.4/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,921.5/100K
2% below US avg
Burglary531.5/100K
Theft1,308.3/100K
Vehicle Theft81.8/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)5

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Bells has an average annual temperature of 60°F (15°C). Winters average 38°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. Annual precipitation is 53.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

38°F Jan (3°C) 79°F Jul (26°C)
Annual Average59.5°F
10% above US avg
January Average38°F (3°C)
July Average79°F (26°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall53.6 inches
41% above US avg
Snowfall3.7 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation364 ft (111 m)
Area2.4 sq mi (6.1 km²)
Population Density1,068/sq mi
Coordinates35.7197°N, 89.0854°W
County FIPS47033
It is classified as Metro — under 250K. 13.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (59% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 58.7-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 78.9%
D 20.2%

Winner: Republican by 58.7 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+13.8%
59% below US avg
High School+87.9%
School Test Score5.08
C Education Grade (2.1/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 3Metro — under 250K
Population Density1,068/sq mi
Total Area2.4 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries1
Healthcare Facilities20
Restaurants19
Retail Stores44

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)5
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute21.7 min
Work from Home2.8%

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