Belton is a city in northwestern Cass County,

Missouri Missouri (''see #Etymology and pronunciation, pronunciation'') is a U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern region of the United States. Ranking List of U.S. states and territories by area, 21st in land area, it border ...

, United States. The population was 23,953 at the 2020 census. It is a part of the

Kansas City metropolitan area The Kansas City metropolitan area is a bi-state metropolitan area anchored by Kansas City, Missouri. Its 14 counties straddle the border between the U.S. states of Missouri (9 counties) and Kansas (5 counties). With and a population of more t ...

History

Belton was

plat In the United States, a plat ( or ) (plan) is a cadastral map, drawn to scale, showing the divisions of a piece of land. United States General Land Office surveyors drafted township plats of Public Lands Survey System, Public Lands Surveys to ...

ted in 1871. The city was likely named for surveyor Capt. Marcus Lindsey Belt. A post office called Belton has been in operation since 1872.

Geography

Belton is located in northwest Cass County and is four miles from the Missouri-

Kansas Kansas ( ) is a landlocked U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern region of the United States. It borders Nebraska to the north; Missouri to the east; Oklahoma to the south; and Colorado to the west. Kansas is named a ...

border. The city is on

Missouri Route 58 Route 58 is a highway in western Missouri. Its eastern terminus is at U.S. Route 50 U.S. Route 50 or U.S. Highway 50 (US 50) is a major east–west route of the U.S. Highway system, stretching from Interstate 80 (I-80) in West Sacra ...

west of

I-49 Interstate 49 (I-49) is a north–south Interstate Highway with multiple segments. The original portion is entirely within Louisiana with an additional signed portion extending from I-220 in Shreveport to the Arkansas state line, three ne ...

/ U.S. Route 71. Raymore lies four miles to the east, Peculiar is seven miles to the southeast along Route 71 and Grandview is five miles to the north in Jackson County. According to the

United States Census Bureau The United States Census Bureau, officially the Bureau of the Census, is a principal agency of the Federal statistical system, U.S. federal statistical system, responsible for producing data about the American people and American economy, econ ...

, the city has a total area of , of which is land and is water.

Demographics

2020 census

The 2020 United States census counted 23,953 people, 9,076 households, and 6,470 families in Belton. The population density was 1,682.1 per square mile (649.1/km). There were 9,449 housing units at an average density of 663.6 per square mile (256.1/km). The racial makeup was 76.83% (18,402)

white White is the lightest color and is achromatic (having no chroma). It is the color of objects such as snow, chalk, and milk, and is the opposite of black. White objects fully (or almost fully) reflect and scatter all the visible wa ...

, 8.05% (1,928) black or African-American, 0.58% (139) Native American, 1.08% (259) Asian, 0.22% (53)

Pacific Islander Pacific Islanders, Pasifika, Pasefika, Pacificans, or rarely Pacificers are the peoples of the list of islands in the Pacific Ocean, Pacific Islands. As an ethnic group, ethnic/race (human categorization), racial term, it is used to describe th ...

, 3.49% (835) from other races, and 9.76% (2,337) from two or more races.

Hispanic The term Hispanic () are people, Spanish culture, cultures, or countries related to Spain, the Spanish language, or broadly. In some contexts, Hispanic and Latino Americans, especially within the United States, "Hispanic" is used as an Ethnici ...

or Latino of any race was 8.6% (2,035) of the population. Of the 9,076 households, 31.3% had children under the age of 18; 50.1% were married couples living together; 25.9% had a female householder with no husband present. Of all households, 23.4% consisted of individuals, with 12.5% having someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.6 and the average family size was 3.0. 25.6% of the population was under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 27.4% from 25 to 44, 24.0% from 45 to 64, and 14.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35.3 years. For every 100 females, the population had 91.4 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 86.1 males. The 2016-2020 5-year

American Community Survey The American Community Survey (ACS) is an annual demographics survey program conducted by the United States Census Bureau. It regularly gathers information previously contained only in the long form of the United States census, decennial census ...

estimates show that the median household income was $65,667 (with a margin of error of +/- $6,113) and the median family income $72,003 (+/- $6,020). Males had a median income of $44,234 (+/- $4,453) versus $31,825 (+/- $3,105) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $37,555 (+/- $2,205). Approximately, 8.5% of families and 10.1% of the population were below the

poverty line The poverty threshold, poverty limit, poverty line, or breadline is the minimum level of income deemed adequate in a particular country. The poverty line is usually calculated by estimating the total cost of one year's worth of necessities for ...

, including 17.7% of those under the age of 18 and 4.0% of those ages 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the

census A census (from Latin ''censere'', 'to assess') is the procedure of systematically acquiring, recording, and calculating population information about the members of a given Statistical population, population, usually displayed in the form of stati ...

of 2013, there were 23,175 people, 8,623 households, and 6,083 families living in the city. The

population density Population density (in agriculture: Standing stock (disambiguation), standing stock or plant density) is a measurement of population per unit land area. It is mostly applied to humans, but sometimes to other living organisms too. It is a key geog ...

was . There were 9,440 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 85.7%

White White is the lightest color and is achromatic (having no chroma). It is the color of objects such as snow, chalk, and milk, and is the opposite of black. White objects fully (or almost fully) reflect and scatter all the visible wa ...

, 6.0%

African American African Americans, also known as Black Americans and formerly also called Afro-Americans, are an Race and ethnicity in the United States, American racial and ethnic group that consists of Americans who have total or partial ancestry from an ...

, 0.6% Native American, 0.9% Asian, 0.1%

, 3.7% from other races, and 3.1% from two or more races.

or Latino of any race were 8.1% of the population. There were 8,623 households, of which 39.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.5% were

married couples Marriage, also called matrimony or wedlock, is a culturally and often legally recognised union between people called spouses. It establishes rights and obligations between them, as well as between them and their children (if any), and b ...

living together, 15.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 6.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 29.5% were non-families. 24.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.67 and the average family size was 3.15. The median age in the city was 33.6 years. 28.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 28.2% were from 25 to 44; 24.3% were from 45 to 64; and 10.8% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.4% male and 51.6% female.

2000 census

As of the

of 2000, there were 21,730 people, 7,945 households, and 5,807 families living in the city. The population density was . There were 8,411 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 91.95%

, 3.85%

Black Black is a color that results from the absence or complete absorption of visible light. It is an achromatic color, without chroma, like white and grey. It is often used symbolically or figuratively to represent darkness.Eva Heller, ''P ...

, 0.60% Native American, 0.58% Asian, 0.09%

, 1.08% from other races, and 1.85% from two or more races.

or Latino of any race were 4.69% of the population. There were 7,945 households, out of which 40.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.0% were

living together, 12.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.9% were non-families. 22.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.70 and the average family size was 3.15. The population was spread out, with 30.0% under the age of 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 32.6% from 25 to 44, 18.8% from 45 to 64, and 10.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.1 males. The median income for a household in the city was $45,581, and the median income for a family was $51,268. Males had a median income of $35,518 versus $25,542 for females. The

per capita income Per capita income (PCI) or average income measures the average income earned per person in a given area (city, region, country, etc.) in a specified year. In many countries, per capita income is determined using regular population surveys, such ...

for the city was $18,572. About 6.5% of families and 7.9% of the population were below the

, including 10.5% of those under age 18 and 4.1% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

Largest employers

According to the city's 2016 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the largest employers in the city are:

Education

Belton School District #124 includes most of Belton. It operates six elementary schools, two middle schools, and Belton High School. A portion of eastern Belton is in the Raymore-Peculiar School District. Metropolitan Community College has the Belton school district in its taxation area. The Raymore-Peculiar district is in the service area but not the taxation area. Belton has a

public library A public library is a library, most often a lending library, that is accessible by the general public and is usually funded from public sources, such as taxes. It is operated by librarians and library paraprofessionals, who are also Civil servic ...

, a branch of the Cass County Public Library.

Notable people

Dale Carnegie Dale Carnegie ( ; spelled Carnagey until c. 1922; November 24, 1888 – November 1, 1955) was an American writer and teacher of courses in self-improvement, salesmanship, corporate training, public speaking, and interpersonal skills. Born into ...

, author of ''How to Win Friends and Influence People'' (parents moved to community when he was adult but he is buried in Belton) *

Emmett Dalton Emmett Dalton (May 3, 1871 – July 13, 1937) was an American outlaw, train robber and member of the Dalton Gang in the American Old West. Part of a gang that attempted to rob two banks in Coffeyville, Kansas, on October 5, 1892, he was the ...

, of the bank-robbing

Dalton Gang The Dalton Gang was a group of outlaws in the American Old West during 1890–1892. It was also known as The Dalton Brothers because three of its members were brothers. The gang specialized in bank and train robberies. During an attempted doub ...

Ben Hardaway Joseph Benson Hardaway (May 21, 1895 – February 5, 1957) was an American storyboard artist, animator, voice actor, gagman, writer and director for several American animation studios during The Golden Age of Hollywood animation. He was sometim ...

, storyboard artist, animator, voice actor, gagman, writer, and director during the

Golden Age of American animation The golden age of American animation was a period that began with the popularization of Sound film, sound synchronized cartoons in 1928 and gradually ended in the 1960s when theatrical animated shorts started to lose popularity to the newer medi ...

. *

Kevin Hern Kevin Ray Hern (born December 4, 1961) is an American politician and businessman from Oklahoma. A Republican Party (United States), Republican, he is serving as a member of the United States House of Representatives for since 2018. Born in Mis ...

, businessman and member of the

U.S. House of Representatives The United States House of Representatives is a chamber of the bicameral United States Congress; it is the lower house, with the U.S. Senate being the upper house. Together, the House and Senate have the authority under Article One of th ...

for Oklahoma's 1st congressional district *

Carrie Nation Caroline Amelia Nation (November 25, 1846June 9, 1911), often referred to as Carrie, Carry Nation, Carrie A. Nation, or Hatchet Granny, was an American who was a radical member of the temperance movement, which opposed alcohol before the advent ...

, leader of

temperance movement The temperance movement is a social movement promoting Temperance (virtue), temperance or total abstinence from consumption of alcoholic beverages. Participants in the movement typically criticize alcohol intoxication or promote teetotalism, and ...

Tate Stevens Stephen "Tater" Eatinger (born March 1, 1975), known by his stage name Tate Stevens, is an American country music artist, who won the The X Factor (U.S. season 2), second season of the U.S. ''The X Factor (U.S. TV series), The X Factor'' in 2012, ...

, 2012 winner of ''

The X Factor ''The X Factor'' is a television music competition franchise created by British producer Simon Cowell and his company Syco Entertainment. It originated in the United Kingdom, where it was devised as a replacement for '' Pop Idol'' (2001–200 ...

'' *

Harry S. Truman Harry S. Truman (May 8, 1884December 26, 1972) was the 33rd president of the United States, serving from 1945 to 1953. As the 34th vice president in 1945, he assumed the presidency upon the death of Franklin D. Roosevelt that year. Subsequen ...

, 33rd

President of the United States The president of the United States (POTUS) is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president directs the Federal government of the United States#Executive branch, executive branch of the Federal government of t ...

. * Brad St. Louis, played 10 seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals in the National Football League.

Sister cities

* Manzanillo, Mexico * Selkirk, Canada

References

External links

* *Historic maps of Belton in th
Sanborn Maps of Missouri Collection
at the

University of Missouri The University of Missouri (Mizzou or MU) is a public university, public Land-grant university, land-grant research university in Columbia, Missouri, United States. It is Missouri's largest university and the flagship of the four-campus Univers ...

{{authority control Cities in Cass County, Missouri Cities in Kansas City metropolitan area 1871 establishments in Missouri Cities in Missouri