Bell County, Texas

Bell County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. It is part of the Killeen–Temple–Fort Hood Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of 2000, the population was 237,974 (however, 2006 estimates place the population at 264,960 according to the U.S. Census Bureau and the Texas Data Center). Its county seat is Belton. The center of population of Texas is located in Bell County, in the town of Holland Bell is named for Peter Hansborough Bell, the third governor of Texas.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,088 square miles (2,818 km²), of which, 1,060 square miles (2,745 km²) of it is land and 28 square miles (73 km²) of it (2.59%) is water.

Major highways

• Interstate 35
• U.S. Highway 190
• State Highway 36
• State Highway 53
• State Highway 95
• State Highway 195

Adjacent counties

• McLennan County (north)
• Falls County (northeast)
• Milam County (southeast)
• Williamson County (south)
• Burnet County (southwest)
• Lampasas County (west)
• Coryell County (northwest)

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 237,974 people, 85,507 households, and 61,992 families residing in the county. The population density was 225 people per square mile (87/km²). There were 92,782 housing units at an average density of 88 per square mile (34/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 63.41% White, 20.43% Black or African American, 0.72% Native American, 2.56% Asian, 0.48% Pacific Islander, 8.54% from other races, and 3.85% from two or more races. 16.68% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 13.3% were of German, 9.7% American, 6.7% Irish and 5.9% English ancestry according to Census 2000.

There were 85,507 households out of which 40.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.60% were married couples living together, 12.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.50% were non-families. 22.30% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.68 and the average family size was 3.14.

In the county, the population was spread out with 28.90% under the age of 18, 13.40% from 18 to 24, 31.90% from 25 to 44, 17.00% from 45 to 64, and 8.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 29 years. For every 100 females there were 100.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $36,872, and the median income for a family was $41,455. Males had a median income of $28,031 versus $22,364 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,219. About 9.70% of families and 12.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.30% of those under age 18 and 9.80% of those age 65 or over.

Cities and towns

• Bartlett
• Belton (County Seat)
• Copperas Cove
• Ding Dong
• Harker Heights
• Holland
• Killeen (largest city)
• Little River-Academy
• Morgan's Point Resort
• Nolanville
• Rogers
• Salado
• Temple (second largest city)
• Troy
• Fort Hood

Education

Bell County is served by several school districts:

• Academy Independent School District
• Bartlett Independent School District (partial)
• Belton Independent School District
• Bruceville-Eddy Independent School District (partial)
• Copperas Cove Independent School District (partial)
• Florence Independent School District (partial)
• Gatesville Independent School District (partial)
• Holland Independent School District (partial)
• Killeen Independent School District (partial)
• Lampasas Independent School District (partial)
• Moody Independent School District (partial)
• Rogers Independent School District (partial)
• Rosebud-Lott Independent School District (partial)
• Temple Independent School District
• Troy Independent School District

References

External links

• Bell County Home Page
• Bell County in Handbook of Texas Online at the University of Texas.
• Bell County Ex Confederate Association Ledger, From 1888 To 1920
• Historic Bell County materials, hosted by the Portal to Texas History.

----