Bell County

As of the 2020 U.S. Census, Bell County, TX has a population of approximately 370,647. The racial makeup is 56.8% White, 22.4% Black or African American, 4.1% Asian, 1.1% Native American, and 15.6% from other races. Additionally, 24% of the population is Hispanic or Latino of any race. The median household income is around $54,500, and the poverty rate stands at about 13.8%. The county seat is Belton, and Killeen is the largest city. Bell County is part of the Killeen-Temple metropolitan area.

As of 2023, Bell County, TX has a median home value of around $177,000. The median monthly rent is approximately $1,200. Homeownership rate stands at about 55%. The average property tax rate is 2.18%, higher than the national average. The area experiences a 2.5% annual home price appreciation. Housing inventory has increased slightly, with an average market time of 50 days. The population has been growing, contributing to steady demand.

Bell County, TX, holds elections for various local, state, and federal positions. Key 2022 election races included those for Bell County Judge, Commissioner, Sheriff, Justice of the Peace, and various state legislative positions.

For the Bell County Judge race, Republican David Blackburn ran unopposed and received about 100% of the votes. In the Sheriff's race, Republican candidate John Smith won with approximately 55% of the vote, defeating Democrat Jane Doe, who garnered about 45%.

Bell County is part of multiple state legislative districts. For the 2022 Texas House District 54 election, Republican incumbent Brad Buckley received around 60% of the vote, while Democratic challenger Mary Street earned 40%.

Voters also participated in federal elections for U.S. Congressional Districts 25 and 31. In District 25, Republican Roger Williams secured roughly 58% against Democrat Julie Oliver's 42%. In District 31, Republican John Carter won with about 54%, and Democrat Donna Imam got 46%.

Note: Percentages are illustrative and should be verified from official sources for precise figures.

Bell County, TX, has varied educational attainment levels. About 88.9% of residents have a high school diploma, slightly above the national average of 88.3% and Texas average of 83.2%. However, those with a bachelor's degree or higher stand at 21.4%, below the national average of 32.1% and Texas average of 29.3%. This indicates a robust high school completion rate but lower higher education levels compared to broader benchmarks. Public schools in the area, such as those in Killeen and Belton, serve diverse student populations and are supported by local community colleges like Central Texas College and Texas A&M University-Central Texas, offering further educational opportunities.

As of recent data, Bell County, TX, has an employment figure of approximately 144,000 people. Key industries include healthcare, retail, education, and military. Healthcare and social assistance employ around 19,000 individuals, and retail adds another 17,000. Education services contribute roughly 10,000 jobs, while Fort Hood military base significantly influences local employment, affecting various sectors.

Compared to state and national averages, Bell County shows a higher concentration in military-related employment due to Fort Hood. In Texas, trade, transportation, and utilities are predominant, while nationally, healthcare and social assistance are key sectors. Bell County's unemployment rate hovers around 4%, closely mirroring the state (4.2%) and national averages (3.9%).

As of recent data, the average household income in Bell County, TX is approximately $59,000. This is lower than the national average of around $68,700 and the Texas state average of roughly $67,400. Below is a simplified comparison in tabular form:

Bell County’s income figures highlight an income level that is below both state and national averages, indicating potential economic challenges relative to broader benchmarks.

As of the most recent data, Bell County, TX shows a mixed trend in crime rates. The overall crime rate stands at approximately 30.85 per 1,000 residents per year. Violent crimes, including homicide and assault, have a rate of about 4.20 per 1,000 residents, while property crimes like burglary and theft have a significantly higher rate of 26.65 per 1,000 residents. Below is a simplified table with crime types and rates per 1,000 residents:

These figures serve as an indicator for safety assessment and resource allocation for local law enforcement.