Bethesda, Arkansas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Bethesda, Arkansas had a total population of 79, the 544th largest community in Arkansas, with a median household income of $77,946, which is 28% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 0.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Only 0.0% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
Bethesda Quick Facts
How Bethesda 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 | 136 | 79 | -41.9% |
| Median household income | $85,500 | $77,946 | -8.8% |
How Bethesda 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 less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 51 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Bethesda Rankings in Arkansas
Explore Arkansas Rankings
Other Cities in Independence County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Batesville | 11,445 | $51,856 | 26.3% | $163,600 |
| Southside | 4,246 | $65,655 | 17.5% | $151,300 |
| Cave City | 2,090 | $49,800 | 19.7% | $120,700 |
| Newark | 1,637 | $40,417 | 29.5% | $96,300 |
| Sulphur Rock | 1,014 | $96,429 | 10.3% | N/A |
| Desha | 679 | $68,403 | 17.1% | $117,600 |
| Salado | 507 | $39,355 | 1.4% | $221,800 |
| Cushman | 488 | $43,500 | 20.7% | $115,100 |
| Pleasant Plains | 376 | $59,531 | 11.4% | $118,800 |
| Oil Trough | 259 | $40,083 | 40.2% | $83,100 |
Cities Similar to Bethesda
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Everton | 79 | N/A | $65,000 | 14.8% | 21.5% |
| Witts Springs | 77 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Evansville | 75 | N/A | N/A | 49.3% | 0.0% |
| Haynes | 75 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 29.3% |
| Dora | 74 | N/A | N/A | 39.5% | 0.0% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 79, Bethesda's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Bethesda is a small community located in Arkansas, within Independence County. The total population is 79. It ranks as the 544th most populous out of 614 Census-designated places in Arkansas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Bethesda is 47.8 years. This is 24% higher than the state median of 38.5 years. 10.1% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Bethesda is $77,946. This is 28% higher than the state median of $60,773. It is also 3% lower than the national median of $80,734. The ACS records no residents below the poverty line in Bethesda. In a community this small the estimate rests on very few survey responses, so it should be read as an absence of measurement rather than a measured absence of poverty. The survey records no unemployed residents in Bethesda, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. 100.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 51% higher than the state average of 66.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Bethesda is White (non-Hispanic), making up 82.3% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 17.7%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (17.7% vs 9.0%).
Education
0.0% 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. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 87.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Bethesda, Arkansas 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 Arkansas state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 614 Census-designated places in Arkansas. 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 Bethesda, Arkansas?
Bethesda, Arkansas has a population of 79 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Bethesda, AR?
The median household income in Bethesda is $77,946, which is 3% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Bethesda, AR?
The ACS sample for Bethesda recorded no residents below the federal poverty line. Because the community is small, this indicates that the survey did not capture poverty here rather than that no poverty exists — the estimate carries a wide margin of error.
What is the racial makeup of Bethesda, Arkansas?
Bethesda's population is 82.3% White, 0.0% Black, 17.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Bethesda, AR?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for Bethesda — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is Bethesda, Arkansas?
0.0% of adults (25+) in Bethesda hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.