Belle Plaine, MN

Minnesota · Metropolitan Area

Belle Plaine is a small city in Minnesota with a population of 7,401. Residents earn $96,831 per year, which is 29% above the national average.

3.5 /5.0
B+ Good
7,401 Population 1,240/sq mi density
$96,831 Median Income $42,581 per capita
$280,400 Home Value $344,285 Zillow
$1,336 Median Rent
44°F Avg Temperature
73 Violent Crime/100K 1,265 property/100K
B+
Overall
3.5 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.9 / 5.0
$96,831 median income, 0.2% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$280,400 home value, $1,336/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
73 violent crimes/100K (81% below avg)
B
Education
3.2 / 5.0
27.6% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $96,831
29% higher than US avg
Home Value $280,400
1% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 73/100K
81% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 27.6%
18% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,336
15% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 32.3%
1% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.2%
94% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 1.0%
92% lower than US avg

How Belle Plaine Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population7,401
Median Age38.2 yrs
Density1,240/mi²
Male / Female51% / 49%
Largest GroupWhite 92%

Economy

A+
Median Income$96,831
Per Capita$42,581
Unemployment0.2%
Poverty1.0%
County GDP$10,952M
Commute27 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$280,400
Rent$1,336
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$344,285

Crime

F
Violent73/100K
Property1,265/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault44/100K
Burglary305/100K

Health

Obesity32.3%
UninsuredN/A
Depression24.5%
Heart Disease4.8%

Climate

Avg Temp44°F
AQI36 (Good)
Rain33.3 in/yr
Elevation863 ft

Education

B
Bachelor's+27.6%
High School+90.1%
School Score6.08

Community

2024 VoteR 53% / D 45%
Commute27 min
EV Stations1
Libraries8

Is Belle Plaine a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Belle Plaine receives an overall livability score of 3.5 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low unemployment, low crime rates, a low poverty rate. Belle Plaine offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Belle Plaine is $96,831, 29% above the national average of $75,149. Residents generally enjoy above-average earning potential. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.2%. Only 1.0% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 27 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Belle Plaine is $280,400, roughly aligned with the national median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,336 per month. At just 2.9x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Belle Plaine is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 73 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,265 per 100,000, 35% below the national average.

Education

27.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 90.1% have completed high school. Local schools score 6.1/10 in standardized testing, reflecting strong academic performance.

Climate & Weather

Belle Plaine has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 44°F. Winters average 14°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 33.3 inches, including 39.8 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Belle Plaine has a population of 7,401 with a density of 1,240 people per square mile. The median age is 38.2 years, 2% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (91.8%), with 3.6% Black.

Population

7,401
Total Population
1,240
People / sq mi
38.2yrs
Median Age
2% below US avg
6.0mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 50.8%
Female 49.2%

Race & Ethnicity

Belle Plaine vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.5%
25% above US avg
Spanish1.5%
89% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Belle Plaine vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Belle Plaine is $96,831, which is 29% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.2% (below the 3.6% US average). 1.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 27 minutes.

Income: Belle Plaine vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$96,831
29% above US avg
Per Capita Income$42,581
Avg Weekly Wage$1,195
IRS Avg AGI$110,807

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.2%
94% below US avg
Poverty Rate1.0%
92% below US avg
Establishments (County)3,996
County GDP$10,952M

Business (County)

Restaurants254
Healthcare327
Retail322
Manufacturing172

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$5,631
61% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.01%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time26.9 min
Work from Home5.8%

Walkability

The median home value in Belle Plaine is $280,400, 1% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,336 (15% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $344,285.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$280,400
1% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$344,285
Median List Price$367,400

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$367,400
$/Sq Ft$145
Homes Sold4
Sale-to-List Ratio100.0%
Price Drops11.8%
Inventory17

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,336
15% above US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$809
1 Bedroom$899
2 Bedrooms$1,125
3 Bedrooms$1,483
4 Bedrooms$1,698

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied83.4%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$5,631
61% above US avg
Effective Rate2.01%
In Belle Plaine, 32.3% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 24.5% report depression. 23.4% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Belle Plaine vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity32.3%
1% above US avg
Diabetes8.5%
Heart Disease4.8%
High Blood Pressure28.5%
Asthma10.0%
COPD4.7%
Stroke2.5%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking21.2%
Physical Inactivity23.4%
Depression24.5%
Mental Distress16.2%
Physical Distress11.1%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate97.8%
Checkup Rate71.8%
Premature Death4,774/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.7/10
Exercise Access95.3%
Healthcare Facilities327
Belle Plaine has a violent crime rate of 73 per 100,000 residents, 81% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,265 per 100,000 (35% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Belle Plaine vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent72.7/100K
81% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape14.5/100K
Robbery14.5/100K
Assault43.6/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,264.5/100K
35% below US avg
Burglary305.2/100K
Theft944.8/100K
Vehicle Theft14.5/100K
Arson14.5/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)12

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Belle Plaine has an average annual temperature of 44°F (7°C). Winters average 14°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation is 33.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Temperature

14°F Jan (-10°C) 71°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average44.2°F
18% below US avg
January Average14°F (-10°C)
July Average71°F (22°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall33.3 inches
12% below US avg
Snowfall39.8 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median36.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation863 ft (263 m)
Area6.0 sq mi (15.5 km²)
Population Density1,240/sq mi
Coordinates44.6198°N, 93.7646°W
County FIPS27139
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 27.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (18% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 8.5-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 53.3%
D 44.8%

Winner: Republican by 8.5 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+27.6%
18% below US avg
High School+90.1%
School Test Score6.08
B Education Grade (3.2/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density1,240/sq mi
Total Area6.0 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations1
Alt Fuel Stations7
Public Libraries8
Healthcare Facilities327
Restaurants254
Retail Stores322

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)12
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute26.9 min
Work from Home5.8%

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