Bellevue, Pennsylvania
Encyclopedia
Bellevue is a borough
in Allegheny County
, Pennsylvania
, along the Ohio River
, adjoining Pittsburgh. The population was 8,370 at the 2010 census. The borough was incorporated in 1867. It is located in the Northgate School District
. There is a public park and library
, the Andrew Bayne Memorial Library
.
veterans. The first landowners in the area were James Robinson and Hugh Henry Brackenridge
, purchasing parcels in 1799 and 1792 respectively.
Residents of the area tried unsuccessfully to obtain improvements from Ross Township
, but officials were opposed to development along Venango Trail (today Route 19
). In response, Bellevue was incorporated as a borough independent of Ross on September 7, 1867. The name of the borough was chosen by J. J. East, a linguist and early resident of the borough, and means "beautiful view."
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the borough has a total area of 1.1 square miles (2.8 km²), of which 1 square miles (2.6 km²) is land and 0.1 square mile (0.258998811 km²), or 9.09%, is water. Its average elevation is 997 feet (303.9 m) above sea level.
of 2000, there were 8,770 people, 4,389 households, and 1,953 families residing in the borough. The population density
was 8,768.1 people per square mile (3,386.1/km²). There were 4,770 housing units at an average density of 4,769.0 per square mile (1,841.7/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 72.36% White, 22.40% African American, 0.17% Native American, 0.65% Asian, 0.16% from other races
, and 1.25% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.81% 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.
, Bellevue opted to remain a "dry" town, meaning that the sale of alcohol in stores or restaurants is legally restricted by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board
(PLCB). A referendum to overturn this status by allowing limited alcohol sales at certain establishments was included in the borough-wide primary elections, with voting held May 17, 2011. The referendum was defeated 849–761. Under state law, a similar referendum cannot be placed on the ballot again for at least four years.
Borough (Pennsylvania)
In the U.S. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, a borough is a self-governing municipal entity that is usually smaller than a city. There are 958 boroughs in Pennsylvania. All municipalities in Pennsylvania are classified as either cities, boroughs, or townships...
in Allegheny County
Allegheny County, Pennsylvania
Allegheny County is a county in the southwestern part of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 census, the population was 1,223,348; making it the second most populous county in Pennsylvania, following Philadelphia County. The county seat is Pittsburgh...
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, along the Ohio River
Ohio River
The Ohio River is the largest tributary, by volume, of the Mississippi River. At the confluence, the Ohio is even bigger than the Mississippi and, thus, is hydrologically the main stream of the whole river system, including the Allegheny River further upstream...
, adjoining Pittsburgh. The population was 8,370 at the 2010 census. The borough was incorporated in 1867. It is located in the Northgate School District
Northgate School District
Northgate School District is diminutive, suburban, public school district located in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. It serves the communities Bellevue and Avalon, Pennsylvania. Northgate School District encompasses approximately 1 square mile. According to 2000 federal census data, it serves a...
. There is a public park and library
Public library
A public library is a library that is accessible by the public and is generally funded from public sources and operated by civil servants. There are five fundamental characteristics shared by public libraries...
, the Andrew Bayne Memorial Library
Andrew Bayne Memorial Library
The Andrew Bayne Memorial Library is a public library in Bellevue, a suburb of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in the United States. The library sits on a four-acre parcel of land donated to Bellevue borough in 1912 by the daughters of Allegheny County sheriff Andrew Bayne, and houses approximately...
.
History
The land on which the borough currently sits was once part of the Depreciation Lands reserved for Revolutionary WarAmerican Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
veterans. The first landowners in the area were James Robinson and Hugh Henry Brackenridge
Hugh Henry Brackenridge
Hugh Henry Brackenridge was an American writer, lawyer, judge, and justice of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.A frontier citizen in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA, he founded both the Pittsburgh Academy, now the University of Pittsburgh, and the Pittsburgh Gazette, still operating today as the...
, purchasing parcels in 1799 and 1792 respectively.
Residents of the area tried unsuccessfully to obtain improvements from Ross Township
Ross Township, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania
Ross Township is a township in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 31,105 at the 2010 census. In September 2007, Ross Township adopted the Strong Mayor/Weak Council form of government allowed by Pennsylvania statutes for townships of its class.The township is part of...
, but officials were opposed to development along Venango Trail (today Route 19
U.S. Route 19 in Pennsylvania
U.S. Route 19 in Pennsylvania closely parallels Interstate 79 for its entire length. US 19 enters Pennsylvania in Greene County near Mount Morris. Its northern terminus is in the city of Erie. Part is named for Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry, hero of the Battle of Lake Erie.-Route description:In...
). In response, Bellevue was incorporated as a borough independent of Ross on September 7, 1867. The name of the borough was chosen by J. J. East, a linguist and early resident of the borough, and means "beautiful view."
Historical demographics
At the time of its organization as a borough, Bellevue had exactly the minimum population for such a designation: 300 residents. The 1890 population was 1,418; the 1900 population was 3,416; the 1910 population was 6,323; and the 1940 population was 10,488. The population was 8,370 at the 2010 census.Geography
Bellevue is located at 40°29′38"N 80°3′13"W.According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the borough has a total area of 1.1 square miles (2.8 km²), of which 1 square miles (2.6 km²) is land and 0.1 square mile (0.258998811 km²), or 9.09%, is water. Its average elevation is 997 feet (303.9 m) above sea level.
Surrounding communities
- Pittsburgh neighborhoods
- Brighton HeightsBrighton Heights (Pittsburgh)Brighton Heights is a neighborhood in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania's northside area. It has a zip code of 15212, and has representation on Pittsburgh City Council by the council member for District 1...
(southeast)
- Brighton Heights
- AvalonAvalon, PennsylvaniaAvalon is a borough in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States, along the Ohio River, downstream from Pittsburgh. It is a largely residential borough with a few small stores...
(northwest) - Kilbuck TownshipKilbuck Township, PennsylvaniaKilbuck Township is a township in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 697 at the 2010 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of , of which is land and , or 1.55%, is water....
(northwest) - Ross TownshipRoss Township, Allegheny County, PennsylvaniaRoss Township is a township in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 31,105 at the 2010 census. In September 2007, Ross Township adopted the Strong Mayor/Weak Council form of government allowed by Pennsylvania statutes for townships of its class.The township is part of...
(north and east)
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 8,770 people, 4,389 households, and 1,953 families residing in the borough. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 8,768.1 people per square mile (3,386.1/km²). There were 4,770 housing units at an average density of 4,769.0 per square mile (1,841.7/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 72.36% White, 22.40% African American, 0.17% Native American, 0.65% Asian, 0.16% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.25% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.81% 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
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
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
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
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.
"Dry" status
After the end of ProhibitionProhibition
Prohibition of alcohol, often referred to simply as prohibition, is the practice of prohibiting the manufacture, transportation, import, export, sale, and consumption of alcohol and alcoholic beverages. The term can also apply to the periods in the histories of the countries during which the...
, Bellevue opted to remain a "dry" town, meaning that the sale of alcohol in stores or restaurants is legally restricted by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board
Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board
The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board is an independent government agency that manages the beverage alcohol industry in Pennsylvania. It is responsible for licensing the possession, sale, storage, transportation, importation, and manufacture of wine, spirits, and malt or brewed beverages in the...
(PLCB). A referendum to overturn this status by allowing limited alcohol sales at certain establishments was included in the borough-wide primary elections, with voting held May 17, 2011. The referendum was defeated 849–761. Under state law, a similar referendum cannot be placed on the ballot again for at least four years.
Notable people
- Thomas McKee BayneThomas McKee BayneThomas McKee Bayne was a Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania.-Biography:Thomas M. Bayne was born in Bellevue, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. He attended the public schools and Westminster College in New Wilmington, Pennsylvania. He studied law...
(1836–1894), former member of the United States House of RepresentativesUnited States House of RepresentativesThe United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution... - Ron FrenzRon FrenzRonald Wade Frenz is an American comic book artist known for his work for Marvel Comics. He is well-known for his 1980s work on Amazing Spider-Man, and more recently, for his work on Spider-Girl...
(born 1960), comic book artist for Marvel ComicsMarvel ComicsMarvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media... - Jerry IntervalJerry IntervalJerry Interval, , was an American portrait photographer and educator known for his expert studio and natural lighting techniques and for his Merry Monks series of portraits.- The early years :...
(1923–2006), portrait photographer - Sam Parks, Jr.Sam Parks, Jr.Samuel McLaughlin Parks, Jr. was an American professional golfer best known for winning the 1935 U.S. Open....
(1909–1997), golfer, 1935 U.S. OpenU.S. Open (golf)The United States Open Championship, commonly known as the U.S. Open, is the annual open golf tournament of the United States. It is the second of the four major championships in golf, and is on the official schedule of both the PGA Tour and the European Tour...
champion - Tom Sherman (born 1945), former NFLNational Football LeagueThe National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
quarterback