County · Texas
Bell County, Texas
Bell County, Texas. Bell County had 402,248 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 8.5% since 2020, in line with Texas (+8.8%). It holds 15 places (13 cities, villages and boroughs and 2 census-designated) and 87 census tracts. GEOID 48027.
Bell County is one of the 3 counties of the Killeen-Temple, TX metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
402,248
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 370,647 · ACS 2020-2024: 386,897
Median household income
$68,865
±$1,892 (90% margin)
Texas: $78,476
Median home value
$241,000
±$4,317 (90% margin)
Texas: $283,800
Median gross rent
$1,224
±$19 (90% margin)
Texas: $1,403
How many people live in Bell County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 370,647 residents in Bell County. The Census Bureau estimates 402,248 for July 1, 2025, up 8.5% since 2020, in line with Texas (+8.8%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 386,897 over 1,054 square miles of land.
| Measure | Bell County | Texas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 386,897 | 30,188,424 | +38,323 |
| Households | 142,305±954 | 10,992,816 | +19,616 |
| Average household size | 2.65±0.02 | 2.69 | −0.10 |
| Housing units | 155,018±180 | 12,128,515 | +15,040 |
Bell County's population since 2000
From 237,974 in 2000 to 402,248 in 2025: up 69.0%. 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 15 places: 13 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 2 census-designated places. The largest is Killeen with 161,883 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Killeen | 153,095 | $60,977 |
|---|---|---|
| Temple | 82,073 | $68,204 |
| Harker Heights | 33,097 | $81,190 |
| Belton | 23,054 | $59,130 |
| Fort Hood | 28,295 | $62,835 |
| Nolanville | 5,917 | $72,480 |
| Morgan's Point Resort | 4,636 | $79,450 |
| Salado | 2,394 | $107,679 |
| Troy | 2,375 | $86,311 |
| Little River-Academy | 1,992 | $75,563 |
| Rogers | 1,113 | $55,625 |
| Holland | 1,075 | $62,500 |
| PendletonGEOID 4856660 | 845 | $58,092 |
| Bartlett | 1,633 | $67,438 |
| Copperas Cove | 36,670 | $71,225 |
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 32.3 years old; 27.5% are under 18 and 11.9% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 42.4%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 26.3%. 8.6% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Bell County | Texas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 32.3±0.2 | 35.6 | +1.3 |
| Under 18 years | 27.5% | 25.0% | – |
| 65 years and over | 11.9%±0.1 pts | 13.4% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 26.3% | 39.7% | +1.5 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 42.4%±0.2 pts | 39.1% | −3.4 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 21.5%±0.4 pts | 11.9% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 2.9%±0.2 pts | 5.5% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.6%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 5.8%±0.5 pts | 3.1% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.1 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 8.6%±0.5 pts | 17.6% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 19.3%±0.7 pts | 35.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 18.5%±0.6 pts | 6.2% | – |
| With a disability | 15.2%±0.6 pts | 12.3% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 14.0%±0.7 pts | 17.1% | +1.9 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 90.8%±0.6 pts | 86.0% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 27.2%±1.0 pts | 33.8% | +2.0 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 9.0%±0.5 pts | 12.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 5.1%±0.6 pts | 2.0% | – |
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 142,305 households earn less than $68,865 a year (±$1,892), against $78,476 in Texas. In 2015-2019 it was $67,545 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 14.5% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Bell County | Texas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $68,865±$1,892 | $78,476 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $89,510±$2,116 | $109,933 | – |
| Per capita income | $34,279±$732 | $40,752 | +$1,448 |
| People below the poverty line | 14.5%±0.9 pts | 13.8% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 20.4%±2.2 pts | 18.7% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 13.0%±0.8 pts | 11.4% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 90.9%±0.8 pts | 91.4% | – |
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 56.5% of Bell County's occupied homes and renters 43.5%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $241,000 by its owner (±$4,317). The median renter pays $1,224 a month including utilities, and 41.1% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Bell County | Texas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $241,000±$4,317 | $283,800 | +$59,227 |
| Median gross rent | $1,224±$19 | $1,403 | +$83 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 41.1%±2.3 pts | 42.3% | +4.9 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,722±$32 | $2,106 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 56.5%±1.0 pts | 62.6% | +2.2 pts |
| Housing units | 155,018±180 | 12,128,515 | +15,040 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.4%±0.5 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 5.8%±0.9 pts | 7.7% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 64.7%±1.0 pts | 64.4% | – |
| Mobile homes | 6.0%±0.7 pts | 6.4% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 4.0%±0.4 pts | 4.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 1.9%±0.3 pts | 3.1% | – |
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 2,839 new housing units across Bell County in 2025 (2,170 single-family), 7.1 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?
75.8% of Bell County's workers drive alone and 9.4% work from home. The average trip to work takes 23.9 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 6.8%.
| Measure | Bell County | Texas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 65.3%±0.7 pts | 65.3% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 6.8%±0.7 pts | 5.3% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 75.8%±1.1 pts | 71.4% | – |
| Carpooled | 11.1%±1.0 pts | 10.0% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.3%±0.1 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Walked | 1.8%±0.3 pts | 1.5% | – |
| Worked from home | 9.4%±0.7 pts | 14.4% | +5.2 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 23.9 min±0.7 | 26.7 min | +2.7 min |
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 87 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $20,306 (Tract 235) to $120,696 (Tract 218.02).
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 Texas's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 15th of 253 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 51st of 254 |
| Residents per square mile | 20th of 254 |
| Median household income | 95th of 253 |
| Median home value | 52nd of 247 |
| Median gross rent | 36th of 245 |
| Poverty rate | 126th of 240 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 53rd of 252 |
| Median age | 228th of 254 |
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.