Belle Plaine, Kansas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Belle Plaine, Kansas
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Belle Plaine water tower (Jan 2017)
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Location within Sumner County and Kansas
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| Country | United States |
| State | Kansas |
| County | Sumner |
| Founded | 1871 |
| Incorporated | 1884 |
| Named for | beautiful plain |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.83 sq mi (2.15 km2) |
| • Land | 0.83 sq mi (2.15 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,221 ft (372 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 1,467 |
| • Density | 1,767/sq mi (682.3/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
67013
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| Area code | 620 |
| FIPS code | 20-05500 |
| GNIS ID | 2394114 |
Belle Plaine is a city located in Sumner County, Kansas, United States. It's a smaller community with a population of 1,467 people, according to the 2020 census. The name "Belle Plaine" comes from French and means "beautiful plain."
Contents
History of Belle Plaine
Belle Plaine was founded in 1871. Its name, "Belle Plaine," is French for "beautiful plain." In the early days, around 1883, it became an important stop for the Southern Central & Fort Scott Railway. By 1910, it was a junction where two major railroads met: the Missouri Pacific and the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe.
The first post office in Belle Plaine opened in April 1871. Education started early too. In the fall of 1871 and spring of 1872, Miss Olive North taught a special school. Then, in 1873, the official school district (No. 2) was created. The city was officially incorporated in 1884.
Geography and Climate
Belle Plaine covers about 0.91 square miles (2.36 square kilometers) of land. It does not have any major water bodies within its city limits.
Understanding Belle Plaine's Climate
The climate in Belle Plaine is known for its hot and humid summers. Winters are generally mild to cool. This type of weather is called a humid subtropical climate. On climate maps, it's often shown as "Cfa." This means the area gets plenty of rain throughout the year, and it doesn't have a dry season.
Local Events and Attractions
Belle Plaine offers some fun things to do and see.
Annual Downtown Festival
- [Belle Plaine’s Downtown Festival] is a special event that brings the community together. It's a great way to experience local culture.
Bartlett Arboretum
- The Bartlett Arboretum is a beautiful nature preserve. It's a place where you can explore different plants and trees. The arboretum also has a small area for concerts and other performances.
Population and People
The population of Belle Plaine has changed over the years. Here's a look at how many people have lived there during different census counts.
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1880 | 348 | — | |
| 1890 | 659 | 89.4% | |
| 1900 | 551 | −16.4% | |
| 1910 | 849 | 54.1% | |
| 1920 | 839 | −1.2% | |
| 1930 | 825 | −1.7% | |
| 1940 | 878 | 6.4% | |
| 1950 | 971 | 10.6% | |
| 1960 | 1,579 | 62.6% | |
| 1970 | 1,553 | −1.6% | |
| 1980 | 1,706 | 9.9% | |
| 1990 | 1,649 | −3.3% | |
| 2000 | 1,708 | 3.6% | |
| 2010 | 1,681 | −1.6% | |
| 2020 | 1,467 | −12.7% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
2020 Census Information
The 2020 United States census counted 1,467 people living in Belle Plaine. There were 588 households and 411 families. The average household had about 2.2 people. The average family had about 2.6 people.
About 26.2% of the population was under 18 years old. About 15.7% were 65 years or older. The median age in the city was 37.8 years. This means half the people were younger than 37.8 and half were older.
2010 Census Information
As of the census in 2010, there were 1,681 people living in Belle Plaine. There were 630 households and 466 families. The average household size was 2.67 people.
About 30.2% of the residents were under 18 years old. About 12% were 65 years or older. The median age in the city was 35.5 years.
Education
The public schools in Belle Plaine are part of the Belle Plaine USD 357 school district. This district serves the community's students.
Notable People
- Jesse Beams (1898–1977) - A famous physicist who worked at the University of Virginia. He was born in Belle Plaine.
- Robin Lynn Macy (1958) - A math teacher and community organizer. She was a guitarist and co-founder of the music group Dixie Chicks. She also directed the Bartlett Aboretum.
See also
In Spanish: Belle Plaine (Kansas) para niños
