Happy TravellerWelcome to Bellevue, Nebraska, a beautiful suburban city located in Sarpy County. With a population of 64,176 as of the 2020 Census, Bellevue is the third-largest city in Nebraska and the second largest city in the U.S. named Bellevue, behind Bellevue, Washington. Originally settled by European Americans in the 1830s, Bellevue was incorporated in 1855 and is the oldest continuous town in Nebraska. It has been credited by the Nebraska State Legislature as being the state’s second-oldest settlement; previously it served as the seat of government in Nebraska.
Bellevue is located at an elevation of 1159 ft (353 m) and is part of the Omaha–Council Bluffs metropolitan area. The city has a total area of 16.02 square miles (41.49 km2), of which 15.85 square miles (41.05 km2) is land and 0.17 square miles (0.44 km2) is water. It is bounded on the east by the Missouri River, providing stunning views and recreational opportunities for visitors.
Bellevue has a rich history, with its origins as a trading post for the Missouri Fur Company by Joshua Pilcher. The first permanent resident of Bellevue was Lucien Fontanelle, and Moses Merrill founded a mission, which was the first Christian mission in Nebraska, in Bellevue. Since it was the oldest city in the Nebraska Territory, the residents were optimistic that Bellevue would become the capital of it, and the new territorial governor, Francis Burt, had already moved there, but shortly after, he died. The next governor selected Omaha as the capital instead. In 1921, the Offutt Air Force Base, housing the United States Strategic Command, was built south of Bellevue. The planes that dropped the Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bombs were built there.
Bellevue is a diverse city, with a population that is 81.5% White, 6.0% African American, 0.7% Native American, 2.3% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 5.4% from other races, and 3.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 11.9%. The city has a median age of 34.8 years, with 26.4% of residents under the age of 18 and 11.5% aged 65 or older. The gender makeup of the city is 49.2% male and 50.8% female.
Bellevue is home to several school districts, including Bellevue Public Schools, Omaha Public Schools, Papillion-La Vista Community Schools, Springfield Platteview Community Schools. The city has produced several notable people, including Bob Gibson, baseball player and hall of famer, Leisha Hailey, actress and musician, and Regis F. A. Urschler, USAF Brigadier General and P-51 air show pilot.
Visitors to Bellevue can enjoy a variety of attractions, including the Great Plains Art Museum, Moses Merill Mission, and Sarpy County Historical Museum. The city is also home to Nebraska Medicine-Bellevue, providing top-notch medical care to residents and visitors alike.
Whether you’re interested in history, outdoor recreation, or simply enjoying the charm of a small town, Bellevue, Nebraska has something for everyone. Come visit and discover why this hidden gem should be on every traveler’s bucket list.
