[3] The neighborhood is named for David Bemiss, an early settler in the area and superintendent of schools in Spokane.

Wellesley Avenue, a major arterial on the north side of town, is the neighborhood's northern border.

Market and Haven Streets, also major arterials on the north side of town, delimit the eastern border.

37.2% of residents have a high school diploma only and 8.7% have a bachelor's degree or higher.

In 1907, the area northeast of Rich Avenue and Crestline Street, the northeastern corner of the current neighborhood, was incorporated into Hillyard.

Longfellow Elementary, in the adjacent North Hill neighborhood, serves Bemiss east of Helena between Glass and Rich.

[6][7] Bemiss' roads are connected to the rest of the city street system by a pair of primary artierals.

The Market Street on the east and Wellesley Avenue on the north are both classified as "urban primary arterials" by the city.