Belle Isle

History

The Belle Isle area was first inhabited by the Timucua people circa the 9th century. The first organized government of Belle Isle was established in 1924, with C. H. Hoffner as the community's first mayor. This government lasted until 1928, when it was deactivated. Belle Isle was re-established in 1954, and has been running continuously since. Since 2003, Belle Isle has run under a council-manager government, with the mayor being a strictly ceremonial position. Seven commissioners are elected to represent their respective districts on the city council. All elected officials serve three year terms without compensation. In 2009, the City of Belle Isle established its own police department, which would take over the area's jurisdiction from the Orange County Sheriff. The incorporation of the department has almost doubled the total number of city employees, increasing the number from 11 to 20.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which is land and (54.42%) is water. The city of Belle Isle is close to Orlando International Airport, being only three miles northwest of it; Orlando itself is only five miles north. Belle Isle is the location of Lake Conway, one of Greater Orlando's largest lakes. The southern portion of Little Lake Conway, another large lake, is also in Belle Isle.

Race & ethnicity

Most-observed species

• Northern Cardinal

  Cardinalis cardinalis (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  30,054
• Red-bellied Woodpecker

  Melanerpes carolinus (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  24,518
• Blue Jay

  Cyanocitta cristata (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  21,680
• Mourning Dove

  Zenaida macroura (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  20,872
• Northern Mockingbird

  Mimus polyglottos (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  20,746
• Tufted Titmouse

  Baeolophus bicolor (Linnaeus, 1766) · Aves
  20,468
• White Ibis

  Eudocimus albus (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  20,430
• Fish Crow

  Corvus ossifragus A.Wilson, 1812 · Aves
  18,660

Most recent

• M 2.5 — 2026-05-29
  Blue Origin New Glenn rocket explosion