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Belmont, Wisconsin
First Capitol Historic Site
Location of Belmont in Lafayette County, Wisconsin.
Location of Belmont in Lafayette County, Wisconsin.
Country  United States
State  Wisconsin
County Lafayette
Area
 • Total 0.88 sq mi (2.28 km2)
 • Land 0.88 sq mi (2.28 km2)
 • Water 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
1,181 ft (360 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 989
 • Density 1,106.58/sq mi (427.37/km2)
Time zone UTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-5 (CDT)
Area code(s) 608
FIPS code 55-06450
GNIS feature ID 1582788

Belmont is a small village in Lafayette County, Wisconsin, United States. In 2020, about 989 people lived there. It was the very first capital of the Wisconsin Territory when its government first met in 1836.

History of Belmont

Belmont was started in 1835 by a man named John Atchison. He was a "land speculator," meaning he bought land hoping to sell it for more money later. Belmont became the first capital of the Wisconsin Territory. The original building where the government met is still saved today. It is a few miles northwest of the village at the First Capitol Historic Site. The village is right next to the Town of Belmont. The name Belmont comes from a French phrase meaning “beautiful mountain.” This refers to the three hills found within the village.

Geography of Belmont

Belmont covers a total area of about 0.88 square miles (2.28 square kilometers). All of this area is land. There is no water within the village limits. Belmont Mound State Park is located just northwest of the village.

Belmont's Population

Belmont's population has changed over the years:

Historical population
Census Pop.
1880 410
1890 378 −7.8%
1900 509 34.7%
1910 532 4.5%
1920 498 −6.4%
1930 452 −9.2%
1940 476 5.3%
1950 474 −0.4%
1960 616 30.0%
1970 688 11.7%
1980 826 20.1%
1990 823 −0.4%
2000 871 5.8%
2010 986 13.2%
2020 989 0.3%
U.S. Decennial Census

Population in 2010

In 2010, there were 986 people living in Belmont. They lived in 439 households. The village had about 1,120 people per square mile. Most residents were White (98.8%). A small number were African American, Asian, or from other backgrounds. About 0.7% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.

The average age in the village was about 39.8 years old. About 23.3% of the residents were under 18 years old. About 18% were 65 years or older. The village had slightly more females (52.8%) than males (47.2%).

Education in Belmont

Belmont High School is the local high school for students in the area.

Transportation in Belmont

Belmont, Wisconsin
US-151 runs through town.

For many years, U.S. Highway 151 passed right through Belmont. In 2004, the highway was made bigger with four lanes. The new highway now goes around the north side of the village.

Notable People from Belmont

  • James Clarke, who was the third Governor of the Iowa Territory.
  • James Dolan, a lawyer and politician.
  • Charles Dunn, a judge and lawyer.
  • Nathan Olmsted, a lawyer and politician.
  • Ninian E. Whiteside, who was the first speaker of the Wisconsin State Assembly.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Belmont (Wisconsin) para niños

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