- The population of Bellevue is now 41% minorities.
- The downtown area population tripled to 7,000 people in the last decade.
- In 1970, 14% spoke a language other than English at home.
- In 2009, 35% spoke other languages besides English at home.
- 30% of the population is foreign born
- The School District reports there are 84 languages spoken in Bellevue.
- 122363 people lived in Bellevue per the 2010 census.
- Downtown Bellevue is now the second largest city center in Washington State.
- The influx has been primarily Asian that now makes up 28% of the population.
- Most of the Asians are (computer) professionals from India and China working at Microsoft.
That is incredibly rapid change in short period of time. The city management has handled that change incredibly well. 20 years ago, they had the foresight to zone an urban core to keep the office building sprawl in a 10 x 12 block area between i405 and Bellevue Square. The Bellevue Parks Department wins national awards for their programs. Street crime in Bellevue is 2/3rds the national average.
Bellevue drinking water quality is well above State and Federal standards.
Bellevue's diversity is not as obvious as the numbers would suggest. A trip to the mall does not encounter 40% minorities. There are other more subtle signs of diversity such as the number of Asian restaurants and grocery stores. I can't think of a single Asian church in Bellevue. Some churches do have weeknight programs for various ethnic communities such as the 4 Square Church having Russian groups.
The wealth and diversity of Bellevue makes for a lively healthy dynamic city. The downside is that it is more expensive to live in Bellevue than other Seattle suburbs. For over 122,000 people, the quality of life is well worth the expense.
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