Bellbrook, Ohio
Location of Bellbrook, Ohio
Coordinates: 39°38′15″N 84°5′18″W / 39.6375, -84.08833
Country	United States
State	Ohio
County	Greene
Government
- Type	Council-Manager
- Mayor	Hon. Mary C. Graves
Area
- Total	3.1 sq mi (8.1 km²)
- Land	3.1 sq mi (8.1 km²)
- Water	0.0 sq mi (0.0 km²)
Elevation [1]	778 ft (237 m)
Population (2000)
- Total	7,009
- Density	2,244.4/sq mi (866.6/km²)
Time zone	Eastern (EST) (UTC-5)
- Summer (DST)	EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP code	45305
Area code(s)	937
FIPS code	39-05102[2]
GNIS feature ID	1064403[1]
Website: [1]

Bellbrook is a city in Greene County, Ohio, United States. The population was 7,009 at the 2000 census.

Geography

Bellbrook is located at 39°38′15″N, 84°5′18″W (39.637609, -84.088348)^[3].

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.1 square miles (8.1 km²), all of it land.

History

Bellbrook was first settled in 1814. The name derives from one of the city's founders, Stephen Bell (eponymous with the local elementary school).

Initially a village, Bellbrook grew through annexation of territory from surrounding Sugarcreek Township. The first annexation, in 1970, helped push the population over 5,000 and led to Bellbrook achieving city status in 1974. With large amounts of buildable land, the area added over 1,000 housing units since the annexation. [2]

On November 8, 2005, Sugarcreek Township residents defeated by 22 votes a measure supporting the creation of a commission to study a merger with Sugarcreek Township. Bellbrook voters approved the study. However, the measure required both the city and the township to approve the study. [3]

Some of Bellbrook's former and current residents include actor and comedian Jonathan Winters and writer Erma Bombeck. The city holds the Sugar Maple festival every year on April 20th.

Demographics

As of the census^[2] of 2000, there were 7,009 people, 2,222 households, and 2,022 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,244.4 people per square mile (867.4/km²). There were 3,120 housing units at an average density of 861.1/sq mi (332.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.19% White, 0.78% African American, 0.30% Native American, 0.98% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.11% from other races, and 0.60% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.20% of the population.

There were 2,596 households out of which 39.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 68.0% were married couples living together, 7.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.1% were non-families. 18.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.70 and the average family size was 3.11.

In the city the population was spread out with 28.0% under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 31.4% from 25 to 44, 24.7% from 45 to 64, and 9.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 97.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $62,794, and the median income for a family was $69,770. Males had a median income of $51,311 versus $35,184 for females. The per capita income for the city was $26,183. About 1.7% of families and 2.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.8% of those under age 18 and 4.5% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Bellbrook is governed by a council-manager form of administration. The city manager is appointed by council, while the council is elected for four-year terms, and the mayor for two-year terms, in non-partisan elections. The current Mayor is the Hon. Mary Graves and the City Manager is Dave Hamilton. The current Vice Mayor is Mike Schweller, and the other members of the City Council include- Denny Bennett, Ralph Fussner, Pat Campbell, Bob Baird, and Joe Ritzel.

The government boasts that it is one of five cities in Ohio with no personal income tax. In addition, the city has never raised property taxes above their 1981 levels nor does it carry any general obligation debt. However, it should be noted that various entities such the school board and the local police and fire departments have increased property taxes to fund their services. [4]

Bellbrook is served by a branch of the Greene County Public Library called Winters-Bellbrook Community Library.

Education

Bellbrook has 4 school buildings:

• Stephen Bell Elementary, grades K-2
• Bell Creek Intermediate, grades 3-5
• Bellbrook Middle School, grades 6-8
• Bellbrook High School, grades 9-12.

Athletics

Bellbrook's mascot are the Golden Eagles and their team colors are purple and goldBellbrook High School is getting a new football field and track coming for the 2008 football season. They are revamping the whole field including bleachers.

References

External links

• Official city website
• Bellbrook branch of the Greene Country Public Library

• Bellbrook, Ohio is at coordinates 39°38′15″N 84°05′18″W / 39.637609, -84.088348 (Bellbrook, Ohio)Coordinates: 39°38′15″N 84°05′18″W / 39.637609, -84.088348 (Bellbrook, Ohio)

v â€¢ d â€¢ e Municipalities and communities of Greene County, Ohio County seat: Xenia Cities Beavercreek | Bellbrook | Centerville | Fairborn | Huber Heights | Kettering | Xenia Villages Bowersville | Cedarville | Clifton | Jamestown | Spring Valley | Yellow Springs Townships Bath | Beavercreek | Caesarscreek | Cedarville | Jefferson | Miami | New Jasper | Ross | Silvercreek | Spring Valley | Sugarcreek | Xenia CDPs Shawnee Hills | Wilberforce | Wright-Patterson Air Force Base Unincorporated community Byron