Bell Gardens, California Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates
The population of Bell Gardens, California is 38,661 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 221st-largest city in California. The median household income is $55,372, the median home value is $527,900, and the median age is 32.0.
The population has declined 10.7% since 2010 (42,056 → 37,565).
38,661
Population
15722
People / sq mi
$55,372
Median Income
$527,900
Median Home Value
Bell Gardens covers 2.5 sq mi of land at 15722 people per square mile.
About Bell Gardens, CA
Bell Gardens is a city in California with a population of 38,661. It ranks #221 among cities in California by population. The median age is 32.0, younger than the national median. The population is 50.3% male and 49.7% female.
The median household income in Bell Gardens is $55,372, below the US median of $74,580. 19.0% of residents live below the federal poverty level. Home values sit at a median of $527,900, with monthly rent averaging $1,658. The homeownership rate of 21.2% is lower than the national rate of 64.8%.
Educational attainment in Bell Gardens reflects 6.9% of adults 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 34.3%. Roughly 6.2% of workers primarily work from home, below the national work-from-home rate of 14.2%. The average commute is 28.4 minutes each way.
Bell Gardens city Population History (2010-2024)
The city of Bell Gardens city had a population of 42,056 in 2010 and 37,565 in 2024, a -10.7% growth over 14 years. The peak was 42,743 in 2015. Average annual growth rate: -0.79%.
37,565
Population (2024)
42,056
Population (2010)
42,743
Peak (2015)
-0.79%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 42,056 |
| 2011 | 42,211 |
| 2012 | 42,628 |
| 2013 | 42,706 |
| 2014 | 42,714 |
| 2015 | 42,743 |
| 2016 | 42,675 |
| 2017 | 42,489 |
| 2018 | 42,192 |
| 2019 | 42,012 |
| 2020 | 39,383 |
| 2021 | 38,550 |
| 2022 | 38,008 |
| 2023 | 37,688 |
| 2024 | 37,565 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 27.4% |
| Black or African American | 1.4% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 3.5% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Economy & Income
$55,372
Median Household Income
$18,596
Per Capita Income
19.0%
Poverty Rate
3.6%
Unemployment Rate
Housing
$527,900
Median Home Value
$1,658
Median Rent
21.2%
Owner-Occupied
Education
52.9%
High School+
6.9%
Bachelor's+
Commute
3.1%
Drive Alone
73.6%
Public Transit
6.2%
Work From Home
28.4 min
Avg Commute
Community Profile
1.4%
Foreign Born
10.3%
Non-English at Home
0.8%
Veterans
8.5%
With Disability
82.6%
Health Insurance
96.0%
Internet Access
Employment by Industry
| Manufacturing | 16.6% |
| Professional, Scientific & Management | 16.0% |
| Retail Trade | 11.2% |
| Education, Health Care & Social Services | 10.5% |
| Construction | 8.8% |
| Arts, Entertainment & Food Services | 8.1% |
| Finance, Insurance & Real Estate | 7.3% |
| Information | 2.9% |
| Public Administration | 1.9% |
| Transportation & Warehousing | 1.1% |
| Agriculture & Mining | 0.4% |
Largest cities in California
Largest counties in California
Part of California
Metro areas in California
City rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
Bell Gardens, California has a population of 38,661 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 221st-largest city in California.
The median household income in Bell Gardens, California is $55,372, with 19.0% of residents living below the federal poverty level.
The median home value in Bell Gardens, California is $527,900, with median monthly rent at $1,658 and a homeownership rate of 21.2%.
The median age in Bell Gardens, California is 32.0 years. The population is 50.3% male and 49.7% female.
The population has declined 10.7% since 2010 (42,056 → 37,565).
More from California
Population 3,857,897
Population 1,385,061
Population 990,054
Population 836,321
Population 543,615
Full rankings of California cities by population
Statewide data for California
Population, race, income, age, and trends across California
Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.