The Local Guide · Belton

Living in Belton, Texas

A courthouse town with a creek through its downtown, two lakes close by and newer neighborhoods growing on every side.

By the Magnolia Realty Temple-Belton Team · Updated September 2026

Belton is our hometown. Our office sits on Wall Street, a short walk from the courthouse square, and we have watched this town grow while holding on to everything that made it special in the first place. Nolan Creek still runs through the heart of downtown, the Fourth of July parade still fills the streets, and on a warm evening Lake Belton is only a few minutes away.

This guide covers what life in Belton is like, what homes sell for, the neighborhoods buyers ask us about most, and a few things to know before you buy. The numbers come from a full year of Belton home sales.

Belton at a Glance

Based on Central Texas MLS closed sales in Belton, September 2025 to September 2026. Figures are rounded summaries, not appraisals, and do not reflect any individual sale.

A Town With a Story

Belton has been the seat of Bell County since the 1850s, and the limestone Bell County Courthouse still anchors the square. When the railroad bypassed Belton in 1881 and a new town called Temple grew up a few miles east, Belton kept its county-seat character, and it still has it today.

The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor has called Belton home since 1886, and its campus gives Belton a lively college feel. The Nolan Creek trail follows the water past the square, connecting parks, coffee shops and local restaurants. And every summer, Belton's Fourth of July celebration, with its parade and rodeo, draws visitors from all over Central Texas.

Belton still has the heart of a small town, with two lakes close by and the interstate right at its door.

Life on the Lakes

Few towns our size have two lakes this close. Lake Belton sits just north and west of town, with parks, boat ramps and swimming areas along its shore. Stillhouse Hollow Lake lies to the southwest, known for its clear water and quieter coves. Between the two, weekends here often involve a boat, a paddleboard, a fishing pole or a picnic by the water.

Much of the shoreline around both lakes is public land managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. That keeps the water open for everyone, and it also means most homes in the lake area sit near the water rather than directly on it.

Belton Neighborhoods

A handful of neighborhoods account for a large share of Belton's home sales. Here are the ones buyers ask us about most, grouped by where they sit around town.

West and Southwest

• Three Creeks: Belton's busiest neighborhood by a wide margin, with about 1 in 5 of the city's home sales this past year. Three Creeks sits southwest of downtown and offers walking trails, community amenities and a mix of resale and new construction. Most homes sold between $285K and $360K, built 2018 to 2026, typical lot about a seventh of an acre.
• Skyview: A newer community southwest of downtown, where nearly every sale this past year was new construction. Most homes sold between $290K and $320K, built 2025 to 2026, typical lot about a seventh of an acre.
• Ridge at Belle Meadows: Newly built homes southwest of downtown, among the more approachable price points for new construction in Belton. Most homes sold between $250K and $280K, built 2025, typical lot about a seventh of an acre.
• Sendero Estates: A newer neighborhood on the west side of town, with a mix of recent construction and resale homes. Most homes sold between $300K and $340K, built 2019 to 2024, typical lot about a fifth of an acre.
• Liberty Valley: An established neighborhood south of downtown with homes about 10 to 15 years old. Most homes sold between $250K and $275K, built 2009 to 2016, typical lot about a fifth of an acre.

South

• Hubbard Branch: A newer community on the south side of Belton, near Hubbard Branch Elementary. About 7 in 10 sales this past year were new construction. Most homes sold between $310K and $360K, built 2021 to 2025, typical lot about a fifth of an acre.

North, Toward Lake Belton

• Morgan's Point Resort: A small lakeside city on the shores of Lake Belton, north of town, served by Belton ISD. Homes here tend to be older and smaller, which makes it one of the more affordable ways to live near the lake. Most homes sold between $225K and $305K, built 1977 to 2007, typical lot about a quarter acre.
• Lakewood Ranch: Larger homes on bigger lots near Lake Belton, north of town. Homes here sold quickly this past year, in about six weeks. Most homes sold between $380K and $625K, built 1992 to 2017, typical lot just over half an acre.
• Woodland Trails: An established area north of town toward Lake Belton, with larger lots and homes built over several decades. Homes here sold faster than anywhere else in Belton this past year, in about four weeks. Most homes sold between $285K and $375K, built 1977 to 2014, typical lot about a third of an acre.

Belton also has historic homes near downtown and the university, and acreage properties on the edges of town. About 1 in 4 homes sold this past year sat on half an acre or more.

Search all Belton homes for sale →

Belton Home Prices by Neighborhood

Here is how Belton's most active neighborhoods compared over the past year.

Based on Central Texas MLS closed sales in Belton, September 2025 to September 2026. Ranges show where the middle half of sales fell, rounded to the nearest $5,000. Neighborhoods with fewer than 10 sales are not shown. Figures are rounded summaries, not appraisals, and do not reflect any individual sale.

Belton, Temple or Salado?

Over the past year, the typical home sold for about $320,000 in Belton, compared with about $270,000 in Temple and about $505,000 in Salado. Belton homes averaged about $170 per square foot, between Temple at about $155 and Salado at about $220.

If you are weighing more than one town, our Temple vs. Belton guide, Temple neighborhood guide and Salado guide can help you compare. Buying on a military move? See our guide to buying near Fort Hood.

Getting Around

• Temple and Baylor Scott & White: about 15 minutes east
• Salado: about 10 to 15 minutes south on I-35
• Killeen and Fort Hood: about 25 to 35 minutes west on I-14, depending on the gate
• Killeen Regional Airport (GRK): about 30 minutes
• Waco: about 40 minutes north
• Austin: about an hour south, depending on traffic

Belton sits right where I-35 meets I-14 and US 190, which makes it an easy base for commutes in almost any direction.

Tips for Buying in Belton

• Compare new builds carefully. About 3 in 10 Belton homes sold this past year were built in 2024 or later. Builder incentives, lot premiums and included features vary widely, and having your own agent helps you compare them side by side.
• Look at the full tax rate. Some newer neighborhoods include a special district, like a MUD or PID, that adds to the property tax rate. Check the Bell County Appraisal District and ask your agent to estimate your full monthly payment.
• Confirm school zoning. Nearly all Belton homes are served by Belton ISD, but a small number of addresses are zoned to other districts, such as Killeen ISD. Always confirm with the district for a specific address.
• Ask about flood zones. Nolan Creek, the Leon River and their tributaries run through parts of town. Your agent can help you check a home's flood zone and insurance needs before you make an offer.
• Be ready to move quickly. In established lake-area neighborhoods like Woodland Trails and Lakewood Ranch, homes sold in about four to six weeks this past year.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do homes cost in Belton, TX?

Over the past year, the typical Belton home sold for about $320,000, and most homes sold between about $275,000 and $420,000.

What school district serves Belton?

Nearly all Belton homes are served by Belton ISD, and a small number of addresses are zoned to other districts, such as Killeen ISD. Always confirm school assignments for a specific address with the district.

What are the most popular neighborhoods in Belton?

By number of sales this past year, the most active were Three Creeks, Morgan's Point Resort, Skyview and Hubbard Branch.

Is there new construction in Belton?

Yes. About 3 in 10 Belton home sales this past year were homes built in 2024 or later, in neighborhoods like Three Creeks, Skyview, Ridge at Belle Meadows and Hubbard Branch.

How far is Belton from Fort Hood?

Most of Belton is about 25 to 35 minutes from Fort Hood, depending on which gate you use. I-14 starts in Belton and runs west to Killeen and the post.

Can I live near Lake Belton?

Yes. Morgan's Point Resort, Lakewood Ranch and Woodland Trails all sit north of town toward the lake, with a wide range of prices.