Bethlehem, Mississippi Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Bethlehem, Mississippi had a total population of 155, the 372nd largest community in Mississippi. The poverty rate is 65.8%.
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 (65.8%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Bethlehem Quick Facts
How Bethlehem 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 | 218 | 155 | -28.9% |
How Bethlehem 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: 56 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Bethlehem Rankings in Mississippi
Explore Mississippi Rankings
Other Cities in Marshall County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Holly Springs | 6,704 | $45,462 | 31.1% | $109,600 |
| Byhalia | 1,588 | $38,500 | 34.9% | $133,100 |
| Victoria | 1,121 | $70,143 | 36.8% | $209,100 |
| Mount Pleasant | 391 | $60,267 | 13.8% | N/A |
| Potts Camp | 387 | $41,875 | 20.9% | $109,400 |
| Waterford | 33 | $32,917 | 51.5% | N/A |
| Red Banks | 25 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Bethlehem
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eden | 151 | $53,056 | N/A | 6.2% | 27.8% |
| Pheba | 162 | $19,132 | $211,800 | 44.4% | 77.8% |
| Elizabeth | 145 | N/A | N/A | 32.2% | 0.0% |
| Falcon | 144 | N/A | $69,100 | 7.3% | 40.3% |
| Jacinto | 167 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 0.0% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 155, Bethlehem'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
Bethlehem is a small community located in Mississippi, within Marshall County. The total population is 155. It ranks as the 372nd most populous out of 420 Census-designated places in Mississippi.
Age Demographics
The median age in Bethlehem is 32.2 years. This is 17% lower than the state median of 38.6 years. With 38.7% of the population under 18, Bethlehem has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The poverty rate stands at 65.8%. This is 248% higher than the state poverty rate of 18.9%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The survey records no unemployed residents in Bethlehem, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. 48.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 31% lower than the state average of 70.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Bethlehem is White (non-Hispanic), making up 59.4% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 40.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (40.6% vs 3.7%).
Education
14.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 41% lower than the state rate of 25.1%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. No surveyed resident aged 25 or older reported leaving school before earning a high school diploma, though a rate of exactly 100% reflects the limits of a small sample.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Bethlehem, Mississippi 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 Mississippi state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 420 Census-designated places in Mississippi. 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 Bethlehem, Mississippi?
Bethlehem, Mississippi has a population of 155 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Bethlehem, MS?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for Bethlehem — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Bethlehem, MS?
The poverty rate in Bethlehem is 65.8%. This means approximately 102 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Bethlehem, Mississippi?
Bethlehem's population is 59.4% White, 0.0% Black, 40.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Bethlehem, MS?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for Bethlehem — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is Bethlehem, Mississippi?
14.7% of adults (25+) in Bethlehem hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.