City profile · Minnesota · Census ACS 2023

Belle Plaine, MN

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Belle Plaine - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

7,401
Residents
$96,831
Median income
$280,400
Median home
$1,709
Median rent (state)

Belle Plaine - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Belle Plaine places in the 76th percentile for household income and the 83rd percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

76th
percentile, household income
62nd
percentile, home value
68th
percentile, median rent
83rd
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Belle Plaine, MN

7,401 people live in Belle Plaine, Minnesota - a small town by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Belle Plaine households earn a median of $96,831 annually, placing it in the top quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 1.0%. Typical homes in Belle Plaine are valued around $280,400, and the median resident age is 38.2 years. Educational attainment runs 27.6% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 72.2% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 76 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Building Boom), up 262% from five years earlier. Belle Plaine reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR figures show 538.1 crimes per 100,000 residents, below the national average (reporting is voluntary across agencies, so treat this as reporting activity rather than a definitive danger score).

Minnesota tracks close to the national cost-of-living baseline: the state registers 98.6 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Near Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $1,709 per month. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Minnesota's average monthly utility costs around $225 (state average). Natural-hazard exposure scores 59.7 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Moderate).

Population

7,401 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Minnesota

Median Household Income

$96,831 /yr

Poverty 1.0%

Cost of Living Index (state)

98.6 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Minnesota average

How does Belle Plaine compare to other US cities?

Belle Plaine measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 76% higher than other cities
Home value 62% pricier than other cities
Median rent 68% pricier than other cities
Safety 83% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

National percentiles can mask local variation. Looking only at Minnesota, Belle Plaine ranks #74 of 229 Minnesota cities by lowest crime rate - a narrower, more locally useful cut than the national comparison above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Belle Plaine against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Minnesota only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Minnesota-relative analysis

Poverty Rate places Belle Plaine toward the bottom of Minnesota's cities

Among the 785 Minnesota cities PlainCities tracks with reported poverty rate data, Belle Plaine ranks #670 - the 14th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Belle Plaine only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#142 of 775
82nd percentile in Minnesota
Median Gross Rent
#1 of 785
77th percentile in Minnesota
Median Home Value
#176 of 774
77th percentile in Minnesota
Poverty Rate
#670 of 785
14th percentile in Minnesota
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#241 of 784
69th percentile in Minnesota

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Minnesota only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

76thIncome percentile
83rdSafety percentile

76th percentile nationally for median household income · 83rd percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Belle Plaine's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Belle Plaine's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 65 Avg. percentile National median
Belle Plaine's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Belle Plaine's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$280,400 38th percentile more affordable than 38% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). This entry sits in this band. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Belle Plaine $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Belle Plaine, MN Belle Plaine, MN's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Belle Plaine, MN-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Belle Plaine, MN median $96,831/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Belle Plaine, MN's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Belle Plaine, MN. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 27.6%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 1.0%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 72.2%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
7,401
Median Income
$96,831
Median Home Value
$280,400
Median Age
38.2
Poverty Rate
1.0%
Labor force participation
72.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
27.6%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
538.1
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
134.5
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
403.6
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
6
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
7,300 residents7,400 residents7,500 residents7,600 residents7,700 residents 202020212022202320242025 7,368 residents 7,632 residents ▲ +3.6%
Belle Plaine's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
76
housing units authorized
Single-Family
4
detached homes
Multifamily
72
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
10.3
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 21
2020 11
2021 43
2022 27
2023 28
2024 76

Permit volume increased 262% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
81.4%
Carpool
9.8%
Public Transit
0.2%
Walk
0.0%
Work from Home
5.8%
Other
2.8%

Based on 3,878 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Minnesota - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$95
avg/month
Natural Gas
$85
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$45
avg/month
Total Utilities
$225
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Minnesota state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Minnesota state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Belle Plaine sits in

Cost of Living Index
98.6
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,709/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
59.7 / 100
Moderate
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Minnesota

Crookston
7,388 people
Shorewood
7,679 people
St. Joseph
7,024 people
Isanti
7,023 people
Spring Lake Park
6,997 people
Kasson
6,964 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Belle Plaine's 7,401 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Hudson Falls, NY
7,401 people
Williamsburg, FL
7,400 people
Page, AZ
7,407 people
Mascotte, FL
7,407 people
Pleasantville, NY
7,395 people
Bloomfield, NM
7,391 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Belle Plaine's $96,831 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Gold Key Lake, PA
$96,836 median income
Plano, KY
$96,818 median income
Mount Cobb, PA
$96,818 median income
Rollingwood, CA
$96,808 median income
Newtonville, IN
$96,806 median income
Hampstead, MD
$96,802 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Belle Plaine, MN Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Belle Plaine, MN - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 91.8% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 0.5% White 91.8% Black or African American 3.6% Asian 0.0% American Indian 0.1% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 1.7% Two or more races 2.8% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Belle Plaine compares to nearby Minnesota cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Belle Plaine (this city) 7,401 $96,831
Crookston 7,388 $54,003
Shorewood 7,679 $172,325
St. Joseph 7,024 $75,217
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MN FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Belle Plaine, MN?

What is the population of Belle Plaine, MN? +

7,401 people live in Belle Plaine, MN according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Belle Plaine, MN? +

In Belle Plaine, the typical household earns $96,831 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Belle Plaine? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Belle Plaine; the closest available measure is the Minnesota state average, a cost of living index of 98.6 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Near Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Minnesota vary by metro area.

Is Belle Plaine, MN safe? +

Belle Plaine has a total crime rate of 538.1 per 100,000 residents, which is below the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Belle Plaine, MN? +

The median home value in Belle Plaine is $280,400, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.