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Bell County, KY
3 cities and towns and 11 ZIP codes in Bell County, Kentucky.
Population
23,509
Land area
359sq mi
People per sq mi
65
ZIP codes
11
Cities and towns in Bell County
Bell County at a glance
- Bell County is 43% less dense than Kentucky as a whole.
- Households here earn a median of $31,354 a year, 51% less than the Kentucky figure of $63,726.
- A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $89,000 (57% below Kentucky) and median rent is $592 a month.
- The biggest population centers are Middlesborough (9,123), Pineville (2,064) and Arjay (56).
Local data for Bell County, KY
Counts from official public data
Housing and community stats
Bell County, KY, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Median household income
$31,354
Poverty rate
28.8%
Median home value
$89,000
Prices +8.5% in a year
Median rent
$592/mo
Homeownership
58.8%
Bachelor's or higher
15.8%
Median age
41.7
Average commute
22.7 min
Largest reported origins and ancestries: Irish Americans (2,336), German Americans (1,782), Italian Americans (374).
Economy and federal money
Jobs, income, federal spending and pandemic loans
Unemployment rate
5.3%
Aug 2026, -0.7 pts in a year
Average annual pay
$43,896
8,318 jobs, 2025
Income per person
$45,728
BEA, 2024
Federal spending
$159M
FY 2026, $6,614 per person
PPP loans
$26.8M
391 loans, 4,657 jobs reported
Campaign donations
$25.8K
Itemized, 2026 cycle
How people get to work
Bell County, KY, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- Drove alone72.3%
- Carpooled16.7%
- Public transit0.3%
- Walked5.6%
- Bicycle0.3%
- Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other0.5%
- Worked from home4.4%
Average one-way commute: 22.7 minutes for people who do not work from home.
Environment and hazard risk
Bell County, KY, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Low
Top: landslide
Storm events since 1996
505
Most often thunderstorm wind
Flood insurance policies
171
1.7% of homes, county
July high / Jan low
87° / 25°F
53.8 inches of rain a year
Hazards, floods and storm historyCheck a flood zone5 historic places
Cities, towns and ZIP codes in Bell County
Population shown
Frequently asked questions
- What is the largest city in Bell County, KY?
- Middlesborough is the largest city or town in Bell County, with about 9,123 residents.
- How many ZIP codes are in Bell County?
- Bell County includes 11 ZIP Code Tabulation Areas, including 40813, 40845, 40856, 40902, 40913.
- What is the population of Bell County, KY?
- About 23,509 people live in Bell County, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What counties border Bell County?
- Bell County borders Whitley County, Claiborne County, TN, Knox County, Harlan County, Lee County, VA, Clay County, Leslie County.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023