Bethel, Missouri Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Bethel, Missouri had a total population of 126, the 828th largest village in Missouri, with a median household income of $65,938, which is 7% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 10.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.0x.
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 | 104 | 126 | +21.2% |
| Median household income | $59,375 | $65,938 | +11.1% |
| Median home value | $55,000 | $63,800 | +16.0% |
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: 40 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Bethel Rankings in Missouri
Explore Missouri Rankings
Other Cities in Shelby County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shelbina | 1,653 | $47,500 | 20.6% | $86,200 |
| Clarence | 862 | $31,734 | 26.6% | $74,100 |
| Shelbyville | 621 | $52,250 | 16.5% | $85,200 |
| Hunnewell | 130 | $49,375 | 15.4% | $53,800 |
| Leonard | 35 | $63,036 | 2.9% | $68,800 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iantha | 124 | N/A | N/A | 13.1% | 15.3% |
| Nelson | 124 | N/A | $25,400 | 6.1% | 43.1% |
| Shawneetown | 122 | N/A | N/A | 66.1% | 0.0% |
| Cherokee Pass | 121 | N/A | $215,600 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| La Tour | 132 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 21.2% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 126, 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 Missouri, within Shelby County. The total population is 126. It ranks as the 828th most populous out of 1,062 Census-designated places in Missouri.
Age Demographics
The median age in Bethel is 47.5 years. This is 22% higher than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Bethel is $65,938. This is 7% lower than the state median of $70,702. It is also 18% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 10.3%. This is 18% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.6%. The survey records no unemployed residents in Bethel, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. The median home value is $63,800. Housing costs are 72% lower than the state median of $230,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.0x, Bethel is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 75.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 11% higher than the state average of 68.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
Every resident counted in Bethel was recorded as White (non-Hispanic). A figure of exactly 100.0% reflects a survey sample too small to capture the community's full composition rather than a precise measurement.
Education
17.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 48% 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 92.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Bethel, 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 Bethel, Missouri?
Bethel, Missouri has a population of 126 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Bethel, MO?
The median household income in Bethel is $65,938, which is 18% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Bethel, MO?
The poverty rate in Bethel is 10.3%. This means approximately 13 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Bethel, Missouri?
Bethel's population is 100.0% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Bethel, MO?
The median home value in Bethel is $63,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.0x.
How educated is Bethel, Missouri?
17.0% of adults (25+) in Bethel hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.