Bethel Island, CA

California · Metropolitan Area

Bethel Island is a small town in California with a population of 2,144. Residents earn $78,393 per year, which is 4% above the national average.

2.5 /5.0
C+ Fair
2,144 Population 408/sq mi density
$78,393 Median Income $38,894 per capita
$549,500 Home Value $650,899 Zillow
$1,390 Median Rent
62°F Avg Temperature
C+
Overall
2.5 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C
Economy
2.2 / 5.0
$78,393 median income, 14.2% unemployment
C+
Affordability
2.7 / 5.0
$549,500 home value, $1,390/mo rent
C+
Education
2.7 / 5.0
21.6% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $78,393
4% higher than US avg
Home Value $549,500
95% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 21.6%
36% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,390
20% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 31.9%
1% lower than US avg
Unemployment 14.2%
294% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 31.3%
152% higher than US avg

How Bethel Island Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population2,144
Median Age54.5 yrs
Density408/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%
Largest GroupWhite 67%

Economy

C
Median Income$78,393
Per Capita$38,894
Unemployment14.2%
Poverty31.3%
County GDP$37,695M
Commute29 min

Housing

C+
Home Value$549,500
Rent$1,390
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$650,899

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity31.9%
UninsuredN/A
Depression23.9%
Heart Disease5.5%

Climate

Avg Temp62°F
AQI48 (Good)
Rain24.8 in/yr
Elevation-6 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+21.6%
High School+72.3%
School Score4.69

Community

2024 VoteR 37% / D 60%
Commute29 min
Libraries11

Is Bethel Island a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Bethel Island receives an overall livability score of 2.5 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs, above-average unemployment, an elevated poverty rate. Bethel Island has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Bethel Island is $78,393, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. At 14.2%, unemployment is notably high. The poverty rate of 31.3% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 29 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Bethel Island is $549,500, making it a premium housing market at 95% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,390 per month. The price-to-income ratio of 7x means housing costs are stretched relative to local earnings.

Education

21.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 72.3% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Bethel Island enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 62°F. Winters average 48°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 24.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Bethel Island has a population of 2,144 with a density of 408 people per square mile. The median age is 54.5 years, 40% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (67.3%).

Population

2,144
Total Population
408
People / sq mi
54.5yrs
Median Age
40% above US avg
5.3mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 50%
Female 50%

Race & Ethnicity

Bethel Island vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only75.0%
4% below US avg
Spanish25.0%
87% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Bethel Island vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Bethel Island is $78,393, which is 4% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 14.2% (above the 3.6% US average). 31.3% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 29 minutes.

Income: Bethel Island vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$78,393
4% above US avg
Per Capita Income$38,894
Avg Weekly Wage$1,373
IRS Avg AGI$85,306

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment14.2%
294% above US avg
Poverty Rate31.3%
152% above US avg
Establishments (County)13,772
County GDP$37,695M

Business (County)

Restaurants844
Healthcare1,087
Retail1,013
Manufacturing258

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$6,418
83% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.17%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time28.9 min
Work from Home10.1%

Walkability

The median home value in Bethel Island is $549,500, 95% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,390 (20% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $650,899.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$549,500
95% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$650,899
Median List Price$1,374,944

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$1,374,944
$/Sq Ft$406
Homes Sold5
Sale-to-List Ratio95.7%
Price Drops39.1%
Inventory23

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,390
20% above US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,513
1 Bedroom$1,647
2 Bedrooms$2,053
3 Bedrooms$2,752
4 Bedrooms$3,165

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied71.8%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$6,418
83% above US avg
Effective Rate1.17%
In Bethel Island, 31.9% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 23.9% report depression. 24.9% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Bethel Island vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity31.9%
1% below US avg
Diabetes9.7%
Heart Disease5.5%
High Blood Pressure29.3%
Asthma10.6%
COPD5.8%
Stroke3.0%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking18.5%
Physical Inactivity24.9%
Depression23.9%
Mental Distress19.6%
Physical Distress13.8%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate95.8%
Checkup Rate68.4%
Premature Death7,385/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.9/10
Exercise Access97.1%
Healthcare Facilities1,087

Crime Rates: Bethel Island vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)66
FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

Bethel Island has an average annual temperature of 62°F (17°C). Winters average 48°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. Annual precipitation is 24.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Temperature

48°F Jan (9°C) 77°F Jul (25°C)
Annual Average62.1°F
15% above US avg
January Average48°F (9°C)
July Average77°F (25°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall24.8 inches
35% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation-6 ft (-2 m)
Area5.3 sq mi (13.6 km²)
Population Density408/sq mi
Coordinates38.0281°N, 121.6299°W
County FIPS06095
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 21.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (36% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 23-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 37.1%
D 60.1%

Winner: Democrat by 23 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+21.6%
36% below US avg
High School+72.3%
School Test Score4.69
C+ Education Grade (2.7/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density408/sq mi
Total Area5.3 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries11
Healthcare Facilities1,087
Restaurants844
Retail Stores1,013

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)66
FEMA Disaster Declarations91

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute28.9 min
Work from Home10.1%

Nearby Cities

Compare Bethel Island with another city: