Belle, West Virginia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Belle, West Virginia
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West Dupont Avenue in Belle
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Location of Belle in Kanawha County, West Virginia.
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| Country | United States | |
| State | West Virginia | |
| County | Kanawha | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 0.78 sq mi (2.02 km2) | |
| • Land | 0.69 sq mi (1.79 km2) | |
| • Water | 0.09 sq mi (0.23 km2) | |
| Elevation | 600 ft (183 m) | |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 1,171 | |
| • Estimate
(2021)
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1,146 | |
| • Density | 1,631.88/sq mi (630.00/km2) | |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) | |
| ZIP code |
25015
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| Area code(s) | 304 | |
| FIPS code | 54-05836 | |
| GNIS feature ID | 1553846 | |
Belle is a town located in Kanawha County, West Virginia. It sits right along the Kanawha River. In 2020, about 1,171 people lived there.
Belle became an official town on December 13, 1958. It is known for being home to the Belle Bulldogs Elementary School. The town was named after Belle Reynolds, who was an early postmaster in the area.
Contents
Geography of Belle
Belle is a small town. According to the United States Census Bureau, it covers about 0.78 square miles (2.02 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a small part being water.
Environmental Notes
Between 1988 and 2002, some concerns about air and water quality were noted around Belle. These were linked to a DuPont facility located there. During this time, water releases of certain substances increased, while air releases decreased.
History of Belle
Belle became an official town in 1958. It has a community that cares about its history.
On December 8, 2020, an event occurred at the Optima Chemical Plant in town. An explosion happened around 10 p.m. This led to a "shelter-in-place" order for the town and nearby areas. This means people were asked to stay indoors for safety. Sadly, one person died and three others were hurt in the incident.
People of Belle (Demographics)
The word "demographics" describes the different groups of people living in a place. Every ten years, the United States counts its population in a census. This helps us understand how many people live in a town and what their backgrounds are.
Here's how Belle's population has changed over the years:
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1960 | 2,559 | — | |
| 1970 | 1,786 | −30.2% | |
| 1980 | 1,621 | −9.2% | |
| 1990 | 1,421 | −12.3% | |
| 2000 | 1,259 | −11.4% | |
| 2010 | 1,260 | 0.1% | |
| 2020 | 1,171 | −7.1% | |
| 2021 (est.) | 1,146 | −9.0% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
2010 Census Details
In the 2010 census, 1,260 people lived in Belle. There were 571 households, which are groups of people living together. The town had about 1,826 people per square mile.
Most of the people in Belle were White (97.7%). A small number were African American, Native American, or Asian. About 1.3% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
The average age in Belle in 2010 was about 43 years old. About 20% of residents were under 18. About 19% were 65 or older. Slightly more than half of the residents were female (54.6%).
Sports in Belle
Belle is home to the West Virginia Wildfire, a women's tackle football team. This shows that sports are an important part of the community.
Famous People from Belle
Some well-known people have come from Belle:
- Jason Williams – a famous NBA basketball player.
- Randy Moss – a well-known NFL football player.
See also
In Spanish: Belle (Virginia Occidental) para niños
