Four percent of Bell County seniors live at or below the official poverty rate, according to the Census Bureau’s annual report on the subject. It was issued last week.
The rate is lowest in Williamson County, just south of Bell, where only 3.4 percent of the seniors are officially poor.
On the other hand, the poverty rate for children is higher in Bell County than across the nation, but lower than the Texas average. The overall rate is lower than for Texas, but higher than for the country.
Ken Higdon, president and CEO of the Temple Chamber of Commerce, said the figures sound accurate for senior citizens because so many who live here have retired with good pensions from corporations or have retired from the military with pensions.
“We have a little more affluency here among the elderly,” he said.
Many are attracted to the county by the VA medical facilities as well as Scott & White Memorial Hospital and King’s Daughters Hospital, Higdon said.
More housing specifically for seniors is becoming available in the county, and that’s contributing to their well-being and an increase in their numbers, too, Judy Morales of Help Center of Bell County said.
Nevertheless, she said her agency is seeing more seniors seeking help this year for their energy bills and other necessities.
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