Belfry, Montana | |
|---|---|
 Aerial view of Belfry | |
 Location of Belfry, Montana | |
| Coordinates:45°08′05″N109°00′12″W / 45.13472°N 109.00333°W /45.13472; -109.00333 | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Montana |
| County | Carbon |
| Area | |
• Total | 1.72 sq mi (4.45 km2) |
| • Land | 1.66 sq mi (4.31 km2) |
| • Water | 0.054 sq mi (0.14 km2) |
| Elevation | 3,845 ft (1,172 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 193 |
| • Density | 115.9/sq mi (44.76/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-7 (Mountain (MST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-6 (MDT) |
| ZIP code | 59008 |
| Area code | 406 |
| FIPS code | 30-04900 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2407824[2] |
Belfry is acensus-designated place (CDP) inCarbon County,Montana, United States. It is an unincorporated town, and is part of theBillings, MontanaMetropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 193 at the2020 census,[3] down from 218 in the2010 census.[4] It is located approximately 11 miles (18 km) from theWyoming border, roughly halfway between Billings, Montana andCody, Wyoming.
Belfry is predominantly an agricultural community. The primary crops aresugar beets,alfalfa, andfeed corn. Ranchers raisecattle andsheep. Water foragricultural use comes mostly from theClarks Fork of theYellowstone River through several cooperative ditch companies, with water rights dating back 100 years or more.
The town was created by the construction of the Yellowstone Park Railroad in 1905.[5] The line, known asMontana, Wyoming & Southern Railroad beginning in 1909, was a short line between Bridger and the coal mines.[6] The town was named for Dr. Oran Merton Belfry, an investor in the railroad.[7] The post office was established on February 26, 1906,[8] with Mary Hall as the first postmaster.
Belfry was the headquarters of the railroad and anchored the business district.[5] With demand for coal down, the railroad went bankrupt in 1954.[5] TheDepot was listed on theNational Register of Historic Places in 2012.[9]
Kose Hall is also listed on the Register. The building has functioned as a dance hall, restaurant, and general store.[10]
Belfry is located in south-central Carbon County.
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 1.72 square miles (4.45 km2), of which 1.66 square miles (4.31 km2) is land and 0.054 square miles (0.14 km2), or 3.10%, is water.[4] TheClarks Fork of the Yellowstone River runs just east of the main part of the town.
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 193 | — | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[11] | |||
As of thecensus[12] of 2000, there were 219 people, 98 households, and 53 families residing in theCDP. The population density was 115.1 inhabitants per square mile (44.4/km2). There were 119 housing units at an average density of 62.5 per square mile (24.1/km2). The racial makeup of theCDP was 98.63%White, 0.91%Native American, and 0.46% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino of any race were 1.83% of the population.
There were 98 households, out of which 29.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.9% weremarried couples living together, 8.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 44.9% were non-families. 41.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 3.17.
In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 27.4% under the age of 18, 6.8% from 18 to 24, 21.5% from 25 to 44, 23.3% from 45 to 64, and 21.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.1 males.
The median income for a household in theCDP was $25,313, and the median income for a family was $43,750. Males had a median income of $16,667 versus $15,500 for females. Theper capita income for the CDP was $13,186. About 16.3% of families and 20.3% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 15.1% of those under the age of eighteen and 11.6% of those 65 or over.
Belfry has its own school district, comprising two schools (elementary and high school) in adjoining buildings. In the 2024-2025 school year 51 students attended Belfry schools, including children fromBearcreek, Montana,Bridger, Montana, andClark, Wyoming.[13] The school mascot is thebat, and the sports teams are known as the Belfry Bats.[14]
Belfry is near public use airportsBridger Municipal Airport andRed Lodge Airport. The nearest commercial airport isBillings Logan International Airport.
Municipalities and communities ofCarbon County, Montana,United States | ||
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