It was founded as a sawmill town circa 1900, and lies at the foothills of Crowley's Ridge on Missouri Route 91.

[5] The community was named after brothers Gesper Albert and Ralford Stephen Bell, proprietors of a local sawmill.

[6] Bell City was situated along the St. Louis Southwestern Railway.

[7] Bell City is located on the western edge of the lowland region of southeast Missouri.

[8] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.55 square miles (1.42 km2), all land.

26.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

34.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.