Bethel, Pennsylvania Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Bethel, Pennsylvania had a total population of 587, the 1272nd largest community in Pennsylvania. The poverty rate is 51.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (51.6%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
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 | 534 | 587 | +9.9% |
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: 45 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Bethel Rankings in Pennsylvania
Explore Pennsylvania Rankings
Other Cities in Berks County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reading | 95,242 | $44,091 | 28.7% | $121,300 |
| Wyomissing | 11,172 | $93,203 | 7.3% | $339,900 |
| Blandon | 7,357 | $109,417 | 5.2% | $290,700 |
| Shillington | 5,492 | $79,922 | 16.7% | $203,500 |
| Pennside | 5,407 | $77,192 | 6.1% | $207,600 |
| Whitfield | 5,226 | $126,740 | 6.1% | $311,700 |
| Birdsboro | 5,116 | $86,290 | 18.1% | $224,000 |
| Lorane | 4,601 | $84,293 | 6.5% | $259,900 |
| Reiffton | 4,575 | $128,750 | 3.9% | $318,500 |
| West Reading | 4,562 | $65,885 | 14.8% | $173,100 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blaine Hill | 587 | N/A | $158,000 | 7.5% | 46.9% |
| Loysville | 587 | $47,083 | $223,600 | 9.1% | 18.7% |
| Salisbury | 587 | $70,341 | $162,000 | 19.6% | 9.4% |
| Sheppton | 588 | $58,375 | $155,200 | 30.4% | 42.6% |
| Rauchtown | 586 | $70,000 | $194,200 | 15.0% | 13.1% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 587, 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 Pennsylvania, within Berks County. The total population is 587. It ranks as the 1272nd most populous out of 1,991 Census-designated places in Pennsylvania.
Age Demographics
The median age in Bethel is 33.3 years. This is 19% lower than the state median of 40.9 years. With 32.0% of the population under 18, Bethel has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The poverty rate stands at 51.6%. This is 341% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.7%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 7.5%. This is 44% higher than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $118,200. Housing costs are 54% lower than the state median of $254,500. 84.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 22% higher than the state average of 69.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Bethel is White (non-Hispanic), making up 74.5% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 25.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (25.6% vs 8.7%).
Education
11.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 68% lower than the state rate of 35.2%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 86.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Bethel, Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,991 Census-designated places in Pennsylvania. 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, Pennsylvania?
Bethel, Pennsylvania has a population of 587 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Bethel, PA?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for Bethel — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Bethel, PA?
The poverty rate in Bethel is 51.6%. This means approximately 303 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Bethel, Pennsylvania?
Bethel's population is 74.5% White, 0.0% Black, 25.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Bethel, PA?
The median home value in Bethel is $118,200.
How educated is Bethel, Pennsylvania?
11.3% of adults (25+) in Bethel hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.