Bethany Beach, DE

Delaware

Bethany Beach is a small town in Delaware with a population of 923. Residents earn $105,833 per year, which is 41% above the national average.

3.6 /5.0
B+ Good
923 Population 803/sq mi density
$105,833 Median Income $88,553 per capita
$648,500 Home Value $837,365 Zillow
$1,688 Median Rent
59°F Avg Temperature
176 Violent Crime/100K 7,821 property/100K
B+
Overall
3.6 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
5.0 / 5.0
$105,833 median income, 0.7% unemployment
B
Affordability
3.2 / 5.0
$648,500 home value, $1,688/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
176 violent crimes/100K (54% below avg)
A+
Education
5.0 / 5.0
64.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $105,833
41% higher than US avg
Home Value $648,500
130% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 176/100K
54% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 64.8%
92% higher than US avg
Median Rent $1,688
45% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 27.8%
13% lower than US avg
Unemployment 0.7%
81% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 0.7%
94% lower than US avg

How Bethany Beach Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population923
Median Age66.4 yrs
Density803/mi²
Male / Female44% / 56%
Largest GroupWhite 97%

Economy

A+
Median Income$105,833
Per Capita$88,553
Unemployment0.7%
Poverty0.7%
County GDP$23,356M
Commute25 min

Housing

B
Home Value$648,500
Rent$1,688
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$837,365

Crime

F
Violent176/100K
Property7,821/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault88/100K
Burglary703/100K

Health

Obesity27.8%
UninsuredN/A
Depression22.4%
Heart Disease4.0%

Climate

Avg Temp59°F
AQI41 (Good)
Rain47.3 in/yr
Elevation6 ft

Education

A+
Bachelor's+64.8%
High School+98.0%
School Score5.64

Community

2024 VoteR 55% / D 44%
Commute25 min
EV Stations6
Libraries15

Is Bethany Beach a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Bethany Beach receives an overall livability score of 3.6 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low unemployment, low crime rates, a highly educated population. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs. Bethany Beach offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Bethany Beach is $105,833, which is significantly higher than the national average — 41% above $75,149. This places Bethany Beach among higher-income communities. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.7%. Only 0.7% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 25 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Bethany Beach is $648,500, making it a premium housing market at 130% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,688 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. The price-to-income ratio of 6.1x means housing costs are stretched relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Bethany Beach is below the national average at 176 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 7,821 per 100,000, 299% above the national average.

Education

Bethany Beach is a highly educated community — 64.8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national average of 33.7%. 98.0% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.6/10.

Climate & Weather

Bethany Beach enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 59°F. Winters average 38°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 47.3 inches, including 10.5 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Bethany Beach has a population of 923 with a density of 803 people per square mile. The median age is 66.4 years, 71% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (96.6%).

Population

923
Total Population
803
People / sq mi
66.4yrs
Median Age
71% above US avg
1.2mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 43.6%
Female 56.4%

Race & Ethnicity

Bethany Beach vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only84.0%
7% above US avg
Spanish16.0%
19% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Bethany Beach vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Bethany Beach is $105,833, which is 41% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.7% (below the 3.6% US average). 0.7% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 25 minutes.

Income: Bethany Beach vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$105,833
41% above US avg
Per Capita Income$88,553
Avg Weekly Wage$1,059
IRS Avg AGI$86,378

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.7%
81% below US avg
Poverty Rate0.7%
94% below US avg
Establishments (County)11,171
County GDP$23,356M

Business (County)

Restaurants688
Healthcare716
Retail1,067
Manufacturing130

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,326
5% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate0.51%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time25.1 min
Work from Home31.3%

Walkability

The median home value in Bethany Beach is $648,500, 130% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,688 (45% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $837,365.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$648,500
130% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$837,365

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,688
45% above US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,205
1 Bedroom$1,250
2 Bedrooms$1,560
3 Bedrooms$1,990
4 Bedrooms$2,293

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied94.9%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,326
5% below US avg
Effective Rate0.51%
In Bethany Beach, 27.8% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 22.4% report depression. 15.3% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Bethany Beach vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity27.8%
13% below US avg
Diabetes6.5%
Heart Disease4.0%
High Blood Pressure26.7%
Asthma10.0%
COPD3.8%
Stroke1.9%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking19.1%
Physical Inactivity15.3%
Depression22.4%
Mental Distress13.6%
Physical Distress9.0%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate97.7%
Checkup Rate79.5%
Premature Death9,330/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.9/10
Exercise Access54.8%
Healthcare Facilities716
Bethany Beach has a violent crime rate of 176 per 100,000 residents, 54% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 7,821 per 100,000 (299% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Bethany Beach vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent175.8/100K
54% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape87.9/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault87.9/100K

Property Crime

Total Property7,820.7/100K
299% above US avg
Burglary703.0/100K
Theft7,117.8/100K
Vehicle Theft0.0/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)42

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Bethany Beach has an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C). Winters average 38°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. Annual precipitation is 47.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Temperature

38°F Jan (3°C) 79°F Jul (26°C)
Annual Average58.5°F
8% above US avg
January Average38°F (3°C)
July Average79°F (26°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall47.3 inches
24% above US avg
Snowfall10.5 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median41.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation6 ft (2 m)
Area1.2 sq mi (3.0 km²)
Population Density803/sq mi
Coordinates38.5376°N, 75.0643°W
County FIPS10005
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent. 64.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (92% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 11-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 54.9%
D 43.9%

Winner: Republican by 11 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+64.8%
92% above US avg
High School+98.0%
School Test Score5.64
A+ Education Grade (5.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 4Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent
Population Density803/sq mi
Total Area1.2 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations6
Alt Fuel Stations6
Public Libraries15
Healthcare Facilities716
Restaurants688
Retail Stores1,067

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)42
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute25.1 min
Work from Home31.3%

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