Bethlehem city, Pennsylvania Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Bethlehem city, Pennsylvania has a total population of 77,069, the 6th largest city in Pennsylvania, with a median household income of $66,443, which is 13% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 15.8%.
Bethlehem city Quick Facts
How Bethlehem city 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: 43 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Bethlehem city Rankings in Pennsylvania
Explore Pennsylvania Rankings
Other Cities in Northampton County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Easton city | 29,079 | $63,775 | 17.9% | $169,200 |
| Northampton borough | 10,366 | $82,719 | 7.1% | $225,400 |
| Wilson borough | 8,196 | $80,928 | 11.2% | $191,800 |
| Hellertown borough | 6,119 | $76,657 | 5.5% | $242,500 |
| Nazareth borough | 6,032 | $57,551 | 15.9% | $236,900 |
| Bangor borough | 5,158 | $63,542 | 10.3% | $167,100 |
| Pen Argyl borough | 3,489 | $79,948 | 15.5% | $172,100 |
| Wind Gap borough | 3,202 | $74,803 | 4.7% | $201,800 |
| Freemansburg borough | 2,871 | $96,696 | 8.0% | $205,200 |
| Bath borough | 2,829 | $73,681 | 17.2% | $228,500 |
Cities Similar to Bethlehem city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scranton city | 76,074 | $49,531 | $141,700 | 22.8% | 22.0% |
| Lancaster city | 57,683 | $63,421 | $203,700 | 27.2% | 20.7% |
| Reading city | 94,836 | $45,599 | $109,800 | 11.7% | 27.0% |
| Erie city | 94,156 | $43,397 | $108,200 | 22.3% | 24.6% |
| Allentown city | 125,320 | $53,403 | $188,900 | 19.4% | 21.6% |
Population Overview
Bethlehem city is a mid-sized community located in Pennsylvania, within Northampton County. The total population is 77,069. It ranks as the 6th most populous out of 1,993 cities and towns in Pennsylvania.
Age Demographics
The median age in Bethlehem city is 36.2 years. This is 11% lower than the state median of 40.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Bethlehem city is $66,443. This is 13% lower than the state median of $76,081. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 15% lower. The poverty rate stands at 15.8%. This is 34% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. The unemployment rate is 7.2%. This is 38% higher than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $236,500. Housing costs are 2% lower than the state median of $240,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.6x. 50.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 27% lower than the state average of 69.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Bethlehem city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 55.3% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 29.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (29.4% vs 8.4%).
Education
35.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 2% higher than the state rate of 34.5%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 89.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Bethlehem city, Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,993 Census-designated places in Pennsylvania. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
Free data download: Get all Pennsylvania city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Bethlehem city, Pennsylvania?
Bethlehem city, Pennsylvania has a population of 77,069 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Bethlehem city, PA?
The median household income in Bethlehem city is $66,443, which is 15% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Bethlehem city, PA?
The poverty rate in Bethlehem city is 15.8%. This means approximately 11,186 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Bethlehem city, Pennsylvania?
Bethlehem city's population is 55.3% White, 8.4% Black, 29.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Bethlehem city, PA?
The median home value in Bethlehem city is $236,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.6x.
How educated is Bethlehem city, Pennsylvania?
35.0% of adults (25+) in Bethlehem city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 14.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.