Data / Bell County / Profile

Bell County in figures

A profile of Bell County from official statistics: 24 figures in 6 sections, each with its period, its change from a year earlier, its rank among similar places where a ranking exists, and its source.

Figures last updated on 2026-10-12.

People

Population in Bell County was 22,829 in 2025, down 0.8% from 2024, and the 51st highest of 120 counties in Kentucky.

Population22,8292025Down 0.8% from 2024The 51st highest of 120 counties in Kentucky
Median age41.7 years2024Up 0.5 years from 2023Tied for the 57th highest of 120 counties in Kentucky
Population aged 65 and over19.8%2025Up 0.2 percentage points from 2024The 47th lowest of 120 counties in Kentucky
Foreign-born population share0.4%2024Up 0.1 percentage points from 2023
Population density24.6 inhabitants per km²2025Down 0.8% from 2024
Net domestic migration, July to June432025, estimatedCompared with -37 in 2024
22.8K23K23.3K23.5K23.8K24K2020202120222023202420252020: 23,981 persons2021: 23,799 persons2022: 23,527 persons2023: 23,260 persons2024: 23,005 persons2025: 22,829 persons
Population, 2020 to 2025. persons. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Annual estimates of the resident population for the United States, states and counties, 1 July (Population Estimates Program).

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, Annual estimates of the resident population for the United States, states and counties, 1 July (Population Estimates Program); U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, table B01002: median age, total population; U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, county population by age and sex (cc-est agesex): residents aged 65 and over as a percentage of the total, 1 July; states and the nation summed from counties; U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, table B05002: foreign-born population as a percentage of the total population, calculated with stored inputs; U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program resident population on 1 July divided by land area from the latest Census Gazetteer files, persons per km²; U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program: net domestic migration, states and counties, July 1 of the previous year to June 30 of the reported year; vintage 2020 files for 2011 to 2020 and the latest 2020s vintage from 2021. Population and demography statistics and rankings

Work and income

Unemployment rate in Bell County was 5.3% (provisional) in August 2026, down 0.7 percentage points from August 2025, and the 21st highest of 120 counties in Kentucky.

Unemployment rate5.3%August 2026, provisionalDown 0.7 percentage points from August 2025The 21st highest of 120 counties in Kentucky
Median household income$31,3542024Down 3.2% from 2023The 3rd lowest of 120 counties in Kentucky
Per capita personal income$45,7282024Up 6.7% from 2023The 38th lowest of 120 counties in Kentucky
Poverty rate (US official measure)31.8%2024Up 2.9 percentage points from 2023
Gini index512024Up 1.6 points from 2023
456782021-072022-042023-012023-102024-072025-042026-082021-07: 6.8 %2021-08: 5.7 %2021-09: 5.6 %2021-10: 5.2 %2021-11: 4.6 %2021-12: 4.7 %2022-01: 5.7 %2022-02: 5.8 %2022-03: 5.7 %2022-04: 4.6 %2022-05: 4.9 %2022-06: 6.2 %2022-07: 6.1 %2022-08: 5.5 %2022-09: 5.1 %2022-10: 5.3 %2022-11: 5 %2022-12: 5.1 %2023-01: 5.9 %2023-02: 6.4 %2023-03: 6.2 %2023-04: 5 %2023-05: 5.6 %2023-06: 6.4 %2023-07: 6.7 %2023-08: 6 %2023-09: 5.9 %2023-10: 5.7 %2023-11: 5.7 %2023-12: 5.8 %2024-01: 6.7 %2024-02: 7 %2024-03: 6.8 %2024-04: 5.6 %2024-05: 6 %2024-06: 7.1 %2024-07: 7.2 %2024-08: 6.6 %2024-09: 6.2 %2024-10: 6 %2024-11: 6.2 %2024-12: 6 %2025-01: 7 %2025-02: 6.9 %2025-03: 6.9 %2025-04: 5.6 %2025-05: 6 %2025-06: 6.9 %2025-07: 7.1 %2025-08: 6 %2025-09: 6.2 %2025-11: 5.3 %2025-12: 4.8 %2026-01: 5.8 %2026-02: 6.1 %2026-03: 6 %2026-04: 5.4 %2026-05: 6.1 %2026-06: 7.2 %2026-07: 6.4 %2026-08: 5.3 %
Unemployment rate, July 2021 to August 2026. %. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics: unemployment rate by county, not seasonally adjusted.

Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics: unemployment rate by county, not seasonally adjusted; U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, table B19013: median household income in the past 12 months; U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, CAINC1: county annual personal income summary, per capita personal income, current dollars, individual counties and county equivalents; U.S. Census Bureau, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates (SAIPE): percent of people of all ages in poverty, states and counties; U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, table B19083: Gini index of household income inequality (coefficient multiplied by 100). Labor market statistics and rankings

Economy

GDP (US dollars) in Bell County was $997.43 million in 2024, up 1.6% from 2023, and the 51st highest of 120 counties in Kentucky.

Gross domestic product (GDP), US dollars$997.43 million2024Up 1.6% from 2023The 51st highest of 120 counties in Kentucky
GDP per capita, US dollars$43,2702024Up 2.3% from 2023The 55th highest of 120 counties in Kentucky
Real GDP growth0%2024Down 5.9 percentage points from 2023Tied for the 26th lowest of 120 counties in Kentucky
5006007008009001,00020012005200920132017202120242001: 542.3 USD million2002: 551.8 USD million2003: 565.9 USD million2004: 562.6 USD million2005: 586.2 USD million2006: 639 USD million2007: 690.2 USD million2008: 699.2 USD million2009: 702.5 USD million2010: 724.3 USD million2011: 709.2 USD million2012: 744 USD million2013: 744.2 USD million2014: 736.7 USD million2015: 737.7 USD million2016: 743.1 USD million2017: 771.6 USD million2018: 751.4 USD million2019: 782.5 USD million2020: 755.3 USD million2021: 824.4 USD million2022: 877.4 USD million2023: 981.7 USD million2024: 997.4 USD million
Gross domestic product (GDP), US dollars, 2001 to 2024. USD million. Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, CAGDP1: county GDP summary, current-dollar GDP (published in thousands of dollars, shown in millions).

Sources: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, CAGDP1: county GDP summary, current-dollar GDP (published in thousands of dollars, shown in millions); Invokely, GDP in current dollars (BEA SAGDP2 and CAGDP1) divided by mid-year population (BEA SAINC1 and CAINC1); U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, CAGDP11: annual percent change in real GDP, all industry total, individual counties and county equivalents. Economy statistics and rankings

Prices and housing

Median home value in Bell County was $89,000 in 2024, up 7.2% from 2023, and tied for the 12th lowest of 120 counties in Kentucky.

Median home value$89,0002024Up 7.2% from 2023Tied for the 12th lowest of 120 counties in Kentucky
County house price annual change, sales and refinances8.48%2025Down 5.39 percentage points from 2024The 33rd lowest of 102 counties in Kentucky in 2022
Median gross rent (monthly)$5922024Down 4.1% from 2023The 12th lowest of 120 counties in Kentucky
Homeownership rate (US, housing units)58.8%2024Down 2.2 percentage points from 2023
Housing units authorized by building permits412025, estimatedDown 6.8% from 2024
65K70K75K80K85K90K20212022202320242021: 67,800 USD2022: 76,700 USD2023: 83,000 USD2024: 89,000 USD
Median home value, 2021 to 2024. USD. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, table B25077: median value (dollars), owner-occupied housing units.

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, table B25077: median value (dollars), owner-occupied housing units; Federal Housing Finance Agency, FHFA developmental all-transactions county house prices, published annual percent change, nominal, not seasonally adjusted; U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, table B25064: median gross rent (dollars), renter-occupied housing units paying cash rent; U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, table B25003: owner-occupied housing units as a percentage of occupied housing units, calculated with stored inputs; U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey: final annual county estimates of new privately owned housing units authorized, including imputation. Housing statistics and rankings

Business and tourism

Employer firms in Bell County were 360 in 2023, up 0.8% from 2022, and the 43rd highest of 120 counties in Kentucky.

Employer firms3602023Up 0.8% from 2022The 43rd highest of 120 counties in Kentucky
Farms772022No 2021 figure to compareThe 9th lowest of 120 counties in Kentucky
35040045050055019992003200720112015201920231999: 529 count2000: 535 count2001: 509 count2002: 522 count2003: 488 count2004: 503 count2005: 483 count2006: 491 count2007: 495 count2008: 481 count2009: 475 count2010: 459 count2011: 448 count2012: 444 count2013: 440 count2014: 404 count2015: 406 count2016: 393 count2017: 385 count2018: 373 count2019: 372 count2020: 368 count2021: 369 count2022: 357 count2023: 360 count
Employer firms, 1999 to 2023. count. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Business Dynamics Statistics: employer firms, all covered industries, nation, states and counties.

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, Business Dynamics Statistics: employer firms, all covered industries, nation, states and counties; U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Agricultural Statistics Service, Census of Agriculture: number of farms, nation, states and counties (1997 to 2022). Companies statistics and rankings

Energy and environment

Median Air Quality Index (US EPA) in Bell County was 42 in 2025, down 2 points from 2024, and tied for the 8th highest of 36 counties in Kentucky in 2004.

Median Air Quality Index (US EPA)422025Down 2 points from 2024Tied for the 8th highest of 36 counties in Kentucky in 2004
Share of days with good air quality (US EPA AQI)67%2025Up 0.2 percentage points from 2024The 18th lowest of 36 counties in Kentucky in 2004
Average annual temperature56 °F2025Down 1.3 °F from 2024Tied for the 33rd lowest of 120 counties in Kentucky
304050607020012005200920132017202120252001: 45 index2002: 50 index2003: 46 index2004: 44 index2005: 49 index2006: 46 index2007: 64 index2008: 50 index2009: 43 index2010: 48 index2011: 44 index2012: 47 index2013: 40 index2014: 42 index2015: 39 index2016: 39 index2017: 40 index2018: 39 index2019: 40 index2020: 34 index2021: 52 index2022: 48 index2023: 49 index2024: 44 index2025: 42 index
Median Air Quality Index (US EPA), 2001 to 2025. index. Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA AirData annual AQI by county: median daily AQI.

Sources: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA AirData annual AQI by county: median daily AQI; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA AirData annual AQI by county: good days as a share of days with an AQI, calculated with stored counts; NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, NOAA Climate at a Glance, January to December average temperature, counties. Environment and emissions statistics and rankings

Sources and citations

Each figure comes from the table cited here. Cite the publisher; these citations include any notice the publisher requires.

  1. U.S. Census Bureau. Annual estimates of the resident population for the United States, states and counties, 1 July (Population Estimates Program). https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/datasets/2020-2025/. Retrieved 2026-10-08.
  2. U.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey 5-year estimates, table B01002: median age, total population. https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs/summary_file/2024/table-based-SF/data/5YRData/acsdt5y2024-b01002.dat. Retrieved 2026-10-08.
  3. U.S. Census Bureau. Population Estimates Program, county population by age and sex (cc-est agesex): residents aged 65 and over as a percentage of the total, 1 July; states and the nation summed from counties. https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/datasets/2020-2025/counties/asrh/cc-est2025-agesex-all.csv. Retrieved 2026-10-09.
  4. U.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey 5-year estimates, table B05002: foreign-born population as a percentage of the total population, calculated with stored inputs. https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs/summary_file/2024/table-based-SF/data/5YRData/acsdt5y2024-b05002.dat. Retrieved 2026-10-09.
  5. U.S. Census Bureau. Population Estimates Program resident population on 1 July divided by land area from the latest Census Gazetteer files, persons per km². https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/datasets/2020-2025/. Retrieved 2026-10-09.
  6. U.S. Census Bureau. Population Estimates Program: net domestic migration, states and counties, July 1 of the previous year to June 30 of the reported year; vintage 2020 files for 2011 to 2020 and the latest 2020s vintage from 2021. https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/data/data-sets.html. Retrieved 2026-10-12.
  7. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Local Area Unemployment Statistics: unemployment rate by county, not seasonally adjusted. https://download.bls.gov/pub/time.series/la/la.data.0.CurrentU25-29. Retrieved 2026-10-08.
  8. U.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey 5-year estimates, table B19013: median household income in the past 12 months. https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs/summary_file/2024/table-based-SF/data/5YRData/acsdt5y2024-b19013.dat. Retrieved 2026-10-08.
  9. U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. CAINC1: county annual personal income summary, per capita personal income, current dollars, individual counties and county equivalents. https://apps.bea.gov/regional/zip/CAINC1.zip. Retrieved 2026-10-11.
  10. U.S. Census Bureau. Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates (SAIPE): percent of people of all ages in poverty, states and counties. https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/saipe/datasets/2024/2024-state-and-county/est24all.txt. Retrieved 2026-10-08.
  11. U.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey 5-year estimates, table B19083: Gini index of household income inequality (coefficient multiplied by 100). https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs/summary_file/2024/table-based-SF/data/5YRData/acsdt5y2024-b19083.dat. Retrieved 2026-10-10.
  12. U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. CAGDP1: county GDP summary, current-dollar GDP (published in thousands of dollars, shown in millions). https://apps.bea.gov/regional/zip/CAGDP1.zip. Retrieved 2026-10-08.
  13. Invokely calculation from GDP in current dollars (BEA SAGDP2 and CAGDP1) divided by mid-year population (BEA SAINC1 and CAINC1). https://invokely.ai/docs/methodology#gdp_per_capita_usd. Retrieved 2026-10-09.
  14. U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. CAGDP11: annual percent change in real GDP, all industry total, individual counties and county equivalents. https://apps.bea.gov/regional/zip/CAGDP11.zip. Retrieved 2026-10-08.
  15. U.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey 5-year estimates, table B25077: median value (dollars), owner-occupied housing units. https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs/summary_file/2024/table-based-SF/data/5YRData/acsdt5y2024-b25077.dat. Retrieved 2026-10-09.
  16. Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA). FHFA developmental all-transactions county house prices, published annual percent change, nominal, not seasonally adjusted. https://www.fhfa.gov/hpi/download/annual/hpi_at_county.xlsx. Retrieved 2026-10-10.
  17. U.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey 5-year estimates, table B25064: median gross rent (dollars), renter-occupied housing units paying cash rent. https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs/summary_file/2024/table-based-SF/data/5YRData/acsdt5y2024-b25064.dat. Retrieved 2026-10-09.
  18. U.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey 5-year estimates, table B25003: owner-occupied housing units as a percentage of occupied housing units, calculated with stored inputs. https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs/summary_file/2024/table-based-SF/data/5YRData/acsdt5y2024-b25003.dat. Retrieved 2026-10-09.
  19. U.S. Census Bureau. Building Permits Survey: final annual county estimates of new privately owned housing units authorized, including imputation. https://www2.census.gov/econ/bps/County/co2025a.txt. Retrieved 2026-10-10.
  20. U.S. Census Bureau. Business Dynamics Statistics: employer firms, all covered industries, nation, states and counties. https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/bds/tables/time-series/2023/bds2023_st_cty.csv. Retrieved 2026-10-11.
  21. Source: USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, Census of Agriculture. Census of Agriculture: number of farms, nation, states and counties (1997 to 2022). Retrieved through Data Commons (datacommons.org). https://www.nass.usda.gov/AgCensus/. Retrieved 2026-10-11. Retrieved through Data Commons (https://datacommons.org).
  22. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Air Quality System, AirData. EPA AirData annual AQI by county: median daily AQI. https://aqs.epa.gov/aqsweb/airdata/download_files.html#Annual. Retrieved 2026-10-12.
  23. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Air Quality System, AirData. EPA AirData annual AQI by county: good days as a share of days with an AQI, calculated with stored counts. https://aqs.epa.gov/aqsweb/airdata/download_files.html#Annual. Retrieved 2026-10-12.
  24. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Climate at a Glance. NOAA Climate at a Glance, January to December average temperature, counties. From the NOAA Monthly U.S. Climate Divisional Database (nClimDiv), doi:10.7289/V5M32STR. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/climate-at-a-glance/county/mapping. Retrieved 2026-10-12.

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