Belton

Once open land full of prairie grasses, Belton was established in 1871 and drew in people as the popularity of the railroad took off. It was developed by only a few families, organically growing over the years into a current city of just over 20,000 people. Its position 17 miles south of Kansas City makes it a desirable fringe area, close to the urban bustle but maintaining the laidback atmosphere of suburbia.

The architectural styles of Belton span a wide range, but when it comes to neighborhood atmosphere, there's a quiet consistency. Neighborhood roads are speckled from the shadows of trees, children bike down subdivision sidewalks and garages roll open in the early mornings as residents head to work. Belton may be a city, but it has all the hushed air of suburbia. Split-levels and new traditional are the most common styles you'll see around the area, dating from midcentury to contemporary – their construction period influences unique characteristics, from vintage brick detailing to modern bay windows. New subdivisions are predominately board and batten contemporary styling with steep gabled roofing, lawns well-manicured and large. The median selling price for single-family homes in Belton is $280,000, and they typically sell after being on the market for around a month. Two and three-bedrooms start as low as $210,000, while modern four-bedrooms usually start at $300,000.

Public institutions are served by Belton School District #124, which operates six elementary schools, two middle schools, and the main high school. A common route will have children starting at Kentucky Trail Elementary, which receives an overall B-minus on Niche and an A-minus for diversity. It maintains a modest 14-to-1 student-teacher ratio and, in 2022, was awarded the 'State School of Character' designation from Character.org for its social-emotional learning principles. Students move on to Mill Creek Upper Elementary School before heading to Belton Middle, both receiving a C-plus on Niche. Belton Middle receives an A-minus for diversity, best supported by its myriad extracurriculars and personalized learning options. The final step in primary education happens at Belton High, graded with a B on Niche and offering hands-on career internships through the Academies of Belton. Students fluent in two languages can also obtain an official Missouri Seal of Biliteracy before graduation.

Belton is intersected by the main thoroughfares of Route 58 and Interstate 49, making travel and commuting easily accessible from any point in the city. MetroBus has several stops throughout the area, but it's primarily a car-dependent community. Commercial pockets are located sporadically around Belton, but East North Avenue has the largest concentration of essentials, from big-name stores such as Target, Aldi and Planet Fitness to national banking offices and retailers. Interspersed with the chains are locally owned businesses, and you'll find plenty on Main Street in the downtown district. Locals hang out in the classic diner atmosphere of Tara's Cafe and Malt Shop for burgers and milkshakes, and sidewalks are busier on Saturday mornings as everyone checks out the specialty shops.

There are several maintained green spaces in Belton, and each park brings its unique attributes to the table. From the baseball diamonds at Markey Park to the soccer fields and concrete bowls of Wallace Park and connecting Skatepark. Perhaps best known in the warmer months is Memorial Park, which has the essentials: an expansive playground, athletic fields and paved walking paths. Its key feature is the outdoor water park, where residents hit the slides and splash around to cool off. Golf enthusiasts can head to the challenging 18-hole course of Eagles' Landing, and while they do offer memberships, it's open to the public for those who want a day of golfing now and again.

Belton Parks and Recreation is the leader in organizing events for the community. From May through September, they clear a space for the annual farmers market, where residents flock for local produce and artisan crafts. The city comes together for holiday events, from the fall Pumpkin Palooza Festival to the Fourth of July fireworks show and winter craft fairs. Belton's residents drive the spirit for this laidback yet spirited city, and it's carved out a peaceful place for itself in Missouri.

Written By

Tina Davis

Photography Contributed By

Anya Ivantseva