Bells is a city in Grayson County, Texas, United States. The population was 1,521 at the 2020 census, up from 1,392 at the 2010 census. The city lies north of Dallas and is part of the Sherman–Denison Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

Bells had its start in the early 1870s when the railroad was extended to that point. According to local tradition, the ringing of church bells to greet the arrival of the railroad caused the name to be selected.

Geography

Bells is located in eastern Grayson County, at the intersection of U.S. Route 69 and Texas State Highway 56. US 69 leads northwest 13 miles (21 km) to Denison and south 7 miles (11 km) to Whitewright, while Highway 56 leads west 12 miles (19 km) to Sherman, the Grayson County seat, and east 14 miles (23 km) to Bonham. U.S. Route 82, a four-lane freeway, passes through the northern part of Bells, also leading to Sherman and Bonham.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Bells has a total area of 2.2 square miles (5.7 km), all land.

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1880	65		—
1890	429		560.0%
1900	474		10.5%
1910	496		4.6%
1920	585		17.9%
1930	428		−26.8%
1940	454		6.1%
1950	614		35.2%
1960	707		15.1%
1970	778		10.0%
1980	846		8.7%
1990	962		13.7%
2000	1,190		23.7%
2010	1,392		17.0%
2020	1,521		9.3%
U.S. Decennial Census

Bells racial composition as of 2020
(NH = Non-Hispanic)

Race	Number	Percentage
White (NH)	1,244	81.79%
Black or African American (NH)	18	1.18%
Native American or Alaska Native (NH)	23	1.51%
Asian (NH)	3	0.2%
Pacific Islander (NH)	5	0.33%
Some Other Race (NH)	9	0.59%
Mixed/Multi-Racial (NH)	113	7.43%
Hispanic or Latino	106	6.97%
Total	1,521

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 1,521 people, 673 households, and 475 families residing in the town.

Education

The town is served by the Bells Independent School District, with an elementary, junior high and high school.