City, Los Angeles County
© McCormack's Guides
Zip Code: 90201
Small blue-collar city located about five miles southeast of downtown L.A., near South Gate. Schools score low. Short commute. Population 38,762. www.mccormacks.com
Median age of residents is 26. Under 18 years, 35 percent. Over 55 years, 10 percent. Family town. Many playmates.
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If you’re short of money and want to buy a home, Bell is a good place to look.
About one-fourth of its housing was built before 1950. In the 1950s and 1960s, the city went on a splurge and constructed about 50 percent of its current housing stock. Housing starts fell off to about 1,100 units in 1970s, about 800 in 1980s and dwindled to about 600 in the 1990s.
Bell’s housing follows a pattern seen in some of the older communities in the county. Many of the homes are small. Among owner-occupied units, the two-bedroom home is the most prevalent, the census reported. Many homes are clustered one behind the other on deep lots, served by one driveway.
In appearance, Bell is a mixed bag. Many homes are kept up and well-maintained and some are not. Security doors are popular but many windows go without security bars. www.mccormacks.com
The small size of the town, 26 blocks east to west and 10 blocks north to south, gives residents the chance to know each other and creates a governing climate that can, if the council chooses, readily address problems.
The state in 2008 counted 9,304 housing units: 3,596 single homes, 1,517 single attached, 3,730 multiples, 461 mobiles.
Education provided by the Los Angeles Unified School District. Sample rankings, state comparison, put Corona Avenue Elementary in the 10th to 30th percentile and Bell High in the 30th percentile. See Schools.
Library, public swimming pool at the high school, typical sports and activities. Five parks. Community Center. Several of the parks were built next to the schools, which makes it easier for the kids to play.
Five homicides in 2005, two each in 2004, 2003 and 2002, one in 2001, four in 2000, one in 1999. The counts for previous years are 3, 9, 3, 3, 7, 8, 6, 7, 6. See Crime.
Bell is located in an area with many industrial and professional jobs. This means a short commute for many residents. Interstate 710 travels the east side of town and connects within a few miles to Interstate 5, which leads to downtown L.A. www.mccormacks.com
Town used to be called Obed.
For orientation on cities, towns and neighborhoods of Los Angeles County, see County Overview.
Chamber of commerce: (323) 560-8755.
City web site: www.cityofbell.org
