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Bell

city

Bell is a city in Los Angeles County, California, situated on the west bank of the Los Angeles River. It's a suburb of Los Angeles, offering a mix of residential and commercial environments. The city is relatively small, being among the smallest cities in the U.S. with a significant population. The population in 2020 was 33,559, and recent estimates suggest a fluctuating population. Bell's economy includes manufacturing, retail trade, and healthcare. The city aims to improve its economic well-being through sustainable growth and job creation. However, it has faced economic challenges, including a significant municipal corruption scandal in the early 2010s that led to financial difficulties and the need for governmental restructuring. Bell has a rich history, dating back to the Gabrieliño Indians and early Spanish settlers. It was named in honor of James George Bell, a pioneer founder. The city provides various recreational and social services, including parks and youth programs, enhancing the quality of life for its residents.

Bell, California

Overview
Classification
City
FIPS Code
06-04870
Country
United States
County
Los Angeles County
Geography
Region
Los Angeles metropolitan area
Elevation
141 ft
Total Area
2.63 sq mi
Land Area
2.51 sq mi
Water Area
0.12 sq mi
Latitude
33.983
Longitude
-118.183
Climate
Mild climate
Notable Features
Los Angeles River
Neighboring Areas
Maywood · Cudahy · South Gate · Huntington Park · Bell Gardens · Commerce · Walnut Park · Vernon · East Los Angeles · Florence-Graham · Downey · Los Angeles
Demographics
Population (2020)
33,559
Est. Population (2024)
31,930
Median Age
33.9
Median Income
$60,641
Poverty Rate
22.8%
Owner-Occupied
26.7%
Racial & Ethnic Composition
The racial makeup of Bell is diverse, with a significant Hispanic population. In 2023, the largest ethnic groups were Two Races Including Other (Hispanic), White (Hispanic), and Other (Hispanic).
Governance
Government Type
City Council-City Manager
Governing Body
City Council
Body Size
5 members
School District
Los Angeles Unified School District
Municipal Services
Police · Fire (contracted with Los Angeles County) · Public Works · Community Services
U.S. Congress
Padilla, Alex
Padilla, AlexD
U.S. Senator
Schiff, Adam B.
Schiff, Adam B.D
U.S. Representative
Huffman, Jared
Huffman, JaredD
U.S. Representative - District 2
Kiley, Kevin
Kiley, KevinI
U.S. Representative - District 3
Thompson, Mike
Thompson, MikeD
U.S. Representative - District 4
McClintock, Tom
McClintock, TomR
U.S. Representative - District 5
Bera, Ami
Bera, AmiD
U.S. Representative - District 6
Matsui, Doris O.
Matsui, Doris O.D
U.S. Representative - District 7
Garamendi, John
Garamendi, JohnD
U.S. Representative - District 8
Harder, Josh
Harder, JoshD
U.S. Representative - District 9
DeSaulnier, Mark
DeSaulnier, MarkD
U.S. Representative - District 10
Pelosi, Nancy
Pelosi, NancyD
U.S. Representative - District 11
Simon, Lateefah
Simon, LateefahD
U.S. Representative - District 12
Mullin, Kevin
Mullin, KevinD
U.S. Representative - District 15
Khanna, Ro
Khanna, RoD
U.S. Representative - District 17
Lofgren, Zoe
Lofgren, ZoeD
U.S. Representative - District 18
Panetta, Jimmy
Panetta, JimmyD
U.S. Representative - District 19
Fong, Vince
Fong, VinceR
U.S. Representative - District 20
Costa, Jim
Costa, JimD
U.S. Representative - District 21
Valadao, David G.
Valadao, David G.R
U.S. Representative - District 22
Obernolte, Jay
Obernolte, JayR
U.S. Representative - District 23
Carbajal, Salud O.
Carbajal, Salud O.D
U.S. Representative - District 24
Ruiz, Raul
Ruiz, RaulD
U.S. Representative - District 25
Brownley, Julia
Brownley, JuliaD
U.S. Representative - District 26
Whitesides, George
Whitesides, GeorgeD
U.S. Representative - District 27
Chu, Judy
Chu, JudyD
U.S. Representative - District 28
Rivas, Luz M.
Rivas, Luz M.D
U.S. Representative - District 29
Friedman, Laura
Friedman, LauraD
U.S. Representative - District 30
Cisneros, Gilbert Ray
Cisneros, Gilbert RayD
U.S. Representative - District 31
Sherman, Brad
Sherman, BradD
U.S. Representative - District 32
Aguilar, Pete
Aguilar, PeteD
U.S. Representative - District 33
Gomez, Jimmy
Gomez, JimmyD
U.S. Representative - District 34
Torres, Norma J.
Torres, Norma J.D
U.S. Representative - District 35
Lieu, Ted
Lieu, TedD
U.S. Representative - District 36
Kamlager-Dove, Sydney
Kamlager-Dove, SydneyD
U.S. Representative - District 37
Sánchez, Linda T.
Sánchez, Linda T.D
U.S. Representative - District 38
Takano, Mark
Takano, MarkD
U.S. Representative - District 39
Kim, Young
Kim, YoungR
U.S. Representative - District 40
Calvert, Ken
Calvert, KenR
U.S. Representative - District 41
Garcia, Robert
Garcia, RobertD
U.S. Representative - District 42
Waters, Maxine
Waters, MaxineD
U.S. Representative - District 43
Barragán, Nanette Diaz
Barragán, Nanette DiazD
U.S. Representative - District 44
Tran, Derek
Tran, DerekD
U.S. Representative - District 45
Correa, J. Luis
Correa, J. LuisD
U.S. Representative - District 46
Min, Dave
Min, DaveD
U.S. Representative - District 47
Issa, Darrell
Issa, DarrellR
U.S. Representative - District 48
Levin, Mike
Levin, MikeD
U.S. Representative - District 49
Peters, Scott H.
Peters, Scott H.D
U.S. Representative - District 50
Jacobs, Sara
Jacobs, SaraD
U.S. Representative - District 51
Vargas, Juan
Vargas, JuanD
U.S. Representative - District 52
Economy
Unemployment Rate
5.2%
Economic Profile
Residential · Commercial
Employment Sectors
Manufacturing · Retail Trade · Health Care & Social Assistance
Major Employers
SolarCity · Avis Rent A Car · Bell Vinyl Products
Education
School Districts
Los Angeles Unified School District
Infrastructure
Transportation
Public transit · Highways
Utilities
Municipal services
Major Facilities
None specified
Recreation
Outdoor Access
Yes
Major Recreation Areas
Treder Park · Veterans' Memorial Park · Camp Little Bear Park · Ernest Debs Park
Parks & Trails
Parks · Recreation programs
History
Founded
1875
Incorporated
1927
Named After
James George Bell
Historical Significance
Named after pioneer founder James George Bell, the city has transformed from an agricultural community to a residential and commercial hub in Los Angeles County.
Key Events
Establishment as Rancho San Antonio · Name change from Obed to Bell in 1898 · Incorporation in 1927 · Municipal corruption scandal in 2010