Bethel, Alaska Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Bethel, Alaska had a total population of 6,312, the 17th largest city in Alaska, with a median household income of $117,255, which is 26% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 11.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Unemployment rate of 8.3% is notably above the national average.
Bethel Quick Facts
How Bethel Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 6,313 | 6,312 | -0.0% |
| Median household income | $109,718 | $117,255 | +6.9% |
| Median home value | $354,400 | $360,200 | +1.6% |
How Bethel Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 63 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Bethel Rankings in Alaska
Explore Alaska Rankings
Other Cities in Bethel Census Area
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quinhagak | 1,311 | $50,208 | 36.5% | $94,400 |
| Kwethluk | 975 | $51,917 | 30.9% | $86,700 |
| Toksook Bay | 833 | $57,083 | 28.8% | $66,200 |
| Akiachak | 736 | $30,000 | 51.6% | $137,500 |
| Kipnuk | 706 | $45,250 | 48.3% | $51,000 |
| Kasigluk | 698 | $60,833 | 50.2% | $63,500 |
| Chefornak | 620 | $51,818 | 25.3% | $125,000 |
| Nunapitchuk | 618 | $43,438 | 32.0% | $90,700 |
| Aniak | 585 | $93,542 | 13.6% | $265,600 |
| Napakiak | 556 | $27,143 | 52.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Bethel
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sterling | 6,323 | $102,415 | $353,400 | 29.2% | 4.5% |
| Steele Creek | 5,928 | $121,364 | $348,400 | 35.3% | 3.3% |
| Fishhook | 5,819 | $111,375 | $416,300 | 29.8% | 9.2% |
| South Lakes | 6,180 | $98,141 | $377,500 | 24.1% | 7.6% |
| Chena Ridge | 5,881 | $133,775 | $395,500 | 47.8% | 2.8% |
Population Overview
Bethel is a small city located in Alaska, within Bethel Census Area. The total population is 6,312. It ranks as the 17th most populous out of 326 Census-designated places in Alaska.
Age Demographics
The median age in Bethel is 32.4 years. This is 9% lower than the state median of 35.8 years. With 28.9% of the population under 18, Bethel has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Bethel is $117,255. This is 26% higher than the state median of $92,788. It is also 45% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 11.6%. This is 14% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.1%. The unemployment rate is 8.3%. This is 41% higher than the state rate of 5.9%. The median home value is $360,200. Housing costs are 2% higher than the state median of $352,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x. 47.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 29% lower than the state average of 66.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
Bethel is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.6%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (20.0%) is well below the state average of 57.7%. The Hispanic or Latino population (3.6%) is well below the state average of 7.3%. The Asian population (2.8%) is well below the state average of 6.3%.
Education
24.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 23% 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 88.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Bethel, Alaska is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Alaska state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 326 Census-designated places in Alaska. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Bethel, Alaska?
Bethel, Alaska has a population of 6,312 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Bethel, AK?
The median household income in Bethel is $117,255, which is 45% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Bethel, AK?
The poverty rate in Bethel is 11.6%. This means approximately 697 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Bethel, Alaska?
Bethel's population is 20.0% White, 3.0% Black, 3.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Bethel, AK?
The median home value in Bethel is $360,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x.
How educated is Bethel, Alaska?
24.5% of adults (25+) in Bethel hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.