Bethel, Maine Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Bethel, Maine had a total population of 537, the 134th largest community in Maine. The poverty rate is 22.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
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 | 546 | 537 | -1.6% |
| Median home value | $357,100 | $379,500 | +6.3% |
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: 19 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Bethel Rankings in Maine
Explore Maine Rankings
Other Cities in Oxford County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rumford | 4,067 | $29,230 | 30.0% | $123,200 |
| Norway | 3,173 | $43,432 | 30.3% | $162,000 |
| South Paris | 2,210 | $55,074 | 26.5% | $219,700 |
| Mexico | 2,142 | $50,972 | 24.8% | $108,700 |
| Dixfield | 1,738 | $70,608 | 14.3% | $171,500 |
| Fryeburg | 1,484 | $57,083 | 12.6% | $264,700 |
| Oxford | 1,106 | $56,111 | 25.9% | $183,400 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Naples | 527 | $61,510 | $533,500 | 42.4% | 3.1% |
| Brownville Junction | 524 | $61,875 | $82,700 | 16.0% | 20.2% |
| Hartland | 561 | $52,857 | $78,600 | 4.6% | 28.2% |
| Bingham | 564 | $34,688 | $104,500 | 25.4% | 16.4% |
| Southwest Harbor | 566 | $33,958 | $277,100 | 26.9% | 15.2% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 537, 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 Maine, within Oxford County. The total population is 537. It ranks as the 134th most populous out of 155 Census-designated places in Maine.
Age Demographics
The median age in Bethel is 38.7 years. This is 14% lower than the state median of 44.8 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The poverty rate stands at 22.4%. This is 108% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.8%. 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 7.6%. This is 102% higher than the state rate of 3.8%. The median home value is $379,500. Housing costs are 28% higher than the state median of $296,600. 47.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 36% lower than the state average of 74.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Bethel has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 98.3% of all residents.
Education
43.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 21% higher than the state rate of 36.2%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 98.4%. Notably, 26.1% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Bethel, Maine 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 Maine state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 155 Census-designated places in Maine. 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, Maine?
Bethel, Maine has a population of 537 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Bethel, ME?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for Bethel — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Bethel, ME?
The poverty rate in Bethel is 22.4%. This means approximately 120 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Bethel, Maine?
Bethel's population is 98.3% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Bethel, ME?
The median home value in Bethel is $379,500.
How educated is Bethel, Maine?
43.7% of adults (25+) in Bethel hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 26.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.