Bellefontaine, OH

Ohio

Bellefontaine is a small city in Ohio with a population of 14,051. Residents earn $60,296 per year, which is 20% below the national average.

3.0 /5.0
B Good
14,051 Population 1,387/sq mi density
$60,296 Median Income $32,220 per capita
$163,500 Home Value $233,148 Zillow
$836 Median Rent
51°F Avg Temperature
220 Violent Crime/100K 4,576 property/100K
B
Overall
3.0 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.7 / 5.0
$60,296 median income, 2.7% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$163,500 home value, $836/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
220 violent crimes/100K (42% below avg)
C
Education
2.2 / 5.0
14.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $60,296
20% lower than US avg
Home Value $163,500
42% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 220/100K
42% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 14.5%
57% lower than US avg
Median Rent $836
28% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 41.3%
29% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.7%
25% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 13.9%
12% higher than US avg

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

People

Population14,051
Median Age36.1 yrs
Density1,387/mi²
Male / Female49% / 51%
Largest GroupWhite 87%

Economy

B+
Median Income$60,296
Per Capita$32,220
Unemployment2.7%
Poverty13.9%
County GDP$2,767M
Commute18 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$163,500
Rent$836
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$233,148

Crime

F
Violent220/100K
Property4,576/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault84/100K
Burglary745/100K

Health

Obesity41.3%
UninsuredN/A
Depression27.5%
Heart Disease6.7%

Climate

Avg Temp51°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain42.6 in/yr
Elevation1,242 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+14.5%
High School+91.1%
School Score5.90

Community

2024 VoteR 78% / D 21%
Commute18 min
EV Stations2
Libraries8

Is Bellefontaine a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Bellefontaine receives an overall livability score of 3.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include high obesity rates. Bellefontaine offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Bellefontaine is $60,296, 20% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.7%. 13.9% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 18 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Bellefontaine is $163,500, 42% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $836 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.7x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Bellefontaine is below the national average at 220 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 4,576 per 100,000, 133% above the national average.

Education

14.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 91.1% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.9/10.

Climate & Weather

Bellefontaine experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 51°F. Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 42.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Bellefontaine has a population of 14,051 with a density of 1,387 people per square mile. The median age is 36.1 years, 7% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (87.3%), with 2.1% Hispanic, 4.2% Black.

Population

14,051
Total Population
1,387
People / sq mi
36.1yrs
Median Age
7% below US avg
10.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48.8%
Female 51.2%

Race & Ethnicity

Bellefontaine vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only97.2%
24% above US avg
Spanish2.8%
79% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Bellefontaine vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Bellefontaine is $60,296, which is 20% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.7% (below the 3.6% US average). 13.9% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 18 minutes.

Income: Bellefontaine vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$60,296
20% below US avg
Per Capita Income$32,220
Avg Weekly Wage$1,106
IRS Avg AGI$64,376

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.7%
25% below US avg
Poverty Rate13.9%
12% above US avg
Establishments (County)1,030
County GDP$2,767M

Business (County)

Restaurants103
Healthcare82
Retail150
Manufacturing46

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,724
35% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.89%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time18.4 min
Work from Home3.1%

Walkability

The median home value in Bellefontaine is $163,500, 42% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $836 (28% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $233,148.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$163,500
42% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$233,148
Median List Price$249,900

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$249,900
$/Sq Ft$147
Homes Sold12
Sale-to-List Ratio99.0%
Price Drops14.6%
Inventory48

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$836
28% below US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$1,357

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$816
1 Bedroom$873
2 Bedrooms$1,092
3 Bedrooms$1,388
4 Bedrooms$1,550

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied59.0%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,724
35% above US avg
Effective Rate2.89%
In Bellefontaine, 41.3% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 27.5% report depression. 31.0% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity41.3%
29% above US avg
Diabetes12.6%
Heart Disease6.7%
High Blood Pressure35.4%
Asthma11.6%
COPD8.8%
Stroke3.5%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking17.0%
Physical Inactivity31.0%
Depression27.5%
Mental Distress20.8%
Physical Distress15.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate94.5%
Checkup Rate77.1%
Premature Death8,349/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.3/10
Exercise Access62.6%
Healthcare Facilities82
Bellefontaine has a violent crime rate of 220 per 100,000 residents, 42% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 4,576 per 100,000 (133% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent220.4/100K
42% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape91.2/100K
Robbery45.6/100K
Assault83.6/100K

Property Crime

Total Property4,575.9/100K
133% above US avg
Burglary744.9/100K
Theft3,785.4/100K
Vehicle Theft45.6/100K
Arson7.6/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)8
FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Bellefontaine has an average annual temperature of 51°F (10°C). Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 42.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

26°F Jan (-4°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average50.6°F
6% below US avg
January Average26°F (-4°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall42.6 inches
12% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,242 ft (379 m)
Area10.1 sq mi (26.2 km²)
Population Density1,387/sq mi
Coordinates40.3628°N, 83.7630°W
County FIPS39091
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent. 14.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (57% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 56.2-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 77.7%
D 21.5%

Winner: Republican by 56.2 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+14.5%
57% below US avg
High School+91.1%
School Test Score5.90
C Education Grade (2.2/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 4Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent
Population Density1,387/sq mi
Total Area10.1 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations2
Alt Fuel Stations4
Public Libraries8
Healthcare Facilities82
Restaurants103
Retail Stores150

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)8
FEMA Disaster Declarations91
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute18.4 min
Work from Home3.1%

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