County · Kentucky
Bell County, Kentucky
Bell County, Kentucky. Bell County had 22,829 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 5.3% since 2020, while Kentucky grew 2.2%. It holds 3 places (2 cities, villages and boroughs and 1 census-designated) and 9 census tracts. GEOID 21013.
Bell County is the county of the Middlesborough, KY micropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
22,829
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 24,097 · ACS 2020-2024: 23,509
Median household income
$31,354
±$3,340 (90% margin)
Kentucky: $63,726
Median home value
$89,000
±$6,214 (90% margin)
Kentucky: $205,600
Median gross rent
$592
±$70 (90% margin)
Kentucky: $967
How many people live in Bell County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 24,097 residents in Bell County. The Census Bureau estimates 22,829 for July 1, 2025, down 5.3% since 2020, while Kentucky grew 2.2%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 23,509 over 359 square miles of land.
| Measure | Bell County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 23,509 | 4,534,824 | −3,282 |
| Households | 9,939±280 | 1,814,469 | −685 |
| Average household size | 2.31±0.07 | 2.43 | −0.13 |
| Housing units | 11,631±24 | 2,023,116 | −1,604 |
Bell County's population since 2000
From 30,060 in 2000 to 22,829 in 2025: down 24.1%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Bell County?
Bell County holds 3 places: 2 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 1 census-designated place. The largest is Middlesborough with 8,776 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Middlesborough | 9,405 | $31,106 |
|---|---|---|
| Pineville | 1,678 | $24,547 |
| ArjayGEOID 2101972 | 183 | not published |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Bell County?
The median resident of Bell County is 41.7 years old; 21.9% are under 18 and 18.9% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 92.6%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 3.2%.
| Measure | Bell County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.7±0.9 | 39.1 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 21.9%±0.1 pts | 22.6% | – |
| 65 years and over | 18.9%±0.2 pts | 17.3% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 0.5%±0.4 pts | 5.0% | – |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 92.6%±0.3 pts | 81.5% | −1.6 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 3.0%±0.7 pts | 7.6% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.2 pts | 1.6% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.2 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.2%±0.7 pts | 3.9% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.3 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 0.4%±0.3 pts | 4.7% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 0.5%±0.3 pts | 6.8% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 3.9%±1.1 pts | 6.5% | – |
| With a disability | 25.3%±2.2 pts | 17.9% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 5.3%±1.8 pts | 6.0% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 79.9%±2.4 pts | 88.9% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 15.8%±2.6 pts | 27.6% | +6.6 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 6.2%±1.4 pts | 11.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.0%±0.6 pts | 2.4% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Bell County earn?
Half of Bell County's 9,939 households earn less than $31,354 a year (±$3,340), against $63,726 in Kentucky. In 2015-2019 it was $32,333 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 28.8% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Bell County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $31,354±$3,340 | $63,726 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $49,259±$4,183 | $87,807 | – |
| Per capita income | $21,704±$1,673 | $35,821 | +$2,627 |
| People below the poverty line | 28.8%±3.4 pts | 16.1% | −6.7 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 31.0%±7.6 pts | 20.3% | −15.7 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 24.5%±3.2 pts | 13.2% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 79.3%±3.6 pts | 88.6% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Bell County?
Owners occupy 58.8% of Bell County's occupied homes and renters 41.2%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $89,000 by its owner (±$6,214). The median renter pays $592 a month including utilities, and 42.9% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Bell County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $89,000±$6,214 | $205,600 | +$15,405 |
| Median gross rent | $592±$70 | $967 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 42.9%±7.3 pts | 36.6% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,110±$120 | $1,433 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 58.8%±3.3 pts | 68.3% | −7.2 pts |
| Housing units | 11,631±24 | 2,023,116 | −1,604 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.7%±1.2 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 4.3%±2.6 pts | 4.6% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 58.4%±3.9 pts | 67.5% | – |
| Mobile homes | 24.7%±3.6 pts | 10.7% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.8%±0.7 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 7.2%±1.7 pts | 9.0% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Bell County building?
Builders took permits for 41 new housing units across Bell County in 2025 (41 single-family), 1.8 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Bell County get to work?
72.3% of Bell County's workers drive alone and 4.4% work from home. The average trip to work takes 22.7 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 10.1%.
| Measure | Bell County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 42.4%±2.4 pts | 59.7% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 10.1%±3.5 pts | 4.9% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 72.3%±5.0 pts | 76.6% | – |
| Carpooled | 16.7%±3.8 pts | 9.3% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.3%±0.4 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Walked | 5.6%±2.9 pts | 2.0% | – |
| Worked from home | 4.4%±1.8 pts | 10.2% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 22.7 min±2.2 | 24.0 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What are Bell County's census tracts?
Bell County is divided into 9 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $21,875 (Tract 9605) to $63,594 (Tract 9603).
| Tract 960121013960100 | 1,780±441 | $44,688 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 960221013960200 | 3,706±469 | $31,340 |
| Tract 960321013960300 | 2,063±488 | $63,594 |
| Tract 960421013960400 | 1,706±345 | $30,110 |
| Tract 960521013960500 | 1,752±309 | $21,875 |
| Tract 960621013960600 | 3,943±514 | $22,632 |
| Tract 960721013960700 | 2,900±422 | $49,883 |
| Tract 960821013960800 | 2,954±479 | $25,137 |
| Tract 961121013961100 | 2,705±373 | $34,900 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Bell County compare with Kentucky's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 50th of 120 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 112th of 120 |
| Residents per square mile | 54th of 120 |
| Median household income | 118th of 120 |
| Median home value | 108th of 120 |
| Median gross rent | 109th of 120 |
| Poverty rate | 10th of 120 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 72nd of 120 |
| Median age | 57th of 120 |
Source: PlainCities ranks from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Bell County are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.