Bethel, Washington Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Bethel, Washington had a total population of 4,394, the 213th largest community in Washington, with a median household income of $79,583, which is 19% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 16.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Unemployment rate of 11.5% 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 | 4,276 | 4,394 | +2.8% |
| Median household income | $84,214 | $79,583 | -5.5% |
| Median home value | $440,800 | $473,900 | +7.5% |
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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 56 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Bethel Rankings in Washington
Explore Washington Rankings
Other Cities in Kitsap County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bremerton | 44,830 | $74,940 | 13.8% | $439,400 |
| Bainbridge Island | 24,631 | $172,188 | 3.5% | $1,155,900 |
| Silverdale | 20,685 | $105,483 | 6.2% | $555,300 |
| Port Orchard | 17,149 | $89,795 | 9.7% | $539,700 |
| Poulsbo | 12,165 | $116,250 | 9.3% | $620,100 |
| Parkwood | 6,873 | $88,625 | 7.6% | $441,400 |
| Tracyton | 6,137 | $103,935 | 9.1% | $470,200 |
| Bangor Base | 6,112 | $79,918 | 5.4% | N/A |
| Manchester | 5,956 | $126,371 | 11.9% | $478,200 |
| East Port Orchard | 4,725 | $75,320 | 10.4% | $435,900 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chelan | 4,350 | $82,637 | $518,000 | 28.3% | 8.4% |
| Longview Heights | 4,357 | $74,570 | $456,700 | 21.1% | 11.2% |
| Boulevard Park | 4,575 | $78,954 | $456,100 | 18.5% | 28.0% |
| Belfair | 4,557 | $88,150 | $380,400 | 15.0% | 6.4% |
| East Port Orchard | 4,725 | $75,320 | $435,900 | 23.3% | 10.4% |
Population Overview
Bethel is a small community located in Washington, within Kitsap County. The total population is 4,394. It ranks as the 213th most populous out of 628 Census-designated places in Washington.
Age Demographics
The median age in Bethel is 42.1 years. This is 10% higher than the state median of 38.3 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Bethel is $79,583. This is 19% lower than the state median of $98,141. It is also 1% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 16.2%. This is 63% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.9%. The unemployment rate is 11.5%. This is 126% higher than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $473,900. Housing costs are 16% lower than the state median of $564,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 6.0x. 87.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 37% higher than the state average of 63.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Bethel is White (non-Hispanic), making up 67.9% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 12.8%. The Black or African American population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 3.9%.
Education
21.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 45% lower than the state rate of 39.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 92.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Bethel, Washington 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 Washington state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 628 Census-designated places in Washington. 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, Washington?
Bethel, Washington has a population of 4,394 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Bethel, WA?
The median household income in Bethel is $79,583, which is 1% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Bethel, WA?
The poverty rate in Bethel is 16.2%. This means approximately 710 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Bethel, Washington?
Bethel's population is 67.9% White, 0.2% Black, 12.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 6.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Bethel, WA?
The median home value in Bethel is $473,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 6.0x.
How educated is Bethel, Washington?
21.7% of adults (25+) in Bethel hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.