Bethel, Delaware Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Bethel, Delaware had a total population of 375, the 67th largest town in Delaware, with a median household income of $99,375, which is 17% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 0.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 0.5% — among the lowest in Delaware.
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 | 431 | 375 | -13.0% |
| Median household income | $91,111 | $99,375 | +9.1% |
| Median home value | $276,300 | $294,700 | +6.7% |
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 less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 60 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Bethel Rankings in Delaware
Explore Delaware Rankings
Other Cities in Sussex County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milford | 12,803 | $59,464 | 17.2% | $296,900 |
| Seaford | 8,485 | $54,016 | 18.8% | $224,300 |
| Georgetown | 7,660 | $49,719 | 16.8% | $281,400 |
| Millsboro | 7,424 | $78,707 | 8.3% | $332,600 |
| Laurel | 4,152 | $48,644 | 34.6% | $230,300 |
| Milton | 3,567 | $80,875 | 5.5% | $407,000 |
| Lewes | 3,505 | $96,393 | 7.9% | $826,100 |
| Selbyville | 3,097 | $75,592 | 4.3% | $432,900 |
| Ocean View | 2,851 | $91,500 | 9.8% | $514,200 |
| Bridgeville | 2,745 | $64,879 | 13.4% | $400,900 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dewey Beach | 351 | $105,625 | $961,300 | 71.4% | 8.6% |
| Fenwick Island | 401 | $113,125 | $1,394,700 | 56.8% | 3.0% |
| Slaughter Beach | 408 | $109,375 | $757,400 | 56.0% | 10.1% |
| Odessa | 409 | $123,750 | $348,400 | 42.2% | 2.0% |
| Woodside | 475 | $79,375 | $320,800 | 25.2% | 7.0% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 375, Bethel'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
Bethel is a small community located in Delaware, within Sussex County. The total population is 375. It ranks as the 67th most populous out of 79 Census-designated places in Delaware.
Age Demographics
The median age in Bethel is 54.5 years. This is 31% higher than the state median of 41.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Bethel is $99,375. This is 17% higher than the state median of $84,954. It is also 23% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 0.5%. This is 95% lower than the state poverty rate of 10.4%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 6.9%. This is 35% higher than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $294,700. Housing costs are 16% lower than the state median of $352,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x. 98.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 35% higher than the state average of 73.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Bethel is White (non-Hispanic), making up 76.5% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 16.5%. The Black or African American population (5.3%) is well below the state average of 21.4%.
Education
35.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is about the same as the state rate of 35.8%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 95.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Bethel, Delaware 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 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. 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, Delaware?
Bethel, Delaware has a population of 375 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Bethel, DE?
The median household income in Bethel is $99,375, which is 23% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Bethel, DE?
The poverty rate in Bethel is 0.5%. This means approximately 2 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Bethel, Delaware?
Bethel's population is 76.5% White, 5.3% Black, 16.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Bethel, DE?
The median home value in Bethel is $294,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x.
How educated is Bethel, Delaware?
35.5% of adults (25+) in Bethel hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.