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Bethel, PA

Pennsylvania · Metropolitan Area

Bethel is a small town in Pennsylvania with a population of 534.

1.3 /5.0
F Poor
534 Population 529/sq mi density
$90,000 Home Value
52°F Avg Temperature 275 sunny days/yr
F
Overall
1.3 / 5.0
Poor overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
F
Education
1.3 / 5.0
3.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Home Value $90,000
68% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 3.4%
90% lower than US avg
Unemployment 9.1%
153% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 51.6%
316% higher than US avg

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

People

Population534
Median Age29.5 yrs
Density529/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%
Largest GroupWhite 64%
Veterans0.0%

Economy

Median IncomeN/A
Per Capita$16,744
Unemployment9.1%
Poverty51.6%
County GDP$8,097M
Commute55 min

Housing

Home Value$90,000
RentN/A
OwnershipN/A
Housing Units138
Rent Burden29.0%

Climate

Avg Temp52°F (11°C)
AQI40 (Good)
Rain46.4 in/yr
Sunny Days275/yr
Elevation554 ft (169 m)

Education

F
Bachelor's+3.4%
High School+88.7%
Graduate+0.0%
School Score5.95

Community

2024 VoteR 66% / D 34%
Commute55 min
Broadband71.6%
Libraries6

Is Bethel a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Bethel receives an overall livability score of 1.3 out of 5.0, earning a grade of F. Key strengths include affordable housing, abundant sunshine, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, an elevated poverty rate, long commute times. Bethel faces significant challenges across several quality-of-life categories.

Economy & Jobs

At 9.1%, unemployment is notably high. The poverty rate of 51.6% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 55 minutes, longer than the typical American commute of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Bethel is $90,000, 68% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership.

Education

3.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 88.7% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.9/10.

Climate & Weather

Bethel experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 52°F. Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. With 275 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 46.4 inches, including 24.0 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Bethel has a population of 534 with a density of 529 people per square mile. The median age is 29.5 years, 24% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (64%).

Population

534
Total Population
529
People / sq mi
29.5yrs
Median Age
24% below US avg
1.0mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 49.6%
Female 50.4%

Race & Ethnicity

Bethel vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only94.6%
21% above US avg
Spanish5.4%
60% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Bethel vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Bethel is N/A. The unemployment rate is 9.1% (above the 3.6% US average). 51.6% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 55 minutes.

Income: Bethel vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Per Capita Income$16,744
Avg Weekly Wage$1,066
IRS Avg AGI$71,749

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment9.1%
153% above US avg
Poverty Rate51.6%
316% above US avg
Establishments (County)2,936
County GDP$8,097M

Business (County)

Restaurants232
Healthcare286
Retail413
Manufacturing200

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$5,794
66% above US avg
Cost of Living97.60 (100=avg)
Effective Tax Rate6.44%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time54.7 min
Drive Alone67.6%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home22.7%

Walkability

The median home value in Bethel is $90,000, 68% below the national average.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$90,000
68% below US avg
Median List Price$517,500

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$517,500
$/Sq Ft$208
Homes Sold1
Sale-to-List Ratio112.0%
Price Drops25.0%
Inventory4

Rental Costs

Rent Burden29.0%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$900
1 Bedroom$996
2 Bedrooms$1,225
3 Bedrooms$1,570
4 Bedrooms$1,744

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied81.3%
Housing Units138
Median Year Built1952

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$5,794
66% above US avg
Effective Rate6.44%
Bethel has an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation is 46.4 inches. The area enjoys 275 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

30°F Jan (-1°C) 74°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average52.3°F
3% below US avg
January Average30°F (-1°C)
July Average74°F (24°C)
Sunny Days275 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall46.4 inches
22% above US avg
Snowfall24.0 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation554 ft (169 m)
Area1.0 sq mi (2.6 km²)
Population Density529/sq mi
Coordinates40.4765°N, 76.2880°W
TimezoneAmerica/New_York
County FIPS42075
It is classified as Metro — under 250K. 3.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (90% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 32-point margin. 71.6% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 65.5%
D 33.6%

Winner: Republican by 32 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+3.4%
90% below US avg
High School+88.7%
Graduate Degree+0.0%
School Test Score5.95
F Education Grade (1.3/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 3Metro — under 250K
Population Density529/sq mi
Total Area1.0 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access71.6%
Public Libraries6
Healthcare Facilities286
Restaurants232
Retail Stores413

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)10

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute54.7 min
Drive Alone67.6%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home22.7%

Nearby Cities

Myerstown, PA 3,104 pop · 7.3 mi Pine Grove, PA 2,214 pop · 7.4 mi West Myerstown, PA 1,493 pop · 7.6 mi Fredericksburg CDP (Lebanon County), PA 1,478 pop · 8.2 mi Richland, PA 1,613 pop · 8.4 mi Womelsdorf, PA 2,882 pop · 9.3 mi Newmanstown, PA 3,270 pop · 9.5 mi Lake Wynonah, PA 3,180 pop · 10.0 mi Avon, PA 1,532 pop · 10.4 mi Sand Hill, PA 2,288 pop · 10.6 mi Hebron, PA 1,038 pop · 11.2 mi Cressona, PA 1,303 pop · 11.7 mi Lebanon, PA 26,600 pop · 11.7 mi Robesonia, PA 2,081 pop · 11.8 mi
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