Bethlehem, Pennsylvania Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania had a total population of 77,956, the 6th largest city in Pennsylvania, with a median household income of $68,879, which is 12% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 15.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
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 | 77,069 | 77,956 | +1.2% |
| Median household income | $66,443 | $68,879 | +3.7% |
| Median home value | $236,500 | $260,400 | +10.1% |
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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 45 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Bethlehem Rankings in Pennsylvania
Explore Pennsylvania Rankings
Other Cities in Lehigh County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allentown | 125,976 | $55,494 | 21.0% | $206,600 |
| Fullerton | 16,724 | $69,317 | 15.8% | $239,700 |
| Emmaus | 11,889 | $83,917 | 7.3% | $266,000 |
| Ancient Oaks | 7,777 | $134,375 | 2.1% | $432,800 |
| Breinigsville | 7,769 | $120,749 | 2.6% | $388,100 |
| Wescosville | 7,148 | $139,826 | 3.5% | $452,400 |
| Catasauqua | 6,541 | $85,049 | 9.6% | $209,900 |
| Dorneyville | 5,211 | $128,732 | 5.5% | $417,600 |
| Fountain Hill | 4,834 | $64,107 | 18.6% | $246,700 |
| Slatington | 4,290 | $49,625 | 25.8% | $191,500 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scranton | 76,033 | $50,739 | $158,100 | 23.1% | 23.0% |
| Lancaster | 57,719 | $63,690 | $219,500 | 29.4% | 20.3% |
| Erie | 93,850 | $46,113 | $115,200 | 23.1% | 23.3% |
| Reading | 95,242 | $44,091 | $121,300 | 11.4% | 28.7% |
| Allentown | 125,976 | $55,494 | $206,600 | 19.1% | 21.0% |
Population Overview
Bethlehem is a mid-sized community located in Pennsylvania, within Lehigh County. The total population is 77,956. It ranks as the 6th most populous out of 1,991 Census-designated places in Pennsylvania.
Age Demographics
The median age in Bethlehem is 36.1 years. This is 12% lower than the state median of 40.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Bethlehem is $68,879. This is 12% lower than the state median of $77,971. It is also 15% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 15.7%. This is 34% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.7%. The unemployment rate is 6.6%. This is 25% higher than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $260,400. Housing costs are 2% higher than the state median of $254,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x. 50.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 28% lower than the state average of 69.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Bethlehem is White (non-Hispanic), making up 56.1% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 28.7%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (28.7% vs 8.7%).
Education
36.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 2% higher 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 90.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Bethlehem, 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 Bethlehem, Pennsylvania?
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania has a population of 77,956 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Bethlehem, PA?
The median household income in Bethlehem is $68,879, which is 15% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Bethlehem, PA?
The poverty rate in Bethlehem is 15.7%. This means approximately 11,219 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania?
Bethlehem's population is 56.1% White, 8.2% Black, 28.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Bethlehem, PA?
The median home value in Bethlehem is $260,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x.
How educated is Bethlehem, Pennsylvania?
36.0% of adults (25+) in Bethlehem hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 14.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.