Living in Bellevue KY gives you the amenities of a small city with access to Downtown Cincinnati! According to Wikipedia, various Indigenous communities lived in the Bellevue area for thousands of years, including the Cherokee, Illini, and Shawnee. White settlers arrived in the early 1800s, with James Taylor Jr. buying land and starting a plantation in the area.
Bellevue gets its name from Taylor’s plantation in Virginia. A community formed around the plantation, with the state government incorporating it as a city in 1870. By the 1890s, Bellevue had over a dozen grocery stores, bakeries, stables, and saloons, with people moving to Bellevue every year.
Bellevue became a tourist destination in the early 20th century, becoming home to beaches along the Ohio River. The beaches were closed in the 1930s, but Bellevue transformed again and is now a prominent bedroom community. Is Bellevue a good place to live? It’s a nice place to live with a family-friendly atmosphere, local stores, and fun community events.
What is Bellevue known for? Bellevue Kentucky is known for its historic architecture and convenient proximity to Cincinnati. The Bellevue KY motto is “Preserving the Past, Preparing for the Future.”
Moving to Bellevue may seem perfect. But you should learn about the benefits of living in Bellevue, including things to do in Bellevue. Here’s what to know about living in Bellevue KY.
Where Is Bellevue?
Where is Bellevue, and what county is Bellevue in? Bellevue is in Campbell County, inside the Cincinnati metropolitan area. Bellevue is a suburb of Cincinnati. It is 2.9 miles from Cincinnati to Bellevue. Bellevue does not border Cincinnati, but it does border Dayton, Fort Thomas, and Newport. The community borders the Ohio River. It’s a mostly well-developed community, with some green areas in the southeast.
The Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky (TANK) provides some public transportation services for residents living in Bellevue KY, and you can use TANK for moving to Bellevue. Route 12 is a TANK bus route that runs through Bellevue and connects the community to Dayton and Downtown Cincinnati. The transit authority does not provide light rail services. You can walk to many locations in Bellevue, and you can drive to cities near Cincinnati using major roads like Interstate 471.
Bellevue Population and Demographics
According to the US Census, the Bellevue population in 2020 was 5,548, down by 6.8% since 2010. The Bellevue population peaked in 1960 and has declined in each decade since. Bellevue is a moderately sized city in Campbell County, smaller than Alexandria and Cold Spring but larger than Southgate and Wilder. The Bellevue population density is currently 6,183.1 people living in Bellevue KY per square mile, over 50% higher than the Cincinnati density.
Notable people living in Bellevue KY include Harlan Hubbard, Virginia Weiffenbach Kettering, and Harry Steinfeldt. Bellevue demographics include:
- 54.4% male, 45.6% female
- Median age of people living in Bellevue KY: 34.9
- Racial and ethnic composition of residents living in Bellevue KY: 91.5% White (90.8% non-Hispanic), 5.0% two or more races, 2.8% Hispanic or Latino, 1.7% Black or African American, 0.5% Asian, 0.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander
- Median household income of people living in Bellevue KY: $67,143 (roughly 10% higher than the state median)
- Educational attainment of residents living in Bellevue KY: 95.1% of residents older than 25 have graduated from high school, 43.0% have a bachelor’s degree
- Foreign-born population of people living in Bellevue KY: 1.8%
Bellevue is very popular among young professionals. Nearly 40% of people living in Bellevue KY are between the ages of 20 and 39. Many of these people work in Cincinnati and commute from their homes in Bellevue. 55.6% of people living in Bellevue KY who are 15 years and older are single. Bellevue is a well-educated community. The rate of people living in Bellevue KY with bachelor’s degrees or higher is 1.5 times higher than the Kentucky rate. 12.3% of residents living in Bellevue KY have a post-graduate degree.
Bellevue is a very safe place to live. Here are the community’s latest crime rates, according to the FBI in 2022:
- Overall Bellevue crime rate: 1,283 offenses per 100,000 people living in Bellevue KY (76.2% lower than the Cincinnati crime rate, 22.9% lower than the Kentucky crime rate, 44.8% lower than the national rate)
- Violent Bellevue crime rate: 0 crimes per 100,000 residents living in Bellevue KY (100.0% lower than the Kentucky rate, 100.0% lower than the national average)
- Property Bellevue crime rate: 1,283 crimes per 100,000 people living in Bellevue KY (11.5% lower than the Kentucky average, 34.4% lower than the national rate)
The Bellevue Police Department employs 10 police officers who respond to all emergencies in Bellevue.
Bellevue Cost of Living
Bellevue cost of living statistics can be tricky to find, so you can use Cincinnati cost of living statistics to estimate your Bellevue cost of living. The Cincinnati cost of living index is 96.9, meaning the cost of items in the Cincinnati area is 3.1% lower than the national average.
According to the Economic Policy Institute, a family of four living in Campbell County needs $106,192 a year to cover their cost of living. Is Bellevue expensive? No! You should expect to live an affordable life in Bellevue, especially if you’re a single moving to Bellevue without children. Child care costs $19,716 a year while living in Bellevue KY.
Bellevue real estate is also very affordable, including properties for rent in Bellevue. According to Redfin, the median sale price of Bellevue homes for sale is $297,500. The average rent in Bellevue is hard to find, but one-bedroom Bellevue apartments can cost less than $900 a month. Even three-bedroom apartments in Bellevue can cost less than $1,600 a month.
Typical Bellevue* Living Expenses
- 1 pound of white rice: $1.74
- 1 pound of apples: $2.15
- 1 pound of onions: $1.36
- 1 gallon of gasoline: $3.17
- Average Bellevue* utilities per month: $120.22
- 1 pair of jeans: $40.38
Source: Numbeo
*Expenses actually for Cincinnati
Neighborhoods in Bellevue | Where to Live in Bellevue
Bellevue does not have any formal neighborhoods due to its small size and compact population. According to Redfin, 120 Bellevue homes for sale were sold in 2024 alone, almost all of which were single family homes. There is no popular architectural style or convenient neighborhood in Bellevue real estate. Most homes have three bedrooms and 1,500 to 2,000 square feet, providing enough room for couples and small families. Many homes were built in the early 1900s, so they have Italianate and Victorian architectural features like high ceilings, brick exteriors, and fireplaces. Prices for homes are around $300,000.
You can buy plots of land and build custom homes on them. These plots can cost around $100,000, but they contain a lot of trees and plants, so it can take a long time to develop them. The Washington is the only major apartment complex in Bellevue. It’s home to one-bedroom apartments between 390 and 720 square feet, suitable for singles. Rates start at $899 a month.
Bellevue Weather and Climate
Bellevue has a humid subtropical climate, with warm and humid summers and freezing winters. According to Weather Spark, July is the hottest month of Bellevue weather, with an average Bellevue temperature of 76 degrees and an average high of 86. The Bellevue temperature peaks in mid-July, but it’s warm until late September. January is the coldest month of Bellevue weather, with an average temperature of 31 degrees and an average low of 25. Average lows drop below freezing between early December and early March.
Bellevue receives 35.1 inches of rain on average per year. Does it snow in Bellevue? Yes, Bellevue receives 9.7 inches of snow on average per year. There are at least seven days of precipitation in each month, with May having 12 rainy days. The high rain creates humidity during the summer months, with most days feeling humid or muggy. Bellevue does not experience severe weather on a regular basis, though conditions can get foggy close to the Ohio River.
September is the best month to visit and start moving to Bellevue. September is one of the clearest months of the year, with 67% sunny days. The average temperature is 67 degrees, so you can enjoy outdoor things to do in Bellevue while wearing a long-sleeved shirt. Humidity levels drop off in September, so you can stay outside and enjoy the Bellevue climate for longer periods of time.
Things to Do in Bellevue
You can enjoy many cool and fun things to do in Bellevue, including kid-friendly parks! Kroger is the top grocery store in Bellevue. You can also go shopping at The Party Source, Schneider’s Sweet Shop, and Bellevue Goodwill Store.
Swope Park
Swope Park is the top family-friendly destination in Bellevue. It’s home to playgrounds for young children, all-purpose sports fields, a basketball court, and walking paths.
299 Covert Run Pike, Bellevue, KY, 41073, 859-431-8866
Bellevue Beach Park
Bellevue Beach Park is well known for its scenic views of the Ohio River. Many Bellevue residents take photographs and enjoy picnics along the river. You can also visit a playground, basketball courts, and a paved walking path.
643-665 Frank Benke Way, Bellevue, KY, 41073
Carpenter Enamel Center
Carpenter Enamel Center is an art museum and art studio dedicated to enamel art. The museum is home to over 1,100 pieces of enamel art, including paintings, sculptures, and vases. You can take three-hour and two-day workshops on enamel art throughout the year.
645 Colfax Avenue, Bellevue, KY, 40173, 859-360-6384
Additional Things to Do in Bellevue
The Parks Department of the City of Bellevue takes care of all parks and public spaces in Bellevue. The department also helps plan public cultural events throughout the year, including live music performances, festivals, and parties. You can see when these events will take place using the City of Bellevue events calendar.
Bellevue Restaurants
The Cincinnati area is well known for its unique food, including black raspberry ice cream and goetta. You can try unique dishes and specialties throughout restaurants in Bellevue, enjoying kid-friendly and unique experiences.
Buckhead Mountain Grill
Buckhead Mountain Grill is a mountain lodge-themed restaurant well known for its scenic views of the Ohio River. The restaurant offers American comfort food, including burgers, steaks, and fried chicken. Buckhead Mountain Grill also offers happy hour specials on weeknights.
35 Fairfield Avenue, Bellevue, KY, 41073, 859-491-7333
Enson Harbor
Enson Harbor is a unique Southern and Chinese fusion restaurant that’s ideal for romantic nights out. The restaurant offers boiled seafood, dim sum, pho, ramen, and other dishes combining Southern and Chinese influences. You can visit Enson Harbor for lunch specials and happy hours.
25 Fairfield Avenue, Bellevue, KY, 41073, 859-279-3146
Avenue Brew
Avenue Brew is the best restaurant in Bellevue for breakfast and quick service meals. Avenue Brew offers all-day breakfast, including omelets, country-style breakfast platters, and pancakes. You can also order sandwiches and salads for lunch, with most menu items costing less than $10.
310 Fairfield Avenue, Bellevue, KY, 41073, 859-261-4381
Bellevue Jobs
According to DataUSA, over 3,300 people have Bellevue jobs. Despite the overall decline in population, the job market in Bellevue KY is increasing. The community added nearly 100 jobs between 2022 and 2023. Health care, manufacturing, and food services are the three largest job sectors in Bellevue.
Many sectors have high-paying job opportunities for people living in Bellevue KY. Health care, manufacturing, finance, and professional services all have median earnings of over $100,000 a year. According to Payscale, the average salary in Bellevue is $54,000 a year, with an average base hourly rate of $15.21.
Major employers in Bellevue include Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, Walmart, and McDonald’s. You can apply for jobs in Bellevue using Indeed, and you can apply for City of Bellevue jobs on the city government’s website after moving to Bellevue.
Bellevue Schools
Bellevue Independent Schools is the official Bellevue school district for all students living in Bellevue KY. The district contains three schools, all located in Bellevue:
- Bellevue Preschool, serving students from birth to 5 years
- Grandview Elementary School, serving pre-kindergarten to 5th grade
- Bellevue Middle/High School, serving 6th to 12th grades
Bellevue Independent Schools intensively trains and assesses its educators throughout the year to ensure students living in Bellevue KY get a great education. Each school in the Bellevue school district is home to classes for gifted and talented children as well as students with special needs living in Bellevue KY.
Holy Trinity School is a K-12 Catholic school and the only major private school in Bellevue. There are not multiple high schools in Bellevue or private schools in Bellevue. No colleges or universities are in Bellevue. Bellevue does not have its own library; the closest library is the Newport Branch of the Campbell County Public Library system.
Bellevue Statistics and Information
- County: Campbell County
- Bellevue area: 0.91 square miles
- Bellevue zip code: 41073 and 41074
- Bellevue area code: 859
- Bellevue elevation: 568 feet
- Bellevue time zone: Eastern Time Zone (UTC -4 and -5)
- Closest airport to Bellevue: Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG), 13.0 miles from Bellevue
Bellevue Map
You can use this Bellevue map to explore this great place and find plenty of hiking trails, businesses, and restaurants!
Start Living in Bellevue KY
Living in Bellevue KY gives you access to a vibrant city with a strong sense of community and great access to Downtown Cincinnati! Families with young children, young professionals, and singles all love living in Bellevue KY.
Now that you know about Bellevue, you can start moving to Bellevue. Bell Moving has the best Bellevue movers, with over 100 years of experience in the moving industry. Call 513-942-7500 for a free estimate now.
