Belle, Missouri Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Belle, Missouri had a total population of 1,246, the 339th largest city in Missouri, with a median household income of $55,192, which is 22% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 21.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Belle Quick Facts
How Belle 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 | 1,476 | 1,246 | -15.6% |
| Median household income | $55,341 | $55,192 | -0.3% |
| Median home value | $141,100 | $151,000 | +7.0% |
How Belle 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: 40 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Belle Rankings in Missouri
Explore Missouri Rankings
Other Cities in Osage County
Cities Similar to Belle
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Hill | 1,261 | $60,625 | $181,700 | 10.4% | 15.9% |
| New Franklin | 1,170 | $55,066 | $139,500 | 20.3% | 16.0% |
| Stanberry | 1,235 | $62,639 | $98,000 | 23.6% | 19.0% |
| Appleton City | 1,221 | $49,036 | $98,200 | 18.2% | 10.9% |
| Ash Grove | 1,333 | $58,250 | $141,800 | 21.0% | 11.0% |
Population Overview
Belle is a small community located in Missouri, within Osage County. The total population is 1,246. It ranks as the 339th most populous out of 1,062 Census-designated places in Missouri.
Age Demographics
The median age in Belle is 35.4 years. This is 9% lower than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Belle is $55,192. This is 22% lower than the state median of $70,702. It is also 32% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 21.8%. This is 73% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.6%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 4.4%. This is 10% higher than the state rate of 4.0%. The median home value is $151,000. Housing costs are 34% lower than the state median of $230,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.7x, Belle is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 56.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 17% lower than the state average of 68.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
Belle has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 92.1% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.2%.
Education
11.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 65% lower than the state rate of 32.4%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 90.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Belle, Missouri 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 Missouri state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,062 Census-designated places in Missouri. 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, Missouri?
Belle, Missouri has a population of 1,246 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Belle, MO?
The median household income in Belle is $55,192, which is 32% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Belle, MO?
The poverty rate in Belle is 21.8%. This means approximately 269 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Belle, Missouri?
Belle's population is 92.1% White, 0.0% Black, 3.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Belle, MO?
The median home value in Belle is $151,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.7x.
How educated is Belle, Missouri?
11.5% of adults (25+) in Belle hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.