Moving to Bellaire (77401)

Living in Bellaire

The 3.6 square mile city in a city is surrounded by Houston, West University Place, and Southside Place. Home values rank among Houstons highest due to Bellaires residential character, strict construction standards, parks aplenty and proximity to downtown Houston, the Texas Medical Center, and the Galleria area. All of these factors make the city a draw for families and those who want the benefits of small-town living while retaining access to Houstons big city amenities. Whether youre considering a zip code change or youre just searching for things to do in the area, heres your guide to Bellaire.

Brief Bellaire History

William Wright Baldwin, president of the South End Land Company and a native Iowan, founded Bellaire in 1908. Baldwin established Bellaire on the eastern edge of Rice Ranch, William Marsh Rices 9,449-acre estate, which Baldwin acquired after the famed businessmans death, according to the Texas State Historical Association.

An early ad noted in 1909 stated the area was dubbed Bellaire for its Gulf breezes. Others speculate Baldwin, who also served as VP of the Burlington Railroad, named the land for Bellaire, Ohio, a town his family railway served. Baldwin invested 150,000 in improvements and infrastructure to turn the prairieland into an attractive area for settlers. He built Bellaire Boulevard, which ran from the site to Main Street in Houston, then about six miles from Bellaire, and built an electric streetcar line. One of the original trolleys sits in Paseo Park along the boulevard today. On June, 24, 1918, with a population of some 200 settlers, Bellaire obtained a general-law city charter and incorporated as a city.

Bellaires population grew to 1,124 by 1940 but Houstons rapid expansion soon stifled the small citys growth. By December 1948, Houston had annexed the land around Bellaire. Bellaire home values have gone up 12.4% since last year, with a median price of 950,000 and 288 per SF.

Schools in Bellaire

Top-rated elementary schools include A.J. Condit and Paul W. Horn Elementary, along with Pin Oak (named a National Blue Ribbon School) and Pershing Middle Schools, nearby in Braeswood Place are within two miles of the Bellaire boundary line. Bellaire High consistently has one of the nations highest number of National Merit finalists, as well as a nationally ranked baseball team. Three private schools are located in Bellaire, including Episcopal High School (9-12), Veritas Academy and Post Oak Montessori (both K-8). Another Catholic K-8, St. Vincent de Paul School is nearby.
Bellaire residents have attained a far greater education in comparison to Harris County and the State of Texas. Eighty percent of all residents in Bellaire have a bachelors degree or better, which is significantly higher than the State of Texas (30 percent) and Harris County (32 percent).

Relocating to Bellaire

Bellaire has its own police, fire, EMT, city council, mayor, parks, water, and more.

The 2000 census estimated Bellaires population as 15,642, compared to the 2010 census estimate of 16,855. The most recent U.S. Census Bureau estimate in Bellaire is 18,971, as of July 2019. The Texas Demographic Center had a similar estimate of 18,425 in January 2019. The continuing growth trend since 2000 reflects ongoing residential redevelopment activity as well as the renewed presence of younger families in Bellaire, with the average household size increasing from 2.58 persons in 2000 to 2.78 in 2010 to 2.78 in 2019. A recent available Regional Growth Forecast from the Houston-Galveston Area Council, as of fourth quarter 2018, projects Bellaire surpassing the 21,700 mark by 2030.

Under any forecast scenario, Bellaire will remain a small city. Any significant growth would have to come through higher density housing, which Bellaires Planning and Zoning Board has been reluctant to approve, replacement of former commercial sites with residential development or a higher rate of family formation or increase in average household size, which could also reflect seniors moving in with their families. HomeSnacks reports the median household income of Bellaire residents is 201,629.

Bellaire Parks

Bellaire boasts 14 parks, including Officer Lucy Dog Park which does allow four-legged visitors, unlike the other parks. There are five public swimming pools, including three at the Bellaire Town Square Family Aquatic Center and two at Evergreen Park. Friday Night Live is offered for Bellaire teens every Friday Night during the HISD school year starting September 17 at 7pm.

The Nature Discovery Center on Newcastle hosts a fun Pumpkin Patch each October and homes rabbits, non-poisonous snakes and a variety of birds. Conservationist and environmental educator DeAndra Ramsey has joined the Center as their new Executive Director. Ramsey comes to the Center from the Houston Zoo where she worked for ten years in the Conservation Education department connecting communities to wildlife and natural spaces.

Evelyns Park, the Citys newest park, sits on five acres that once homed Teas Nursery. Phase Two of the park is now underway, where guests enjoy a Spray Ground, casual fare at Betsys restaurant and frequently, live music. The annual July 4th Parade features vintage Mustangs, T-birds, a bike parade for kids and watermelon and lemonade in the gazebo at Loftin Park.

Bellaire Restaurants and Shopping

An eclectic mix of family-owned restaurants as well as international favorites like the Thai inspired Lemongrass and Costa Brava Bistro, a blend of delicacies from Spain and France with a tapas bar that consistently ranks highly on Allison Cooks Top 100 Houston restaurants list. Michael Saghians New York Eatery is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Blood Brothers Barbecue attracts professionals from around the city at lunch as does longtime favorite Bellaire Broiler Burger and the 401, named after the last three digits of the city of Bellaires ZIP code, 401 Table and Tap embodies the label neighborhood restaurant. 401 offers a warm atmosphere, industrial digs and a modern menu. Lankford Market will open in September, introducing the Houston favorite no-frills spot for classic American eats including burgers & hearty breakfasts in a kitschy space to Bellaire.

Bellaire Celebs

James V. Allred was the Democratic Governor of Texas (1935-1939) during the New Deal of FDR, elected Attorney General of Texas at age 31, reelected in 1932. As Governor he served two terms in1935 and 1939. He made the cover of Time Magazine. Thereafter, he lived in Bellaire (near the Zindlers) with his wife and three young sons and also was involved in keeping Bellaire from being taken over by the City of West University Place in an attempted annexation.

Bellaire has been home to film stars Randy and Dennis Quaid, blues musician Ezra Charles, baseball great Bubba Crosby who is living in Bellaire and raising three Bellaire Little Leaguers and Jose Cruz, Jr. Mike Newlin with the Houston Rockets lived on Magnolia. Mary Steenburgen & Ted Danson resided in the 4300 block of Jane St. in the 1980s. She was in a play in Houston and visited quite often. In those days, Danson drove a red convertible and was often seen driving through the neighborhood.