Population 6,651 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Bethel
Household size in Bethel
| Period | Bethel | Alaska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 3.51 | 2.79 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 3.31 | 2.88 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 3.31 | 2.91 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.97 | 2.72 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.54 | −0.07 | −0.03 |
Households in Bethel are large by national standards, averaging 2.97 people against 2.65 for the U.S. That usually means more families with children at home. Since 2006–10, household size has dropped from 3.51, a much bigger shift than nationally.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Bethel
| Period | Bethel | Alaska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 25.9 | 35.0 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 29.2 | 35.2 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 29.7 | 35.9 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 31.1 | 37.1 | 40.1 |
| Change | +5.3 | +2.1 | +2.3 |
Bethel is young: half of its residents are under 31.1, compared with a national median of 40.1. The population tilts toward young families with children. The median age has climbed from 25.9 in 2006–10, as it has nationally. Of the 25 Alaska cities with 5,000+ people, only two are younger.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Bethel
| Period | Bethel | Alaska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 23.3% | 14.0% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 22.6% | 13.4% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 21.3% | 12.6% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 13.7% | 11.8% | 11.6% |
| Change | −9.6 pts | −2.2 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head about one in seven households in Bethel (13.7%), above the national share of 11.6%. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has fallen 9.6 points, a much bigger shift than nationally. Of the 25 Alaska cities with 5,000+ people, only two have a higher share of single-parent households.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Bethel
Renters in Bethel
| Period | Bethel | Alaska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 55.6% | 35.3% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 51.9% | 36.7% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 61.1% | 35.7% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 51.8% | 33.2% | 34.8% |
| Change | −3.7 pts | −2.1 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in Bethel rent: 51.8% of occupied homes are rented, far above the national share of 34.8%. Expect more apartments, and more turnover, than in owner-heavy areas. Among homeowners, 36.8% have no mortgage at all, below the national share of 39.8%. Since 2006–10, the renter share has fallen 3.7 points, even as the national share rose.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Bethel
| Period | Bethel | Alaska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 22.9% | 14.2% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 18.0% | 15.0% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 20.7% | 16.8% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 14.7% | 15.2% | 9.6% |
| Change | −8.1 pts | +1.0 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacant homes make up 14.7% of the housing in Bethel, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. Vacancy has fallen 8.1 points since 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Bethel
| Period | Bethel | Alaska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1982 | 1982 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1983 | 1984 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1988 | 1985 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1991 | 1987 | 1980 |
| Change | +9 | +5 | +6 |
Much of the housing in Bethel is relatively new: half of its homes were built after 1991, compared with 1980 for the U.S. as a whole. The median year built has moved up from 1982 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Bethel
| Period | Bethel | Alaska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,048 | $1,067 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,344 | $1,192 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,517 | $1,322 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,650 | $1,518 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$602 | +$451 | +$606 |
Rent in Bethel runs $1,650 a month at the median, utilities included, above the U.S. median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $602 a month since 2006–10, up 58%, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 18.8% of the typical renter's income, comfortably under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Bethel
Bachelor's degrees in Bethel
| Period | Bethel | Alaska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 23.7% | 26.3% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 21.1% | 26.8% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 19.8% | 29.1% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 22.6% | 31.1% | 35.6% |
| Change | −1.2 pts | +4.9 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Bethel: 22.6% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree has edged down 1.2 points since 2006–10, even as the national share rose. Only two of the 25 Alaska cities with 5,000+ people have a lower share of college graduates.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Bethel
| Period | Bethel | Alaska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 90.4% | 90.6% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 89.4% | 91.5% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 88.5% | 92.5% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 87.5% | 93.3% | 89.3% |
| Change | −2.9 pts | +2.7 pts | +4.3 pts |
About one in eight adults in Bethel never finished high school, a bit more than nationally: 87.5% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% across the U.S. The share with a diploma has fallen 2.9 points since 2006–10, even as the national rate rose. Bethel has the lowest share of high school graduates of any Alaska city with 5,000+ people.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Bethel
| Period | Bethel | Alaska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 11.0% | 9.2% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 9.2% | 9.1% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 10.4% | 7.6% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 8.8% | 6.2% | 5.4% |
| Change | −2.1 pts | −3.0 pts | −2.7 pts |
Finding work has been harder in Bethel: 8.8% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well above the national rate of 5.4%. Of the 25 Alaska cities with 5,000+ people, only two have higher unemployment. Unemployment has fallen 2.1 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Bethel compared with nearby cities
| City | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bethel | 2.97 | 31.1 | 13.7% | 51.8% | 14.7% | 1991 | $1,650 | 22.6% | 87.5% | 8.8% |
| Oscarville | 4.36 | 24.8 | 28.1% | 27.2% | 14.0% | 1987 | $910 | 3.0% | 68.3% | 24.9% |
| Napaskiak | 4.36 | 24.8 | 28.1% | 27.2% | 14.0% | 1987 | $910 | 3.0% | 68.3% | 24.9% |
| Napakiak | 4.36 | 24.8 | 28.1% | 27.2% | 14.0% | 1987 | $910 | 3.0% | 68.3% | 24.9% |
| Nyac | 4.62 | 24.2 | 30.5% | 30.3% | 24.8% | 1989 | $554 | 7.8% | 77.5% | 27.2% |
| Kwethluk | 4.62 | 24.2 | 30.5% | 30.3% | 24.8% | 1989 | $554 | 7.8% | 77.5% | 27.2% |
| Akiachak | 4.62 | 24.2 | 30.5% | 30.3% | 24.8% | 1989 | $554 | 7.8% | 77.5% | 27.2% |
| Akiak | 4.62 | 24.2 | 30.5% | 30.3% | 24.8% | 1989 | $554 | 7.8% | 77.5% | 27.2% |
| Nunapitchuk | 4.94 | 24.3 | 26.1% | 22.9% | 9.3% | 1987 | $1,125 | 5.7% | 72.5% | 17.8% |
| Kasigluk | 4.94 | 24.3 | 26.1% | 22.9% | 9.3% | 1987 | $1,125 | 5.7% | 72.5% | 17.8% |
| Tuluksak | 4.62 | 24.2 | 30.5% | 30.3% | 24.8% | 1989 | $554 | 7.8% | 77.5% | 27.2% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Beecher, IL · Timberlake, NC · Prescott, WI · Tonopah, AZ · Edna, TX · Clinton, WA · Clintonville, WI · Moriarty, NM · Clyde, TX · Mount Healthy, OH
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Bethel. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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