Population 38,262 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Bell Gardens
Household size in Bell Gardens
| Period | Bell Gardens | Los Angeles area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 4.21 | 3.14 | 3.04 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 4.37 | 3.20 | 3.10 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 4.27 | 3.16 | 3.09 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 3.92 | 3.01 | 3.01 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.29 | −0.13 | −0.03 | −0.03 |
Households in Bell Gardens are large by national standards, averaging 3.92 people against 2.65 for the U.S. That usually means more families with children at home. Since 2006–10, household size has dropped from 4.21, a much bigger shift than nationally. Of the 689 California cities with 5,000+ people, only 30 have larger households.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Bell Gardens
| Period | Bell Gardens | Los Angeles area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 27.4 | 35.6 | 35.8 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 28.0 | 36.7 | 36.8 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 29.6 | 38.0 | 37.9 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 32.7 | 39.5 | 39.0 | 40.1 |
| Change | +5.2 | +4.0 | +3.1 | +2.3 |
With a median age of just 32.7, Bell Gardens is far younger than the country as a whole (40.1), a population that tilts toward young families with children. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 27.4, in line with the national trend. Of the 689 California cities with 5,000+ people, only 65 are younger.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Bell Gardens
| Period | Bell Gardens | Los Angeles area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 22.0% | 14.3% | 13.5% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 24.6% | 14.1% | 13.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 27.3% | 12.5% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 27.0% | 12.3% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| Change | +5.0 pts | −2.0 pts | −1.2 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head more than a quarter of households in Bell Gardens (27.0%), well above the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share has risen 5.0 points since 2006–10, even as the national share fell. Only 12 of the 689 California cities with 5,000+ people have a higher share of single-parent households.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Bell Gardens
Renters in Bell Gardens
| Period | Bell Gardens | Los Angeles area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 75.0% | 48.8% | 42.6% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 77.2% | 50.8% | 45.2% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 78.6% | 51.4% | 45.2% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 78.8% | 51.6% | 44.1% | 34.8% |
| Change | +3.8 pts | +2.8 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Renters far outnumber owners in Bell Gardens: 78.8% of households rent their homes, against 34.8% nationally. Among homeowners, 47.7% have no mortgage at all, above the national share of 39.8%. The renter share has risen 3.8 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country. Of the 689 California cities with 5,000+ people, only four have a higher share of renters.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Bell Gardens
| Period | Bell Gardens | Los Angeles area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 4.8% | 7.0% | 8.7% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 4.9% | 6.7% | 8.1% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 2.6% | 6.6% | 7.5% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 3.6% | 6.7% | 7.3% | 9.6% |
| Change | −1.2 pts | −0.3 pts | −1.4 pts | −1.8 pts |
Empty homes are scarce in Bell Gardens: just 3.6% sit vacant, compared with 9.6% nationally, a sign of a tight housing market. Vacancy has edged down 1.2 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally. Of the 689 California cities with 5,000+ people, only 42 have a lower vacancy rate.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Bell Gardens
| Period | Bell Gardens | Los Angeles area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1966 | 1965 | 1972 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1961 | 1966 | 1973 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1961 | 1966 | 1974 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1962 | 1969 | 1976 | 1980 |
| Change | −3 | +4 | +4 | +6 |
The housing in Bell Gardens is old by national standards: the median home dates to 1962, against 1980 for the U.S., so buyers will find more older houses, some of them due for updates. Newer construction is concentrated in the southwest, while the northwest has the oldest housing. Bell Gardens has older homes than the great majority of California cities.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Bell Gardens
| Period | Bell Gardens | Los Angeles area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $992 | $1,328 | $1,298 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,109 | $1,415 | $1,379 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,255 | $1,755 | $1,721 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,701 | $2,279 | $2,229 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$709 | +$951 | +$931 | +$606 |
Rent in Bell Gardens runs $1,701 a month at the median, utilities included, above the U.S. median of $1,571. Even so, rents here are lower than in the Los Angeles area as a whole ($2,279). Rent has climbed $709 a month since 2006–10, up 71%, faster than rents rose nationally. The typical renter here spends 34.6% of household income on rent, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Bell Gardens
Bachelor's degrees in Bell Gardens
| Period | Bell Gardens | Los Angeles area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 5.0% | 29.7% | 29.1% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 4.7% | 30.7% | 30.1% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 5.6% | 33.7% | 32.9% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 6.7% | 37.6% | 36.3% | 35.6% |
| Change | +1.8 pts | +7.9 pts | +7.1 pts | +7.2 pts |
Fewer adults in Bell Gardens have a four-year degree than in the country as a whole: 6.7%, against 35.6% nationally. The share with a degree has risen 1.8 points since 2006–10, a smaller shift than nationally. Of the 689 California cities with 5,000+ people, only 20 have a lower share of college graduates.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Bell Gardens
| Period | Bell Gardens | Los Angeles area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 42.1% | 76.7% | 79.9% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 42.3% | 77.7% | 80.7% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 49.5% | 80.0% | 82.6% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 52.6% | 82.1% | 84.2% | 89.3% |
| Change | +10.4 pts | +5.4 pts | +4.3 pts | +4.3 pts |
Nearly half of adults in Bell Gardens never finished high school, well above the national share: only 52.6% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% nationally. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 10.4 points, in line with the national trend. Of the 689 California cities with 5,000+ people, only 19 have a lower share of high school graduates.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Bell Gardens
| Period | Bell Gardens | Los Angeles area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.1% | 8.5% | 9.2% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 12.9% | 10.6% | 11.3% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 7.5% | 5.8% | 6.3% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 5.4% | 6.7% | 6.6% | 5.4% |
| Change | −2.7 pts | −1.7 pts | −2.6 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Bell Gardens is the same as the national rate: 5.4% of the labor force. The rate is lower than in the Los Angeles area overall (6.7%). Unemployment has fallen 2.7 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Bell Gardens compared with nearby cities
| City | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bell Gardens | 3.92 | 32.7 | 27.0% | 78.8% | 3.6% | 1962 | $1,701 | 6.7% | 52.6% | 5.4% |
| Cudahy | 3.91 | 31.1 | 30.9% | 85.7% | 4.2% | 1967 | $1,688 | 5.9% | 57.7% | 9.7% |
| Bell | 3.51 | 34.0 | 23.8% | 73.3% | 3.9% | 1956 | $1,617 | 9.1% | 57.8% | 7.2% |
| Commerce | 3.71 | 38.3 | 11.8% | 45.8% | 3.1% | 1961 | $1,577 | 11.0% | 62.3% | 4.3% |
| Maywood | 3.69 | 35.1 | 22.4% | 69.5% | 2.7% | 1952 | $1,536 | 7.7% | 50.5% | 7.6% |
| Downey | 3.21 | 38.9 | 16.8% | 48.9% | 4.5% | 1961 | $2,036 | 26.4% | 81.0% | 5.7% |
| South Gate | 3.69 | 36.3 | 18.1% | 54.6% | 3.3% | 1953 | $1,615 | 11.2% | 59.5% | 7.5% |
| Vernon | 3.25 | 35.4 | 26.5% | 90.2% | 3.8% | 2012 | $1,439 | 18.1% | 76.0% | 8.4% |
| Huntington Park | 3.76 | 35.5 | 23.3% | 70.4% | 4.5% | 1953 | $1,545 | 8.6% | 53.5% | 8.9% |
| Lynwood | 4.17 | 34.3 | 24.4% | 52.4% | 4.4% | 1954 | $1,658 | 10.6% | 59.8% | 9.5% |
| Montebello | 3.15 | 40.5 | 17.2% | 54.4% | 4.8% | 1962 | $1,860 | 22.1% | 74.1% | 7.0% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Long Beach, NY · Villa Rica, GA · Braintree Town, MA · Calexico, CA · Hilton Head Island, SC · East Point, GA · Port Huron, MI · Peachtree City, GA · Fort Washington, MD · Hanover Park, IL
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Bell Gardens. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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