Where does this demographic data come from?

All demographic data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, which samples about 3.5 million households annually. The 5-year estimates provide the most reliable data for small geographies like municipalities.

What is the difference between Census data and ACS data?

The decennial Census (conducted every 10 years) is a full population count focusing on basic demographics. The ACS is an ongoing survey that collects detailed data on income, education, housing, commute patterns, and more. ACS data is updated annually but represents averages over a 5-year period.

How accurate is this data for small towns?

For smaller municipalities, ACS estimates have wider margins of error because fewer residents are sampled. The 5-year estimates reduce this uncertainty by averaging over a longer period. For towns under 5,000 people, treat specific numbers as approximations rather than precise counts.

Bell Gardens, CA Population, Income & Demographics 2026

MyTownView

Showing latest census year. Full demographic history available with a paid plan. View plans →

Demographics — 2024 ACS 5-Year Estimatesi

Census

Populationi

38,229

Median Agei

32.3

Race & Ethnicityi

Hispanic/Latino

97.1%37,135

White

1.4%531

Black

0.6%212

Asian

0.6%212

Two or More

0.2%92

Other

0.1%29

Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander

0%18

Educational Attainment (Age 25+)i

GED/Alternative

1.4%328

High School Diploma

25.7%6,059

Some College (<1 yr)

2.9%676

Some College (1+ yr)

11.1%2,611

Associate's Degree

4.2%995

Bachelor's Degree

5.6%1,327

Master's Degree

1.4%331

Professional Degree

0%7

HS or Higher

52.4%

BA or Higher

7.1%

Graduate+

1.4%

Housingi

Median Home Valuei

$563,900

Median Renti

$1,694

Tenure

Owner-Occupied

21.2%2,060

Renter-Occupied

78.8%7,653

Total Units

9,983

Homeownership

21.2%

Vacancy Rate

2.7%

Home Values

Under $50K

10.4%215

$50K–$100K

3.7%76

$100K–$150K

6.8%141

$200K–$300K

3.9%80

$300K–$500K

14.9%306

$500K–$1M

55.6%1,146

$1M+

4.7%96

Rent Distribution

Under $500

325

$500–$750

$750–$1,000

409

$1,000–$1,250

819

$1,250–$1,500

1,122

$1,500–$2,000

2,619

$2,000+

2,156

Year Built

2020 or later

0.2%20

2010–2019

5.1%511

2000–2009

6.8%683

1990–1999

7.6%759

1980–1989

9.9%991

1970–1979

9%895

1960–1969

10.8%1,078

1950–1959

21.2%2,115

1940–1949

22.2%2,218

1939 or earlier

7.1%713

Heating Fuel

Utility Gas

38.9%3,780

No Fuel

32.2%3,126

Electricity

27.3%2,652

Bottled/LP Gas

1.3%123

Wood

0.2%18

Fuel Oil

0.1%5

Solar

0.1%5

Other

0%4

Economyi

Median Household Incomei

$62,298

Mean Household Incomei

$76,374

Per Capita Incomei

$20,361

Poverty Ratei

19.8%

Unemploymenti

5.9%

Labor Forcei

17,546

Household Income Distribution

Under $10K

4.7%461

$10K–$15K

5%484

$15K–$20K

3.3%325

$20K–$25K

4.3%419

$25K–$30K

4.2%409

$30K–$35K

4.7%461

$35K–$40K

4.4%432

$40K–$45K

5.7%556

$45K–$50K

4%391

$50K–$60K

6.8%662

$60K–$75K

11.8%1,146

$75K–$100K

14.5%1,408

$100K–$125K

10.6%1,030

$125K–$150K

4%392

$150K–$200K

6.9%673

$200K+

4.8%464

Federally Subsidized Housingi

HUD

The federal government helps low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities afford housing through several programs. Residents typically pay about 30% of their income toward rent, with the government covering the rest. This data shows how many households in this community receive that assistance.

Subsidized Homesi

400

Residentsi

672

Avg. Tenant Renti

$601/mo

Avg. Waitlisti

44 months

Programs in this community

Housing Choice Vouchers258 homes90% occupied$708/mo rent

Rental vouchers (Section 8) that help tenants pay for private-market housing

Project Based Section 8142 homes99% occupied$407/mo rent

Privately owned apartments with rent subsidies tied to the building

Household Incomei

Based on area median of $62,298/yr

Extremely low incomeUnder $19K/yr

86.4%

Very low income$19K–$31K/yr

11.7%

Low income$31K–$50K/yr

1.9%

Who Receives This Housing

78.9% of subsidized households are headed by a single mother

97% of subsidized households are minority

21.9% of subsidized households include someone with a disability

70.9% of subsidized households include a senior (62+)

Ancestry & Heritage

Self-reported ancestry groups. Residents may report multiple ancestries, so totals may exceed 100%.

Foreign-Born Populationi

Foreign-Borni

15,84741.5%

By Region

Top Countries

Mexico

12,214

Guatemala

607

Philippines

Korea

India

China

Commute & Transportationi

Workersi

16,086

Avg. Commutei

27.9 min

How People Get to Work

Travel Time to Work

Workforce

Total Employed

16,511

Occupations

Industries

Social Characteristicsi

Marital Status (15+)i

Veteransi

240(0.9% of civilian adults)

Health Insurancei

83.6%Insured

16.4%Uninsured

Bell Gardens, CA Population, Income & Demographics 2026