Belvedere, California
Encyclopedia
Belvedere is an affluent city in Marin County
, California
, United States
. Belvedere is located 1.5 miles (2.4 km) northeast of Sausalito
, at an elevation of 36 feet (11 m). At the 2010 census, the population was 2,068 and the per-capita income in 2000 was $113,595, making it one of the highest income cities in California
and the 17th highest income place in the United States
(1st with a population over 1,000).
Situated on the Tiburon Peninsula
at the southeastern base of Ring Mountain, between Richardson Bay
and the Town of Tiburon
, Belvedere consists of two "islands" and the lagoon (Belvedere Lagoon
) between them. The larger of the two islands is Belvedere Island
, and the smaller one is Corinthian Island, which is shared with Tiburon. The area of Ring Mountain is notable for its archaeological resources of extant Native American
petroglyph
s as well as considerable biodiversity
of California native plant
s.
Belvedere lagoon
is owned and maintained by the Belvedere Lagoon Property Owner's Association. The lagoon is not accessible by boat from the San Francisco Bay, and no public access is provided. Until somewhat late in the 20th century, houseboats were present in Belvedere Lagoon.
The city has a total area of 2.42 sq mi (6.3 km²), of which 0.54 sq mi (1.4 km²) is land and 1.89 sq mi (4.9 km²) (78%) is water.
to provide building sites for tract houses and to improve access to Belvedere Island. It was also once the site of a 9 hole golf course.
Belvedere incorporated in 1896. The first post office opened in 1897.
The City Hall was formerly a Presbyterian Church. It was moved to its present location on San Rafael Avenue in 1949.
Late actress Vivian Vance
, who played Ethel on I Love Lucy
, died in Belvedere at the age of 70.
, a small peninsula that extends into the San Francisco Bay
. Many Belvedere properties are renowned for their spectacular views of the Bay Area, Angel Island, San Francisco, Sausalito
, the Golden Gate Bridge
and Mount Tamalpais
. As a result, land values are extremely high. In 2000, 87.6% of the city's owner-occupied housing units cost more than $1,000,000, compared with 2.3% for California as a whole. Today, the median property price in Belvedere exceeds $5,000,000.
Many houses in Belvedere are in the Victorian Style of architecture. Some Belvedere homes are featured on "The Home Tour" every May. With a recent flood of attention and demand for housing in Belevedere, housing and building has become a contentious issue as older members of the community have increasingly become frustrated with the large construction projects being developed in what once was a more humble community.
Originally a fishing based community, Belvedere has grown into a sailing community where the San Francisco Yacht Club is located. Belvedere Park
is also located in Belvedere.
was 859.2 people per square mile (331.7/km²). The racial makeup of Belvedere was 1,940 (93.8%) White, 3 (0.1%) African American, 58 (2.8%) Asian, 7 (0.3%) Pacific Islander, 18 (0.9%) from other races
, and 42 (2.0%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 72 persons (3.5%).
The Census reported that 100% of the population lived in households.
There were 928 households, out of which 228 (24.6%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 542 (58.4%) were opposite-sex married couples
living together, 54 (5.8%) had a female householder with no husband present, 15 (1.6%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 27 (2.9%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships
, and 6 (0.6%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 276 households (29.7%) were made up of individuals and 187 (20.2%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.23. There were 611 families
(65.8% of all households); the average family size was 2.76.
The population was spread out with 443 people (21.4%) under the age of 18, 45 people (2.2%) aged 18 to 24, 277 people (13.4%) aged 25 to 44, 650 people (31.4%) aged 45 to 64, and 653 people (31.6%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 54.0 years. For every 100 females there were 80.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.2 males.
There were 1,045 housing units at an average density of 434.2 per square mile (167.6/km²), of which 695 (74.9%) were owner-occupied, and 233 (25.1%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.1%; the rental vacancy rate was 4.5%. 1,614 people (78.0% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 454 people (22.0%) lived in rental housing units.
, there were 2,125 people, 956 households and 656 families residing in the city. The population density
was 3,968.9 inhabitants per square mile (1,519.4/km²). There were 1,059 housing units at an average density of 1,977.9 per square mile (757.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city in 2010 was 90.9% non-Hispanic White
, 0.1% non-Hispanic Black
or African American
, 2.8% Asian
, 0.3% Pacific Islander
, 0.6% from other races
, and 1.8% from two or more races. 3.5% of the population were Hispanic or Latino
of any race.
There were 956 households of which 24.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.4% were married couples
living together, 4.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.3% were non-families. 27.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.22 and the average family size was 2.68.
Age distribution was 20.0% under the age of 18, 2.2% from 18 to 24, 14.9% from 25 to 44, 35.8% from 45 to 64, and 27.1% who were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 86.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.1 males.
The median household income
was $130,796, and the median family income was $185,590. The per capita income
for the city was $113,595. About 2.9% of families and 5.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.3% of those under age 18 and 4.5% of those age 65 or over.
Largely because of the high cost of housing, the median age of residents in 2000 (52.7 years) was much higher than that for California as a whole (33.3 years).
In 2009, registered Republicans in the town made up 36.2%, while Democrats made up 39% of registered voters, making Belvedere the most Republican town in the county.
is located in nearby Tiburon
.
Marin County, California
Marin County is a county located in the North San Francisco Bay Area of the U.S. state of California, across the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco. As of 2010, the population was 252,409. The county seat is San Rafael and the largest employer is the county government. Marin County is well...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Belvedere is located 1.5 miles (2.4 km) northeast of Sausalito
Sausalito, California
Sausalito is a San Francisco Bay Area city, in Marin County, California, United States. Sausalito is south-southeast of San Rafael, at an elevation of 13 feet . The population was 7,061 as of the 2010 census. The community is situated near the northern end of the Golden Gate Bridge, and prior to...
, at an elevation of 36 feet (11 m). At the 2010 census, the population was 2,068 and the per-capita income in 2000 was $113,595, making it one of the highest income cities in California
California locations by per capita income
All figures as of the census of 2000 by the United States Census Bureau.California is the thirteenth-richest state in the United States of America, with a per capita income of $22,711 .-California counties ranked by per capita income:...
and the 17th highest income place in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
(1st with a population over 1,000).
Location
Belvedere is located at 37°52′22"N 122°27′52"W, about 4 mi (6 km) north of San Francisco.Situated on the Tiburon Peninsula
Tiburon Peninsula (U.S.)
The Tiburon Peninsula is a landform of the San Francisco Bay Area's Marin County and incorporates the communities of Tiburon and Belvedere, California Much of the land area of the Tiburon Peninsula was part of a Spanish land grant originally given to the early Californian John Reed...
at the southeastern base of Ring Mountain, between Richardson Bay
Richardson Bay
Richardson Bay is a shallow, ecologically rich arm of San Francisco Bay, managed under a Joint Powers Agency of four Northern California cities. The Richardson Bay Sanctuary was acquired in the early 1960s by the National Audubon Society. The bay was named for William A...
and the Town of Tiburon
Tiburon, California
Tiburon is an incorporated town in Marin County, California. It occupies most of the Tiburon Peninsula, which reaches south into the San Francisco Bay. The smaller city of Belvedere occupies the south-east part of the peninsula and is contiguous with Tiburon...
, Belvedere consists of two "islands" and the lagoon (Belvedere Lagoon
Belvedere Lagoon
Belvedere Lagoon is an artificial lagoon in the Marin County, California community of Belvedere on San Francisco Bay. Narrow strips of land separate it from Richardson Bay and Raccoon Strait. Rising above the lagoon on higher ground is Ring Mountain on the Tiburon Peninsula...
) between them. The larger of the two islands is Belvedere Island
Belvedere Island
Belvedere Island is a rocky island in Marin County, California which was separated by a marsh from the mainland and has now been linked by two spits...
, and the smaller one is Corinthian Island, which is shared with Tiburon. The area of Ring Mountain is notable for its archaeological resources of extant Native American
Indigenous peoples of the Americas
The indigenous peoples of the Americas are the pre-Columbian inhabitants of North and South America, their descendants and other ethnic groups who are identified with those peoples. Indigenous peoples are known in Canada as Aboriginal peoples, and in the United States as Native Americans...
petroglyph
Petroglyph
Petroglyphs are pictogram and logogram images created by removing part of a rock surface by incising, picking, carving, and abrading. Outside North America, scholars often use terms such as "carving", "engraving", or other descriptions of the technique to refer to such images...
s as well as considerable biodiversity
Biodiversity
Biodiversity is the degree of variation of life forms within a given ecosystem, biome, or an entire planet. Biodiversity is a measure of the health of ecosystems. Biodiversity is in part a function of climate. In terrestrial habitats, tropical regions are typically rich whereas polar regions...
of California native plant
Native plant
Native plant is a term to describe plants endemic or naturalized to a given area in geologic time.This includes plants that have developed, occur naturally, or existed for many years in an area...
s.
Belvedere lagoon
Belvedere Lagoon
Belvedere Lagoon is an artificial lagoon in the Marin County, California community of Belvedere on San Francisco Bay. Narrow strips of land separate it from Richardson Bay and Raccoon Strait. Rising above the lagoon on higher ground is Ring Mountain on the Tiburon Peninsula...
is owned and maintained by the Belvedere Lagoon Property Owner's Association. The lagoon is not accessible by boat from the San Francisco Bay, and no public access is provided. Until somewhat late in the 20th century, houseboats were present in Belvedere Lagoon.
The city has a total area of 2.42 sq mi (6.3 km²), of which 0.54 sq mi (1.4 km²) is land and 1.89 sq mi (4.9 km²) (78%) is water.
History
The first settlers arrived in the late 19th century, then the railroad came and Tiburon was the last stop for passengers and cargo heading to San Francisco and beyond. The Belvedere Lagoon was partially filled after World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
to provide building sites for tract houses and to improve access to Belvedere Island. It was also once the site of a 9 hole golf course.
Belvedere incorporated in 1896. The first post office opened in 1897.
The City Hall was formerly a Presbyterian Church. It was moved to its present location on San Rafael Avenue in 1949.
Late actress Vivian Vance
Vivian Vance
Vivian Roberta Jones was an American television and theater actress and singer. Often referred to as “TV’s most beloved second banana,” she is best known for her role as Ethel Mertz, sidekick to Lucille Ball on the American television sitcom I Love Lucy, and as Vivian Bagley on The Lucy...
, who played Ethel on I Love Lucy
I Love Lucy
I Love Lucy is an American television sitcom starring Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz, Vivian Vance, and William Frawley. The black-and-white series originally ran from October 15, 1951, to May 6, 1957, on the Columbia Broadcasting System...
, died in Belvedere at the age of 70.
Houses
Belvedere sits on the south side of the tip of Tiburon PeninsulaTiburon Peninsula (U.S.)
The Tiburon Peninsula is a landform of the San Francisco Bay Area's Marin County and incorporates the communities of Tiburon and Belvedere, California Much of the land area of the Tiburon Peninsula was part of a Spanish land grant originally given to the early Californian John Reed...
, a small peninsula that extends into the San Francisco Bay
San Francisco Bay
San Francisco Bay is a shallow, productive estuary through which water draining from approximately forty percent of California, flowing in the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers from the Sierra Nevada mountains, enters the Pacific Ocean...
. Many Belvedere properties are renowned for their spectacular views of the Bay Area, Angel Island, San Francisco, Sausalito
Sausalito, California
Sausalito is a San Francisco Bay Area city, in Marin County, California, United States. Sausalito is south-southeast of San Rafael, at an elevation of 13 feet . The population was 7,061 as of the 2010 census. The community is situated near the northern end of the Golden Gate Bridge, and prior to...
, the Golden Gate Bridge
Golden Gate Bridge
The Golden Gate Bridge is a suspension bridge spanning the Golden Gate, the opening of the San Francisco Bay into the Pacific Ocean. As part of both U.S. Route 101 and California State Route 1, the structure links the city of San Francisco, on the northern tip of the San Francisco Peninsula, to...
and Mount Tamalpais
Mount Tamalpais
Mount Tamalpais is a peak in Marin County, California, United States, often considered symbolic of Marin County. Much of Mount Tamalpais is protected within public lands such as Mount Tamalpais State Park and the Mount Tamalpais Watershed.-Geography:...
. As a result, land values are extremely high. In 2000, 87.6% of the city's owner-occupied housing units cost more than $1,000,000, compared with 2.3% for California as a whole. Today, the median property price in Belvedere exceeds $5,000,000.
Many houses in Belvedere are in the Victorian Style of architecture. Some Belvedere homes are featured on "The Home Tour" every May. With a recent flood of attention and demand for housing in Belevedere, housing and building has become a contentious issue as older members of the community have increasingly become frustrated with the large construction projects being developed in what once was a more humble community.
Community life
No restaurants or stores are allowed in Belvedere, and the city enforces strict rules regarding house design and setbacks in order to preserve trees, views and the town's spacious, wooded character. The adjacent town of Tiburon, however, is home to a wide range of services, shops and eateries.Originally a fishing based community, Belvedere has grown into a sailing community where the San Francisco Yacht Club is located. Belvedere Park
Belvedere Park, California
Belvedere Park is a park in Belvedere, California between San Rafael Avenue and Community Road. The park includes a large playground and a field, this park is also noted for its rich grass.- Uses :...
is also located in Belvedere.
2010
The 2010 United States Census reported that Belvedere had a population of 2,068. The population densityPopulation 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 859.2 people per square mile (331.7/km²). The racial makeup of Belvedere was 1,940 (93.8%) White, 3 (0.1%) African American, 58 (2.8%) Asian, 7 (0.3%) Pacific Islander, 18 (0.9%) 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 42 (2.0%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 72 persons (3.5%).
The Census reported that 100% of the population lived in households.
There were 928 households, out of which 228 (24.6%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 542 (58.4%) were opposite-sex 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, 54 (5.8%) had a female householder with no husband present, 15 (1.6%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 27 (2.9%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships
POSSLQ
POSSLQ is an abbreviation for "Persons of Opposite Sex Sharing Living Quarters," a term coined in the late 1970s by the United States Census Bureau as part of an effort to more accurately gauge the prevalence of cohabitation in American households....
, and 6 (0.6%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 276 households (29.7%) were made up of individuals and 187 (20.2%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.23. There were 611 families
Family (U.S. Census)
A family or family household is defined by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes as "a householder and one or more other people related to the householder by birth, marriage, or adoption. They do not include same-sex married couples even if the marriage was performed in a state...
(65.8% of all households); the average family size was 2.76.
The population was spread out with 443 people (21.4%) under the age of 18, 45 people (2.2%) aged 18 to 24, 277 people (13.4%) aged 25 to 44, 650 people (31.4%) aged 45 to 64, and 653 people (31.6%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 54.0 years. For every 100 females there were 80.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.2 males.
There were 1,045 housing units at an average density of 434.2 per square mile (167.6/km²), of which 695 (74.9%) were owner-occupied, and 233 (25.1%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.1%; the rental vacancy rate was 4.5%. 1,614 people (78.0% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 454 people (22.0%) lived in rental housing units.
2000
At the 2000 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...
, there were 2,125 people, 956 households and 656 families residing in the city. 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 3,968.9 inhabitants per square mile (1,519.4/km²). There were 1,059 housing units at an average density of 1,977.9 per square mile (757.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city in 2010 was 90.9% non-Hispanic White
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...
, 0.1% non-Hispanic Black
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...
or African American
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...
, 2.8% Asian
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...
, 0.3% Pacific Islander
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...
, 0.6% 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 1.8% from two or more races. 3.5% of the population were Hispanic or Latino
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...
of any race.
There were 956 households of which 24.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.4% 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, 4.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.3% were non-families. 27.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.22 and the average family size was 2.68.
Age distribution was 20.0% under the age of 18, 2.2% from 18 to 24, 14.9% from 25 to 44, 35.8% from 45 to 64, and 27.1% who were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 86.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.1 males.
The median household income
Median household income
The median household income is commonly used to generate data about geographic areas and divides households into two equal segments with the first half of households earning less than the median household income and the other half earning more...
was $130,796, and the median family income was $185,590. 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 city was $113,595. About 2.9% of families and 5.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.3% of those under age 18 and 4.5% of those age 65 or over.
Largely because of the high cost of housing, the median age of residents in 2000 (52.7 years) was much higher than that for California as a whole (33.3 years).
In 2009, registered Republicans in the town made up 36.2%, while Democrats made up 39% of registered voters, making Belvedere the most Republican town in the county.
Public libraries
The Belvedere-Tiburon LibraryBelvedere-Tiburon Library
The Belvedere-Tiburon Library is an independent public library serving the communities of Belvedere and Tiburon, California. The library opened in 1997 at its present location of 1501 Tiburon Boulevard in Tiburon. The library collection consists of over 70,000 books, periodicals, CDs, DVDs, Videos,...
is located in nearby Tiburon
Tiburon, California
Tiburon is an incorporated town in Marin County, California. It occupies most of the Tiburon Peninsula, which reaches south into the San Francisco Bay. The smaller city of Belvedere occupies the south-east part of the peninsula and is contiguous with Tiburon...
.