City · Missouri
Bethany, Missouri
Bethany, city, in Harrison County, Missouri. Bethany had 2,956 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 1.5% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 2,915 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 3,080 (±89). GEOID 2905068.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
2,956
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 2,915 · ACS 2020-2024: 3,080 ±89
Median household income
$48,375
±$12,288 (90% margin)
Missouri: $70,702
Median home value
$121,700
±$30,686 (90% margin)
Missouri: $230,300
Median gross rent
$700
±$76 (90% margin)
Missouri: $1,033
Where is Bethany and what county is it in?
Bethany is a city in Harrison County, Missouri. It covers 4.4 square miles of land, 656 residents per square mile in 2020.
Bethany lies entirely within Bethany Township, a township with its own local government (2020 census blocks).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Bethany, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 2,956 people lived in Bethany on July 1, 2025, up 1.5% since 2020, in line with Missouri (+1.9%). The 2020 Census counted 2,915 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 3,080 (±89).
| Measure | Bethany | Harrison County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 3,080 ±89 | 8,190 | no clear change |
| Households | 1,242 ±110 | 3,195 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.35 ±0.21 | 2.51 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 1,499 ±118 | 4,008 | −180 |
Bethany's population since 2000
From 3,087 in 2000 to 2,956 in 2025: down 4.2%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Bethany as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Bethany?
The median resident of Bethany is 43.8 years old; 23.2% are under 18 and 26.1% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 95.7%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 2.4%.
| Measure | Bethany | Harrison County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 43.8 ±7.5 | 41.8 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 23.2% ±4.7 pts | 24.3% | – |
| 65 years and over | 26.1% ±4.2 pts | 22.8% | – |
| Male | 44.6% ±2.8 pts | 49.6% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 0.0% ±1.1 pts | 0.8% | – |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 95.7% ±3.0 pts | 93.8% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 1.7% ±1.7 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.2% ±0.5 pts | 1.2% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±1.1 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±1.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.4% ±2.4 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±1.1 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.0% ±0.9 pts | 2.1% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 0.6% ±1.1 pts | 3.7% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 4.1% ±2.3 pts | 5.4% | – |
| With a disability | 15.3% ±4.7 pts | 20.4% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 15.8% ±7.3 pts | 13.6% | +10.0 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 90.6% ±3.4 pts | 90.5% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 17.5% ±4.6 pts | 15.7% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 5.0% ±3.1 pts | 6.0% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 77.5% ±10.2 pts | 88.8% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 7.0% ±4.5 pts | 3.1% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Bethany earn?
Half of Bethany's 1,242 households earn less than $48,375 a year (±$12,288), against $54,367 in Harrison County and $70,702 in Missouri. In 2015-2019 it was $40,182 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 17.1% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Bethany | Harrison County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $48,375 ±$12,288 | $54,367 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $62,076 ±$9,116 | $66,587 | – |
| Per capita income | $26,944 ±$3,195 | $27,238 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 17.1% ±5.0 pts | 19.6% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 29.0% ±13.1 pts | 27.7% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 14.7% ±7.1 pts | 13.7% | – |
| Households with a computer | 90.5% ±4.8 pts | 88.9% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 86.2% ±5.3 pts | 83.4% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Bethany?
Owners occupy 56.4% of Bethany's occupied homes and renters 43.6%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $121,700 by its owner (±$30,686). The median renter pays $700 a month including utilities, and 39.4% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Bethany | Harrison County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $121,700 ±$30,686 | $109,500 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $700 ±$76 | $703 | +$107 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 39.4% ±15.6 pts | 39.9% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,290 ±$229 | $1,226 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 56.4% ±8.7 pts | 71.4% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 43.6% ±8.7 pts | 28.6% | – |
| Housing units | 1,499 ±118 | 4,008 | −180 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0% ±4.9 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 5.4% ±7.7 pts | 5.1% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 74.0% ±7.7 pts | 80.6% | – |
| Mobile homes | 2.7% ±2.7 pts | 7.8% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.3% ±0.5 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 1.1% ±1.7 pts | 5.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 16.0% ±5.0 pts | 23.0% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 7.6% ±5.1 pts | 6.5% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Bethany building?
Builders took permits for 4 new housing units in Bethany in 2025 (4 in single-family houses), 1.4 per 1,000 residents against 2.8 across Missouri.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Bethany work and get to work?
74.8% of Bethany's workers drive alone and 15.3% work from home. The average trip to work takes 17.7 minutes.
| Measure | Bethany | Harrison County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 58.7% ±5.9 pts | 54.9% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 0.8% ±1.3 pts | 2.5% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 74.8% ±8.0 pts | 79.2% | – |
| Carpooled | 5.4% ±4.4 pts | 6.6% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.5% ±1.0 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Walked | 3.7% ±3.3 pts | 2.6% | – |
| Worked from home | 15.3% ±7.0 pts | 9.7% | – |
| Mean travel time to work | 17.7 min ±5.4 | 22.9 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Bethany?
1 census tract lies mostly in Bethany, and 2 more reach into it (2020 census blocks).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 9503Harrison County | 2,810 | $49,813 |
| Tract 9502Harrison County | 2,065 | $57,500 |
| Tract 9501Harrison County | 3,315 | $58,750 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Bethany) · Census block assignment files
How does Bethany compare with other places in Missouri?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Bethany is the 6,387th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 188th-most populous of 936 in Missouri.
Bethany ranks 323rd of 416 places in Missouri with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 188th | 936 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 185th | 394 |
| Residents per square mile | 316th | 420 |
| Median household income | 323rd | 416 |
| Per capita income | 285th | 420 |
| Median home value | 303rd | 416 |
| Median gross rent | 310th | 398 |
| Poverty rate | 162nd | 373 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 256th | 404 |
| Median age | 72nd | 420 |
| Owner-occupied share | 330th | 418 |
| Work from home | 77th | 270 |
| Travel time to work | 350th | 420 |
Bethany's figures with every place in Missouri (CSV)
Every place in Missouri, sortable · Compare Bethany with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Bethany?
19 of the 57 figures for Bethany on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Bethany are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Bethany.