6th most populous of 30
With 18,237 residents in 2024, Bethel Census Area ranks 6th by population among Alaska's 30 boroughs and census areas and is home to 2.5% of the state's residents.
Bethel Census Area is home to 18,237 people (2024 estimate) on 40,639 square miles of land. This page brings together official U.S. Census Bureau population estimates since 2000, the components of change—births, deaths and migration—American Community Survey indicators on income, housing, poverty and education, BEA economic accounts and BLS unemployment.
Key indicators
Population
18,237
July 1, 2024 estimate
2020 Census base
18,664
April 1, 2020
Change since 2020
−2.3%
2020–2024
Land area
40,639 mi²
105,254 km²
Population density
0.4 /mi²
2024 estimate ÷ land area
Births
381
Year to July 1, 2024
Deaths
184
Year to July 1, 2024
Natural change
+197
Births minus deaths, 2024
Net migration
−161
Domestic + international, 2024
Per capita personal income
$50,706
BEA, 2024
Gross domestic product
$837.1 million
BEA, current dollars, 2024
Median household income
$73,996
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Poverty rate
25.6%
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Bachelor’s degree or higher
12.8%
Age 25+, ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Foreign-born residents
1.8%
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Median home value
$168,100
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Unemployment rate
10.6%
BLS annual average, 2024
Historical data
Pick an indicator to see its long-run evolution.
Population
2000–202418,237▲ 13%
U.S. Census Bureau: intercensal estimates 2000–2009, Vintage 2020 (2010–2019) and Vintage 2024 (2020–2024), July 1.
Data summary
| Indicator | Value | Year and source |
|---|---|---|
| Population estimate | 18,237 | 2024 · U.S. Census Bureau |
| Population, 2010 Census | 17,013 | 2010 · U.S. Census Bureau |
| Population, 2000 | 16,080 | July 1, 2000 · Census intercensal |
| Change since 2000 | +13.4% | 2000–2024 · Census |
| International migration | +30 | 2024 · Census Vintage 2024 |
| Domestic migration | −191 | 2024 · Census Vintage 2024 |
| Birth rate | 20.9 per 1,000 | 2024 · calculated |
| Death rate | 10.1 per 1,000 | 2024 · calculated |
| Population rank in Alaska | 6th of 30 | 2024 · calculated |
| Per capita personal income | $50,706 | BEA, 2024 · official |
| Gross domestic product | $837.1 million | BEA, current dollars, 2024 · official |
| Median household income | $73,996 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Poverty rate | 25.6% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Bachelor’s degree or higher | 12.8% | Age 25+, ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Foreign-born residents | 1.8% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Median home value | $168,100 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Median gross rent | $1,474/month | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Median age | 29.0 years | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Households | 4,828 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Owner-occupied homes | 61.6% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
Bethel Census Area in context
Comparable indicators for Bethel Census Area, Alaska and the United States.
| Indicator | County | Alaska | U.S. | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population change 2020–2024 | −2.3% | +0.9% | +2.6% | Census Vintage 2024 |
| Birth rate (per 1,000) | 20.9 | 12.2 | 10.6 | 2024 |
| Death rate (per 1,000) | 10.1 | 7.6 | 9.1 | 2024 |
| Net migration rate (per 1,000) | -8.8 | 0.3 | 8.2 | 2024 |
| Population density (/mi²) | 0.4 | 1.3 | 96.3 | 2024 |
| Per capita personal income | $50,706 | $76,234 | $73,204 | BEA, 2024 |
| Median household income | $73,996 | $92,788 | $80,734 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Poverty rate | 25.6% | 10.1% | 12.5% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Bachelor’s degree or higher | 12.8% | 31.7% | 35.7% | Age 25+, ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Foreign-born residents | 1.8% | 7.7% | 14.1% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Median home value | $168,100 | $352,900 | $332,700 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Median gross rent | $1,474/month | $1,419/month | $1,413/month | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Median age | 29.0 years | 35.8 years | 38.9 years | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Owner-occupied homes | 61.6% | 66.8% | 65.2% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
Did you know? Bethel Census Area
A quarter century of change
Its population went from 16,080 in 2000 to 18,237 in 2024, a change of +13.4%, compared with +17.9% for Alaska as a whole.
Births and deaths
In the year to July 2024 the county recorded 381 births and 184 deaths, so births outnumbered deaths by 197.
Peak population in 2020
Annual Census estimates since 2000 put the county's highest population at 18,670 in 2020. The 2024 figure is 433 lower.
19th in density
Bethel Census Area has about 0.4 residents per square mile of land, ranking 19th of 30 boroughs and census areas; Alaska averages 1.3.
Household income rank
With a median household income of $73,996 (ACS 2020–2024 5-year), the county ranks 22nd of 30 Alaska boroughs and census areas; the state median is $92,788.
Size of the economy
Its economy produced $837.1 million of GDP in 2024 (BEA), 12th largest among 30 Alaska boroughs and census areas.
Latest economic growth
Real GDP fell 0.5% in 2024, adjusted for inflation (BEA, chained 2017 dollars).
Sources and methodology
- U.S. Census Bureau — County population totals and components, Vintage 2024
- U.S. Census Bureau — County estimates 2010–2020
- U.S. Census Bureau — Intercensal estimates 2000–2010
- U.S. Census Bureau — Gazetteer files (land area)
- U.S. Census Bureau — American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis — Regional economic accounts
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — LAUS