According to bestitude, Belleville, Illinois is bordered by a number of cities and towns that offer a wealth of amenities and attractions for visitors and residents alike. To the north lies O’Fallon, which is home to Scott Air Force Base and several shopping and dining options. Further north is Mascoutah, where visitors can explore historic downtown or take part in local festivals such as the Mascoutah Homecoming Festival and the Mascoutah Oktoberfest.
Heading east from Belleville is Shiloh, an affluent village known for its high-quality schools, quiet residential neighborhoods, and expansive parks. The village also offers a variety of shops, restaurants, and entertainment options for visitors to enjoy.
To the south lies Lebanon which features a vibrant downtown area with numerous restaurants, antique stores, art galleries, cafes, and more. Visitors can also take part in outdoor activities such as fishing at Silver Creek or exploring nearby Castlewood State Park.
Finally, heading west from Belleville is Swansea which provides access to several popular attractions including Eckert’s Country Store & Farms which offers pick-your-own fruits and vegetables as well as seasonal festivals throughout the year; Frank Holten State Recreation Area which offers hiking trails; and Carlyle Lake which provides recreational opportunities such as boating, fishing, swimming, camping, bird watching and more. With so many bordering cities and towns to explore there’s something for everyone in Belleville.
Population of Belleville, Illinois
According to biotionary, Belleville, Illinois is home to a population of over 44,000 residents. The city has a diverse population with an estimated 20% of individuals being foreign born. The majority of the population consists of Caucasians making up around 75% while African Americans make up the second largest ethnic group at around 17%. This is followed by Asians and Hispanics who each make up around 3-4% of the population.
The city also has a large youth population with over 25% of the total population under the age of 18. This is in part due to the fact that Belleville is home to several universities and colleges such as Lindenwood University, Southwestern Illinois College, and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.
The median age in Belleville is 36 years old with almost 30% of individuals being between 25-44 years old and 28% between 45-64 years old. The median household income for Belleville residents is $50,000 which puts it slightly above the state average.
Belleville also has a vibrant immigrant community with individuals coming from countries such as India, Mexico, China, Vietnam, Philippines, and more. This diversity contributes to making Belleville an interesting place to live where one can explore different cultures and cuisines throughout one’s stay in the city.
Schools and Education of Belleville, Illinois
Belleville, Illinois is home to several public and private schools, which offer a wide range of educational opportunities. Belleville Public Schools District 118 operates 11 elementary schools, three middle schools, and two high schools. At the elementary level, students can attend classes in art, music and physical education in addition to core academic courses. Middle school classes include language arts, math, science and social studies. High school students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement (AP) classes or dual credit courses at nearby colleges.
In addition to the public school system, there are several private institutions in Belleville offering religious education. Catholic schools such as St. Peter’s Elementary School and Althoff Catholic High School provide instruction for students from kindergarten through 12th grade. Other religious schools include St Paul Lutheran School and St Matthew Lutheran School which serve children from pre-kindergarten through 8th grade. All of these private institutions provide a rigorous academic curriculum along with spiritual development for their students.
Belleville is also home to a variety of higher education institutions including Southwestern Illinois College (SWIC), Lindenwood University-Belleville Campus, McKendree University–Belleville Campus and St Louis College of Health Careers–Belleville Campus. SWIC offers associate degrees in many areas such as business administration, computer information systems and nursing while Lindenwood provides bachelor’s degrees in business administration and psychology as well as master’s degrees in education leadership and organizational leadership. McKendree offers bachelor’s programs in accounting, finance and marketing as well as graduate degree programs such as an MBA or MSN program with a healthcare focus. The St Louis College of Health Careers–Belleville Campus offers certificate programs for medical assistants, medical coding specialists and pharmacy technicians among other health care related fields of study.
Landmarks in Belleville, Illinois
Belleville, Illinois is a city rich with history and culture. From its early days as an agricultural center to its current status as a bustling city, Belleville has many landmarks that are worth visiting.
The first landmark in Belleville is the Old Post Office. Built in 1867, the building was originally the headquarters for the U.S. Post Office and now serves as a museum of local history and culture. The building is a beautiful example of Second Empire architecture and features a mix of brick, stone, and wood construction with elaborate detailing throughout.
The second landmark in Belleville is the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows. This Catholic shrine was built in 1956 and is located on top of a hill overlooking Belleville’s skyline. The shrine features several chapels dedicated to different saints as well as outdoor spaces for prayer and reflection. Visitors can also take part in daily Masses or attend special events such as concerts or retreats held at the shrine throughout the year.
The third landmark in Belleville is St Peter’s Cathedral Basilica, which was built between 1845-1850 by German immigrants who settled in Belleville during the 19th century. The cathedral features an impressive Neo-Gothic design reminiscent of European cathedrals from centuries past with its soaring spires, grand stained glass windows, intricate stone carvings, and detailed woodwork throughout its interior spaces.
The fourth landmark in Belleville is City Hall which was built between 1902-1905 by renowned architect Louis Sullivan who also designed Chicago’s iconic Carson Pirie Scott & Co Building (now known as Sullivan Center). City Hall features an ornate Beaux Arts design with its copper dome roof, marble columns, gargoyles on each corner of the building’s exterior facade, and intricate artwork inside each room including murals depicting important moments from Belleville’s history such as Abraham Lincoln’s visit to town in 1858 or World War I veterans returning home from battle after WWI ended in 1918.
Finally, another notable landmark worth visiting while in Belleville is Scott Field Air National Guard Base which was named after General Frank Purdy Scott who served during World War I & II before becoming commander of Uptown Air Force Base (now known as Scott Field ANGB). The base houses several aircraft including F-16 Fighting Falcons used for air defense missions by both active duty military personnel & members of the Air National Guard stationed at Scott Field ANGB since it opened back in 1950.
From historic buildings to religious shrines to military bases, there are plenty of landmarks worth exploring while visiting Belleville Illinois. Whether you are looking for a place to learn more about local history or simply want to admire some beautiful architecture, there are plenty of landmarks to choose from here.