The Town Files

Bell County, Kentucky

23,509 people. The median home is worth $89,000 (typical Kentucky town: $161,450) and the median household earns $31,354.

Towns in Bell County

Towns in Bell County

TownPeopleMedian homeIncomeMedian age
Middlesborough9,405$99,900$31,10642.1

People and housing

Bell CountyTypical Kentucky town
Median home value$89,000$161,450
Median rent$592$837
Median household income$31,354$54,969
Median age41.739.1
Bachelor's degree or higher15.8%19.8%
Below the poverty line28.8%18.0%

Jobs and pay

8,335 jobs in 2024, average pay $42,450 a year.

Largest industries in Bell CountyRetail1,543 jobs · $32,317Manufacturing1,109 jobs · $55,260Other services266 jobs · $29,992Mining, oil & gas225 jobs · $68,242Finance & insurance207 jobs · $57,441Construction184 jobs · $62,045
BLS QCEW 2024.
Unemployment rate in Bell County0%4%8%12%2000200420082012201620202023 5.6%
BLS LAUS via USDA ERS, annual averages.

Storms since 1996

NOAA recorded 505 storm events in Bell County from 1996 to 2026, with 1 deaths.

Storm events in Bell County by type since 1996Hail56Flood45Tornado5High Wind10Heavy Rain21Heavy Snow51Flash Flood61Strong Wind6Frost/Freeze13Winter Storm10
NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database.

Federal disaster declarations

Bell County has been included in 29 FEMA declarations since 1953.

DeclaredIncidentDeclaration
January 24, 2026Winter StormEM-3633: Severe Winter Storm
April 3, 2025Severe StormEM-3626: Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, And Flooding
February 24, 2025Severe StormDR-4860: Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides
February 16, 2025Severe StormEM-3624: Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, And Landslides
November 26, 2024Tropical StormDR-4848: Remnants Of Hurricane Helene
May 9, 2023FloodDR-4711: Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024; BLS QCEW and LAUS; NOAA Storm Events; FEMA OpenFEMA (not endorsed by FEMA).