Haaltert is a municipality located in the Belgian province of East Flanders in the Denderstreek. The municipality comprises the towns of Denderhoutem, Haaltert proper, Heldergem and Kerksken. Haaltert is crossed by the Molenbeek-Ter Erpenbeek in Heldergem, Kerksken, and Haaltert. On January 1, 2006 Haaltert had a total population of 17,255. The total area is 30.30 km² which gives a population density of 569 inhabitants per km². The current mayor of Haaltert is Roger Coppens, from the VLD (Liberal) party.