Bethel, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Bethel, North Carolina had a total population of 1,544, the 386th largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $52,961, which is 27% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 16.8%.
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 2.0x.
- Unemployment rate of 9.9% is notably above the national average.
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 | 1,528 | 1,544 | +1.0% |
| Median household income | $51,489 | $52,961 | +2.9% |
| Median home value | $114,000 | $107,800 | -5.4% |
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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 58 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Bethel Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Pitt County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greenville | 92,857 | $49,748 | 24.6% | $233,500 |
| Winterville | 10,725 | $83,193 | 9.8% | $245,100 |
| Ayden | 5,150 | $42,413 | 22.4% | $182,400 |
| Farmville | 4,514 | $47,410 | 28.1% | $183,000 |
| Grifton | 2,515 | $36,794 | 32.7% | $152,700 |
| Grimesland | 650 | $42,232 | 25.8% | $208,700 |
| Simpson | 432 | $39,464 | 27.4% | $177,800 |
| Fountain | 409 | N/A | 57.7% | $134,700 |
| Bell Arthur | 374 | N/A | 13.0% | $159,400 |
| Belvoir | 272 | N/A | 6.6% | $144,400 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denton | 1,506 | $50,847 | $167,400 | 11.7% | 14.8% |
| Cove Creek | 1,629 | $52,847 | $295,700 | 29.2% | 22.6% |
| Sharpsburg | 1,605 | $54,709 | $121,900 | 8.2% | 19.3% |
| Pilot Mountain | 1,483 | $49,200 | $203,600 | 23.6% | 12.4% |
| Gorman | 1,591 | $47,297 | N/A | 22.5% | 18.8% |
Population Overview
Bethel is a small community located in North Carolina, within Pitt County. The total population is 1,544. It ranks as the 386th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Bethel is 40.9 years. This is 5% higher than the state median of 39.1 years. 10.5% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Bethel is $52,961. This is 27% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 34% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 16.8%. This is 29% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. The unemployment rate is 9.9%. This is 109% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $107,800. Housing costs are 63% lower than the state median of $288,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x, Bethel is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 67.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Bethel is Black or African American, making up 50.8% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 40.1%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (50.8% vs 20.0%). The Hispanic or Latino population (1.6%) is well below the state average of 11.3%.
Education
14.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 59% lower than the state rate of 35.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 83.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Bethel, North Carolina 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 North Carolina state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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, North Carolina?
Bethel, North Carolina has a population of 1,544 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Bethel, NC?
The median household income in Bethel is $52,961, which is 34% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Bethel, NC?
The poverty rate in Bethel is 16.8%. This means approximately 260 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Bethel, North Carolina?
Bethel's population is 40.1% White, 50.8% Black, 1.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Bethel, NC?
The median home value in Bethel is $107,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.0x.
How educated is Bethel, North Carolina?
14.8% of adults (25+) in Bethel hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.