Bethlehem, WV

West Virginia · Metropolitan Area

Bethlehem is a small town in West Virginia with a population of 2,568. Residents earn $87,500 per year, which is 16% above the national average.

3.8 /5.0
B+ Good
2,568 Population 727/sq mi density
$87,500 Median Income $40,310 per capita
$203,000 Home Value $202,535 Zillow
$1,291 Median Rent
53°F Avg Temperature
123 Violent Crime/100K 531 property/100K
B+
Overall
3.8 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.8 / 5.0
$87,500 median income, 2.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$203,000 home value, $1,291/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
123 violent crimes/100K (68% below avg)
A+
Education
4.6 / 5.0
44.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $87,500
16% higher than US avg
Home Value $203,000
28% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 123/100K
68% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 44.8%
33% higher than US avg
Median Rent $1,291
11% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 35.7%
11% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.0%
44% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 4.5%
64% lower than US avg

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

People

Population2,568
Median Age41.4 yrs
Density727/mi²
Male / Female51% / 49%
Largest GroupWhite 97%

Economy

A+
Median Income$87,500
Per Capita$40,310
Unemployment2.0%
Poverty4.5%
County GDP$5,057M
Commute20 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$203,000
Rent$1,291
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$202,535

Crime

F
Violent123/100K
Property531/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault82/100K
Burglary82/100K

Health

Obesity35.7%
UninsuredN/A
Depression29.6%
Heart Disease4.8%

Climate

Avg Temp53°F
AQI39 (Good)
Rain41.9 in/yr
Elevation1,165 ft

Education

A+
Bachelor's+44.8%
High School+99.2%
School Score4.81

Community

2024 VoteR 62% / D 36%
Commute20 min
Libraries1

Is Bethlehem a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Bethlehem receives an overall livability score of 3.8 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. Bethlehem offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Bethlehem is $87,500, 16% above the national average of $75,149. Residents generally enjoy above-average earning potential. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.0%. Only 4.5% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Bethlehem is $203,000, 28% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $1,291 per month. At just 2.3x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Bethlehem is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 123 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 531 per 100,000, 73% below the national average.

Education

Educational attainment is solid, with 44.8% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 99.2% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.8/10.

Climate & Weather

Bethlehem experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 53°F. Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 41.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Bethlehem has a population of 2,568 with a density of 727 people per square mile. The median age is 41.4 years, 6% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (96.5%), with 1.1% Black.

Population

2,568
Total Population
727
People / sq mi
41.4yrs
Median Age
6% above US avg
3.5mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 51.3%
Female 48.7%

Race & Ethnicity

Bethlehem vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only96.2%
23% above US avg
Spanish3.8%
72% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Bethlehem vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Bethlehem is $87,500, which is 16% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 4.5% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.

Income: Bethlehem vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$87,500
16% above US avg
Per Capita Income$40,310
Avg Weekly Wage$1,074
IRS Avg AGI$75,258

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.0%
44% below US avg
Poverty Rate4.5%
64% below US avg
Establishments (County)1,794
County GDP$5,057M

Business (County)

Restaurants140
Healthcare229
Retail186
Manufacturing36

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,676
5% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.81%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time19.6 min
Work from Home9.5%

Walkability

The median home value in Bethlehem is $203,000, 28% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,291 (11% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $202,535.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$203,000
28% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$202,535
Median List Price$253,900

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$253,900
$/Sq Ft$150
Homes Sold1
Sale-to-List Ratio100.0%
Price Drops25.0%
Inventory4

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,291
11% above US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$714
1 Bedroom$766
2 Bedrooms$945
3 Bedrooms$1,231
4 Bedrooms$1,380

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied88.7%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,676
5% above US avg
Effective Rate1.81%
In Bethlehem, 35.7% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 29.6% report depression. 21.3% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity35.7%
11% above US avg
Diabetes9.4%
Heart Disease4.8%
High Blood Pressure32.3%
Asthma11.4%
COPD5.3%
Stroke2.3%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking18.9%
Physical Inactivity21.3%
Depression29.6%
Mental Distress19.3%
Physical Distress11.9%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate97.2%
Checkup Rate78.6%
Premature Death11,927/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.9/10
Exercise Access90.0%
Healthcare Facilities229
Bethlehem has a violent crime rate of 123 per 100,000 residents, 68% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 531 per 100,000 (73% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent122.6/100K
68% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery40.9/100K
Assault81.7/100K

Property Crime

Total Property531.1/100K
73% below US avg
Burglary81.7/100K
Theft449.4/100K
Vehicle Theft0.0/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)4

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Bethlehem has an average annual temperature of 53°F (12°C). Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation is 41.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Temperature

30°F Jan (-1°C) 74°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average53.1°F
2% below US avg
January Average30°F (-1°C)
July Average74°F (24°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall41.9 inches
10% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median39.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,165 ft (355 m)
Area3.5 sq mi (9.1 km²)
Population Density727/sq mi
Coordinates40.0444°N, 80.6881°W
County FIPS54069
It is classified as Metro — under 250K. 44.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (33% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 26-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 62%
D 36%

Winner: Republican by 26 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+44.8%
33% above US avg
High School+99.2%
School Test Score4.81
A+ Education Grade (4.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 3Metro — under 250K
Population Density727/sq mi
Total Area3.5 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries1
Healthcare Facilities229
Restaurants140
Retail Stores186

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)4
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute19.6 min
Work from Home9.5%

Nearby Cities

Compare Bethlehem with another city: