Bethlehem, NC

North Carolina · Metropolitan Area

Bethlehem is a small town in North Carolina with a population of 3,928. Residents earn $78,963 per year, which is 5% above the national average.

4.5 /5.0
A+ Excellent
3,928 Population 515/sq mi density
$78,963 Median Income $60,355 per capita
$290,600 Home Value
$737 Median Rent
59°F Avg Temperature
A+
Overall
4.5 / 5.0
Excellent overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.6 / 5.0
$78,963 median income, 1.5% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.6 / 5.0
$290,600 home value, $737/mo rent
A
Education
4.3 / 5.0
40.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $78,963
5% higher than US avg
Home Value $290,600
3% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 40.9%
21% higher than US avg
Median Rent $737
37% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 34.0%
6% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.5%
58% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 2.1%
83% lower than US avg

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

People

Population3,928
Median Age52.3 yrs
Density515/mi²
Male / Female51% / 49%
Largest GroupWhite 90%

Economy

A+
Median Income$78,963
Per Capita$60,355
Unemployment1.5%
Poverty2.1%
County GDP$1,196M
Commute33 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$290,600
Rent$737
OwnershipN/A

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity34.0%
UninsuredN/A
Depression27.1%
Heart Disease5.6%

Climate

Avg Temp59°F
AQI40 (Good)
Rain47.2 in/yr

Education

A
Bachelor's+40.9%
High School+93.1%
School Score5.46

Community

2024 VoteR 80% / D 20%
Commute33 min
Libraries3

Is Bethlehem a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Bethlehem receives an overall livability score of 4.5 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A+. Key strengths include low unemployment, a highly educated population, a low poverty rate. Bethlehem stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Bethlehem is $78,963, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.5%. Only 2.1% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 33 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Bethlehem is $290,600, roughly aligned with the national median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $737 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 3.7x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Education

Educational attainment is solid, with 40.9% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 93.1% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.5/10.

Climate & Weather

Bethlehem enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 59°F. Winters average 40°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 47.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Bethlehem has a population of 3,928 with a density of 515 people per square mile. The median age is 52.3 years, 34% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (90.3%), with 1.3% Hispanic.

Population

3,928
Total Population
515
People / sq mi
52.3yrs
Median Age
34% above US avg
7.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 51.2%
Female 48.8%

Race & Ethnicity

Bethlehem vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only93.9%
20% above US avg
Spanish6.1%
54% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Bethlehem vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Bethlehem is $78,963, which is 5% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.5% (below the 3.6% US average). 2.1% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 33 minutes.

Income: Bethlehem vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$78,963
5% above US avg
Per Capita Income$60,355
Avg Weekly Wage$888
IRS Avg AGI$63,181

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.5%
58% below US avg
Poverty Rate2.1%
83% below US avg
Establishments (County)699
County GDP$1,196M

Business (County)

Restaurants45
Healthcare52
Retail80
Manufacturing63

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,071
12% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.06%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time32.6 min
Work from Home10.7%

Walkability

The median home value in Bethlehem is $290,600, 3% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $737 (37% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$290,600
3% above US avg
Median List Price$444,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$444,000
$/Sq Ft$250
Homes Sold7
Sale-to-List Ratio97.1%
Price Drops20.0%
Inventory20

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$737
37% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$932
1 Bedroom$981
2 Bedrooms$1,161
3 Bedrooms$1,499
4 Bedrooms$1,780

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied85.8%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,071
12% below US avg
Effective Rate1.06%
In Bethlehem, 34.0% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 27.1% report depression. 21.8% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Bethlehem vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity34.0%
6% above US avg
Diabetes9.1%
Heart Disease5.6%
High Blood Pressure31.4%
Asthma10.8%
COPD6.6%
Stroke2.9%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking17.6%
Physical Inactivity21.8%
Depression27.1%
Mental Distress18.2%
Physical Distress12.3%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate92.2%
Checkup Rate76.8%
Premature Death10,847/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.4/10
Exercise Access47.3%
Healthcare Facilities52

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)6

Safety Score

Bethlehem has an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C). Winters average 40°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. Annual precipitation is 47.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

40°F Jan (4°C) 78°F Jul (25°C)
Annual Average59.0°F
9% above US avg
January Average40°F (4°C)
July Average78°F (25°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall47.2 inches
24% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Area7.6 sq mi (19.8 km²)
Population Density515/sq mi
Coordinates35.8175°N, 81.3008°W
County FIPS37003
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 40.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (21% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 59.9-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 79.5%
D 19.7%

Winner: Republican by 59.9 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+40.9%
21% above US avg
High School+93.1%
School Test Score5.46
A Education Grade (4.3/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density515/sq mi
Total Area7.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries3
Healthcare Facilities52
Restaurants45
Retail Stores80

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)6

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute32.6 min
Work from Home10.7%

Nearby Cities

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