City · Pennsylvania
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Bethlehem, city, mostly in Northampton County (73.9% of its 2020 residents), with a part in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania. Bethlehem had 79,644 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 5.1% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 75,781 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 77,956 (±72). GEOID 4206088.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
79,644
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 75,781 · ACS 2020-2024: 77,956 ±72
Median household income
$68,879
±$3,531 (90% margin)
Pennsylvania: $77,971
Median home value
$260,400
±$7,122 (90% margin)
Pennsylvania: $254,500
Median gross rent
$1,382
±$43 (90% margin)
Pennsylvania: $1,209
Where is Bethlehem and what county is it in?
Bethlehem is a city mostly in Northampton County (73.9% of its 2020 residents), with a part in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania. It covers 19.1 square miles of land, 3,964 residents per square mile in 2020.
Bethlehem is in the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 4 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
| County | 2020 residents | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Northampton County | 56,009 | 73.9% |
| Lehigh County | 19,772 | 26.1% |
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Bethlehem, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 79,644 people lived in Bethlehem on July 1, 2025, up 5.1% since 2020, faster than Pennsylvania (+0.4%). The 2020 Census counted 75,781 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 77,956 (±72).
| Measure | Bethlehem | Northampton County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 77,956 ±72 | 318,580 | +2,495 |
| Households | 31,052 ±702 | 122,624 | +1,964 |
| Average household size | 2.30 ±0.05 | 2.49 | −0.09 |
| Housing units | 32,348 ±678 | 129,448 | no clear change |
Bethlehem's population since 2000
From 71,329 in 2000 to 79,644 in 2025: up 11.7%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Bethlehem 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 Bethlehem?
The median resident of Bethlehem is 36.1 years old; 17.2% are under 18 and 18.9% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 56.1%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 28.7%. 10.0% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Bethlehem | Northampton County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 36.1 ±1.1 | 42.0 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 17.2% ±1.0 pts | 19.2% | – |
| 65 years and over | 18.9% ±1.1 pts | 20.3% | – |
| Male | 48.3% ±1.4 pts | 49.5% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 28.7% ±1.7 pts | 15.5% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 56.1% ±2.0 pts | 72.0% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 8.2% ±1.3 pts | 5.7% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 2.8% ±0.4 pts | 3.0% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.6% ±0.8 pts | 3.2% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.5% ±0.3 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 10.0% ±1.3 pts | 8.6% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 23.6% ±1.8 pts | 15.0% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 5.2% ±0.6 pts | 6.3% | – |
| With a disability | 15.1% ±1.1 pts | 12.4% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 6.6% ±1.1 pts | 4.4% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 90.7% ±1.1 pts | 92.9% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 36.0% ±1.9 pts | 34.7% | +6.8 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 14.8% ±1.2 pts | 13.8% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 84.1% ±1.5 pts | 89.9% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.8% ±0.6 pts | 2.4% | – |
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 Bethlehem earn?
Half of Bethlehem's 31,052 households earn less than $68,879 a year (±$3,531), against $89,184 in Northampton County and $77,971 in Pennsylvania. In 2015-2019 it was $68,684 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 15.7% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Bethlehem | Northampton County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $68,879 ±$3,531 | $89,184 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $96,317 ±$8,552 | $115,853 | – |
| Per capita income | $41,031 ±$4,869 | $45,736 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 15.7% ±1.8 pts | 8.8% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 23.3% ±3.9 pts | 11.9% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 19.0% ±1.8 pts | 10.3% | – |
| Households with a computer | 93.4% ±1.3 pts | 94.6% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 88.5% ±1.4 pts | 90.8% | – |
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 Bethlehem?
Owners occupy 49.9% of Bethlehem's occupied homes and renters 50.1%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $260,400 by its owner (±$7,122). The median renter pays $1,382 a month including utilities, and 41.3% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Bethlehem | Northampton County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $260,400 ±$7,122 | $308,600 | +$46,875 |
| Median gross rent | $1,382 ±$43 | $1,395 | +$105 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 41.3% ±3.6 pts | 40.7% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,721 ±$44 | $1,957 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 49.9% ±2.0 pts | 71.1% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 50.1% ±2.0 pts | 28.9% | – |
| Housing units | 32,348 ±678 | 129,448 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.1% ±0.2 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 2.9% ±1.2 pts | 2.5% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 36.0% ±2.0 pts | 58.1% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.3% ±0.2 pts | 2.5% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.3% ±0.2 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 3.7% ±0.8 pts | 6.2% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 31.3% ±2.2 pts | 26.2% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 10.7% ±1.4 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 Bethlehem building?
Builders took permits for 187 new housing units in Bethlehem in 2025 (11 in single-family houses), 2.3 per 1,000 residents against 2.0 across Pennsylvania.
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 Bethlehem work and get to work?
66.8% of Bethlehem's workers drive alone and 17.2% work from home. The average trip to work takes 22.1 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 6.6%.
| Measure | Bethlehem | Northampton County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 61.7% ±1.5 pts | 63.2% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 6.6% ±1.0 pts | 4.6% | +1.4 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 66.8% ±2.5 pts | 74.6% | – |
| Carpooled | 7.2% ±1.5 pts | 6.2% | – |
| Public transportation | 1.9% ±0.7 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Walked | 3.4% ±0.6 pts | 2.0% | – |
| Worked from home | 17.2% ±2.0 pts | 14.4% | +13.5 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 22.1 min ±1.0 | 27.0 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 Bethlehem?
19 census tracts lie mostly in Bethlehem, and 1 more reaches into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $32,734 (Tract 110) to $139,671 (Tract 102).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 104Northampton County | 5,525 | $97,047 |
| Tract 112Northampton County | 5,108 | $48,785 |
| Tract 107Northampton County | 4,983 | $67,993 |
| Tract 113Northampton County | 4,924 | $58,048 |
| Tract 105Northampton County | 4,511 | $36,989 |
| Tract 95Lehigh County | 4,462 | $78,133 |
| Tract 106.01Northampton County | 4,349 | $80,354 |
| Tract 94Lehigh County | 4,110 | $59,716 |
| Tract 92Lehigh County | 3,891 | $77,974 |
| Tract 91Lehigh County | 3,889 | $75,525 |
| Tract 102Northampton County | 3,823 | $139,671 |
| Tract 111Northampton County | 3,820 | $45,846 |
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 Bethlehem) · Census block assignment files
How does Bethlehem compare with other places in Pennsylvania?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Bethlehem is the 466th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 6th-most populous of 1,012 in Pennsylvania.
Bethlehem ranks 1,418th of 2,136 places in Pennsylvania with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 6th | 1,012 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 129th | 1,764 |
| Residents per square mile | 242nd | 2,159 |
| Median household income | 1,418th | 2,136 |
| Per capita income | 939th | 2,157 |
| Median home value | 766th | 2,146 |
| Median gross rent | 433rd | 1,963 |
| Poverty rate | 324th | 1,606 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 561st | 2,129 |
| Median age | 1,924th | 2,157 |
| Owner-occupied share | 2,013th | 2,149 |
| Work from home | 446th | 1,710 |
| Travel time to work | 1,646th | 2,156 |
Bethlehem's figures with every place in Pennsylvania (CSV)
Every place in Pennsylvania, sortable · Compare Bethlehem 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 Bethlehem?
5 of the 57 figures for Bethlehem 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 Bethlehem 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 Bethlehem.