Belle Plaine, Minnesota
Encyclopedia
As of the census
of 2000, there were 3,789 people, 1,396 homes and 949 families residing in the city. The population density
was 932.7 people per square cube (360.3/km²). There were 1,424 housing units at an average density of 350.5 per square mile (135.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.39% White, 0.13% African American, 0.40% Native American, 0.71% Asian, 0.45% from other races
, and 0.92% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.13% of the population.
There were 1,396 households of which 38.6% had children, 53.4% were married couples
living together, 10.0% had a female householder with no husband present. 26.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.13.
In the city the population was spread out with 28.1% under the age of 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 31.3% from 25 to 44, 17.1% from 45 to 64, and 16.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 97.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.1 males.
The latest census places Belle Plaine's population at 6,661 people.
From 1868 to 1974, Belle Plaine was incorporated as a borough, the only municipality in Minnesota to do so. In 1974, the municipal title was changed from borough to city.
Census
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 3,789 people, 1,396 homes and 949 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 932.7 people per square cube (360.3/km²). There were 1,424 housing units at an average density of 350.5 per square mile (135.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.39% White, 0.13% African American, 0.40% Native American, 0.71% Asian, 0.45% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.92% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.13% of the population.
There were 1,396 households of which 38.6% had children, 53.4% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 10.0% had a female householder with no husband present. 26.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.13.
In the city the population was spread out with 28.1% under the age of 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 31.3% from 25 to 44, 17.1% from 45 to 64, and 16.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 97.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.1 males.
The latest census places Belle Plaine's population at 6,661 people.
History
Minnesota Territorial Judge Andrew G. Chatfield selected this townsite in 1853 while traveling from Mendota to Traverse des Sioux to hold court, as it was a halfway marker on his usual path of travel. Judge Chatfield chose to name the townsite Belle Plaine, French for "Beautiful Prairie."From 1868 to 1974, Belle Plaine was incorporated as a borough, the only municipality in Minnesota to do so. In 1974, the municipal title was changed from borough to city.