City profile · North Carolina · Census ACS 2023

Bethel, NC

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

1,528
Residents
$51,489
Median income
$114,000
Median home
$1,095
Median rent (state)

Bethel - the verdict

Bethel ranks in the 22nd percentile for household income nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS.

22nd
percentile, household income
15th
percentile, home value
28th
percentile, median rent
📝 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: Bethel, NC

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 1,528 residents in Bethel, a small town within North Carolina. Bethel households earn a median of $51,489 annually, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 10.6%. Bethel's housing stock carries a median value of $114,000, and the median resident age is 40.9 years. Educational attainment runs 17.1% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 54.4% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The city is served by 2 public schools according to NCES Common Core of Data.

Living costs in North Carolina run below the national norm: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, North Carolina scores 94.3 (Below Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $1,095 per month statewide. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in North Carolina run around $215, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 89.8 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very High).

Population

1,528 residents

Census ACS 2023 - North Carolina

Median Household Income

$51,489 /yr

Poverty 10.6%

Cost of Living Index (state)

94.3 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, North Carolina average

How does Bethel compare to other US cities?

Here's how Bethel stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 22% higher than other cities
Home value 15% pricier than other cities
Median rent 28% pricier than other cities

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

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Bethel's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in North Carolina, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

22ndIncome percentile

22nd percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Bethel's home value compares nationally

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

$114,000 Among the most affordable more affordable than 85% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $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. Bethel $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 - Bethel, NC Bethel, NC's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Bethel, NC-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 Bethel, NC median $51,489/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%
Bethel, NC'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 Bethel, NC. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 17.1%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 10.6%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 54.4%

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

Population
1,528
Median Income
$51,489
Median Home Value
$114,000
Median Age
40.9
Poverty Rate
10.6%
Labor force participation
54.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
17.1%

Schools

Total Schools
2
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
1,360 residents1,380 residents1,400 residents1,420 residents1,440 residents 202020212022202320242025 1,375 residents 1,422 residents ▲ +3.4%
Bethel's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
91.9%
Carpool
6.6%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
1.0%
Work from Home
0.4%

Based on 667 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for North Carolina - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$115
avg/month
Natural Gas
$55
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$45
avg/month
Total Utilities
$215
estimated/month

Estimates reflect North Carolina 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 North Carolina state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Bethel sits in

Cost of Living Index
94.3
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,095/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
89.8 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in North Carolina

Cove Creek
1,533 people
Clyde
1,522 people
Weldon
1,522 people
Dobson
1,521 people
Biltmore Forest
1,536 people
Princeton
1,543 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Bethel's 1,528 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Tatum, TX
1,528 people
Southport, CT
1,529 people
Port Sulphur, LA
1,529 people
Cascade Locks, OR
1,529 people
New Hope, OR
1,529 people
Utica, SC
1,529 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Bethel's $51,489 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Brewer, ME
$51,490 median income
Kansas, OH
$51,492 median income
Seymour, MO
$51,497 median income
McNary, LA
$51,500 median income
Meridian Station, MS
$51,500 median income
Dallas, WI
$51,500 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Bethel, NC 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 Bethel, NC - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 38.4% 53.2% 6.6% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 1.5% White 38.4% Black or African American 53.2% Asian 0.0% American Indian 0.3% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 1.5% Two or more races 6.6% 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 Bethel compares to nearby North Carolina cities

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

City Population Median Household Income
Bethel (this city) 1,528 $51,489
Cove Creek 1,533 $53,898
Clyde 1,522 $59,315
Weldon 1,522 $38,725
Census ACS 5-year FIPS NC NCES CCD OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Bethel, NC?

What is the population of Bethel, NC? +

The population of Bethel, NC stands at 1,528 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Bethel, NC? +

The median household income in Bethel is $51,489 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Bethel? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Bethel; the closest available measure is the North Carolina state average, a cost of living index of 94.3 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within North Carolina vary by metro area.

What is the median home value in Bethel, NC? +

The median home value in Bethel is $114,000, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, NCES CCD, 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 Editorial

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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.