RR Xing Sign, c. 2007
Belton’s story
155 years in pictures
Census counts: 552 in 1880, 23,953 in 2020. The archive holds 20 old photos and papers going back to 2004 and 5 maps from 1934 on.
- 1871Belton is settled
Photo: Tyler Silvest · CC BY 2.0
Population
26,193
2025 Census estimate · +9.2% since 2020
Typical home
$271K
+4.1% in a year
Household income
$69K
median
Median age
36.8
years
Jobs based here
8,328
A commuter town
TownGrade
C
#156 of 247 in MO
Is Belton a good place to live?
Belton is a solid, middle-of-the-road choice. It grades C overall, 156th among Missouri's 247 graded towns, with no subject far below average. Its best mark is incomes: the median household earns $69K. Its lowest everyday mark is in safety: it reports more crime per resident than 74% of U.S. towns, including 44 violent crimes reported to the FBI in 2025. A typical home there costs about $271K, 3.3 years of the Kansas City metro’s $83K median household income. The biggest park or preserve is Markey Park, at 71 acres. Belton’s property crime rate is 17 per 1,000 residents, where Missouri’s towns sit at 12.4 and U.S. towns at 9.9.
WeakestCSafety
What makes Belton stand out
Where Belton beats most towns.
A commuter town
90% of working residents leave Belton for work
Where Belton’s working residents go each day. Line width shows the share.
8,328jobs based in Belton
10%of working residents work in town
14 mimedian commute distance
Census LEHD 2023
How Belton grades
Each subject compared with towns across the country (schools within Missouri), ordered by how far Belton is from typical.
SafetyCOpen →HealthBelton Regional Medical Center 1.2 miles awayC+Open →Hazard riskFEMA risk higher than 32% of U.S. communities; inland flooding tops the listBOpen →WalkabilityEPA walkability 8 of 20; 4.8% of households have no car; 2.1% of workers walk, bike or ride transitBOpen →SchoolsC+Open →Jobs & incomeBOpen →Cost of livingBOpen →
Character Graded, but not part of the overall grade.
Outdoors4 miles of trails; 3% conserved landB−Open →History3 notable people born hereC−Open →Civic life3.5 community nonprofits per 1,000 residentsB+Open →
Described, not graded Taste, not quality: snow or an older crowd is neither good nor bad.
Climate–Open →Housing market17 days on market–Open →Who lives hereMedian age 36.8; 26% of adults have a four-year degree–Open →
How TownRatings grades towns →
Nearby attractions
All 39 attractions →Arrowhead Stadium and 35 more within 40 miles
Museums, parks, gardens and other places to visit around Belton. Close and well known come first.
Big draw16 mi Stadium & arenaArrowhead Stadium
16 mi Stadium & arenaKauffman Stadium
24 mi Park & preserveSubTropolis
25 mi Theme parkWorlds of Fun
21 mi Stadium & arenaCPKC Stadium
20 mi Stadium & arenaT-Mobile CenterSources: National Park Service · ski areas © OpenSkiMap / OpenStreetMap contributors · Wikidata · Wikipedia readership · photos via Wikimedia Commons
Photo credits
Arrowhead Stadium: Ichabod, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Kauffman Stadium: Mysteryman28, Public domain · SubTropolis: ErgoSum88, Public domain · Worlds of Fun: Tkexb173 at en.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0 · CPKC Stadium: elisfkc2, CC BY-SA 2.0 · T-Mobile Center: Michael Barera, CC BY-SA 4.0
Getting set up
The full setup list →Moving to Belton: who provides what
Who provides power, water and the rest in Belton, and how to reach them.
PowerEvergy12.1¢/kWh · EIA 2025HIFLD · EIA
WaterBelton PWSNo health-based violations in 5 years · EPAEPA
Internet6 providers100% of addresses get 100/20 MbpsFCC
Trash & dumpGFL EnvironmentalTrash haulerTown site
Register to voteOnlineIn Missouri you can register online until 27 days before Election Day, in person until 27 days before Election Day, or by mail (postmarked 27 days before).vote.govWho runs elections hereCassCass County; contacts on the Handbook page.FVAP, Sep 2017
ZIP code6401264012 100%Census 2020
EPA SDWIS (Oct 9, 2026) · HIFLD + EIA-861 2025 · Census 2020 ZCTAs · NCES 2024–25 · registration: vote.gov, updated Nov 18, 2024.
The data
Ordered by what stands out in Belton.
Belton sends many workers across the state line to Overland Park, fares better on crime within Missouri than nationally and looks healthier within Missouri than nationally.
Work & commuteJobs & income grade B
With 0.7 jobs for every working resident, most of Belton’s workers commute out
23% of working residents cross a state line to work, Overland Park among the top destinations.
Most working residents leave Belton for work: only 10% work in town. Jobs based in Belton grew to 8,328 in 2023, 1,635 more than in 2013. The top destinations are Kansas City (26%), Overland Park (9%) and Lee's Summit (6%).
10%work in town
| Belton | Missouri towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below the poverty line | 9.7% | 14% | 9.6% |
| Average trip to work | 25 minutes | 22 minutes | 25 minutes |
| Work from home | 12% | 9% | 11% |
| Median household income | $69,000 | $62,000 | $80,000 |
Where working residents work
In Belton10%
Kansas City26%
Overland Park9%
Lee's Summit6%
Grandview4%
14 mi
median commute distance
8,328
jobs based in Belton
A commuter town
jobs vs. working residents
B
Walkability grade: more walkable than 63% of U.S. towns
Census LEHD 2023 · ACS
SchoolsC+
Belton’s schools rank behind 59% of Missouri districts
Its public schools are run by the Belton 124 school district. Two of its 10 schools are below, each with why it’s listed.
41%of MO districts it outscoresC+School Grade
| School | Level | Students | Letter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belton Middle SchoolLargest public middle schoolGrades 7–8 | Grades 7–8 | 641 | C− |
| Belton HighLargest public high schoolGrades 9–12 | Grades 9–12 | 1,258 | B |
NCES · EDFacts · graded within MO on state tests and graduation
SafetyC
Belton earns a C for safety
At 30.7 crimes per 1,000 residents a year, it reports more crime than 61% of Missouri’s graded towns. Reported crimes fell from 722 to 492 over the last three FBI years, a drop beyond ordinary year-to-year swings.
Belton reports more crime per resident than most U.S. towns we grade: about 74% report less.
26%of U.S. towns report more crimeCSafety Grade
Violent crime per 1,000 residents
Belton1.7
Missouri4.3
U.S.3.3
Property crime per 1,000 residents
Belton17
Missouri16.9
U.S.15.5
26th
percentile among U.S. towns we grade
39th
percentile among MO towns
44
violent crimes reported in 2025
448
property crimes reported in 2025
FBI crime data, 2025 · crimes reported to police
Natural hazardsHazard risk grade B
Low risk in Belton, with inland flooding at the top
Expected storm and flood damage is lower than in 68% of U.S. communities. Since 1979, 13 flood insurance claims have been paid out in Belton.
32risk score of 100
FEMA risk score
Inland floodingTornadoesCold waves
13
paid flood claims since 1979
5
federal disasters paid out here
FEMA flood insurance claims · FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMA
Climate
Belton has four seasons and pleasant summers
Belton has chilly winters and warm summers. July afternoons reach 88°, January nights drop to 21° and about 9 inches of snow falls in a winter.
9″snow a winter
Typical low → high °F
Winter23–42°
Spring44–65°
Summer66–86°
Fall46–67°
Oct 29
typical first frost
Apr 8
typical last frost
+1.0°
vs. the 20th-century average
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020
HealthC+
Belton is less healthy than 64% of U.S. towns
Within Missouri it is healthier than 57% of the 247 graded towns: much of Missouri scores lower on these measures.
Belton tracks Missouri closely on all 32 CDC measures. 30% of Belton adults feel lonely.
36%healthier than U.S. townsC+Health Grade
| Belton | Missouri towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feel lonely (CDC PLACES) | 30% | 32% | 33% |
| Sleep under 7 hours (CDC PLACES) | 40% | 38% | 36% |
| Obesity (CDC PLACES) | 40% | 38% | 35% |
| Get no exercise (CDC PLACES) | 28% | 30% | 25% |
32 measures vs. Missouri
0 better32 too close to call0 worse
Belton Regional Medical Center
1.2 mi away · emergency room
None
primary care, dental or mental-health shortage
57th
percentile among MO towns
CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSA
#118for trails in MO
| Belton | Missouri towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miles of trail per square mile | 0.3 miles per square mile | 0.3 | 0.4 |
| Conserved land | 3.3% | 2.1% | 4.3% |
3.3%
conserved · 304 of 9,221 acres
3.6 mi
of trails · 0.3 per sq mi
| Biggest places to walk | Trails | Acres |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Memorial Park | 1.5 mi | 35 |
| 2. Wallace Park | 1 mi | 36 |
| 3. Markey Park | 0.3 mi | 71 |
Trails & parks © OpenStreetMap contributors · Conserved land: USGS PAD-US
Who lives here
An age mix much like Missouri’s
No broad age group is more than 4 points off the Missouri average. Belton has grown 9.2% since 2020, to 26,193 residents in the Census Bureau’s 2025 estimate. 15% of residents are 65 or older in Belton.
36.8median age · MO 39
| Belton | Missouri towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aged 65 or older | 15% | 17% | 18% |
| Median age | 36.8 years | 38.5 years | 40.5 years |
| Under 18 | 24% | 23% | 22% |
| Bachelor’s degree or more, 25+ | 26% | 22% | 29% |
BeltonMissouriUnited States
Ages · share of residents
17%
Education · adults 25 and older
No diploma7%
High school34%
Some college25%
Associate’s8%
Bachelor’s19%
Graduate7%
Women and men · all residents
55% women, 45% men
About 81 men for every 100 women (the survey’s margin: ±1.7 points). Across Missouri, 50.7% of residents are women. Median age: women 37.0, men 36.7.
| Belton | MO | U.S. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 10 | 12% | 11.9% | 11.6% |
| 10 to 17 | 12.2% | 10.4% | 10.3% |
| 18 to 24 | 6.4% | 9.1% | 9.1% |
| 25 to 34 | 16.8% | 13.2% | 13.7% |
| 35 to 44 | 13.1% | 12.8% | 13.2% |
| 45 to 54 | 12.6% | 11.6% | 12.2% |
| 55 to 64 | 12.5% | 13% | 12.7% |
| 65 to 74 | 8.8% | 10.6% | 10.2% |
| 75 and older | 5.7% | 7.3% | 7% |
| No diploma | 6.5% | 8.1% | 10.4% |
| High school | 34.3% | 30.2% | 26% |
| Some college | 25.1% | 20.8% | 19.1% |
| Associate’s | 8.4% | 8.4% | 8.8% |
| Bachelor’s | 19% | 19.8% | 21.6% |
| Graduate | 6.7% | 12.6% | 14.1% |
Census population estimates, 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates
HousingCost of living grade B
Belton earns a B for cost of living
The typical Belton home is worth about $271,000, up 4.1% in a year, close to the Missouri typical home. The median rent in Belton is $1,290 a month.
$271KZillow home value
| Belton | Missouri towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Households that own their home | 59% | 64% | 73% |
| Median rent | $1,290 a month | $970 a month | $1,185 a month |
Typical home value
Belton$271K
Missouri$265K
Market temperature
17
days on market
+4.1%
value change, 1 year
22
homes sold in May
Census ACS, 2020–24 · Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data Center
Keep exploring
Everything we know about Belton
20pages on Belton
The big questions
SchoolsC+Behind 59% of MO districts · 10 schoolsSafetyC1.7 violent crimes per 1,000 residents (2025)HealthC+Better than MO on 0 of 32 CDC measuresCost of livingB$271K typical home · up 4.1% in a yearWork & commuteB$69K median household income · 8,328 jobs hereNatural hazardsBFEMA risk higher than 32% of U.S. communities · inland flooding
Out and about
The story
After high school
Colleges nearby
13 within 15 miles of the center of Belton
Calvary UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · Kansas City1.7 mi$14,094 tuitionAvila UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · Kansas City7.3 mi$42,000 tuitionJohnson County Community CollegeCommunity college · Public · Overland Park, KS12.9 mi$2,424 in-state tuition
About 4 of every 100 Belton residents are enrolled in college, against 6 across Missouri.
Famous people from Belton
3 notable people were born in Belton.
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About Belton
City in Missouri, US
Belton is a city in northwestern Cass County, Missouri, United States. The population was 23,953 at the 2020 census. It is a part of the Kansas City metropolitan area.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)
- Established
- 1871
- Area
- 14 sq mi
- Elevation
- 1,106 ft
- ZIP code
- 64012
- Area code
- 816
Belton’s neighbors
4 towns share a border with Belton.
Kansas CityLoch LloydRaymoreGrandviewBelton
How the neighbors grade
| Town | MO rank | Overall | Cost | Safety | Schools | Health |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belton | #156 | C | B | C | C+ | C+ |
| Kansas City | #200 | C− | C+ | D− | C+ | C+ |
| Loch Lloyd | — | — | D− | — | C+ | B |
| Raymore | #75 | B+ | C+ | B | B | B+ |
| Grandview | #241 | D | B+ | D | D | C− |
Loch Lloyd has fewer than 2,500 residents, so it gets subject grades but no overall grade. Loch Lloyd reports no FBI crime data of its own. Compare Belton with a neighbor →
Questions about Belton
Short answers, built from the data on this page.
Is Belton, MO a good place to live?
Belton grades C overall, better than 30% of U.S. towns and #156 of 247 in Missouri. It grades C+ for health, C for safety and C+ for schools.
Is Belton, MO expensive?
Cost of living, which also weighs rents, property taxes and how many households pay 30% or more of their income for housing, grades B.
What is Belton, MO known for?
3 notable people were born here, including Kevin Hern and Ben Hardaway.