Bellevue, Pennsylvania

The Bellevue, PA Welcome Sign, "Live, worship, Shop" Used as a Motto or Slogan by Residents. Located at the intersection of Pennsylvania Route 65 (Ohio River Blvd) and Riverview Avenue.

Not to be confused with Bellevue Park, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

Borough in Pennsylvania, United States

Bellevue, Pennsylvania

Borough

Catholic Church of the Assumption

Seal

Etymology: belle vue, French for beautiful view

Location in Allegheny County and the U.S. state of Pennsylvania.

Coordinates: 40°29′38″N 80°3′13″W﻿ / ﻿40.49389°N 80.05361°W﻿ / 40.49389; -80.05361
Country| United States
State| Pennsylvania
County| Allegheny
Settled| 1796–1804
Incorporated| September 7, 1867 (157 years ago)
Government

• Mayor| Val Pennington
• Council President| Jodi Cerminara
Area

[1]

• Total| 1.12 sq mi (2.91 km2)
• Land| 1.01 sq mi (2.62 km2)
• Water| 0.11 sq mi (0.29 km2)
Elevation

| 997 ft (304 m)
Population

(2020)[2]

• Total| 8,311
• Density| 8,228.71/sq mi (3,178.18/km2)
Time zone| UTC-5 (EST)
• Summer (DST)| UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code|

15202

Area code| 412
FIPS code| 42-05312
School District| Northgate
Website| bellevuepa.org

Bellevue is a borough in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States, along the Ohio River. The population was 8,311 at the 2020 census.[3] A suburb of Pittsburgh, it is part of the Pittsburgh metropolitan area.

The borough was incorporated in 1867. There is a public park and library, the Andrew Bayne Memorial Library.

## History[edit]

The land on which the borough currently sits was once part of the Depreciation Lands reserved for Revolutionary War veterans.[4] The first landowners in the area were James Robinson and Hugh Henry Brackenridge, purchasing parcels in 1799 and 1792 respectively.[4] At the time of its organization as a borough, Bellevue had exactly the minimum population for such a designation: 300 residents.[5]

Residents of the area tried unsuccessfully to obtain improvements from Ross Township, but officials were opposed to development along Venango Trail (today Route 19).[4] In response, Bellevue was incorporated as a borough independent of Ross on September 7, 1867.[6] The name of the borough was chosen by J. J. East, a linguist and early resident of the borough, and means "beautiful view."[4]

Bellevue was always a "dry" town, even before Prohibition, meaning that the sale of alcohol in stores or restaurants was restricted. Sale of alcohol is currently regulated by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB).[7] The borough's 2011 primary election included a referendum to permit limited alcohol sales at certain establishments; the proposal was defeated.[8] A similar proposal in 2015 passed.[9]

### Architecture[edit]

Bellevue contains over 1,000 buildings over 100 years old. In 2016, to recognize 150 years since the borough's founding, Bellevue's Community Development Corporation (CDC), Bona Fide Bellevue, launched a historic building plaque program, consisting of inventorying all the buildings in Bellevue. Of over 2,600 buildings, just over 730 had been approved locally "historic." Over 150 property owners voluntarily elected to purchase a plaque signifying the historic nature of their buildings.

Three buildings have been further recognized as historic:

* Andrew Bayne House - 34 North Balph Avenue - built 1875. Andrew Bayne Public Library. Recognized by Pittsburgh History Landmarks Foundation (PHLF).
* Andrew S. and Elizabeth Miller House - 366 Lincoln Avenue - built 1902. Currently a restaurant. Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2019 and recognized by PHLF.
* Marius Rousseau House - 100 Watkins Avenue - built 1906. Private residence. Recognized by PHLF.

## Geography[edit]

Bellevue is located at 40°29′38″N 80°3′13″W﻿ / ﻿40.49389°N 80.05361°W﻿ / 40.49389; -80.05361.[10]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 1.1 square miles (2.8 km2), of which 1.0 square mile (2.6 km2) is land and 0.1 square miles (0.26 km2), or 9.09%, is water. Its average elevation is 997 feet (304 m) above sea level.[11]

### Surrounding and adjacent communities[edit]

Bellevue has three land borders with Avalon to the northwest, Ross Township to the north and east, and the Pittsburgh neighborhood of Brighton Heights to the southeast. Across the Ohio River to the southwest, Bellevue adjoins Stowe Township.

## Demographics[edit]

Historical population Census| Pop.| Note| %±

|
|
|

1870| 384| | —
1880| 915| | 138.3%
1890| 1,418| | 55.0%
1900| 3,416| | 140.9%
1910| 6,323| | 85.1%
1920| 8,198| | 29.7%
1930| 10,252| | 25.1%
1940| 10,488| | 2.3%
1950| 11,604| | 10.6%
1960| 11,412| | −1.7%
1970| 11,586| | 1.5%
1980| 10,128| | −12.6%
1990| 9,126| | −9.9%
2000| 8,770| | −3.9%
2010| 8,370| | −4.6%
2020| 8,311| | −0.7%
Sources:[12][13][14][15][2]

As of the census of 2000, there were 8,770 people, 4,389 households, and 1,953 families residing in the borough.[14] The population density was 8,768.1 inhabitants per square mile (3,385.4/km2). There were 4,770 housing units at an average density of 4,769.0 per square mile (1,841.3/km2). The racial makeup of the borough was 88.4% White, 8.40% African American, 0.1% Native American, 0.65% Asian, 0.3% from other races, and 1.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3 1.4% of the population.

There were 4,389 households, out of which 19.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 30.6% were married couples living together, 11.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 55.5% were non-families. 48.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.97 and the average family size was 2.92.

In the borough the population was spread out, with 19.5% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 35.0% from 25 to 44, 20.6% from 45 to 64, and 16.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 80.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 76.9 males.

The median income for a household in the borough was $31,481, and the median income for a family was $42,382. Males had a median income of $30,683 versus $26,596 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $19,246. About 7.8% of families and 18.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.2% of those under age 18 and 9.7% of those age 65 or over.

## Government and politics[edit]

Val Pennington,[16] Mayor

Presidential Elections Results[17][18] Year  | Republican | Democratic | Third Parties

|
|
|

2016 | 34% 1,331 | 60% 2,363 | 6% 225
2012 | 38% 1,397 | 60% 2,237 | 2% 64

## Education[edit]

Bellevue is served by the Northgate School District.

## Notable people[edit]

* Martha Atwell, radio director[19]
* Thomas McKee Bayne, former member of the United States House of Representatives
* Matt Driscoll, head men's basketball coach for University of North Florida
* Ron Frenz, comic book artist for Marvel Comics
* Jerry Interval, portrait photographer
* Philip Childs Keenan, astronomer and co-developer of the MKK stellar spectral classification scheme
* Sam Parks, Jr., golfer, 1935 U.S. Open champion
* Tom Sherman, former NFL quarterback

## See also[edit]

* List of cities and towns along the Ohio River

## References[edit]

1. ^ "ArcGIS REST Services Directory". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
2. ^ a b "Census Population API". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved Oct 12, 2022.
3. ^ "Explore Census Data".
4. ^ a b c d "Borough of Bellevue". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved July 17, 2011.
5. ^ "Salute to Bellevue". Pittsburgh Press. September 13, 1942. pp. 8–9.
6. ^ "Allegheny County – 2nd Class" (PDF). Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. Archived (PDF) from the original on 9 June 2011. Retrieved July 7, 2011.
7. ^ Kurutz, Daveen Rae (February 19, 2009). "Bellevue barber wants to end dry-town status". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Archived from the original on January 31, 2013. Retrieved July 7, 2011.
8. ^ Rankin, Connie (May 20, 2011). "Bellevue voters defeat referendum". The Citizen. Bellevue, Penna. Retrieved July 7, 2011.
9. ^ "Bellevue No Longer A Dry Town", KDKA News Pittsburgh, 2015-12-11.
10. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
11. ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
12. ^ "Number of Inhabitants: Pennsylvania" (PDF). 18th Census of the United States. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved 22 November 2013.
13. ^ "Pennsylvania: Population and Housing Unit Counts" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved 22 November 2013.
14. ^ a b "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
15. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population". U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 19 October 2013. Retrieved 22 November 2013.
16. ^ "Bellevue Mayor Council Elected Officials".
17. ^ EL. "2012 Allegheny County election". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved 15 October 2017.
18. ^ EL. "2016 Pennsylvania general election..." Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 15 October 2017.
19. ^ Howes, Durward, ed. (1937). American Women : The Official Who's Who Among the Women of the Nation, Vol. II (1937–38). Los Angeles, CA: American Publications, Inc. p. 26\. 435906904.

## External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Bellevue.

* Borough website
* 2011 official election results

* v
* t
* e

Municipalities and communities of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States

County seat: Pittsburgh

Cities|

* Clairton
* Duquesne
* McKeesport
* Pittsburgh (neighborhoods)

Boroughs|

* Aspinwall
* Avalon
* Baldwin
* Bell Acres
* Bellevue
* Ben Avon
* Ben Avon Heights
* Bethel Park
* Blawnox
* Brackenridge
* Bradford Woods
* Braddock
* Braddock Hills
* Brentwood
* Bridgeville
* Carnegie
* Castle Shannon
* Chalfant
* Cheswick
* Churchill
* Coraopolis
* Crafton
* Dormont
* Dravosburg
* East McKeesport
* East Pittsburgh
* Edgewood
* Edgeworth
* Elizabeth
* Emsworth
* Etna
* Forest Hills
* Fox Chapel
* Franklin Park
* Glassport
* Glen Osborne
* Glenfield
* Green Tree
* Haysville
* Heidelberg
* Homestead
* Ingram
* Jefferson Hills
* Leetsdale
* Liberty
* Lincoln
* McDonald‡
* McKees Rocks
* Millvale
* Monroeville
* Mount Oliver
* Munhall
* North Braddock
* Oakdale
* Oakmont
* Pennsbury Village
* Pitcairn
* Pleasant Hills
* Plum
* Port Vue
* Rankin
* Rosslyn Farms
* Sewickley
* Sewickley Heights
* Sewickley Hills
* Sharpsburg
* Springdale
* Swissvale
* Tarentum
* Thornburg
* Trafford‡
* Turtle Creek
* Verona
* Versailles
* Wall
* West Elizabeth
* West Homestead
* West Mifflin
* West View
* Whitaker
* Whitehall
* White Oak
* Wilkinsburg
* Wilmerding

Townships|

* Aleppo
* Baldwin
* Collier
* Crescent
* East Deer
* Elizabeth
* Fawn
* Findlay
* Forward
* Frazer
* Hampton
* Harmar
* Harrison
* Indiana
* Kennedy
* Kilbuck
* Leet
* Marshall
* McCandless
* Moon
* Mt. Lebanon
* Neville
* North Fayette
* North Versailles
* O'Hara
* Ohio
* Penn Hills
* Pine
* Reserve
* Richland
* Robinson
* Ross
* Scott
* Shaler
* South Fayette
* South Park
* South Versailles
* Springdale
* Stowe
* Upper St. Clair
* West Deer
* Wilkins

CDPs|

* Allison Park
* Bairdford
* Bakerstown
* Blaine Hill
* Boston
* Buena Vista
* Bunola
* Carnot-Moon
* Clinton
* Coulter
* Curtisville
* Dorseyville
* Enlow
* Gibsonia
* Glendale
* Glenshaw
* Greenock
* Harwick
* Imperial
* Industry
* Natrona
* Natrona Heights
* Noblestown
* Rennerdale
* Russellton
* Sturgeon
* West Wilmerding

Other
communities|

* Acmetonia
* Blackridge
* Blanchard
* Boyce
* Broughton
* Bruceton
* Creighton
* Cuddy
* Elfinwild
* Evergreen
* Harmarville
* Herriottsville
* Hickory Heights
* Horning
* Indianola
* Karns
* Keown Station
* McKnight
* Moon Run
* Morgan
* Mount Nebo
* Mount Vernon
* Murdocksville
* Rural Ridge
* Santiago
* Smithdale
* Warrendale
* Wexford
* Wildwood

Footnotes|

‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties

* Pennsylvania portal
* United States portal

* v
* t
* e

Home rule municipalities in Pennsylvania

Cities|

| First Class|

* Philadelphia

|

Second Class|

* Pittsburgh

Second Class A|

* Scranton

Third Class|

* Allentown
* Altoona
* Beaver Falls
* Carbondale
* Chester
* Municipality of Clairton
* Coatesville
* Easton
* Farrell
* Franklin
* Greensburg
* Hermitage
* Johnstown
* Lebanon
* McKeesport
* Nanticoke
* New Castle
* Pittston
* Reading
* St. Marys
* Sharon
* Warren
* Wilkes-Barre

Boroughs|

* Bellevue
* Municipality of Bethel Park
* Braddock
* Bradford Woods
* Bryn Athyn
* Cambridge Springs
* Carlisle
* Chalfont
* Edinboro
* Green Tree
* Town of Greenville
* Municipality of Kingston
* City of Latrobe
* Mahanoy City
* Malvern
* Municipality of Monroeville
* Municipality of Murrysville
* Municipality of Norristown
* Portage
* State College
* Tyrone
* West Chester
* Whitehall
* Youngsville

Townships|

| First Class|

* Cheltenham
* Haverford
* Town of McCandless
* Municipality of Mt. Lebanon
* O'Hara
* Municipality of Penn Hills
* Plymouth
* Radnor
* Upper Darby
* Upper St. Clair
* Whitehall
* Wilkes-Barre

|

Second Class|

* Chester
* Concord
* Elk
* Ferguson
* Grant
* Hampton
* Hanover
* Highland
* Horsham
* Kingston
* Middletown
* Peters
* Pine
* Plymouth
* Richland
* Towamencin
* Tredyffrin
* Upper Providence
* West Deer
* Whitemarsh

Preceded by

West View

|  Bordering communities
of Pittsburgh | Succeeded by

McKees Rocks

|
|

*[Pop.]: Population
*[%±]: Percent change
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