Bellaire, Texas, is in southwest Harris County within the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown Metropolitan Statistical area (MSA). As of the 2000 Census, its population was 15,642. The 2009 estimated U.S. Census shows the population increased to 17,825 persons in 3.6 square miles of land. Bellaire is completely surrounded by the cities of Houston, West University Place and Southside Place. Bellaire is the 27th wealthiest location in Texas by per capita income.
Bellaire’s nickname is the “City of Homes,” as it is mostly residential. There are, however, a large number of corporate level office buildings along the Interstate 610 Loop within the city limits. In fact the office dwellers increase the estimated daytime population to over 35,000. Bellaire, TX, zoning includes light industrial, commercial, and mixed-use (residential and commercial). Most employment is white collar at locations such as AT&T’s Houston Headquarters. Chevron has a 33-acre campus in Bellaire that is the headquarters for the Chevron Pipe Line Company and other of the company’s business units, including the Texaco Distribution Headquarters. The prestigious Vanguard Capital Group has a corporate home on the Bellaire Loop as well.
Bellaire, TX, was founded in 1908 in the middle of “Westmoreland Farms” to serve as a residential neighborhood and as an agricultural trading center. The town was named “Bellaire,” or “Good Air,” for its breezes. Six miles of prairie were left untouched as a buffer zone between Houston and Bellaire. Ten years after its founding, Bellaire was incorporated in 1918 as a city with a general charter. Bellaire’s population had reached 200 by this time. Bellaire’s population climbed to 1,124 in 1940. It experienced a rapid population explosion in the post-World War II building boom. On December 31, 1948, the city of Houston annexed the land around the city of Bellaire, virtually stopping Bellaire’s land growth. By early1950, the city’s residents had numbered 10,150.
Bellaire is a well-planned community right down to the size of its building lots. Bellaire’s housing lots are 75 feet by 130 feet, allowing for houses larger than those that can be accommodated on a typical 50 feet by 120 feet in neighboring West University Place. The police department offers the “House Watch Program,” where residents allow police to check their houses while they are away on vacation.
Bellaire, Texas, residents boast world-class medical facilities. Bellaire Emergency Center offers a focused experience in treating adult and pediatric emergencies and has redefined the emergency room experience with private treatment rooms equipped with the latest in emergency medical treatment facilities. First Street Hospital offers a 19-bed general acute care hospital, in the heart of Bellaire, TX, with a full array of in-patient and out-patient services, including four operating suites and diagnostic imaging and laboratory services. First Street has been designated a Center of Excellence for Bariatric Surgery. Bellaire supplements this with various medical specialty hospitals and clinics.
The Bellaire, Texas, school system is managed by the Houston Independent School District (HISD). Location, referenced by the I-610 loop, determines if students go to Houston or Bellaire schools. (Houston students on the Bellaire side of the loop go to Bellaire schools.) Bellaire has been successful in implementing the Magnet Schools program, an alternative to busing to achieve racial balance. Bellaire’s first school opened in 1909; the school moved to a new site in 1914, and an addition opened in 1927. Bellaire’s first high school was established in 1955. Three independent private schools are located in Bellaire. Bellaire is served by the Houston Community College System (HCCS).
Bellaire Municipal Court is located at 5110 Jessamine St., Bellaire, Texas. The Municipal Court maintains the record-keeping system used in the processing of traffic offenses, other Class C misdemeanors committed within the city limits, and violations of city ordinances. This department is responsible for the disposition of cases and other activities of the City of Bellaire’s Municipal Court system. The municipal court unit works closely with the Police Department to coordinate operations.
Bellaire, TX, Municipal Court has concurrent jurisdiction with the Harris County Justice of the Peace Court on Class C misdemeanor criminal cases, where the punishment upon conviction is only a small fine. This court also has jurisdiction over minor civil matters such as landlord-tenant disputes.
Bellaire, TX residents utilize the services of the Harris County Criminal Courts at Law for criminal cases, as well as DUI & DWI offenses. The Harris County Civil Courts at Law hears civil trial court matters and other litigation such as vehicle accidents, workplace accidents, defective product issues, catastrophic injuries, wrongful death claims, and other personal injury claims. Appeals of court decisions are handled by the two nearby State Appeals Courts in Houston or the Texas Supreme Court in Austin.
