Bethany, Missouri Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Bethany, Missouri had a total population of 3,080, the 199th largest city in Missouri, with a median household income of $48,375, which is 32% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 17.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 32% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 0.8%.
Bethany Quick Facts
How Bethany 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 | 3,164 | 3,080 | -2.7% |
| Median household income | $46,016 | $48,375 | +5.1% |
| Median home value | $119,700 | $121,700 | +1.7% |
How Bethany 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: 40 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Bethany Rankings in Missouri
Explore Missouri Rankings
Other Cities in Harrison County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ridgeway | 478 | $39,000 | 34.5% | $83,100 |
| Eagleville | 352 | $41,563 | 23.8% | $81,300 |
| Blythedale | 341 | $54,750 | 9.1% | $24,600 |
| New Hampton | 213 | $24,615 | 30.5% | $63,600 |
| Cainsville | 212 | $41,667 | 15.1% | $62,000 |
| Mount Moriah | 121 | $56,875 | 28.1% | $53,500 |
Cities Similar to Bethany
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Windsor | 3,094 | $49,783 | $101,400 | 15.2% | 24.2% |
| Carrollton | 3,145 | $49,777 | $110,200 | 20.2% | 23.5% |
| Vandalia | 3,140 | $50,313 | $84,500 | 7.9% | 13.9% |
| Cuba | 3,189 | $45,916 | $136,600 | 9.5% | 14.1% |
| Chaffee | 3,026 | $43,542 | $117,400 | 19.5% | 9.2% |
Population Overview
Bethany is a small community located in Missouri, within Harrison County. The total population is 3,080. It ranks as the 199th most populous out of 1,062 Census-designated places in Missouri.
Age Demographics
The median age in Bethany is 43.8 years. This is 12% higher than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Bethany is $48,375. This is 32% lower than the state median of $70,702. It is also 40% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 17.1%. This is 36% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.6%. The unemployment rate is 0.8%. This is 81% lower than the state rate of 4.0%. The median home value is $121,700. Housing costs are 47% lower than the state median of $230,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, Bethany is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 56.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 17% lower than the state average of 68.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
Bethany has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 95.7% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 1.7%. The Black or African American population (1.7%) is well below the state average of 10.9%. The Asian population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 2.1%.
Education
17.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 46% lower than the state rate of 32.4%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 90.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Bethany, Missouri 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 Missouri state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,062 Census-designated places in Missouri. 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 Bethany, Missouri?
Bethany, Missouri has a population of 3,080 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Bethany, MO?
The median household income in Bethany is $48,375, which is 40% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Bethany, MO?
The poverty rate in Bethany is 17.1%. This means approximately 491 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Bethany, Missouri?
Bethany's population is 95.7% White, 1.7% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Bethany, MO?
The median home value in Bethany is $121,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.5x.
How educated is Bethany, Missouri?
17.4% of adults (25+) in Bethany hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.