Choose Country

Balve, Germany

North Rhine-Westphalia · 🇩🇪 Germany

Balve is a small city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany with a population of 12,281. Elevation: 778 ft (237 m). Average temperature: 46°F (8°C).

4.1 /5.0
A Great
12,281 Population
778 ft Elevation 237 meters
46°F Avg Temperature 8°C
44.6 in Annual Rain
Europe / Berlin Timezone
$31,914 Median Income
A
Overall
4.1 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.4 / 5.0
$31,914 median income, 3.7% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$390/mo rent
B+
Education
3.8 / 5.0
35.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $31,914
58% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 35.4%
5% higher than US avg
Median Rent $390
66% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 20.4%
36% lower than US avg
Unemployment 3.7%
3% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 0.2%
98% lower than US avg

People

Population12,281
Median Age45.7 yrs
DensityN/A
Male / Female49% / 51%

Economy

B
Median Income$31,914
Per Capita$54,777
Unemployment3.7%
Poverty0.2%

Housing

A+
Home ValueN/A
Rent$390
OwnershipN/A

Health

Obesity20.4%
UninsuredN/A
Smoking19.5%
Depression4.2%

Climate

Avg Temp46°F (8°C)
AQI10 (Good)
Rain44.6 in/yr
Sunny Days255/yr
Elevation778 ft (237 m)

Education

B+
Bachelor's+35.4%
High School+99.0%

Community

CommuteN/A
Broadband92.5%
Population12,281
Elevation778 ft (237 m)
Coordinates51.3315°, 7.8642°
TimezoneEurope/Berlin
Country🇩🇪 Germany
State / ProvinceNorth Rhine-Westphalia
Average Temperature46°F (8°C)
January Average33°F (1°C)
July Average61°F (16°C)
Annual Precipitation44.6 inches (1,133 mm)
Annual Snowfall12.7 inches (32 cm)
Median Household Income$31,914
Median Age45.7 years

Is Balve a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Balve receives an overall livability score of 4.1 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A. Key strengths include abundant sunshine, a low poverty rate, strong internet connectivity. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes. Balve stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Balve is $31,914, 58% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.7%, indicating a healthy job market. Only 0.2% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%.

Cost of Living & Housing

Renters pay a median of $390 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability.

Education

Educational attainment is solid, with 35.4% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 99.0% have completed high school.

Climate & Weather

Balve experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 46°F. Winters average 33°F in January while summers reach 61°F in July. With 255 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 44.6 inches, including 12.7 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 10.

Balve has a population of 12,281. The median age is 45.7 years, 17% older than the national median of 38.9. The gender split is 50.6% female and 49.4% male. 25.0% of residents have a disability (above the 13.0% national average). 87.0% have health insurance coverage.

Population

12,281
Total Population
45.7yrs
Median Age
17% above US avg

Gender Distribution

Male 49.4%
Female 50.6%

Race & Ethnicity

Balve vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

Other Languages100%

Social Characteristics

Balve vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Balve is $31,914, which is 58% below the national average of $75,149. Per capita income is $54,777 (above the $39,052 national figure). The unemployment rate is 3.7% (above the 3.6% US average). 0.2% of residents live below the poverty line, lower than the national rate of 12.4%. The cost of living index is 75.2, below the national baseline of 100 — offering relatively affordable living.

Income: Balve vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$31,914
58% below US avg
Per Capita Income$54,777

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.7%
3% above US avg
Poverty Rate0.2%
98% below US avg

Business (County)

Tax & Cost of Living

Cost of Living75.20 (100=avg)

Commute & Transportation

Walkability

Monthly rent averages $390 (66% below the national average of $1,163).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$390
66% below US avg

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied58.2%

Property Tax

In Balve, 20.4% of adults are obese, below the national rate of 32.1%. 5.0% have diabetes (below the 10.5% national rate). 29.7% have high blood pressure. 19.5% are current smokers (above the 14.0% national rate). 11.2% report binge drinking. 83.7% are physically inactive, above the national average. 4.2% report depression (below the 20.0% national average).

Health Metrics: Balve vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity20.4%
36% below US avg
Diabetes5.0%
High Blood Pressure29.7%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking19.5%
39% above US avg
Binge Drinking11.2%
Physical Inactivity83.7%
Depression4.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate87.0%

Food & Exercise

Balve experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winters average 33°F in January while summers reach 61°F in July. The area gets 255 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 44.6 inches. The area receives 12.7 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 10 — among the cleanest air in the country. 93% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 778 feet.

Temperature

33°F Jan (1°C) 61°F Jul (16°C)
Annual Average46.4°F
14% below US avg
January Average33°F (1°C)
July Average61°F (16°C)
Sunny Days255 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall44.6 inches
17% above US avg
Snowfall12.7 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median10.0
RatingGood
Good Days %93.1%

Geography

Elevation778 ft (237 m)
Coordinates51.3315°N, 7.8642°W
TimezoneEurope/Berlin
County FIPS05962008
35.4% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, 5% above the national average of 33.7%. 99.0% have completed high school. 92.5% of households have broadband internet access.

Education

Bachelor's Degree+35.4%
5% above US avg
High School+99.0%
B+ Education Grade (3.8/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access92.5%

Safety & Disasters

Commute & Transportation

Nearby Cities

Neuenrade 12,602 pop · 4.9 mi Hemer 37,502 pop · 5.6 mi Sundern 27,554 pop · 6.0 mi Werdohl 20,366 pop · 6.5 mi Iserlohn 97,910 pop · 7.6 mi Plettenberg 28,206 pop · 8.4 mi Menden 52,452 pop · 8.6 mi Altena 20,862 pop · 8.6 mi Neheim 23,000 pop · 9.4 mi Arnsberg 76,612 pop · 10.1 mi Nachrodt-Wiblingwerde 6,860 pop · 10.7 mi Fröndenberg 20,566 pop · 10.8 mi Herscheid 7,658 pop · 11.8 mi Finnentrop 3,575 pop · 11.8 mi
Compare Balve with another city: