Belle Center, Ohio facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Belle Center, Ohio
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Village
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Aerial picture of "downtown" Belle Center
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Location of Belle Center, Ohio
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Detailed map of Belle Center
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| Country | United States |
| State | Ohio |
| County | Logan |
| Township | Richland |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.71 sq mi (1.84 km2) |
| • Land | 0.70 sq mi (1.81 km2) |
| • Water | 0.01 sq mi (0.03 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,043 ft (318 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 809 |
| • Estimate
(2023)
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805 |
| • Density | 1,159.03/sq mi (447.54/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
43310
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| Area codes | 937, 326 |
| FIPS code | 39-05116 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2398075 |
Belle Center is a small town located in Logan County, Ohio, United States. In 2020, about 809 people lived there. It's special because it's a Tree City USA, which means it cares a lot about its trees. It's one of the smallest towns in Ohio to have this title!
Contents
History of Belle Center
Long ago, in the 1840s, some parts of what is now northern Richland Township were covered by swampland. But settlers started to move into the area. Around 1846, a new town was planned. At that time, a small town called Richland was already well-known in the southern part of the township.
How the Railroad Shaped the Town
In 1846, the Mad River and Lake Erie Railroad began planning a railroad line through this area. A friendly competition started between the new town and Richland. Both wanted to be the spot for a water stop for the railroad. This stop would need a basic station. The newer town, which would become Belle Center, won this important spot.
Five years later, in 1851, the village of Belle Center was officially made a town by the Ohio General Assembly. Having the railroad helped Belle Center grow a lot. Sadly, it caused the older town of Richland (which was renamed New Richland) to decline. Because of the railroad's path, Belle Center's streets are laid out in a unique "diagonal" pattern.
What Does "Belle Center" Mean?
The name Belle Center comes from its location. It is pretty much in the middle, or "center," between the cities of Bellefontaine and Kenton. Over time, the town's name has been spelled in a few different ways, like Belle Centre or Bellecenter. But in 1891, the United States Board on Geographic Names officially decided that the current spelling, Belle Center, was the correct one.
Geography and Location
Belle Center is a small place. According to the United States Census Bureau, the village covers about 0.71 square miles (1.84 square kilometers). Most of this area, about 0.70 square miles (1.81 square kilometers), is land. Only a tiny part, about 0.01 square miles (0.03 square kilometers), is water.
Who Lives in Belle Center?
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1850 | 153 | — | |
| 1860 | 234 | 52.9% | |
| 1870 | 276 | 17.9% | |
| 1880 | 434 | 57.2% | |
| 1890 | 927 | 113.6% | |
| 1900 | 962 | 3.8% | |
| 1910 | 889 | −7.6% | |
| 1920 | 909 | 2.2% | |
| 1930 | 861 | −5.3% | |
| 1940 | 835 | −3.0% | |
| 1950 | 889 | 6.5% | |
| 1960 | 949 | 6.7% | |
| 1970 | 985 | 3.8% | |
| 1980 | 930 | −5.6% | |
| 1990 | 796 | −14.4% | |
| 2000 | 807 | 1.4% | |
| 2010 | 813 | 0.7% | |
| 2020 | 809 | −0.5% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 805 | −1.0% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
A Look at the 2010 Census
In 2010, the census showed that 813 people lived in Belle Center. There were 322 households, which are groups of people living together. Out of these, 232 were families. The village had about 1161 people per square mile (447 people per square kilometer).
Most people in Belle Center were White, making up 98.2% of the population. A very small number were African American, Native American, or Asian. About 0.6% of the people were Hispanic or Latino.
Many households (36.3%) had children under 18 living there. Most families (54.0%) were married couples. About 23.3% of all households were people living alone. The average age in the village was 37.2 years old.
Getting Around Belle Center
Belle Center began as a stop for trains. But passenger train service no longer runs here. Today, people in Belle Center get around using local roads and state highways. State Route 273 is the main street in Belle Center. Also, the northern end of State Route 638 connects with State Route 273 at the southern edge of the village.
Learning in Belle Center
Belle Center has its own public library. It's called the Belle Center Public Library. It's a great place for everyone to find books and learn new things.
Famous People from Belle Center
- Henry Wilson Temple: He was a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives from Pennsylvania.
- Betty White: This famous actress lived in Belle Center for a short time in 1945.
See also
In Spanish: Belle Center (Ohio) para niños
