Bethany Beach town, Delaware Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Bethany Beach town is a small community located in Delaware. The total population is 923. It ranks as the 56th most populous out of 79 cities and towns in Delaware.

Age Demographics

The median age in Bethany Beach town is 66.4 years. This is 60% higher than the state median of 41.5 years. Only 6.3% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 21.0% 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 Bethany Beach town is $105,833. This is 28% higher than the state median of $82,855. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 35% higher. The poverty rate stands at 2.8%. This is 74% lower than the state poverty rate of 10.7%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 1.8%. This is 65% lower than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $648,500. Housing costs are 98% higher than the state median of $326,800. The home-value-to-income ratio of 6.1x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 94.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 31% higher than the state average of 72.3%.

Race & Ethnicity

Bethany Beach town has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 95.6% of all residents. Asian residents account for 1.8%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (95.6% vs 59.0%). The Black or African American population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 21.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.3%) is well below the state average of 10.7%. The Asian population (1.8%) is well below the state average of 4.1%.

Education

64.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 84% higher than the state rate of 35.3%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 98.0%. Notably, 23.9% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Bethany Beach town, Delaware is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Delaware state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 79 Census-designated places in Delaware. For official data, visit data.census.gov.