Awards & Accolades
Bellevue is frequently recognized for factors that make a city a great place to visit, live, meet and work. These includes factors that reflect the area's diverse and highly educated population, its ability to attract savvy entrepreneurs and a commitment to urban development, education and the environment.
The list below includes some recent awards and accolades:
Safety
- Annually, Bellevue ranks among the very safest cities in the U.S., according to City Crime Ranks. Bellevue has been the only city in Washington consistently to be ranked in the top 100.
- As reported by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Bellevue was ranked the ninth safest city in the country based on crimes per 100,000 population.
Liveablity
- CNN Money ranked Bellevue the 4th best city in their 100 Best Places to Live in America 2010 edition.
- Livability.com ranked Bellevue #2 on their list of the Top 100 Best Places to Live published in September 2015. Bellevue earned a LivScore of 670. Livability's editors noted Bellevue's abundant parks and access to outdoor recreation. Additionally, the fact that 40% of the city's population are minorities is seen as contributing to an overall diverse range of lifestyles and ideas.
Business Environment
- In March 2010, Sunset Magazine selected Bellevue as one of the 20 most innovative cities of the West.
- Forbes Magazine in 2008 recognized Bellevue as the #1 city in the nation for entrepreneurs.
- In March 2008 Fortune Small Business Magazine rated Bellevue the best place in the United States to live and launch a new business.
Education and Youth
- Newsweek annually has ranked all 5 Bellevue high schools in the list of the Top 100 public schools in the United States - and three of them in the top 20 nationally.
- In 2010, 2007 and 2006 America's Promise Alliance named Bellevue one of the 100 best communities for young people.
Environment
- The national Arbor Day Foundation has named Bellevue a "Tree City" every year since 1992.