Bethlehem, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Bethlehem, North Carolina had a total population of 4,101, the 205th largest community in North Carolina, with a median household income of $87,795, which is 21% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 4.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 4.5% — among the lowest in North Carolina.
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 | 3,928 | 4,101 | +4.4% |
| Median household income | $78,963 | $87,795 | +11.2% |
| Median home value | $290,600 | $327,000 | +12.5% |
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
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 58 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Bethlehem Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Alexander County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taylorsville | 2,201 | $39,423 | 27.7% | $237,300 |
| Hiddenite | 290 | N/A | 28.2% | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southport | 4,205 | $87,641 | $437,700 | 37.4% | 6.4% |
| Emerald Isle | 3,934 | $89,773 | $603,700 | 57.1% | 4.9% |
| Troutman | 3,995 | $98,462 | $398,800 | 41.4% | 6.1% |
| Stanley | 4,069 | $75,461 | $270,200 | 23.2% | 8.1% |
| Sunset Beach | 4,351 | $81,976 | $410,900 | 40.0% | 5.8% |
Population Overview
Bethlehem is a small community located in North Carolina, within Alexander County. The total population is 4,101. It ranks as the 205th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Bethlehem is 52.7 years. This is 35% higher than the state median of 39.1 years. Only 13.3% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 11.7% 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 Bethlehem is $87,795. This is 21% higher than the state median of $72,388. It is also 9% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 4.5%. This is 65% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 6.0%. This is 26% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $327,000. Housing costs are 13% higher than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x. 89.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 34% higher than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Bethlehem has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 85.5% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 7.1%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (6.2% vs 3.3%).
Education
43.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 22% higher 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 95.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Bethlehem, 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 Bethlehem, North Carolina?
Bethlehem, North Carolina has a population of 4,101 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Bethlehem, NC?
The median household income in Bethlehem is $87,795, which is 9% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Bethlehem, NC?
The poverty rate in Bethlehem is 4.5%. This means approximately 185 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Bethlehem, North Carolina?
Bethlehem's population is 85.5% White, 0.0% Black, 7.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 6.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Bethlehem, NC?
The median home value in Bethlehem is $327,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x.
How educated is Bethlehem, North Carolina?
43.3% of adults (25+) in Bethlehem hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 11.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.