Belfry, Montana
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Belfry is a census-designated place located in Carbon County, Montana. As of the 2000 census, the CDP had a total population of 219. It is located approximately 11 miles from the Wyoming border, roughly halfway between Billings, Montana and Cody, Wyoming.
Belfry is predominantly an agricultural town. The primary crops are sugar beets, alfalfa, and feed corn. Ranchers raise cattle and sheep. Water for [[agriculture|agricultural] use comes mostly from the Clark's 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 1900's, 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 town has a general store, a bar, a restaurant, and a small bar/restaurant/casino.
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Geography
MTMap-doton-Belfry.PNG
Location of Belfry, Montana
Belfry is located at 45°8'29" North, 109°0'28" West (45.141506, -109.007779)Template:GR.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 4.9 km² (1.9 mi²). 4.9 km² (1.9 mi²) of it is land and none of it is covered by water. The Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone River runs just east of the main part of the town.
Demographics
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there are 219 people, 98 households, and 53 families residing in the CDP. The population density is 44.5/km² (115.1/mi²). There are 119 housing units at an average density of 24.2/km² (62.5/mi²). The racial makeup of the CDP is 98.63% White, 0.00% African American, 0.91% Native American, 0.00% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.00% from other races, and 0.46% from two or more races. 1.83% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 98 households out of which 29.6% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.9% are married couples living together, 8.2% have a female householder with no husband present, and 44.9% are non-families. 41.8% of all households are made up of individuals and 16.3% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.23 and the average family size is 3.17.
In the CDP the population is 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 are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 41 years. For every 100 females there are 95.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 87.1 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP is $25,313, and the median income for a family is $43,750. Males have a median income of $16,667 versus $15,500 for females. The per capita income for the CDP is $13,186. 20.3% of the population and 16.3% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 15.1% of those under the age of 18 and 11.6% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
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 Bridger, Montana and Clark, Wyoming. The school mascot is the bat, and the sports teams are known as the Belfry Bats.