Village · West Virginia
Bethlehem, West Virginia
Bethlehem, village, in Ohio County, West Virginia. Bethlehem had 2,520 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 3.9% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 2,605 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 2,592 (±38). GEOID 5406940.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
2,520
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 2,605 · ACS 2020-2024: 2,592 ±38
Median household income
$83,409
±$13,827 (90% margin)
West Virginia: $59,608
Median home value
$200,000
±$13,832 (90% margin)
West Virginia: $162,600
Median gross rent
$1,339
±$75 (90% margin)
West Virginia: $872
Where is Bethlehem and what county is it in?
Bethlehem is a village in Ohio County, West Virginia. It covers 3.5 square miles of land, 738 residents per square mile in 2020.
Bethlehem is in the Wheeling, WV-OH metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 3 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
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 2,520 people lived in Bethlehem on July 1, 2025, down 3.9% since 2020, a steeper fall than West Virginia's (−1.5%). The 2020 Census counted 2,605 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 2,592 (±38).
| Measure | Bethlehem | Ohio County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 2,592 ±38 | 41,582 | no clear change |
| Households | 1,088 ±87 | 18,342 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.38 ±0.19 | 2.15 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 1,188 ±105 | 21,120 | no clear change |
Bethlehem's population since 2000
From 2,651 in 2000 to 2,520 in 2025: down 4.9%. 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 41.7 years old; 27.5% are under 18 and 26.2% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 94.9%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 2.0%.
| Measure | Bethlehem | Ohio County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.7 ±4.8 | 42.7 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 27.5% ±4.0 pts | 19.4% | – |
| 65 years and over | 26.2% ±3.8 pts | 22.8% | – |
| Male | 50.4% ±3.8 pts | 48.8% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.5% ±1.8 pts | 1.7% | – |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 94.9% ±3.2 pts | 89.8% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 2.0% ±2.4 pts | 3.3% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±1.4 pts | 0.5% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±1.4 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±1.4 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 1.5% ±1.7 pts | 4.5% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±1.4 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.5% ±1.7 pts | 2.5% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 4.2% ±3.6 pts | 3.7% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.2% ±2.8 pts | 6.9% | – |
| With a disability | 9.8% ±3.0 pts | 16.4% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 3.2% ±1.8 pts | 5.1% | – |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 99.1% ±0.7 pts | 92.7% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 45.3% ±6.5 pts | 33.9% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 19.3% ±5.1 pts | 14.3% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 91.2% ±5.9 pts | 87.7% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.8% ±3.7 pts | 3.7% | – |
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 1,088 households earn less than $83,409 a year (±$13,827), against $57,094 in Ohio County and $59,608 in West Virginia. In 2015-2019 it was $89,921 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 8.8% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Bethlehem | Ohio County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $83,409 ±$13,827 | $57,094 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $91,434 ±$7,918 | $85,503 | – |
| Per capita income | $39,104 ±$3,837 | $38,134 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 8.8% ±4.5 pts | 17.7% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 15.4% ±11.4 pts | 21.8% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 2.8% ±1.8 pts | 18.5% | – |
| Households with a computer | 95.9% ±2.5 pts | 89.5% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 95.9% ±2.7 pts | 86.6% | – |
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 88.2% of Bethlehem's occupied homes and renters 11.8%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $200,000 by its owner (±$13,832). The median renter pays $1,339 a month including utilities.
| Measure | Bethlehem | Ohio County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $200,000 ±$13,832 | $166,000 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $1,339 ±$75 | $821 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 25.8% ±18.0 pts | 45.6% | – |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,320 ±$155 | $1,209 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 88.2% ±4.6 pts | 66.4% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 11.8% ±4.6 pts | 33.6% | – |
| Housing units | 1,188 ±105 | 21,120 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0% ±3.8 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 8.6% ±13.5 pts | 5.8% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 86.5% ±5.1 pts | 66.7% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.5% ±0.7 pts | 2.7% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 2.4% ±2.5 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 5.7% ±4.5 pts | 5.3% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 11.8% ±3.9 pts | 32.9% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 3.3% ±2.2 pts | 12.0% | – |
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 0 new housing units in Bethlehem in 2025 (0 in single-family houses), 0.0 per 1,000 residents against 2.2 across West Virginia.
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?
82.0% of Bethlehem's workers drive alone and 9.5% work from home. The average trip to work takes 18.9 minutes.
| Measure | Bethlehem | Ohio County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 54.9% ±4.6 pts | 58.0% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.0% ±2.9 pts | 6.0% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 82.0% ±5.6 pts | 79.2% | – |
| Carpooled | 5.2% ±3.5 pts | 6.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0% ±3.5 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Walked | 2.1% ±2.3 pts | 4.7% | – |
| Worked from home | 9.5% ±4.6 pts | 6.4% | +6.3 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 18.9 min ±3.5 | 21.1 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?
1 census tract lies mostly in Bethlehem, and 1 more reaches into it (2020 census blocks).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 19.01Ohio County | 2,549 | $83,144 |
| Tract 18Ohio County | 4,912 | $44,631 |
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 West Virginia?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Bethlehem is the 6,879th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 49th-most populous of 230 in West Virginia.
Bethlehem ranks 13th of 138 places in West Virginia with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 49th | 230 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 41st | 102 |
| Residents per square mile | 109th | 146 |
| Median household income | 13th | 138 |
| Per capita income | 24th | 144 |
| Median home value | 29th | 142 |
| Median gross rent | 4th | 123 |
| Poverty rate | 101st | 111 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 9th | 135 |
| Median age | 83rd | 146 |
| Owner-occupied share | 16th | 146 |
| Work from home | 36th | 53 |
| Travel time to work | 118th | 145 |
Bethlehem's figures with every place in West Virginia (CSV)
Every place in West Virginia, 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?
22 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.