Bethel Census Area, AK Population Statistics: Density Map Data
Analyze local population trends, population density map, housing costs, and the local economy.
Area Snapshot Statistics
Key statistics on population, economy, housing, and commuting compared to state and national averages. Explore interactive maps for deeper analysis.
Population: density and quick facts
| Metric | Bethel Census Area | Alaska Avg | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 18,254 | 728,075 | 334,821,731 |
| Population density (per sq mi) | 0.4 | 1.1 | 85.8 |
| Population growth (%/yr) | 0.47% | -0.17% | 0.57% |
| Median age | 26.3 | 36.0 | 37.1 |
| Households | 4,663 | 265,860 | 128,459,983 |
Population in Bethel Census Area grew by 7.8% from 2009 to 2023, reaching 18,494 in 2023.
Population Growth 2009–2023
Race & Ethnicity
Economy
Bethel Census Area has a the economy index of D, which means it is barely prosperous.
| Metric | Bethel Census Area | Alaska Avg | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $69,746 | $90,338 | $78,145 |
| Income growth (%/yr) | 4.00% | 2.84% | 5.07% |
| Unemployment rate | 14.0% | 5.4% | 5.2% |
The median household income in Bethel Census Area is about 23% lower than in Alaska.
Housing
| Metric | Bethel Census Area | Alaska Avg | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home price | $324,983 | $303,164 | $242,182 |
| Median rent | $1,453 | $1,387 | $1,342 |
| Homeownership rate | 60.5% | 66.6% | 65.1% |
The median home price in Bethel Census Area is about 18.6 years' worth of rent — buying at the median price costs roughly as much as paying the median rent of $1,453 per month for that long.
Commute Time & Mobility
Commuters in Bethel Census Area spend about 14 minutes on the road round trip each working day. Over a typical 250-day work year, that adds up to roughly 57 hours, about 2.4 full days, spent commuting.
| Metric | Bethel Census Area | Alaska Avg | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| One-way commute (min) | 6.8 | 16.2 | 22.5 |
| Round-trip commute (min) | 13.7 | 32.3 | 44.9 |
| Yearly time spent (hours) | 57 | 135 | 187 |
| Estimated yearly cost | $1,768 | $4,177 | $5,803 |
| Work from home | 6.4% | 8.8% | 13.4% |
| Highway traffic (vehicles/day) | — | 4,865 | 8,813 |
| Local road traffic (vehicles/day) | 109 | 583 | 1,355 |
Fastest commutes among counties in
Alaska:
Nome Census Area (5.3 min), Skagway Municipality (5.3 min), Wrangell City and Borough (5.6 min).
Slowest:
Matanuska-Susitna Borough (23.7 min), Fairbanks North Star Borough (17.5 min), Anchorage Municipality (17.2 min).
The average commute time in Bethel Census Area is 7 minutes, shorter than the 16 minutes in Alaska.
Estimated yearly cost applies a single national wage rule of thumb (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics average hourly earnings), not a measurement of wages in this area. Traffic volume figures come from proprietary Ticon and TrafficZoom data.
Education & Households
Bethel Census Area has a education index of F, which means it scores poorly in education.
| Metric | Bethel Census Area | Alaska Avg | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 8.3% | 27.6% | 31.6% |
| Average household size | 3.75 | 2.63 | 2.54 |
Highest education index among counties in
Alaska:
Haines Borough (0.4), Juneau City and Borough (0.3), Denali Borough (0.3).
Lowest:
Kusilvak Census Area (0.1), Bethel Census Area (0.2), Northwest Arctic Borough (0.2).
Health
Bethel Census Area has a health index of C, which means it is somewhat healthy.
| Metric | Bethel Census Area | Alaska Avg | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Life expectancy (years) | 78.7 | 79.9 | 78.3 |
| Self-rated poor health | 23.3% | 15.4% | 16.3% |
| Smokers | 34.2% | 22.7% | 19.0% |
Highest health index among counties in
Alaska:
Juneau City and Borough (0.8), Petersburg Borough (0.8), Chugach Census Area (0.8).
Lowest:
Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area (0.8), Lake and Peninsula Borough (0.8), Northwest Arctic Borough (0.8).
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Bethel Census Area, Alaska.
What is the population of Bethel Census Area, Alaska?
The population of Bethel Census Area, Alaska is 18,254, compared to the U.S. total of 334,821,731.
What is the population density of Bethel Census Area, Alaska?
The population density of Bethel Census Area, Alaska is 0.4 people per square mile, compared to the U.S. average of 85.8 people per square mile.
What is the median household income in Bethel Census Area, Alaska?
The median household income in Bethel Census Area, Alaska is $69,746, compared to the U.S. median of $78,145.
What is the median home price in Bethel Census Area, Alaska?
The median home price in Bethel Census Area, Alaska is $324,983, compared to the U.S. median of $242,182.
What is the unemployment rate in Bethel Census Area, Alaska?
The unemployment rate in Bethel Census Area, Alaska is 14.0%, compared to the U.S. average of 5.2%.