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Bellevue, Washington
Founded in 1869 by William Meydenbauer and incorporated as a city in 1953, Bellevue spans 31 square miles between Lake Sammamish and Lake Washington. To the East are the snow-capped mountains of the Cascades. To the South, Mount Rainier dominates the horizon, and to the North, Mount Baker marks the proximity of the Canadian border. To the West, two floating highway bridges link Bellevue to Seattle. Bellevue's neighbors on the Eastside of Lake Washington are Yarrow Point, Clyde Hill, Hunts Point, Beaux Arts, Medina, Kirkland, Bothell, Newcastle, Redmond, Issaquah, Woodinville and Sammamish.
Bellevue's climate is uncommonly temperate. "Comfortable" is an often-used description, along with "mild, gentle and calm." Summer daytime temperatures average just under 70 degrees, while winter lows tend to be in the 40's. Average precipitation totals only around 38 inches per year.
Bellevue's population is right around 120,000 and is projected to continue its upward trend. Bellevue is the largest city on the Eastside, the second largest in King County, and the fifth largest city in Washington State.
It is estimated that there are 130,000 jobs within the city. Bellevue has more jobs than residents. Its diverse economy includes a strong employment base in growing industries such as information technology. Bellevue also benefits from a highly skiled and educated workforce.
Bellevue has experienced an overall growth in incomes, placing it well above the county average. Home ownership is also high. In spite of a higher regional cost index than the national average, Bellevue remains an affordable place to live, with incomes continuing to outpace inflation. Most recent data suggest the average household income for Bellevue is about 30 percent higher than the median household income for the region, and significantly higher than the county average.
Statistics
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Poplulation: 120,600
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Area: 30.7 square miles
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Median Household Income: $80,655
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Average Rent: 1bd $975; 2bd $1,520
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Median Prices (July/2009): Homes $540,000; Condos $350,000
Bellevue Links
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