Belle, West Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Belle, West Virginia had a total population of 1,611, the 92nd largest town in West Virginia, with a median household income of $77,031, which is 29% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 3.3%.
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 3.3% — among the lowest in West Virginia.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.4x.
- Unemployment rate of 10.6% is notably above the national average.
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 | 1,537 | 1,611 | +4.8% |
| Median household income | $74,200 | $77,031 | +3.8% |
| Median home value | $103,000 | $107,100 | +4.0% |
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: 19 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Belle Rankings in West Virginia
Explore West Virginia Rankings
Other Cities in Kanawha County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | 47,421 | $65,812 | 15.8% | $203,300 |
| South Charleston | 13,457 | $63,884 | 16.9% | $155,400 |
| St. Albans | 10,522 | $53,972 | 14.1% | $140,800 |
| Cross Lanes | 9,671 | $63,537 | 5.1% | $153,800 |
| Dunbar | 7,254 | $58,379 | 14.9% | $119,600 |
| Nitro | 6,853 | $53,848 | 20.2% | $128,900 |
| Pinch | 4,037 | $76,741 | 5.1% | $221,500 |
| Sissonville | 3,593 | $66,944 | 23.4% | $180,800 |
| Alum Creek | 1,749 | $74,231 | 11.0% | $159,300 |
| Chesapeake | 1,702 | $60,927 | 21.5% | $84,500 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eleanor | 1,726 | $78,578 | $255,400 | 16.8% | 5.9% |
| Alum Creek | 1,749 | $74,231 | $159,300 | 6.7% | 11.0% |
| Lubeck | 1,495 | $71,171 | $236,700 | 25.0% | 5.1% |
| Barrackville | 1,430 | $78,558 | $167,700 | 36.2% | 4.1% |
| Glen Dale | 1,461 | $82,308 | $208,800 | 37.3% | 10.6% |
Population Overview
Belle is a small community located in West Virginia, within Kanawha County. The total population is 1,611. It ranks as the 92nd most populous out of 429 Census-designated places in West Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Belle is 38.0 years. This is 11% lower than the state median of 42.7 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Belle is $77,031. This is 29% higher than the state median of $59,608. It is also 5% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 3.3%. This is 80% lower than the state poverty rate of 16.7%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 10.6%. This is 95% higher than the state rate of 5.4%. The median home value is $107,100. Housing costs are 34% lower than the state median of $162,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.4x, Belle is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 76.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 2% higher than the state average of 74.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Belle has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 90.2% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 1.5%. The Black or African American population (1.5%) is well below the state average of 3.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 2.1%.
Education
18.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 25% lower than the state rate of 24.1%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 93.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Belle, West Virginia 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 West Virginia state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 429 Census-designated places in West Virginia. 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, West Virginia?
Belle, West Virginia has a population of 1,611 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Belle, WV?
The median household income in Belle is $77,031, which is 5% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Belle, WV?
The poverty rate in Belle is 3.3%. This means approximately 53 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Belle, West Virginia?
Belle's population is 90.2% White, 1.5% Black, 0.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Belle, WV?
The median home value in Belle is $107,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.4x.
How educated is Belle, West Virginia?
18.1% of adults (25+) in Belle hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.