Belt, Montana Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Belt, Montana had a total population of 559, the 146th largest town in Montana, with a median household income of $73,929, which is 2% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 8.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x.
Belt Quick Facts
How Belt Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 525 | 559 | +6.5% |
| Median household income | $72,083 | $73,929 | +2.6% |
| Median home value | $170,500 | $171,700 | +0.7% |
How Belt Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 29 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Belt Rankings in Montana
Explore Montana Rankings
Other Cities in Cascade County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Great Falls | 60,329 | $63,373 | 14.5% | $257,000 |
| Malmstrom AFB | 4,302 | $64,833 | 5.8% | N/A |
| Sun Prairie | 1,171 | $55,688 | 9.9% | $164,100 |
| Vaughn | 1,002 | $56,250 | 8.7% | $175,300 |
| Ulm | 900 | $102,708 | 6.9% | $369,400 |
| Black Eagle | 781 | $69,545 | 31.4% | $190,400 |
| Cascade | 572 | $50,938 | 7.9% | $247,600 |
| Simms | 334 | $42,292 | 5.7% | $237,500 |
| Fort Shaw | 207 | $56,413 | 17.9% | $184,500 |
| Gibson Flats | 158 | N/A | 74.1% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Belt
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lindisfarne | 533 | N/A | $653,800 | 48.1% | 14.3% |
| Circle | 514 | $75,417 | $171,900 | 25.3% | 6.3% |
| Joliet | 613 | $77,396 | $235,500 | 19.1% | 14.0% |
| Alberton | 573 | $60,000 | $267,700 | 22.4% | 16.1% |
| The Silos | 579 | $60,521 | $367,300 | 24.1% | 19.5% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 559, Belt's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Belt is a small community located in Montana, within Cascade County. The total population is 559. It ranks as the 146th most populous out of 475 Census-designated places in Montana.
Age Demographics
The median age in Belt is 45.9 years. This is 14% higher than the state median of 40.4 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Belt is $73,929. This is 2% higher than the state median of $72,509. It is also 8% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 8.2%. This is 28% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.5%. The unemployment rate is 6.2%. This is 72% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $171,700. Housing costs are 54% lower than the state median of $375,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x, Belt is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 75.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 8% higher than the state average of 69.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Belt has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 86.6% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 10.0%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (0.7% vs 0.4%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (10.0% vs 4.6%).
Education
24.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 32% lower than the state rate of 35.2%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 94.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Belt, Montana is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Montana state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 475 Census-designated places in Montana. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Belt, Montana?
Belt, Montana has a population of 559 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Belt, MT?
The median household income in Belt is $73,929, which is 8% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Belt, MT?
The poverty rate in Belt is 8.2%. This means approximately 46 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Belt, Montana?
Belt's population is 86.6% White, 0.7% Black, 10.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Belt, MT?
The median home value in Belt is $171,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.3x.
How educated is Belt, Montana?
24.0% of adults (25+) in Belt hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.