Home | All Almanac Topics | Cities & Communities

City of Bell Gardens

Map showing City of Bell Gardens with surrounding cities and communities.
Cutaway from Map of Los Angeles County.
See also online Map of Los Angeles County with Cities & Communities.

General Law city
Incorporated: August 1, 1961
City Hall: 7100 S Garfield Ave, Bell Gardens, California 90201
City Telephone: (562) 806-7700
Website: www.bellgardens.org
Population (2010 Census): 42,072 (2000 Census: 44,054; 1990 Census: 61,815). For latest State Population Estimates, click here.
Population Density (2010 Census): 6,877.9 persons per square mile
Population Age 65+ (2010 Census): 5.2% (2000 Census: 3.9%; 1990 Census: 2.9%)
Population Under Age 18 (2010 Census): 34.0% (2000 Census: 39.5%; 1990 Census: 27.6%)
Land Area: 2.46 square miles (6.37 square kilometers)
Water Area: 0.00 square miles (0.01 square kilometers)

Other City Facts & Statistics

City Government Officials

Japanese agriculturalists developed and subdivided local vegetable gardens and the area was nicknamed "Gardens of Bell" after the nearby city of Bell. The city was also derisively known as "Billy Goat Acres" after the "Okies" who settled in the area during the Great Depression.

City in red below. Click on map for more detailed color map of county.

Map showing location of the City of Bell Gardens

The Gage Mansion in Bell Gardens (7000 East Gage Avenue) is the oldest standing home in Los Angeles County. Original construction began on the home in 1795. In 1810, Don Antonio Maria Lugo, a Spanish colonial soldier, obtained the 29,513-acre Rancho San Antonio land grant from the King of Spain. The grant included the home. It served as one of his residences. In 1880, the home was gifted to Henry T. Gage as a dowry upon his marriage to Francis (Fanny) Rains, a great-granddaughter of Lugo. Gage later became Governor of California in 1888. (Special thanks to Shane P. Kimbler of Bell Gardens for this information).