Belton’s central location at the crossroads of IH-35 and IH-14 provides our businesses and residents with abundant opportunities, easy access to big-city amenities, and is the perfect place to call home. Our beautiful rolling hills, parks, hike and bike trails, lakes and creeks, a charming historical downtown, and a friendly community provide a welcoming small-town feel that everyone can enjoy!
Natural landscapes surrounding the community, excellent schools, low crime rate, and a low cost of living makes Belton the perfect place to call home. In the last five years, the Temple-Killeen MSA experienced a 10% population boost, in sync with the registered growth rate for the State of Texas.
Within our county are several popular tourist spots, including beautiful lakes, acres of park land, the Bell County Expo Center, and several historic museums and villages.
Belton offers a variety of outdoor activities featuring 2 grand lakes with miles of rolling hills and wooded land. The City of Belton maintains more than 18 parks, some intertwined with the popular Nolan Creek, offering plenty of natural beauty to explore. In addition, a regional trail initiative is underway to connect hike and bike trails within the region.
Education
Our growing school district has a reputation for academic excellence and innovative programs contributing to the attraction of young families. Independent school districts in the Belton area are keeping pace with the growth experienced in the region. Over 60,000 students are enrolled in elementary and secondary schools with over 3,000 graduating from High School annually.
Belton ISD is the premier school district in the area covering approximately 200 square miles in Bell County and employing over 1,700 high performing administration, faculty and staff; thus ranking as one of the largest employers in the region.
The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (UMHB), is a private university with the vision to become the university of choice for Christian higher education in the Southwest. The University offers undergraduate and graduate programs including masters and doctorate degrees.
Belton's own Mary Hardin-Baylor, Texas A&M Central Texas and Temple College University Center offer in-demand undergraduate, master's, and doctoral programs. These universities produce a highly educated workforce ready to enter the job market and willing to find employment in the area.
Other Area Universities & Colleges
Temple College, Texas State Technical College, Texas A&M Central Texas, Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine
Belton has a growing and diverse industrial base with plenty of access to talent. Local school districts, colleges, and universities deliver a well-trained talent pipeline and customized training programs.
Transportation
Over the last five years, the area added 3,241 jobs, a 1.7% increase, and these are projected to continue to grow to 10,408 over the next five years. The area has access to a steady and skilled labor pool with school districts, colleges and universities preparing and graduating approximately 5,000 students every year.
Well Connected
Located at the crossroads of IH-35 and IH-14, Belton is within 180 miles of every major market in Texas and in the center of the rapidly growing high-tech corridor between San Antonio and the Dallas/Fort Worth area. The Killeen-Temple Metropolitan Planning Organization (KTMPO) region expects $272,270,000 of mobility-related funding to be allocated for identified projects in the region over the next ten years.
Proximity to Major Cities
- Temple Draughon-Miller Airport - 13 miles east on IH-14
- Killeen-Ft. Cavazos Airport - 15 miles west on IH-14
- Waco Regional Airport - 52 miles north on I-35
- Austin-Bergstrom Airport - 69 miles south on I-35
- San Antonio Airport - 122 miles south on I-35
- Dallas/Fort Worth Airport - 154 miles north on I-3
- George Bush Intercontinental/Houston Airport - 180 miles
Business
Belton’s strategic location in grand Central Texas offers quick and easy access to regional, state, and international markets.
A Strong, Pro-Business Community
Belton is proud to be a pro-business community. A diverse range of businesses call Belton home, and our city is always looking for ways to support local company expansions and new entrepreneurship ventures. The BEDC is committed to furthering the economic growth of our community and works with your business to ensure you find success in Belton.
The Skilled Workforce Businesses Need
The Belton area offers a young, skilled and reliable labor pool, along with a tremendous supply of available talent for part time and shift occupations.
Fort Cavazos - The Largest US Army Training Post
Belton draws a steady supply of highly trained workers with an excellent work ethic from Fort Cavazos, the largest United States Army training post. Only 20 miles from Belton, the post has 241 separating and retiring soldiers each month. A report by the Fort Cavazos Region Veterans Inventory Initiative indicates that 39% of those exiting the military have expressed a preference for remaining in the area.
Career-Ready High School Graduates
The Belton Independent School District, as well as other ISDs in the region, have innovative Career and Technology Programs offering industry certifications to high school graduates supporting high demand occupations in the area.