Bethel town, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Bethel town, North Carolina has a total population of 1,528, the 379th largest city in North Carolina, with a median household income of $51,489, which is 26% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.0%.
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x.
- Unemployment rate of 8.3% is notably above the national average.
Bethel town Quick Facts
How Bethel town Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 57 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Bethel town Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Pitt County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winterville town | 10,624 | $82,783 | 9.4% | $226,600 |
| Ayden town | 5,035 | $41,711 | 21.6% | $161,200 |
| Farmville town | 4,493 | $50,870 | 27.0% | $184,900 |
| Grifton town | 2,661 | $36,664 | 31.3% | $122,100 |
| Grimesland town | 428 | $35,417 | 27.3% | $162,500 |
| Fountain town | 317 | N/A | 53.6% | $120,600 |
| Falkland town | 119 | $93,542 | 3.4% | $45,800 |
Cities Similar to Bethel town
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cove Creek CDP | 1,533 | $53,898 | $247,700 | 34.7% | 14.1% |
| Princeville town | 1,502 | $49,583 | $99,100 | 6.8% | 24.1% |
| West Jefferson town | 1,567 | $54,306 | $217,900 | 15.5% | 15.3% |
| Pilot Mountain town | 1,584 | $48,239 | $185,200 | 21.7% | 15.4% |
| Clyde town | 1,522 | $59,315 | $194,600 | 18.9% | 6.3% |
Population Overview
Bethel town is a small community located in North Carolina, within Pitt County. The total population is 1,528. It ranks as the 379th most populous out of 774 cities and towns in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Bethel town is 40.9 years. This is 5% higher than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Bethel town is $51,489. This is 26% lower than the state median of $69,904. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 34% lower. The poverty rate stands at 12.0%. This is 9% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. The unemployment rate is 8.3%. This is 73% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $114,000. Housing costs are 56% lower than the state median of $259,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x, Bethel town is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 66.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Bethel town is Black or African American, making up 53.2% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 38.4%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (53.2% vs 20.3%). The Hispanic or Latino population (1.5%) is well below the state average of 10.9%.
Education
17.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 51% lower than the state rate of 34.7%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 86.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Bethel town, North Carolina is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against North Carolina state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 774 Census-designated places in North Carolina. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
Free data download: Get all North Carolina city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Bethel town, North Carolina?
Bethel town, North Carolina has a population of 1,528 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Bethel town, NC?
The median household income in Bethel town is $51,489, which is 34% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Bethel town, NC?
The poverty rate in Bethel town is 12.0%. This means approximately 183 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Bethel town, North Carolina?
Bethel town's population is 38.4% White, 53.2% Black, 1.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Bethel town, NC?
The median home value in Bethel town is $114,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.2x.
How educated is Bethel town, North Carolina?
17.1% of adults (25+) in Bethel town hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.