City profile · Tennessee · Census ACS 2023

Bells, TN

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Bells - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

2,531
Residents
$54,132
Median income
$164,000
Median home
$1,083
Median rent (state)

Bells - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Bells places in the 26th percentile for household income and the 84th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

26th
percentile, household income
32nd
percentile, home value
27th
percentile, median rent
84th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Bells, TN

Tennessee's Bells is a small town, with 2,531 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. Median household income here is $54,132 per year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 26.1%. Typical homes in Bells are valued around $164,000, and the median resident age is 33.1 years. 13.8% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 70.2% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Bells reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR figures show 524.2 crimes per 100,000 residents, below the national average (reporting is voluntary across agencies, so treat this as reporting activity rather than a definitive danger score).

Living costs in Tennessee run below the national norm: the state registers 91.9 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Well Below Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $1,083 per month. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Tennessee's average monthly utility costs around $218 (state average). Natural-hazard exposure scores 52.6 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Low).

Population

2,531 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Tennessee

Median Household Income

$54,132 /yr

Poverty 26.1%

Cost of Living Index (state)

91.9 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Tennessee average

How does Bells compare to other US cities?

Bells measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 26% higher than other cities
Home value 32% pricier than other cities
Median rent 27% pricier than other cities
Safety 84% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

A national percentile can hide a lot of local variation: narrowed to Tennessee alone, Bells ranks #16 of 174 Tennessee cities by lowest crime rate - a different, more locally useful comparison than stacking it against the entire country.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Bells against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Tennessee only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Tennessee-relative analysis

Poverty Rate is Bells's strongest outlier among Tennessee cities

Among the 482 Tennessee cities PlainCities tracks with reported poverty rate data, Bells ranks #47 - the 90th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Bells only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#252 of 458
45th percentile in Tennessee
Median Gross Rent
#226 of 482
52nd percentile in Tennessee
Median Home Value
#261 of 455
42nd percentile in Tennessee
Poverty Rate
#47 of 482
90th percentile in Tennessee
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#297 of 482
38th percentile in Tennessee

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Tennessee only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

26thIncome percentile
84thSafety percentile

26th percentile nationally for median household income · 84th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Bells's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Bells's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 60 Avg. percentile National median
Bells's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Bells's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$164,000 Among the most affordable more affordable than 68% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). This entry sits in this band. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Bells $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Bells, TN Bells, TN's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Bells, TN-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Bells, TN median $54,132/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Bells, TN's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Bells, TN. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 13.8%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 26.1%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 70.2%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
2,531
Median Income
$54,132
Median Home Value
$164,000
Median Age
33.1
Poverty Rate
26.1%
Labor force participation
70.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
13.8%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
524.2
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
161.3
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
362.9
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
1
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
2,450 residents2,460 residents2,470 residents2,480 residents2,490 residents 202020212022202320242025 2,465 residents 2,473 residents ▲ +0.3%
Bells's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
95.6%
Carpool
1.5%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
0.0%
Work from Home
2.8%

Based on 1,236 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Tennessee - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$120
avg/month
Natural Gas
$58
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$40
avg/month
Total Utilities
$218
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Tennessee state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Tennessee state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Bells sits in

Cost of Living Index
91.9
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,083/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
52.6 / 100
Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Tennessee

Strawberry Plains
2,531 people
White Pine
2,557 people
Maynardville
2,501 people
Mosheim
2,500 people
Alamo
2,565 people
Parsons
2,578 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Bells's 2,531 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Chauvin, LA
2,531 people
La Mesilla, NM
2,531 people
Warden, WA
2,531 people
Sterling Ranch, CO
2,530 people
Lake Belvedere Estates, FL
2,532 people
Richmond, IL
2,530 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Bells's $54,132 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Hollis Crossroads, AL
$54,135 median income
Waskom, TX
$54,135 median income
Milton, WV
$54,135 median income
Brandon, VT
$54,138 median income
Porter, MN
$54,125 median income
Tekamah, NE
$54,139 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Bells, TN Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Bells, TN - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 64.5% 19.0% 12.3% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 15.2% White 64.5% Black or African American 19.0% Asian 0.0% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 4.3% Two or more races 12.3% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Bells compares to nearby Tennessee cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Bells (this city) 2,531 $54,132
Strawberry Plains 2,531 $77,855
White Pine 2,557 $55,000
Maynardville 2,501 $47,102
Census ACS 5-year FIPS TN FBI UCR NCES CCD OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Bells, TN?

What is the population of Bells, TN? +

Bells, TN has a population of 2,531 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Bells, TN? +

Median annual household income in Bells runs $54,132, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Bells? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Bells; the closest available measure is the Tennessee state average, a cost of living index of 91.9 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Well Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Tennessee vary by metro area.

Is Bells, TN safe? +

Bells has a total crime rate of 524.2 per 100,000 residents, which is below the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Bells, TN? +

A typical home in Bells is worth $164,000, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.