Bethel Island, California Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Bethel Island, California had a total population of 1,864, the 914th largest community in California, with a median household income of $74,972, which is 24% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 34.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (34.6%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 9.1x the median household income.
- Unemployment rate of 35.5% is notably above the national average.
Bethel Island Quick Facts
How Bethel Island 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 | 2,144 | 1,864 | -13.1% |
| Median household income | $78,393 | $74,972 | -4.4% |
| Median home value | $549,500 | $682,700 | +24.2% |
How Bethel Island 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 70 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Bethel Island Rankings in California
Explore California Rankings
Other Cities in Contra Costa County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Concord | 124,035 | $108,709 | 8.2% | $797,600 |
| Antioch | 116,477 | $97,465 | 11.4% | $629,700 |
| Richmond | 115,505 | $95,391 | 13.6% | $668,200 |
| San Ramon | 85,993 | $196,161 | 4.4% | $1,509,500 |
| Pittsburg | 76,257 | $99,861 | 11.2% | $597,900 |
| Walnut Creek | 70,088 | $130,432 | 6.4% | $1,057,300 |
| Brentwood | 65,208 | $142,494 | 8.3% | $836,600 |
| Oakley | 45,183 | $137,677 | 6.1% | $660,200 |
| Danville | 43,401 | $232,216 | 3.8% | $1,681,700 |
| Martinez | 36,903 | $127,355 | 6.3% | $859,800 |
Cities Similar to Bethel Island
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Byron | 1,837 | $76,424 | $750,000 | 15.7% | 15.4% |
| Thermal | 1,800 | N/A | $187,000 | 8.7% | 19.3% |
| Murphys | 1,951 | $73,571 | $525,700 | 33.9% | 10.0% |
| Calwa | 1,862 | $65,247 | $205,900 | 2.9% | 10.2% |
| Anza | 1,898 | $83,558 | $346,600 | 17.9% | 10.5% |
Population Overview
Bethel Island is a small community located in California, within Contra Costa County. The total population is 1,864. It ranks as the 914th most populous out of 1,570 Census-designated places in California.
Age Demographics
The median age in Bethel Island is 56.6 years. This is 49% higher than the state median of 37.9 years. 16.4% 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 Bethel Island is $74,972. This is 24% lower than the state median of $99,122. It is also 7% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 34.6%. This is 188% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.0%. 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 35.5%. This is 437% higher than the state rate of 6.6%. The median home value is $682,700. Housing costs are 7% lower than the state median of $734,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 9.1x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 64.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 15% higher than the state average of 55.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Bethel Island is White (non-Hispanic), making up 53.4% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 41.7%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (53.4% vs 33.8%). The Asian population (2.9%) is well below the state average of 15.3%.
Education
18.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 49% lower than the state rate of 37.1%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 67.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Bethel Island, California 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 California state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,570 Census-designated places in California. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
Free data download: Get all California city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Bethel Island, California?
Bethel Island, California has a population of 1,864 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Bethel Island, CA?
The median household income in Bethel Island is $74,972, which is 7% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Bethel Island, CA?
The poverty rate in Bethel Island is 34.6%. This means approximately 645 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Bethel Island, California?
Bethel Island's population is 53.4% White, 0.0% Black, 41.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Bethel Island, CA?
The median home value in Bethel Island is $682,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 9.1x.
How educated is Bethel Island, California?
18.9% of adults (25+) in Bethel Island hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.