Battle of Old Fort Wayne

Bel Aire is a city in Sedgwick County, Kansas, United States,[1] and a suburb of Wichita.[5] As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 8,262.[3][4]

History

Bel Aire was founded in January 1955 when a group of local residents petitioned the county government to create it as an improvement district for water.[6]

On November 26, 1980, Bel Aire formally incorporated as a city. This was despite a two-year legal dispute with the Wichita city government over whether or not it had the right to do so. The case ultimately went to the Kansas Supreme Court which ruled in Bel Aire's favor.[6]

Geography

Bel Aire is located at 37°45′50″N 97°15′58″W / 37.76389°N 97.26611°W / 37.76389; -97.26611 (37.763758, −97.266177) at an elevation of 1,394 feet (425 m).[1] It lies on the north side of the East Fork of Chisholm Creek roughly 6 mi (9.7 km) northeast of the Arkansas River in the Wellington-McPherson Lowlands region of the Great Plains. Located on the south side of K-254 in south-central Kansas, Bel Aire is within the Wichita metropolitan area, bordered by Wichita to the south and west and bordered by Kechi to the north.[7][8]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 6.86 square miles (17.77 km2), of which, 6.83 square miles (17.69 km2) is land and 0.03 square miles (0.08 km2) is water.[9]

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
19903,695
20005,83657.9%
20106,76916.0%
20208,26222.1%
U.S. Decennial Census
2010-2020[4]

Bel Aire is part of the Wichita, KS Metropolitan Statistical Area.

2020 census

The 2020 United States census counted 8,262 people, 3,080 households, and 2,234 families in Bel Aire.[10][11] The population density was 1,221.5 per square mile (471.6/km2). There were 3,258 housing units at an average density of 481.7 per square mile (186.0/km2).[11][12] The racial makeup was 74.27% (6,136) white or European American (72.25% non-Hispanic white), 9.92% (820) black or African-American, 0.5% (41) Native American or Alaska Native, 4.56% (377) Asian, 0.04% (3) Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian, 2.01% (166) from other races, and 8.7% (719) from two or more races.[13] Hispanic or Latino of any race was 7.6% (628) of the population.[14]

Of the 3,080 households, 32.5% had children under the age of 18; 59.3% were married couples living together; 22.6% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. 22.6% of households consisted of individuals and 11.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[11] The average household size was 3.0 and the average family size was 3.3.[15] The percent of those with a bachelor’s degree or higher was estimated to be 36.4% of the population.[16]

23.7% of the population was under the age of 18, 8.3% from 18 to 24, 25.7% from 25 to 44, 23.2% from 45 to 64, and 19.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38.3 years. For every 100 females, there were 109.0 males.[11] For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 110.9 males.[11]

The 2016-2020 5-year American Community Survey estimates show that the median household income was $84,605 (with a margin of error of +/- $20,847) and the median family income was $98,750 (+/- $21,163).[17] Males had a median income of $44,161 (+/- $5,434) versus $33,880 (+/- $3,945) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $38,015 (+/- $7,931).[18] Approximately, 4.8% of families and 7.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.6% of those under the age of 18 and 1.0% of those ages 65 or over.[19][20]

2010 census

As of the census[21] of 2010, there were 6,769 people, 2,465 households, and 1,854 families living in the city.[22] The population density was 991.1 inhabitants per square mile (382.7/km2). There were 2,554 housing units at an average density of 373.9 per square mile (144.4/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 81.1% White, 8.6% African American, 0.9% Native American, 4.5% Asian, 1.4% from other races, and 3.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.8% of the population.

There were 2,465 households, of which 38.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.3% were married couples living together, 7.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 2.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 24.8% were non-families. 21.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.75 and the average family size was 3.21.

The median age in the city was 36 years. 28.3% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 26.3% were from 25 to 44; 26.9% were from 45 to 64; and 11.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.2% male and 51.8% female.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 5,836 people, 1,976 households, and 1,618 families living in the city. The population density was 2,680.8 inhabitants per square mile (1,035.1/km2). There were 2,024 housing units at an average density of 929.7 per square mile (359.0/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 85.47% White, 7.32% African American, 0.45% Native American, 3.68% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.10% from other races, and 1.97% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.02% of the population.

There were 1,976 households, out of which 47.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 73.4% were married couples living together, 6.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 18.1% were non-families. 15.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.95 and the average family size was 3.30.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 32.9% under the age of 18, 5.2% from 18 to 24, 33.2% from 25 to 44, 21.1% from 45 to 64, and 7.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.1 males.

As of 2000 the median income for a household in the city was $66,937, and the median income for a family was $72,091. Males had a median income of $50,236 versus $35,298 for females. The per capita income for the city was $23,202. About 3.7% of families and 4.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.9% of those under age 18 and 3.0% of those age 65 or over.[23]

Education

The city is served by Wichita USD 259 and Circle USD 375 public school districts.[24] Bel Aire has two private schools as well: Sunrise Christian Academy (Pre-K to 12) and Resurrection Catholic School (Pre-K to 5).[25][26]

The Northeast Magnet High School, operated by Wichita USD 259 public school district, is located in Bel Aire.

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f "Bel Aire, Kansas", Geographic Names Information System, United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior
  2. ^ "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
  3. ^ a b "Profile of Bel Aire, Kansas in 2020". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on November 14, 2021. Retrieved November 14, 2021.
  4. ^ a b c "QuickFacts; Bel Aire, Kansas; Population, Census, 2020 & 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on August 27, 2021. Retrieved August 27, 2021.
  5. ^ "City of Bel Aire - Our Community". City of Bel Aire. Archived from the original on October 6, 2010. Retrieved January 22, 2011.
  6. ^ a b "City of Bel Aire - Celebrating 30 Years". City of Bel Aire. Archived from the original on October 15, 2010. Retrieved March 6, 2013.
  7. ^ "General Highway Map - Sedgwick County, Kansas" (PDF). Kansas Department of Transportation. June 2009. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 17, 2010. Retrieved January 22, 2011.
  8. ^ "2003-2004 Official Transportation Map" (PDF). Kansas Department of Transportation. 2003. Retrieved January 22, 2011.
  9. ^ "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on January 25, 2012. Retrieved July 6, 2012.
  10. ^ "US Census Bureau, Table P16: HOUSEHOLD TYPE". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
  11. ^ a b c d e "US Census Bureau, Table DP1: PROFILE OF GENERAL POPULATION AND HOUSING CHARACTERISTICS". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
  12. ^ Bureau, US Census. "Gazetteer Files". Census.gov. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
  13. ^ "US Census Bureau, Table P1: RACE". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
  14. ^ "US Census Bureau, Table P2: HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
  15. ^ "US Census Bureau, Table S1101: HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
  16. ^ "US Census Bureau, Table S1501: EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
  17. ^ "US Census Bureau, Table S1903: MEDIAN INCOME IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS (IN 2020 INFLATION-ADJUSTED DOLLARS)". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
  18. ^ "US Census Bureau, Table S2001: EARNINGS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS (IN 2020 INFLATION-ADJUSTED DOLLARS)". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
  19. ^ "US Census Bureau, Table S1701: POVERTY STATUS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
  20. ^ "US Census Bureau, Table S1702: POVERTY STATUS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS OF FAMILIES". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
  21. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 6, 2012.
  22. ^ "2010 City Population and Housing Occupancy Status". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved March 6, 2011.[dead link]
  23. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  24. ^ "Public Schools | Bel Aire, KS". www.belaireks.gov. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
  25. ^ "Private Schools in Bel Aire, KS". Niche. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
  26. ^ "Private Schools | Bel Aire, KS". www.belaireks.gov. Retrieved December 23, 2020.

Further reading

External links