Bellevue, Nebraska Real Estate: Homes, Market Trends & Living Guide

If you are exploring  Bellevue, Nebraska real estate, you are probably drawn to the practical side first: it sits just south of Omaha, it is home to Offutt Air Force Base, and it offers plenty of ways to live, work, and play without being in the middle of the biggest city.

But Bellevue is also a place with real history. It is Nebraska’s oldest city, and its roots reach back to a French fur trading post. When you understand that background, plus the geography around the Missouri and Platte Rivers, it becomes easier to make smart decisions about where to buy, what to expect, and how the surrounding area affects daily life.

Table of Contents

• Bellevue Nebraska Overview
• Bellevue Nebraska History
• Where Bellevue Nebraska Is Located
• Bellevue Nebraska Weather & Location Factors
• Things to Do in Bellevue Nebraska
• Schools in Bellevue Nebraska
• Healthcare, Transit & Safety in Bellevue Nebraska
• Bellevue Nebraska Real Estate Market
• Bellevue Nebraska Neighborhood Home Examples
• Bellevue Nebraska Real Estate FAQ

Bellevue Nebraska Overview

Bellevue is Nebraska’s third largest city by population, with a 2020 census population of 64,66. On game days, Bellevue effectively moves up the list because Nebraska’s major stadium environment is in Lincoln, and that changes the comparison for how people count the largest cities.

What most people notice first when they move to or invest in Bellevue, Nebraska real estate is the mix of suburban neighborhoods plus the presence of a major base. That combination shapes housing choices, commute patterns, and even how certain areas develop over time.

Geographically, Bellevue sits just south of Omaha in Sarpy County. It is separated from Omaha by Harrison Street, which functions as a boundary between Douglas and Sarpy Counties.

Bellevue Nebraska History

If you want to understand Bellevue as more than a commuter town, start with the origin story.

Bellevue Nebraska is Nebraska’s oldest city and began in 1822 as a French fur trading post. The name comes from a French word meaning beautiful view. When you get near the elevated terrain around Fontenelle Forest, the name makes a lot of sense.

Even today, the French presence shows up in unexpected ways. Within Fontenelle Forest there is a tree commonly referred to as the Constitution tree, dating back to the late 1700s. Whether you look at it as a living landmark or a historical marker, it is the kind of detail that helps Bellevue feel distinct from any other place in the metro.

Bellevue was incorporated in 1855. If you visit the area near Offutt Air Force Base, you can explore Oldtown Bellevue, where you will find a historic bank founded in 1856.

Bellevue is also home to historic religious architecture and one of the oldest buildings in the state. The Presbyterian Church at 2002 Franklin Street is on the National Register of Historic Places. And the oldest building in Nebraska is a log cabin built in 1835, now located at 1805 Hancock Street. The cabin was moved to its current location in 1950 and was used as a private residence until the 1950s. Today, the Sarpy County Historical Society maintains it.

Where Bellevue Is Located

Bellevue is part of the Omaha metro, but it does not sit alone. Its location influences commuting, development, and even what services you might access day to day.

Counties and boundaries you should know

• Douglas County is north of Sarpy County, with Harrison Street acting as a dividing line.
• Missouri River is east of Bellevue.
• Platte River is south of Bellevue, and it divides Sarpy County from Cass County.

There is also a practical detail that matters for Bellevue, Nebraska real estate buyers: some parts of Bellevue lie in Sarpy County while still being connected to school districts or services associated with the Omaha Public School District.

So even when you see a Bellevue mailing address, the school assignment might not match your assumption. Verify the school district before you commit.

Bellevue Nebraska Weather & Location Factors

The metro area has dramatic weather. And because Bellevue sits near major rivers, the difference between flood risk and day to day routine can be more noticeable than it is in places without water features.

Platte River versus Missouri River

Both rivers have flooded in the past, but they behave differently, and that difference matters if you care about swimming, boating, or shoreline access.

• Platte River: wide and shallow, sometimes only a few inches deep in spots. The sandy bottom often makes the water clearer. It can vary in depth quickly, meaning ankle deep in one area and much deeper just a short distance away.
• Missouri River: deeper, water is not clear, muddy bottom, and it carries a faster current. You can operate a ski boat there, and swimming is not something you want to do in the Missouri River.

Severe weather basements and local habits

When severe weather hits, the National Weather Service issues warnings and watches by county.

• Tornado watch means conditions are present for tornado activity.
• Tornado warning means a tornado is on the ground and you should take cover immediately.

One Midwest reality worth acknowledging: some locals may go outside during a warning to look at the sky and check with neighbors. We are not recommending that approach, but it is part of the local culture. More importantly, the majority of homes in the Midwest often include basements, which provide an added layer of safety.

And weather is not only tornadoes. Flash flooding can happen during thunderstorms. Understanding where you live relative to rivers and drainage areas is part of responsible home shopping in Bellevue, Nebraska real estate.

Things to Do in Bellevue Nebraska

If you are moving to Bellevue, two anchors shape the lifestyle here: Offutt Air Force Base and Fontenelle Forest.

Offutt Air Force Base

Offutt Air Force Base originally started as Fort Crook, named for General George Crook. Before it became an airfield, Fort Crook served as a dispatch point during the Indian conflicts on the Great Plains. After World War I, it was renamed in honor of first lieutenant Jarvis Offutt, the first Omaha native to be a casualty in World War I.

World War II history runs deep here too. Offutt Field was home to the Martin bomber plant, including the facility where two B-29 bombers used to drop the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki were made.

Today, Offutt Air Force Base is home to US Strategic Command, the 557th Weather Wing, and the 55th Wing of the Air Combat Command.

Fontenelle Forest

Fontenelle Forest covers 1,500 acres and includes hiking trails, a nature center, a raptor recovery center, and tree rush adventures park. Tree Rush is a climbing and zip line experience designed to let you move through the forest canopy like you are part of the landscape.

Eastern Bellevue near Fontenelle Forest tends to be wooded and hilly, giving you a look and feel that is different from flat stretches elsewhere across the metro. It also means lots of wildlife, so you will want to be mindful while driving and spending time outdoors.

Schools in Bellevue Nebraska

Education is one of the biggest decision factors for families relocating to Bellevue, Nebraska real estate, and it is also where due diligence matters.

Bellevue Public Schools overview

Bellevue Public Schools includes:

• 15 elementary schools
• 3 middle schools
• 2 high schools
• 1 special education center

The district received a great classification by the Nebraska Department of Education. The system can classify districts as excellent, great, good, or need support to improve.

Instead of treating those labels as a one size fits all ranking, we suggest you use them as a starting point. Families have individual needs, so visiting schools and doing your own research is still the best move. The graduation rate mentioned for Bellevue Public Schools is 91%.

Higher education options

Bellevue is home to Bellevue University, located at 1,000 Galvan Road South Bellevue.

It is also a short commute, about 10 minutes, from the South Omaha Campus of Metropolitan Community College. Metro offers support, including a military and veteran specialist on base to help with getting a degree while serving your country.

Healthcare, Transit & Safety in Bellevue Nebraska

When you think about a move, it helps to map out daily essentials. Bellevue has options for healthcare and transportation, and we can also ground the conversation about safety in practical terms.

Healthcare

Bellevue has a hospital at 2510 Bellevue Medical Center Drive. It is a 91-bed hospital built in 2010 and affiliated with the University of Nebraska Medical System.

Public transportation

Bellevue is part of the Metro Bus system, which serves Omaha and surrounding communities. The route that connects Bellevue to Downtown Omaha is known as the Bellevue Express.

Crime what the stats say and what we do with them

According to neighborhoodscout.com, Bellevue has:

• 1 in 543 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime
• For comparison, 1 in 178 in Omaha
• And 1 in 354 statewide in Nebraska

Even with stats, crime is everywhere. For real estate decision making, we prefer a combination of data and boots on the ground. If you are relocating, arranging a visit to explore the communities around your potential home is one of the most effective ways to understand the area.

Bellevue Nebraska Real Estate Market

Now let’s talk about Bellevue, Nebraska real estate in a way that actually helps you picture the current market. Rather than only looking at the city boundary, we focus on the Bellevue School District, because new construction may fall in the school district before it is formally annexed into the city.

Here is the snapshot:

• Median closed sales price for March in the Bellevue School District: $323,000
• That is up 1.7% compared to 2023
• Inventory in the Bellevue School District: up 21% compared to 2023

For additional context, sales sampling was reviewed across a 30-day window around April 17, 2024. The sample included single-family homes with at least three bedrooms in the Bellevue School District, focusing on a variety of neighborhoods and locations.

Bellevue Nebraska Neighborhood Home Examples

Home values in Bellevue vary based on location, lot size, proximity to major amenities, and sometimes the terrain. Below are examples of closed sales that were referenced in that market sampling.

Oldtown Bellevue and nearby areas

• 2910 Van Buren St in Oldtown Bellevue: listed $165,000, 2 bed 1 bath, went under contract in March, on market 16 days, sold $165,000
• 1509 Bluff Street: listed $225,000, 2 bed 1 bath (built in 1990), went under contract in February, sold in 7 days for $225,000
• 1015 Bellevue Boulevard in Jewel Place: built in 1931, listed $275,000, sold $300,000 on market 1 day

Fontenelle Forest hills and near the university

• 104 Olde Hickory Rd in Forest Hills backing up to Fontenelle Forest: built 1987, listed $565,000, on market around 2 days and sold at full list price for $565,000
• 2108 Lloyd Street near Bellevue University in Twin Ridge Subdivision: built 1966, listed $242,000, sold $242,000 (under contract March 24), on market 2 days
• 305 Greenbriar Court in Fontenelle Subdivision: built 1976, listed $365,000, sold at full listing price $365,000

Near Offutt Air Force Base and beyond Highway 375

These examples emphasize areas with convenient access to the base, including neighborhoods west of Highway 375 and near the main gate.

• 13804 Williamsburg Drive in Williamsburg Subdivision: built 2009, listed $398,000, sold $443,700 (on market 1 day)
• 13807 Glengarry Cir in Tregaron Subdivision: listed $585,000, sold $555,000, backed to a golf course, under contract the same day
• 13108 South 24 Street in Stonecroft Subdivision: built 1983, listed $225,000, sold $235,000 (same day)
• 14405 South 29th Street in Pipers Glen Subdivision: built 2002, listed $270,000, sold $280,000 (same day)
• 312 Leawood Dr in Leewood Oaks Subdivision: built 1976, listed $287,500, sold $288,000 (same day)
• 13210 South 33rd Street in Lookingglass Heights: built 1986, listed $315,000, on market 22 days, sold $315,000 at full list price

New construction and builder notes

Newer homes can land at different price points, often reflecting lot characteristics, finishes, and neighborhood demand. Here are examples from the sampling.

• 4802 Sheridan Road in Lion’s Gate Subdivision: new construction, multi-level, listed $366,900, sold $315,159 (as provided in the sample)
• 14902 South 18th Street in Hyda Hills II: built by Celebrity Homes, 3 bed 3 bath 3 car garage, listed $348,900, sold $350,257 (as provided in the sample)

One useful practical note for Bellevue, Nebraska real estate buyers: for builders like Celebrity Homes, your agent may need to attend with you during the first purchase steps and when you visit the model.

Bellevue Nebraska Real Estate FAQ