11 New Home Developments in progress, 8,262 residents, 80,000 average household income

The City of Bel Aire is a city of the second class, incorporated in November 26, 1980. Originally an improvement district close to Wichita, Bel Aire has grown into a prosperous and modern community located in the northeastern portion of the Wichita Metropolitan Area in Sedgwick County, Kansas. The small-town feel coupled with its convenient location to the amenities of Wichita make Bel Aire a desirable community for residents of all ages. Bel Aire encompasses about 6.85 square miles of property ranging from residential to light manufacturing. Bel Aire is one of the fastest growing communities in the Wichita metropolitan area and in 2020, the city celebrated it’s 40th anniversary.


Location Context

Kansas is among the top ten sunniest states in the U.S. with more sunny days than Florida. Located in the heart of Kansas, Bel Aire averages 225 sunny days per year.

The City of Bel Aire encompasses about 6.85 square miles between Wichita and Kechi in Sedgwick County, Kansas.

 
BelAireMap2.PNG
Bel Aire Traffic Map - ADT (Full Week) Updated 5-1-2018-1.jpg

 
Proximity+to+Major+Highways-1.jpg

travel access

Many major roadways are conveniently accessed from Bel Aire. US 254 is 1 mile north and the K-96 expressway 1.5 miles south. Just a bit further away, there is I-35 (the Kansas Turnpike) located to the east, and Interstate 135 to the west.

Colonel James Jabara Airport, a public general aviation airport, is located half a mile away, for private and charter flights. Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport is about 20 minutes away by highway and offers commuter and cargo flights.


WE ARE GROWING

 

Bel Aire’s population was 2,771 when the city was incorporated in 1980, growing at an average rate of 3.33% annually to a 1990 population of nearly 3,700. In the 1990s, growth increased to an average rate of 5.79% per year with a population of 5,800 by 2000. Growth slowed to an average annual rate of 1.60% for the following decade. Today, Bel Aire is home to 8,262 residents, and consequently an average growth rate of 22.03% from April 2010-April 2020.

Bel Aire’s strong growth can be expected to continue. Population is projected to grow at an average rate of 2.42% to reach about 8,300 residents by 2020. Annual growth should then level off at around 1.70% between 2020 and 2030 when the population is anticipated to be 9,715. Cumulative growth between today and 2035 is projected at 2,544 residents, which equates to an average of 141 additional residents per year at a rate of 1.79%. Bel Aire’s 2035 projected population is 10,422.

Population Estimates.PNG

Bel Aire Population

o   Size 8,262

o   Median Age 38.9

o   Median Income $77,242 (families $93,708)

o   Education 97.7% HS+, 58.6% Bachelor’s+ (80.4% of 25-34 y/o have Bachelors+)

o   Household size Avg size 2.62, avg family size 3.12

o   Own/rent housing 83.1% owner-occupied, 16.9% renter

Approximately 28 percent of the residents are under the age of 18. Those aged 65 and older represent 12 percent of the population. There are 2,568 housing units in Bel Aire, and 85.8 percent are occupied. This compares favorably with the US average of 64.4 percent occupancy.

The cost of living in Bel Aire is 16 percent lower than the US average. Low cost of living index and high median household incomes means Bel Aire residents enjoy a high quality of life for a lower cost.

Bel Aire offers a safe, friendly environment for residents. Both property and violent crime rates for the City are far below the State and Wichita Metro Area averages. Bel Aire’s poverty rate is under 2 percent.