RANK #891 / 1001 NAT · #52 / 72 TX · POP 386,897
1YR FORECAST: -3.3%
5YR OUTLOOK: +19%
Bell County, Texas, is characterized by its blend of small-town atmosphere and access to larger city amenities. Belton, the county seat, offers a historic downtown square and is home to the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. The county is situated in Central Texas, approximately an hour north of Austin and 30-40 minutes south of Waco, making commutes to these cities feasible. Outdoor recreation is a significant draw, with Belton Lake and Stillhouse Hollow Lake providing opportunities for boating, fishing, and swimming. Numerous parks, like Miller Spring Park and Chalk Ridge Falls, offer trails for hiking and biking, along with scenic views.
Life in Bell County attracts a mix of families, professionals, and military personnel due to its affordability and community focus. The presence of Fort Cavazos (formerly Fort Hood) significantly influences the local population and economy. The economy is diversified, with growth in healthcare, education, and emerging technology sectors. Temple, for instance, is recognized as a medical hub with major healthcare institutions. Manufacturing and distribution also contribute to the economic landscape, benefiting from the county's location along I-35.
Bell County is one of 76 U.S. counties in this market profile — near the profile average on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of -1.3% runs above the profile's typical -3.7%.
See all 76 Sun Belt Post-Surge Correction counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Prices declining
Moderate climate & terrain
Below national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 11.0x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Bell County East to Big Hill 765 kV Transmission Line Project
Oncor Electric Delivery and LCRA Transmission Services
|
$1,900M | Proposed |
|
Rowan Digital Infrastructure Data Center Campus
Rowan Digital Infrastructure
|
$700M | Under Construction |
|
Five Wells Solar Center - Hybrid (Battery Storage)
Five Wells Solar Center, LLC
|
$262M | Operating |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
The data is not encouraging — Bell County scores just 10/100 on the Boom Town Index, ranking #891 of 1001 counties. Job growth at +0.6% and median household income of $68,865 reflect an economy that has been contracting or stagnating relative to the rest of the country.
Housing in Bell County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $241,000 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.29, with rents averaging $1,224/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Bell County's population is growing — up +1.9% YoY — while the job market is roughly flat (employment change of +0.6%). Home values shifted -1.3% over the past year. In-migration is outpacing local hiring, which often points to remote workers or retirees driving the headcount.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 4.39% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Bell County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.