Bethune, Colorado Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Bethune, Colorado had a total population of 218, the 364th largest town in Colorado, with a median household income of $34,688, which is 64% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 33.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 64% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (33.0%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.2%.
Bethune Quick Facts
How Bethune 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 | 257 | 218 | -15.2% |
| Median household income | $38,333 | $34,688 | -9.5% |
| Median home value | $137,500 | $127,500 | -7.3% |
How Bethune 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: 52 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Bethune Rankings in Colorado
Explore Colorado Rankings
Other Cities in Kit Carson County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington | 3,152 | $74,308 | 9.2% | $208,100 |
| Stratton | 716 | $61,583 | 3.9% | $166,300 |
| Flagler | 635 | $48,500 | 8.4% | $167,700 |
| Vona | 189 | $78,750 | 0.0% | $214,300 |
| Seibert | 138 | $48,750 | 16.7% | $118,800 |
Cities Similar to Bethune
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maysville | 235 | N/A | $1,321,800 | 80.7% | 20.8% |
| Crowley | 219 | $41,250 | $80,000 | 6.7% | 13.6% |
| Smeltertown | 188 | N/A | N/A | 11.5% | 76.6% |
| Capulin | 185 | N/A | N/A | 33.7% | 0.0% |
| Vilas | 184 | N/A | $65,000 | 16.2% | 34.8% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 218, Bethune'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
Bethune is a small community located in Colorado, within Kit Carson County. The total population is 218. It ranks as the 364th most populous out of 472 Census-designated places in Colorado.
Age Demographics
The median age in Bethune is 33.9 years. This is 10% lower than the state median of 37.7 years. With 37.2% of the population under 18, Bethune has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community. 17.0% 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 Bethune is $34,688. This is 64% lower than the state median of $95,470. It is also 57% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 33.0%. This is 250% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.4%. 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 1.2%. This is 74% lower than the state rate of 4.6%. The median home value is $127,500. Housing costs are 76% lower than the state median of $539,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x. 64.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 3% lower than the state average of 66.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Bethune is White (non-Hispanic), making up 49.5% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 29.8%.
Education
12.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 74% lower than the state rate of 45.7%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 90.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Bethune, Colorado 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 Colorado state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 472 Census-designated places in Colorado. 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 Colorado city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Bethune, Colorado?
Bethune, Colorado has a population of 218 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Bethune, CO?
The median household income in Bethune is $34,688, which is 57% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Bethune, CO?
The poverty rate in Bethune is 33.0%. This means approximately 72 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Bethune, Colorado?
Bethune's population is 49.5% White, 0.0% Black, 29.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Bethune, CO?
The median home value in Bethune is $127,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x.
How educated is Bethune, Colorado?
12.0% of adults (25+) in Bethune hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.