City profile · Delaware · Census ACS 2023

South Bethany, DE

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for South Bethany - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

503
Residents
$111,667
Median income
$855,000
Median home
$1,399
Median rent (state)

South Bethany - the verdict

Nationally, South Bethany sits in the 84th percentile for household income and the 82nd percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

84th
percentile, household income
96th
percentile, home value
54th
percentile, median rent
82nd
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: South Bethany, DE

South Bethany is a small town in Delaware, home to 503 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Median household income here is $111,667 per year, placing it in the top quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 2.5%. Home values in South Bethany run a median of $855,000, and the median resident age is 69.2 years. About 76.0% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 28.7% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

South Bethany reports a comparatively low crime rate: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 576.9 total incidents per 100,000 residents here, below the national average (agency reporting is voluntary, so this measures reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Delaware tracks close to the national cost-of-living baseline: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts Delaware at 99.8 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Near Average). HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $1,399 per month. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Delaware run around $243, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. Natural-hazard exposure scores 94.1 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very High).

Population

503 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Delaware

Median Household Income

$111,667 /yr

Poverty 2.5%

Cost of Living Index (state)

99.8 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Delaware average

How does South Bethany compare to other US cities?

South Bethany measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 84% higher than other cities
Home value 96% pricier than other cities
Median rent 54% pricier than other cities
Safety 82% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

Zoom in to just Delaware and the picture shifts: South Bethany ranks #2 of 31 Delaware cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares South Bethany against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Delaware only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Delaware-relative analysis

Median Gross Rent places South Bethany near the bottom of Delaware's cities

Among the 79 Delaware cities PlainCities tracks with reported median gross rent data, South Bethany ranks #54 - the 0th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares South Bethany only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#13 of 77
83rd percentile in Delaware
Median Gross Rent
#54 of 79
0th percentile in Delaware
Median Home Value
#6 of 77
92nd percentile in Delaware
Poverty Rate
#59 of 79
24th percentile in Delaware
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#2 of 79
97th percentile in Delaware

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Delaware only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

84thIncome percentile
82ndSafety percentile

84th percentile nationally for median household income · 82nd percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

South Bethany's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

South Bethany's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 64 Avg. percentile National median
South Bethany's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How South Bethany's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$855,000 4th percentile more affordable than 4% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). This entry sits in this band. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. South Bethany $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - South Bethany, DE South Bethany, DE's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not South Bethany, DE-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution South Bethany, DE median $111,667/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
South Bethany, DE's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for South Bethany, DE. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 76.0%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 2.5%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 28.7%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
503
Median Income
$111,667
Median Home Value
$855,000
Median Age
69.2
Poverty Rate
2.5%
Labor force participation
28.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
76.0%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
576.9
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
0.0
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
576.9
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
450 residents500 residents550 residents 202020212022202320242025 465 residents 538 residents ▲ +15.7%
South Bethany's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
56.2%
Carpool
0.7%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
2.2%
Work from Home
40.1%
Other
0.8%

Based on 137 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Delaware - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$115
avg/month
Natural Gas
$80
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$48
avg/month
Total Utilities
$243
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Delaware state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Delaware state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county South Bethany sits in

Cost of Living Index
99.8
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,399/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
94.1 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Delaware

Port Penn
477 people
Houston
456 people
Bethel
431 people
Slaughter Beach
431 people
Arden
600 people
Odessa
392 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to South Bethany's 503 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Round Valley, AZ
503 people
Sorento, IL
503 people
Lamont, IA
503 people
Sandersville, MS
503 people
Sugar Mountain, NC
503 people
Canton, OK
503 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to South Bethany's $111,667 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Hickam Housing, HI
$111,667 median income
Rosewood, OH
$111,658 median income
Lakeland North, WA
$111,681 median income
Pleasureville, PA
$111,685 median income
Tatamy, PA
$111,696 median income
Pitkin, LA
$111,715 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - South Bethany, DE Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition South Bethany, DE - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 83.9% 15.1% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 1.8% White 83.9% Black or African American 0.0% Asian 0.2% American Indian 0.2% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.6% Two or more races 15.1% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How South Bethany compares to nearby Delaware cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
South Bethany (this city) 503 $111,667
Port Penn 477 $95,287
Houston 456 $100,208
Bethel 431 $91,111
Census ACS 5-year FIPS DE FBI UCR OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about South Bethany, DE?

What is the population of South Bethany, DE? +

503 people live in South Bethany, DE according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in South Bethany, DE? +

The median household income in South Bethany is $111,667 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in South Bethany? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for South Bethany; the closest available measure is the Delaware state average, a cost of living index of 99.8 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Near Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Delaware vary by metro area.

Is South Bethany, DE safe? +

South Bethany has a total crime rate of 576.9 per 100,000 residents, which is below the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in South Bethany, DE? +

The median home value in South Bethany is $855,000, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.