Bel Air

Bel Air, California is an affluent and historic neighborhood within the Los Angeles metro area. Originally founded by Alphonzo E. Bell Sr. in 1923, this community has maintained its strict standards despite outside pressure. The community looks very similar to how it did decades ago. This is partly due to the efforts of the community association and partly due to residents’ desire to maintain community image and standards.

Homes in Bel Air tend to be very private and almost secluded in comparison to other Los Angeles area houses. There are no sidewalks within the community. Their absence is intentional. Residents want to discourage foot traffic. Residents value their privacy, and private security firms patrol the streets to protect that privacy.

On the surface, most homes in the community are not grandiose and awe inspiring like other neighborhoods in the Platinum Triangle, but appearances can be deceiving. Most houses in the area – even those close to the street – have expansive and well-maintained grounds. The most prestigious and high-demand areas of the community are in the foothills of the Santa Monica Mountains, around the Bel-Air Country Club and along the Sunset Strip. There is no multi-family housing in the community.

As of the recent 2000 Census, there were 7,928 people living within the boundaries of Bel Air. The median income of residents was $207,938. That is much higher than the national average.