Belle Plaine was created in 1871.[4] Belle Plaine is a French name, and it means "beautiful plain".[5] In 1883, Belle Plaine was a station and shipping point for the Southern Central & Fort Scott Railway.[6] By 1910, it was at the junction of two railroads, the Missouri Pacific and the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe.[7] The first post office in Belle Plaine was created in April 1871.[8]
The 2020 census says that there were 1,467 people, 588 households, and 411 families living in Belle Plaine. Of the households, 70.7% owned their home and 29.3% rented their home.
The median age was 37.8 years. Of the people, 89.3% were White, 1.4% were Native American, 0.5% were Black, 0.1% were Asian, 1.5% were from some other race, and 7.1% were two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.9% of the people.[3][10]
2010 census
The 2010 census says that there were 1,681 people, 630 households, and 466 families living in Belle Plaine.[11]
