First chartered in 1727 as a parish of Gilmanton, known as Upper Gilmanton. In 1859, the voters of the town petitioned to rename the town Belmont, to honor Mr. August Belmont, a New York financier, in hopes that he might make a financial contribution to the town. Mr. Belmont, however, never even bothered to acknowledge the act. The town borders Lake Winnisquam.
Like much of New Hampshire, Belmont’s history centers on the flow of the Tioga River and the mills that clustered along its banks. The Town Seal indicates the importance that this industry played in Belmont’s past.
Belmont contains 30.2 square miles of land area and 1.8 square miles of inland water area. Belmont has waterfront on Lake Winnisquam, Silver Lake and Sargent Lake.
There are 131 Class V Town maintained public roads and 10 Class VI Town unmaintained public roads in Belmont, both totaling 65 miles in length; 3 of which have been designated as Scenic Roads.
Belmont is a mid-sized town in Belknap County in New Hampshire’s Lakes Region. According to the 2020 census, its population stood at 7,314. It lies in a strategic position, intersected by NH Route 106 and NH Route 140, providing connections to Laconia, Alton, and Concord.
Belmont includes villages such as Lochmere and Winnisquam, and rural areas beyond the main village center.
The Belmont Mill is a restored historical mill (originally textile operations) and now serves as a community and cultural hub.
The Belmont Public Library and local historical societies preserve regional history, including architectural and industrial heritage.
Scenic roads, woodlands, and proximity to lake and river corridors create recreational opportunities for walking, biking, and nature observation.
The population density is moderate (~94 persons per km²).
The Belmont CDP (the densest settlement core) had 1,285 residents in 2020, out of the total 7,314 in the town.
In recent years, the town has shown modest population growth, consistent with patterns in the Lakes Region.
Median household incomes and per capita incomes lie in the mid-range for the region; the share of individuals below the poverty line tends to be around 10–12%.
Belmont operates its own local school district structure. The town website lists “Schools” among its departments, and the school budget, enrollment statistics, and curricula are typically published in the town’s annual reports and school district materials.
The town maintains a full suite of municipal services: police, fire/rescue/EMS, public works, highway maintenance, solid waste, sewer and/or water districts (where applicable), and recreation.
The Assessing Department posts data and revaluation schedules on the official site; exemptions (e.g. veterans, elderly, disabled) are also administered locally.
The 2023 total tax rate reported was $17.47 per $1,000 of assessed value (Town + Local School + State School + County).
Belmont publishes town reports and financial statements annually, which detail operating budgets, capital projects, and debt service obligations.
Residents benefit from library systems and local recreation programming, often coordinated with neighboring towns.
Citations & Resources:
Town of Belmont official site
Wikipedia – Belmont, NH
NHES – Belmont profile
Belmont Assessing Department
Online Business Incorporation
