Bethel Census Area, Alaska Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Bethel Census Area is located in Alaska with a total population of 18,394. It is the 6th most populous county out of 30 in Alaska. The county encompasses 34 Census-designated places.

Age Demographics

The median age in Bethel Census Area is 29.0 years. This is 19% lower than the state median of 35.8 years. With 34.7% of the population under 18, Bethel Census Area has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Bethel Census Area is $73,996. This is 20% lower than the state median of $92,788. It is also 8% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 25.6%. This is 153% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.1%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 15.9%. This is 172% higher than the state rate of 5.9%. The median home value is $168,100. Housing costs are 52% lower than the state median of $352,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x, Bethel Census Area is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 61.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 8% lower than the state average of 66.8%.

Race & Ethnicity

Bethel Census Area is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Asian residents account for 1.6%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (8.3%) is well below the state average of 57.7%. The Black or African American population (1.2%) is well below the state average of 2.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.5%) is well below the state average of 7.3%. The Asian population (1.6%) is well below the state average of 6.3%.

Education

12.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 60% lower than the state rate of 31.7%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 82.2%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All figures for Bethel Census Area come from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates, with comparisons drawn against Alaska and national averages from the same dataset. See our methodology page for how each metric is defined, or data.census.gov for official tables with margins of error.