Tucked in Central Texas, near the halfway point between Waco and Austin, Belton is a steadily growing part of Bell County. The city of about 23,000 has a growing appeal due to its location near Belton and Stillhouse Hollow lakes and its commuting convenience to several major cities. “It’s a real homey kind of town. If you have a family, absolutely an ideal place to raise kids because there are so many activities and things to do,” says Mary Jane Roach, a broker and owner of Mary Jane Roach Realty, who grew up in the Temple area. The city’s location near Fort Cavazos, formerly Fort Hood, has contributed to its growing population. Fort Cavazos, along with the county government and the healthcare industry in neighboring Temple, are all major employers in the area, and the city’s ease of commuting makes it easy for residents to get to and from each neighboring city.
Belton, Texas, is known for its rich history, including its role as a stagecoach stop.
Belton Lake extends into both Bell County and Coryell County.
Belton is located almost halfway between Austin and Waco.
South Belton has tidy homes on wide, well manicured lots.
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Belton Lake and an abundance of city greenspaces
Belton has 20 municipal parks that total around 260 acres. Over half of the residents in the city live within a 10-minute walk of a walk, according to the Trust for Public Land. The city’s 5-year master plan for parks in the city placed importance on expanding Belton’s trail system as well as improvements to athletic fields throughout the city. In addition to the many parks around Belton, the city is near Stillhouse Hollow Lake and Belton Lake. Both lakes have a handful of recreation areas and boat ramps for waterfront activities. “That’s kind of the vibe that Belton has. If you just want to get outside, there are a lot of places to do it. All of the hiking and biking and lake activities,” Roach says.
Belton Lake at Temple Park is fun for summertime cookouts.
Stillhouse Hollow Lake is a 6,430-acre lake that is located 8 miles south west of Belton.
Observe diverse bird species in the tranquil setting of Nolan Creek's shores in Belton..
Liberty Park in sits on the Leon River just southeast of downtown Belton.
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Cowboys from all over come to Belton for the 4th of July rodeo
Belton’s 4th of July celebration brings in thousands of Texans each year, starting with a street party in the downtown area the weekend before. The weekend-long celebration includes a mile-long parade, live music and other family-friendly fun and games, followed by a multi-day PRCA Rodeo hosted at the Cadence Bank Center. When winter time rolls around, Belton hosts Christmas on the Chisholm Trail, which starts with a festive parade and performances from Belton ISD school choirs and ensembles. Though the annual events bring in folks from neighboring cities, residents can head downtown throughout the year to check out the area’s history at the Bell County Museum. The Beltonian Theatre originally opened its doors in 1922 and recently received a historic landmark designation after its 100-year anniversary.
The historic Beltonian Theatre opened it's doors in 1922.
Discover the Bell County Museum, situated at the former Belton library in downtown.
Shopping in downtown Belton can lead to unique finds and fun adventures.
Explore a world of creativity at the Bell County Museum's captivating art gallery.
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Downtown Belton
Much of Belton’s restaurant scene is in its downtown area around Central Avenue. In addition to local spots like Miller’s Smokehouse, which sells pit barbecue and craft beers, there are a number of shops and local businesses around. “The downtown area borders Nolan Creek, so there’s a lot of activities and restaurants around the water,” Roach says. The downtown area’s Cochran Blair & Potts has stood tall in the community for over 150 years, selling everything from boots and clothes to dry goods and gifts. There are more options on or around Belton’s Main Street, where shopping centers have stores like Walmart or H-E-B.
Miller's Smokehouse in Belton, Texas, is a BBQ lover's paradise.
Step back in time while shopping at Cochran Blair & Potts department store in downtown Belton.
There are plenty of great restaurants along Nolan Creek in downtown Belton.
Grab a specialty coffee at Arusha Coffee & Tea.
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Historic homes and new builds
Belton’s housing varies from early 20th-century builds to luxury estates near Belton Lake. There’s also a fair share of duplexes, townhomes and condos. The median price for homes is around $350,000. Plots of land throughout Belton can start as low as $11,000 but can cost up to $260,000 for waterfront lots. The city has its share of distinct neighborhoods like Riverplace Estates, noted for its spacious estates near Belton Lake. Belton has several historic districts, many of which with homes and buildings built in the late 1800s or early 1900s. Most of the historic homes are around the downtown area, and homes there are closer to the city median, whereas lakefront homes can sell anywhere from $700,000 to multi-millions.
Large custom built homes are common in North Belton.
Modern new builds in Belton, Texas, just minutes from the downtown square.
Explore South Belton's, master-planned communities teeming with beautiful trees.
Some historic homes in Belton were built in the early 1900's.
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Belton Independent School District and the University of Mary-Hardin Baylor
The Belton Independent School District is rated as the second-best school district in Bell County according to Niche with an A-minus score. The district has over 13,000 students spread over three high schools, four middle schools and 11 elementary schools. After graduation, students have several universities to choose from. The University of Mary-Hardin-Baylor is the oldest operating college in Texas, teaching students since 1845. This faith-based university has a student-faculty ratio of 17-to-1 and an array of programs. “It’s a pillar in the community. They have a lot of strong programs,” Roach says. There are more options nearby in Temple, which is home to Temple College and the Texas Bioscience Institute. In addition to public schools, there are several private school options as well.
Sparta Elementary is a public school within the Belton ISD.
Students living in Belton, Texas, may attend Belton Middle School.
Students within Belton can play for sports teams at Belton High School.
Achieve your goals at the University of Mary Hardin Baylor.
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In the heart of Central Texas
Belton’s location in the heart of Central Texas is another draw for residents. The city is about 60 miles from Austin and 43 miles from Waco, both accessible by Interstate 35. However, other major metro areas like Dallas or Houston aren’t that far either. “You can see the state of Texas from this location. It’s just so close to everything. To me, that’s a real drawing point of the area,” Roach says. The Hill County Transit District oversees the HOP, a public transit system that has several stops in Belton. Military personnel heading to Fort Cavazos are 22 miles away and can use Interstate 14 to get there.
I-35 makes for easy traveling to Austin of Dallas.
Nolan Creek skirts around downtown Belton offering scenic views.
Bell County Courthouse building was designed in the Renaissance Revival style in 1884.
Read up on the history of the city at the Belton Library.
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Important to know
Over the past 5 years, Belton has reported violent and property crime rates on par with the state and country averages, according to FBI statistics.
Belton, like most Central Texas areas, experiences hot and humid summers, while winters are usually mild. The city has a steady flow of rainfall throughout the year, and though it isn’t in tornado alley, there are strong thunderstorms occasionally. Though some homes are near Belton Lake, there isn’t a big risk of flooding.
There are many bridge crossings over parts of Belton Lake.
Crime rates in Belton are on par with the state averages.
Enjoy a morning walk at Chalk Ridge Park in Belton, with paved trails and stunning scenery.
On average, homes in Belton, TX sell after 91 days on the market compared to the national average of 48 days. The median sale price for homes in Belton, TX over the last 12 months is $340,856, down 3% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Over 20 years experience with buyers, sellers, investors, builders, and legal issues surrounding real estate transactions. A Realtor with horsepower! J.D. from University of Houston, B.A. from Rice University. Great communicator. Action & results oriented! Serving greater Austin and Hill Country areas. Luxury and Farm & Ranch specialties.
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