Pollution had been noted in the air and water around Belle between 1988 and 2002, caused by the DuPont facility located there. Water releases of pollutants from the facility increased by 385%, and air releases decreased by 94.3%, during that time period.
Demographics
2010 census
At the 2010 census there were 1,260 people, 571 households, and 365 families living in the town. The population density was. There were 639 housing units at an average density of. The racial makeup of the town was 97.7% White, 0.6% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.1% from other races, and 1.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.3%. Of the 571 households 28.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.4% were married couplesliving together, 15.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 36.1% were non-families. 34.2% of households were one person and 14.8% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.21 and the average family size was 2.77. The median age in the town was 43.1 years. 20.3% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.8% were from 25 to 44; 28.6% were from 45 to 64; and 18.8% were 65 or older. The gender makeup of the town was 45.4% male and 54.6% female.
At the 2000 census there were 1,259 people, 569 households, and 364 families living in the town. The population density was 1,766.2 inhabitants per square mile. There were 647 housing units at an average density of 907.7 per square mile. The racial makeup of the town was 95.31% White, 0.87% African American, 0.24% Native American, 0.87% from other races, and 2.70% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.27%. Of the 569 households 24.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.7% were married couples living together, 14.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.9% were non-families. 32.7% of households were one person and 14.6% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.21 and the average family size was 2.79. The age distribution was 20.8% under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 26.1% from 25 to 44, 26.6% from 45 to 64, and 19.1% 65 or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 84.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.0 males. The median household income was $34,118 and the median family income was $43,203. Males had a median income of $27,500 versus $22,969 for females. The per capita income for the town was $18,636. About 8.6% of families and 11.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.7% of those under age 18 and 5.6% of those age 65 or over.
