Belvedere, California

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Belvedere is a suburb of San Francisco, California in Marin County, California, United States. The population was 2,125 at the 2000 census. It is the highest income city in California, judged by average per capita annual income, and the 17th wealthiest place in the United States (1st with a population over 1,000).

Surrounded on three sides by San Francisco Bay, Belvedere consists of two islands -- the larger being Belvedere Island, the smaller being Corinthian Island (which is shared with neighboring Tiburon, California)-- and a lagoon (Belvedere Lagoon) situated between the two islands. Narrow, winding roads circle the two islands, pressed in by hedges and lush foliage, and momentarily opening onto spectacular water views. Houses on the hilly, heavily wooded islands have views of San Francisco Bay, Angel Island, San Francisco, Sausalito, the Golden Gate Bridge and Mount Tamalpais. Houses on the Belvedere Lagoon have boat docks, and there are houses with docks on Belvedere Island as well.

The first settlers arrived in the late 1800s and built their homes on the southeastern slope of Belvedere Island overlooking Belvedere Cove and today's San Francisco Yacht Club. These homes, many of them mansions, are of considerable architectural interest, and the overall feeling is reminiscent of the Italian Riviera. The Belvedere Lagoon was developed in the 1950s and features what today would be called "mid-century modern" architecture: spacious houses with open-beamed ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows to create an indoor/outdoor living environment.

Whether traditional or contemporary, homes in Belvedere are unusually elegant and feature attractive gardens. Belvedere enjoys a mild, sunny climate, escaping heavy winds and the fog that often covers San Francisco in the distance. Boating and tennis are the main recreational activities. There are two yacht clubs: the San Francisco Yacht Club in Belvedere, and the Corinthian Yacht Club in neighboring Tiburon. Belvedere Park is also located in Belvedere.

No restaurants or stores are allowed in Belvedere, and the city enforces strict rules regarding house design and setbacks in order to preserve trees, views, and the town's spacious, wooded character. Belvedere residents shop in Tiburon, which has a variety of waterfront cafes and restaurants. There is very little crime in Belvedere, probably because there are few ways to get in and out of the area without being noticed.

The commute to San Francisco takes about 25 minutes by car. There is also a high speed ferry that leaves from Tiburon. And there is a regular ferry to Angel Island State Park. Belvedere is a family-oriented community. However, because of the high cost of homes in the area, the average age of residents is higher than the average for California as a whole.

[edit] Geography

Belvedere is located at 37°52′28″N, 122°27′57″W (37.874559, -122.465823)^GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 6.3 km² (2.4 mi²). 1.4 km² (0.5 mi²) of it is land and 4.9 km² (1.9 mi²) of it (78.10%) is water.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 2,125 people, 956 households, and 656 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,519.4/km² (3,968.9/mi²). There were 1,059 housing units at an average density of 757.2/km² (1,977.9/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.94% White, 0.09% Black or African American, 0.05% Native American, 1.79% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.52% from other races, and 0.56% from two or more races. 2.16% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 956 households out of which 24.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.4% were married couples living together, 4.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.3% were non-families. 27.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.22 and the average family size was 2.68.

In the city the population was spread out with 20.0% under the age of 18, 2.2% from 18 to 24, 14.9% from 25 to 44, 35.8% from 45 to 64, and 27.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 53 years. For every 100 females there were 86.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $130,796, and the median income for a family was $185,590. The per capita income for the city was $113,595. About 2.9% of families and 5.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.3% of those under age 18 and 4.5% of those age 65 or over.