Bellevue, Iowa

Jackson County, along with Jones and Linn Counties were established in 1837 and Bellevue was the named the seat of justice for all three counties. Prior to the formal opening of the county, Bellevue was laid out by John D. Bell in 1835. He built a cabin there and was the town's first postmaster."Bellevue, Iowa City Information." ePodunk. N.p., n.d. Web. 7 July 2010. .{{cite book | url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_MI4gAQAAIAAJ | title=Owen's Gazetteer and Directory of Jackson County, Iowa | publisher=Walsworth | year=1878 | pages=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_MI4gAQAAIAAJ/page/n66 59]}} The first hotel was built by Peter Dutell in 1836, and was called the Bellevue House.{{cite web |url=https://s-iihr34.iihr.uiowa.edu/publications/uploads/GSI-083.pdf |title=THE NATURAL HISTORY OF BELLEVUE STATE PARK, JACKSON COUNTY, IOWA |author=Raymond R. Anderson & Chad L. Fields |date=October 25, 2008 |publisher=Geological Society of Iowa |access-date=November 18, 2019}} When Iowa became a territory in 1838, the first census was taken and Jackson County had 881 people. The town of Bellevue constructed a city hall that serves as the Bellevue Public Library on the upper level. File:Bellevue, Iowa in 1848.png The Bellevue War of 1840 gave the town an unsavory reputation and discouraged settlement in its aftermath. However, the population would double within two years. In 1838 the town of Andrew was designated as the county seat. Between 1848 and 1876, the struggle between Andrew and Bellevue for the county seat continued with the county seat being moved from one town to the other several times, with Bellevue constructing a county courthouse in 1845 that now serves as Bellevue Elementary, the oldest functioning school building in Iowa. As the county was settled, Maquoketa would become the dominant centrally located town when the railroad reached Maquoketa in 1873. The Town of Maquoketa then built a large city hall and offered to lease the building to Jackson County as a courthouse. The proposition was put to a vote and approved, and since then, Maquoketa has been the county seat."49. JACKSON COUNTY, IOWA." Iowa Genealogical Society. N.p., n.d. Web. 6 July 2010. .

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of {{convert|1.41|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|1.34|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|0.07|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is water.{{cite web |title=US Gazetteer files 2010 |url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=2012-05-11 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120125061959/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |archive-date=2012-01-25 }}

Bellevue has a humid continental climate (Köppen Dfa), which gives it four distinct seasons. However, local weather is often not as extreme as that found in other parts of the Midwest, such as Minnesota or Wisconsin. Spring is usually wet and rainy, summers are sunny and warm, autumn is mild, and winters are typically cloudy and snowy.

{{Weather box

| location = Bellevue, Iowa (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1941–present)

| single line = Y

| Jan record high F = 63

| Feb record high F = 74

| Mar record high F = 87

| Apr record high F = 94

| May record high F = 95

| Jun record high F = 100

| Jul record high F = 103

| Aug record high F = 103

| Sep record high F = 99

| Oct record high F = 95

| Nov record high F = 77

| Dec record high F = 67

| year record high F = 103

| Jan high F = 28.9

| Feb high F = 33.5

| Mar high F = 45.7

| Apr high F = 59.3

| May high F = 71.1

| Jun high F = 81.1

| Jul high F = 84.6

| Aug high F = 82.7

| Sep high F = 75.9

| Oct high F = 62.6

| Nov high F = 47.2

| Dec high F = 34.2

| year high F = 58.9

| Jan mean F = 20.5

| Feb mean F = 24.3

| Mar mean F = 36.0

| Apr mean F = 48.3

| May mean F = 59.8

| Jun mean F = 69.9

| Jul mean F = 73.6

| Aug mean F = 71.8

| Sep mean F = 64.0

| Oct mean F = 51.7

| Nov mean F = 38.3

| Dec mean F = 26.5

| year mean F = 48.7

| Jan low F = 12.1

| Feb low F = 15.1

| Mar low F = 26.3

| Apr low F = 37.4

| May low F = 48.4

| Jun low F = 58.8

| Jul low F = 62.7

| Aug low F = 60.9

| Sep low F = 52.2

| Oct low F = 40.7

| Nov low F = 29.3

| Dec low F = 18.9

| year low F = 38.6

| Jan record low F = −35

| Feb record low F = −34

| Mar record low F = −23

| Apr record low F = 5

| May record low F = 23

| Jun record low F = 35

| Jul record low F = 41

| Aug record low F = 32

| Sep record low F = 24

| Oct record low F = 14

| Nov record low F = −9

| Dec record low F = −26

| year record low F = −35

| precipitation colour = green

| Jan precipitation inch = 1.30

| Feb precipitation inch = 1.58

| Mar precipitation inch = 2.16

| Apr precipitation inch = 3.77

| May precipitation inch = 4.21

| Jun precipitation inch = 5.58

| Jul precipitation inch = 4.33

| Aug precipitation inch = 3.78

| Sep precipitation inch = 3.65

| Oct precipitation inch = 3.18

| Nov precipitation inch = 2.34

| Dec precipitation inch = 1.93

| year precipitation inch = 37.81

| Jan snow inch = 9.3

| Feb snow inch = 8.3

| Mar snow inch = 3.9

| Apr snow inch = 0.4

| May snow inch = 0.1

| Jun snow inch = 0.0

| Jul snow inch = 0.0

| Aug snow inch = 0.0

| Sep snow inch = 0.0

| Oct snow inch = 0.2

| Nov snow inch = 1.3

| Dec snow inch = 8.4

| year snow inch = 31.9

| unit precipitation days = 0.01 in

| Jan precipitation days = 8.2

| Feb precipitation days = 7.7

| Mar precipitation days = 8.7

| Apr precipitation days = 10.6

| May precipitation days = 12.4

| Jun precipitation days = 10.7

| Jul precipitation days = 9.0

| Aug precipitation days = 8.4

| Sep precipitation days = 8.5

| Oct precipitation days = 8.2

| Nov precipitation days = 8.0

| Dec precipitation days = 8.6

| year precipitation days = 109.0

| unit snow days = 0.1 in

| Jan snow days = 5.1

| Feb snow days = 4.1

| Mar snow days = 1.8

| Apr snow days = 0.2

| May snow days = 0.0

| Jun snow days = 0.0

| Jul snow days = 0.0

| Aug snow days = 0.0

| Sep snow days = 0.0

| Oct snow days = 0.1

| Nov snow days = 0.8

| Dec snow days = 4.2

| year snow days = 16.3

| source 1 = NOAA

{{cite web

| url = https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=dvn

| title = NowData – NOAA Online Weather Data

| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

| access-date = June 26, 2021}}

{{cite web

| url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USC00130608&format=pdf

| title = Station: Bellevue, IA

| work = U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991-2020)

| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

| access-date = June 26, 2021}}

}}

{{Historical populations

|title= Historical populations

|type= USA

|align= right

|1850|362

|1860|929

|1870|1353

|1880|1581

|1890|1394

|1900|1607

|1910|1776

|1920|1663

|1930|1717

|1940|1771

|1950|1932

|1960|2181

|1970|2336

|1980|2450

|1990|2239

|2000|2350

|2010|2191

|2020|2363

|source={{center|U.S. Decennial Census{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}}}|footnote=Source:[https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=Bellevue,%20Iowa&g=1600000US1905635&hidePreview=false&tid=ACSDP5Y2018.DP05&vintage=2018&layer=place&cid=DP05_0001E U.S. Census Bureau] and [http://data.iowadatacenter.org/datatables/PlacesAll/plpopulation18502000.pdf Iowa Data Center]

}}

File:BellevueIowaPopPlot.png

As of the census of 2020,{{cite web |title=2020 Census |url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census/decade/2020/2020-census-main.html |publisher=United States Census Bureau}} there were 2,363 people, 1,011 households, and 646 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,718.6 inhabitants per square mile (663.6/km²). There were 1,115 housing units at an average density of 811.0 per square mile (313.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.4% White, 0.3% Black or African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 0.3% from other races and 2.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino persons of any race comprised 0.9% of the population.

Of the 1,011 households, 26.7% of which had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.1% were married couples living together, 6.1% were cohabitating couples, 27.6% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present and 16.1% had a male householder with no spouse or partner present. 36.1% of all households were non-families. 31.9% of all households were made up of individuals, 15.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years old or older.

The median age in the city was 44.6 years. 25.3% of the residents were under the age of 20; 4.1% were between the ages of 20 and 24; 20.9% were from 25 and 44; 25.1% were from 45 and 64; and 24.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.8% male and 52.2% female.

As of the census{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=2012-05-11}} of 2010, there were 2,191 people, 966 households, and 584 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|1635.1|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 1,120 housing units at an average density of {{convert|835.8|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 99.0% White, 0.1% African American, 0.1% Native American, 0.2% from other races, and 0.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.8% of the population.

There were 966 households, of which 24.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.0% were married couples living together, 7.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 39.5% were non-families. 34.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.20 and the average family size was 2.84.

The median age in the city was 46.8 years. 20.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 20.2% were from 25 to 44; 27.3% were from 45 to 64; and 24.9% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.0% male and 53.0% female.

As of the census{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=2008-01-31 |title=U.S. Census website }} of 2000, there were 2,350 people, 942 households, and 629 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|2,410.7|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 1,012 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1,038.1|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 99.79% White, 0.04% Asian, and 0.17% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.47% of the population.

There were 942 households, out of which 32.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.6% were married couples living together, 7.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.2% were non-families. 29.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 3.01.

25.4% are under the age of 18, 6.4% from 18 to 24, 25.1% from 25 to 44, 20.7% from 45 to 64, and 22.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $35,293, and the median income for a family was $44,438. Males had a median income of $35,507 versus $20,791 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,928. About 5.0% of families and 7.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.3% of those under age 18 and 13.1% of those age 65 or over.

Bellevue has a rich history that has greatly influenced the culture of the city. The prehistoric Woodland Native Americans made their homes in the fertile valleys where Bellevue lies. Much later, so did the Thâkîwaki and the Meskwaki of which evidence can be found in the form of burial mounds high on the south bluff overlooking the river. The European pioneers arrived as fur traders, farmers, and merchants looking to settle new land beginning in 1833; many floating across the Mississippi River on logs. These early settlers formed Bell View, the oldest city in the county and one of the five oldest cities in Iowa. The spelling was later changed to the French, Belle Vue and in time the two words were united and the town became Bellevue.

Today, the Sac and Fox Tribe of the Mississippi in Iowa maintain ancestral attachments to the Bellevue area.

File:Bellevue Schools entrance (Iowa).jpg

Bellevue Community School District provides educational services to Bellevue, as well as the surrounding countryside and cities of La Motte, Springbrook, and St. Donatus. The school's colors are royal blue and white, and their mascot/team name is the Comets. Bellevue High School is located on a campus on the western edge of town, which also includes an attached middle school and athletic facilities. The high school underwent significant renovations in 2010, with the addition of a gymnasium, stage, cafeteria, student commons, locker rooms, Hall of Pride, and district offices. The Bellevue Community School District also includes the public Bellevue Elementary School, located in the pre-Civil War Jackson County Courthouse which was built in 1845.{{cite web|url={{NRHP url|id=81000248}}|title=NRHP Nomination form - Former Jackson County Courthouse|publisher=National Park Service|access-date=2015-04-21}} with {{NRHP url|id=81000248|photos=y|title=photo}} The district supports free preschool and grades PK-12, with a total enrollment of 765 students in the 2019–2020 school year. In October 2019, school officials reported that enrollment for the district increased 10% over the past 5 years, contrary to State officials who have predicted a long term declining enrollment trend.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bellevueheraldleader.com/news/bellevue-enrollment-up-percent-in-last-five-years/article_c5e64778-f4db-11e9-890e-2fa6f6be6c69.html#tncms-source=article-nav-next|title=Bellevue Enrollment up 10 Percent in Last Five Years}}

Marquette Catholic is a private school in town. Its colors are red and white, and its team name is the Defenders. They support grades PK-12. The school underwent major renovations in 2015 when the buildings were connected, a new cafeteria/gym was added, a Parish Center was added on, and additional storage areas were created. Significant improvements were also made in 2014 when a high school wing of the building was added. Within Marquette Catholic Schools is Blessed Beginnings Daycare. Marquette's enrollment for students in PK-12 is 253 students.

Bellevue radiates from the intersection of US HWY 52 (Riverview Dr.) and Iowa HWY 62 (State St). US HWY 52 continues north to St. Donatus and Dubuque and south to Sabula, before entering Savanna, Illinois via the new Dale Gardner Veterans Memorial Bridge. Highway 62 continues on to Andrew and terminates in the county seat, Maquoketa. Other roads coming into the city are Bellevue-Cascade Road (County D61) which terminates near Cascade, and Mill Creek Road (County D56) which terminates in La Motte.

Historically, there were hundreds of river steamboats that stopped at the grand staircase that led from the higher Riverfront Park to the riverbank to transfer passengers and necessary goods. The Mississippi River still is an essential route of economical transport for freight (with barges frequently passing), but no longer regularly carries commercial goods or passengers. Towards the mid 20th century travel by riverboat was no longer the best mode of transportation, and that aspect of travel diminished along Bellevue's banks. In the 21st century there has been an uptick in leisure cruises on recreations of large historical steamships that act as cruise vessels on the Mississippi. With Lock and Dam No. 12 bisecting the river, these steamships occasionally stop to let off passengers to shop and eat at establishments along Riverview Drive as they wait to lock through.

The city offers multiple locations to launch vessels, including the Municipal Boat Ramp (found below Riverview Park at the intersection of State Street and Riverview Drive), Bellevue Public Area Ramp (found south of town along US HWY 52), and at the Pleasant Creek Recreation Area (found 4 miles south of town along US HWY 52). Spruce Creek Park, located 3 miles north of Bellevue off of 395th Ave, offers a boat ramp as well as a large harbor for storage of boats, with some covered boat slips. The harbor is managed by Jackson County Conservation.[https://www.mycountyparks.com/county/Jackson/Park/Spruce-Creek-Park.aspx Spruce Creek Park - Jackson, IA]

The nearest moderately sized commercial airport is Dubuque Regional Airport south of Dubuque, IA along US HWY 61. Some small local airports in Maquoketa, Clinton, and Davenport serve small aircraft and agricultural purposes, with the nearest large commercial location being the Quad City International Airport in Moline, IL

In the center of the town, there is an on-street running railroad used for long freight trains. The railway is frequently used and divides Second Street on either side of it. Streets crossing this rail line include (from north to south) Jefferson Ave, Motte St, High St, Park St, Market St, State St (HWY 62), Jefferson St, Chestnut St, Vine St, and an underpass at the south end of 2nd St (Potter Dr). Formerly, a depot and rail yard supported passenger traffic along the now defunct Chicago, Bellevue, Cascade & Western Railway Company, which was a narrow-gauge railway.[http://www.encyclopediadubuque.org/index.php?title=NARROW_GAUGE_RAILROAD NARROW GAUGE RAILROAD – Encyclopedia Dubuque] Since its closure in the 1930s, the east–west running railroad was broken up, leaving the remaining north–south standard gauge railway that remain today under the control of the Alberta based Canadian Pacific Railway. There no longer are any passenger trains on Bellevue's rails.

{{Commons category|Bellevue, Iowa}}

• [http://www.bellevueia.com/ Bellevue Area Chamber of Commerce]

{{Jackson County, Iowa}}

{{authority control}}

Category:Cities in Iowa

Category:Cities in Jackson County, Iowa

Category:Iowa populated places on the Mississippi River

Category:1835 establishments in Michigan Territory

Category:Populated places established in 1835