Belfry, Montana

Belfry is a census-designated place (CDP) in Carbon County, Montana, United States. It is part of the Billings, Montana Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 218 at the 2010 census.[1] It is located approximately 11 miles (18 km) from the Wyoming border, roughly halfway between Billings, Montana and Cody, Wyoming.

Belfry, Montana
Census-designated place
Aerial view of Belfry
Location of Belfry, Montana
Coordinates: 45°8′29″N 109°0′28″W
CountryUnited States
StateMontana
CountyCarbon
Area
 • Total1.72 sq mi (4.45 km2)
 • Land1.66 sq mi (4.31 km2)
 • Water0.05 sq mi (0.14 km2)
Elevation
3,862 ft (1,177 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total218
 • Density131/sq mi (50.6/km2)
Time zoneUTC-7 (Mountain (MST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-6 (MDT)
ZIP code
59008
Area code(s)406
FIPS code30-04900
GNIS feature ID0802021

Belfry is predominantly an agricultural community. The primary crops are sugar beets, alfalfa, and feed corn. Ranchers raise cattle and sheep. Water for agricultural use comes mostly from the Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone River through several cooperative ditch companies, with water rights dating back 100 years or more.

At its peak in the early 1900s, a railway line came into Belfry, with a spur running up to the coal mines in Bearcreek. When the mines closed down and the railway line was removed, Belfry's population dropped to its current level. Currently, the community has a general store, a bar, a restaurant, and a small bar/restaurant/casino.

The town was named for a local doctor. The post office was established on February 26, 1906,[2] with Mary Hall as the first postmaster. The town was created by the construction of the Yellowstone Park Railroad.[3]

Geography

Belfry is located in south-central Carbon County at 45°8′29″N 109°0′28″W (45.141506, -109.007779).[4]

According to the United 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.[1] The Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone River runs just east of the main part of the town.

Demographics

As of the census[5] of 2000, there were 219 people, 98 households, and 53 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 115.1 people per square mile (44.5/km2). There were 119 housing units at an average density of 62.5 per square mile (24.2/km2). The racial makeup of the CDP was 98.63% White, 0.91% Native American, and 0.46% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino 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% were married 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 the CDP 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. The per capita income for the CDP was $13,186. About 16.3% of families and 20.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.1% of those under the age of eighteen and 11.6% of those 65 or over.

Schools

Belfry has its own school district, comprising two schools (elementary and high school) in adjoining buildings. Approximately 80 students attend Belfry schools, including children from Bearcreek, Montana, Bridger, Montana, and Clark, Wyoming. The school mascot is the bat, and the sports teams are known as the Belfry Bats.

References
  1. "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Belfry CDP, Montana". U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved October 8, 2014.
  2. Carkeek Cheney, Roberta (1983). Names on the Face of Montana. Missoula, Montana: Mountain Press Publishing Company. p. 5. ISBN 0-87842-150-5.
  3. "Montana Place Names Companion". Montana Historical Society. Retrieved 22 July 2017.
  4. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  5. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
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