Skip to main content

Belle Plaine, Kansas Demographics & Population 2026

Very AffordableHome value to income ratio of 2.0x is exceptionally low

During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Belle Plaine, Kansas had a total population of 1,449, the 158th largest city in Kansas, with a median household income of $63,214, which is 15% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 16.8%.

Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes

Key Takeaways

Belle Plaine Quick Facts

Population 1,449
Median Household Income $63,214
Median Home Value $123,900
Poverty Rate 16.8%
Unemployment Rate 3.7%
Median Age 42.4 years
Homeownership Rate 56.4%
Affordability Ratio 2.0x
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 22.6%
High School Graduation Rate 92.9%
Diversity Index 14/100
Population 1,449 158th of 721
Median Income $63,214 average
Poverty Rate 16.8% 35% higher than national
Median Home Value $123,900 above average

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.

Metric2019–20232020–2024Change
Population1,4861,449-2.5%
Median household income$62,727$63,214+0.8%
Median home value$121,500$123,900+2.0%

How Belle Plaine Compares

Economy & Housing

Household Income Distribution

Under $25K 18.0%
$25K-$50K 27.3%
$50K-$100K 24.4%
$100K+ 30.3%
Detailed income brackets
Under $10K
2.9%
$10K-$15K
0.6%
$15K-$20K
5.1%
$20K-$25K
9.3%
$25K-$30K
4.2%
$30K-$35K
12.0%
$35K-$40K
1.6%
$40K-$45K
7.0%
$45K-$50K
2.6%
$50K-$60K
3.3%
$60K-$75K
6.1%
$75K-$100K
15.1%
$100K-$125K
7.8%
$125K-$150K
7.1%
$150K-$200K
14.8%
$200K+
0.6%

Employment

3.7% Unemployment Rate State: 3.9%|National: 5.2%
61.4% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 56.4%
Renter 43.6%
Affordability Index Very Affordable
2.0x home value to income ratio
Median gross rent $711/mo 13.5% of median household income annually

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

14out of 100
Very Low Diversity

A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.

State average: 45 | National average: 61

Education

Belle Plaine Rankings in Kansas

#158 Population of 721
#285 Median Income of 629
#274 Education of 721
#198 Home Value of 605

Other Cities in Sumner County

CityPopulationMedian IncomePovertyHome Value
Wellington 7,615 $50,333 16.4% $97,100
Conway Springs 1,573 $73,320 11.2% $113,300
Caldwell 976 $44,286 12.8% $75,600
Oxford 964 $59,167 7.1% $117,200
Argonia 542 $79,531 7.8% $122,800
South Haven 276 $78,750 2.5% $81,700
Milton 185 $40,000 0.0% N/A
Hunnewell 104 $42,045 60.6% N/A
Mayfield 102 $52,750 7.8% $91,300
Milan 80 N/A 6.3% N/A

Cities Similar to Belle Plaine

These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.

CityPopulationMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+Poverty
Sublette1,500$66,331$160,50026.0%13.2%
Chapman1,454$72,344$195,60028.9%11.2%
Medicine Lodge1,578$59,392$97,10024.3%5.9%
Inman1,325$59,250$149,00018.5%4.2%
Silver Lake1,553$56,834$169,30032.3%5.3%

Population Overview

Belle Plaine is a small community located in Kansas, within Sumner County. The total population is 1,449. It ranks as the 158th most populous out of 721 Census-designated places in Kansas.

Age Demographics

The median age in Belle Plaine is 42.4 years. This is 13% higher than the state median of 37.4 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Belle Plaine is $63,214. This is 15% lower than the state median of $74,275. It is also 22% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 16.8%. This is 49% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.3%. The unemployment rate is 3.7%. This is 6% lower than the state rate of 3.9%. The median home value is $123,900. Housing costs are 43% lower than the state median of $217,200. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x, Belle Plaine is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 56.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 16% lower than the state average of 67.2%.

Race & Ethnicity

Belle Plaine has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 92.7% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.2%. The Black or African American population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 5.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population (3.2%) is well below the state average of 13.6%. The Asian population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 2.9%.

Education

22.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 37% lower than the state rate of 35.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 92.9%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Belle Plaine, Kansas 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 Kansas state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 721 Census-designated places in Kansas. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.

Free data download: Get all Kansas city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of Belle Plaine, Kansas?

Belle Plaine, Kansas has a population of 1,449 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median household income in Belle Plaine, KS?

The median household income in Belle Plaine is $63,214, which is 22% lower than the national median of $80,734.

What is the poverty rate in Belle Plaine, KS?

The poverty rate in Belle Plaine is 16.8%. This means approximately 243 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of Belle Plaine, Kansas?

Belle Plaine's population is 92.7% White, 0.1% Black, 3.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.9% Asian.

What is the median home value in Belle Plaine, KS?

The median home value in Belle Plaine is $123,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.0x.

How educated is Belle Plaine, Kansas?

22.6% of adults (25+) in Belle Plaine hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.