Belle Plaine, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Belle Plaine, Iowa had a total population of 2,380, the 147th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $73,656, which is 2% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 3.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 3.5% — among the lowest in Iowa.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.5x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.3%.
Belle Plaine Quick Facts
How Belle Plaine Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,412 | 2,380 | -1.3% |
| Median household income | $70,517 | $73,656 | +4.5% |
| Median home value | $111,600 | $113,900 | +2.1% |
How Belle Plaine Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 31 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Belle Plaine Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Benton County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vinton | 4,948 | $66,495 | 12.6% | $152,300 |
| Atkins | 2,225 | $112,138 | 5.3% | $314,900 |
| Urbana | 1,639 | $115,655 | 5.5% | $228,900 |
| Newhall | 996 | $67,443 | 12.9% | $186,300 |
| Shellsburg | 868 | $70,179 | 2.7% | $175,800 |
| Keystone | 674 | $67,500 | 10.6% | $148,400 |
| Blairstown | 654 | $79,375 | 12.5% | $175,000 |
| Van Horne | 612 | $77,344 | 14.9% | $184,500 |
| Norway | 546 | $76,667 | 7.9% | $158,400 |
| Garrison | 286 | $60,313 | 19.9% | $72,900 |
Cities Similar to Belle Plaine
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cascade | 2,375 | $69,688 | $196,200 | 27.3% | 8.7% |
| Hull | 2,317 | $72,344 | $225,700 | 21.2% | 5.5% |
| New London | 2,338 | $77,560 | $139,600 | 22.7% | 8.4% |
| Bellevue | 2,259 | $79,417 | $216,500 | 25.3% | 9.8% |
| Colfax | 2,210 | $79,318 | $178,000 | 22.2% | 9.1% |
Population Overview
Belle Plaine is a small community located in Iowa, within Benton County. The total population is 2,380. It ranks as the 147th most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Belle Plaine is 45.0 years. This is 17% higher than the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Belle Plaine is $73,656. This is 2% lower than the state median of $75,059. It is also 9% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 3.5%. This is 68% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 1.3%. This is 65% lower than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $113,900. Housing costs are 45% lower than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.5x, Belle Plaine is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 79.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 11% higher than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
Belle Plaine has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 94.1% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.4%. The Black or African American population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 3.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population (3.4%) is well below the state average of 7.3%.
Education
20.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 36% lower than the state rate of 31.4%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 95.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Belle Plaine, Iowa is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Iowa state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Belle Plaine, Iowa?
Belle Plaine, Iowa has a population of 2,380 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Belle Plaine, IA?
The median household income in Belle Plaine is $73,656, which is 9% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Belle Plaine, IA?
The poverty rate in Belle Plaine is 3.5%. This means approximately 82 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Belle Plaine, Iowa?
Belle Plaine's population is 94.1% White, 0.9% Black, 3.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Belle Plaine, IA?
The median home value in Belle Plaine is $113,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.5x.
How educated is Belle Plaine, Iowa?
20.1% of adults (25+) in Belle Plaine hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.