[6] As of the census[13] of 2000, 24,238 people, 9,199 households, and 6,595 families were residing in the county.

By ancestry, 16.7% were of American, 16.1% German, 7.2% English, and 6.8% Irish according to Census 2000.

[14] St. Paul Lutheran School St. Paul Lutheran Church and School, Thorndale in Thorndale, a private institution, serves students from prekindergarten through grade 8.

Temple Junior College District is the designated community college for county residents in Bartlett, Buckholts, Cameron, Rockdale, Rosebud-Lott, and Thorndale ISDs.

Legislation also states that the district covers Holland ISD "located in Bell County".