Belleair, Florida
Town
Town of Belleair
Belleair Town Hall
Belleair Town Hall
Location in Pinellas County and the state of Florida
Location in Pinellas County and the state of Florida
Coordinates: 27°56′6″N 82°48′36″W / 27.93500°N 82.81000°W / 27.93500; -82.81000
Country United States
State Florida
County Pinellas
Incorporated1924
Reincorporated1925
Government
 • TypeCommission-Manager
 • MayorMichael "Mike" Wilkinson
 • Deputy MayorTom Kurey
 • CommissionersTom Shelly,
Thomas Nessler,
and Coleen Chaney
 • Town ManagerGay Lancaster
 • Town ClerkChristine Nicole
Area
[1]
 • Total2.54 sq mi (6.58 km2)
 • Land1.73 sq mi (4.48 km2)
 • Water0.81 sq mi (2.10 km2)
Elevation
46 ft (14 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total4,273
 • Density2,468.52/sq mi (952.94/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
33756
Area code727
FIPS code12-05075[2]
GNIS feature ID0278451[3]
Websitewww.townofbelleair.com

Belleair is a town in Pinellas County, Florida, United States. It is part of the Tampa–St. Petersburg–Clearwater Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is much more commonly called the Tampa Bay area. As of the 2020 census, it had a population of 4,273.

History

Belleair traces its origins to 1896 as a planned resort town with the construction of the Belleview Hotel by railroad tycoon Henry B. Plant. Originally known as Belleair Heights, the village consisted of a few dozen homes, livestock stables, and a famed 200-seat coliseum where bicycle races and political rallies were held. Over 300 acres of land were cleared and streets platted. However, real estate development in the community did not meet expectations, and the population remained small.

The former village of Belleair Heights fizzled out in the mid-20th century as urban sprawl blurred the lines between communities; the area stopped being referred to as Belleair Heights during the 1930s. Following the acquisition of the hotel by the John McEntee Bowman's Biltmore corporation in 1919, management began purchasing large tracts of land south of the resort. The Florida Land Boom was in full swing in 1924, when the company's vice president and hotel manager Earl E. Carley announced a new real estate venture of Belleair Estates.

Belleair Estates was designed by famed landscape architect John Nolen and was intended as Florida's most exclusive winter residential colony. The town initially incorporated in late 1924, though was re-incorporated in 1925 under the current name of Belleair. Development continued until the real estate bubble burst in 1926, which subsequently aided in the national Great Depression three years later. Following World War II, Belleair began to develop in earnest, with over two-thirds of the town's residences built after 1950.

The Eagles Nest Japanese Gardens was a tourist attraction in the town. It opened in 1938, but closed in 1952.[4]

Geography

The exact coordinates for the Town of Belleair is located at 27°56′6″N 82°48′36″W / 27.93500°N 82.81000°W / 27.93500; -82.81000.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 2.8 square miles (7.3 km2), of which 1.8 square miles (4.7 km2) is land and 1.0 square mile (2.6 km2) (36.30%) is water.

Government

The Town of Belleair has a Commission-Manager form of government. The Town Manager in 2023 is currently Gay Lancaster.

The current mayor and commissioners in 2023 are:

  • Mayor – Michael Wilkinson
  • Deputy Mayor – Tom Kurey
  • Commissioner – Tom Shelly
  • Commissioner – Coleen Chaney
  • Commissioner – Thomas Nessler

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1930212—
19402182.8%
1950961340.8%
19602,456155.6%
19702,96220.6%
19803,67324.0%
19903,9688.0%
20004,0672.5%
20103,869−4.9%
20204,27310.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[5]

2010 and 2020 census

Belleair racial composition
(Hispanics excluded from racial categories)
(NH = Non-Hispanic)
Race Pop 2010[6] Pop 2020[7] % 2010 % 2020
White (NH) 3,618 3,859 93.51% 90.31%
Black or African American (NH) 31 39 0.80% 0.91%
Native American or Alaska Native (NH) 2 3 0.05% 0.07%
Asian (NH) 60 75 1.55% 1.76%
Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian (NH) 0 1 0.00% 0.02%
Some other race (NH) 4 13 0.10% 0.30%
Two or more races/Multiracial (NH) 28 103 0.72% 2.41%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 126 180 3.26% 4.21%
Total 3,869 4,273

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 4,273 people, 1,779 households, and 1,230 families residing in the town.[8]

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 3,869 people, 1,702 households, and 1,025 families residing in the town.[9]

2000 census

At the 2000 census there were 4,067 people, 1,973 households, and 1,225 families in the town. The population density was 2,265.8 inhabitants per square mile (874.8/km2). There were 2,263 housing units at an average density of 1,260.8 per square mile (486.8/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 98.35% White, 0.15% African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.39% Asian, 0.20% from other races, and 0.76% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.53%.[2]

Of the 1,973 households in 2000, 17.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.1% were married couples living together, 5.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.9% were non-families. 34.2% of households were one person and 21.3% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.04 and the average family size was 2.58.

In 2000, the age distribution was 16.2% under the age of 18, 2.5% from 18 to 24, 20.1% from 25 to 44, 28.5% from 45 to 64, and 32.6% 65 or older. The median age was 53 years. For every 100 females, there were 84.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.1 males.

In 2000, the median household income was $63,267 and the median family income was $96,400. Males had a median income of $61,548 versus $31,313 for females. The per capita income for the town was $59,164. About 1.4% of families and 4.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.7% of those under age 18 and 4.4% of those age 65 or over.

Notable people

References

  1. ↑ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
  2. 1 2 "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  3. ↑ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  4. ↑ "Town of Belleair 2018 Historic Survey Report". Town of Belleair. Retrieved September 17, 2018.
  5. ↑ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  6. ↑ "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Belleair town, Florida". United States Census Bureau.
  7. ↑ "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Belleair town, Florida". United States Census Bureau.
  8. ↑ "S1101 HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES - 2020: Belleair town, Florida". United States Census Bureau.
  9. ↑ "S1101 HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES - 2010: Belleair town, Florida". United States Census Bureau.
  10. ↑ Newman, Aubrey S. (March 1976). "Obituary, Joseph Pringle Cleland". Assembly. West Point, New York: Association of Graduates, United States Military Academy. pp. 117–119 – via Google Books.
  11. ↑ "A look at... Blondie and Dagwood". Tampa Bay magazine. Vol. 36, no. 3. May–June 2021. p. 114.
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