Where does this demographic data come from?

All demographic data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, which samples about 3.5 million households annually. The 5-year estimates provide the most reliable data for small geographies like municipalities.

What is the difference between Census data and ACS data?

The decennial Census (conducted every 10 years) is a full population count focusing on basic demographics. The ACS is an ongoing survey that collects detailed data on income, education, housing, commute patterns, and more. ACS data is updated annually but represents averages over a 5-year period.

How accurate is this data for small towns?

For smaller municipalities, ACS estimates have wider margins of error because fewer residents are sampled. The 5-year estimates reduce this uncertainty by averaging over a longer period. For towns under 5,000 people, treat specific numbers as approximations rather than precise counts.

Bethlehem, PA Population, Income & Demographics 2026

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Demographics — 2024 ACS 5-Year Estimatesi

Census

Populationi

77,956

Median Agei

36.1

Race & Ethnicityi

White

56.1%43,762

Hispanic/Latino

28.7%22,391

Black

8.2%6,401

Two or More

3.6%2,797

Asian

2.8%2,177

Other

0.5%374

Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander

0%30

American Indian/Alaska Native

0%24

Educational Attainment (Age 25+)i

GED/Alternative

4.1%2,151

High School Diploma

23.9%12,384

Some College (<1 yr)

5.7%2,936

Some College (1+ yr)

11.5%5,970

Associate's Degree

9.5%4,933

Bachelor's Degree

21.2%10,975

Master's Degree

10.1%5,251

Professional Degree

1.6%842

Doctorate

3.1%1,589

HS or Higher

90.7%

BA or Higher

36%

Graduate+

14.8%

Housingi

Median Home Valuei

$260,400

Median Renti

$1,382

Tenure

Owner-Occupied

49.9%15,509

Renter-Occupied

50.1%15,543

Total Units

32,348

Homeownership

49.9%

Vacancy Rate

Home Values

Under $50K

3%461

$50K–$100K

1.4%215

$100K–$150K

7.4%1,153

$150K–$200K

14.1%2,186

$200K–$300K

38.6%5,987

$300K–$500K

27.1%4,207

$500K–$1M

7.3%1,138

$1M+

1%162

Rent Distribution

Under $500

1,707

$500–$750

1,022

$750–$1,000

1,334

$1,000–$1,250

2,123

$1,250–$1,500

2,778

$1,500–$2,000

3,899

$2,000+

2,444

Year Built

2020 or later

0.3%84

2010–2019

3.7%1,209

2000–2009

4%1,308

1990–1999

5.1%1,665

1980–1989

7.4%2,380

1970–1979

12.7%4,105

1960–1969

11.1%3,593

1950–1959

18.1%5,870

1940–1949

6.2%1,997

1939 or earlier

31.3%10,137

Heating Fuel

Utility Gas

45.3%14,061

Electricity

37.2%11,561

Fuel Oil

14.4%4,473

Bottled/LP Gas

1.8%548

Other

0.5%162

No Fuel

0.5%152

Coal

0.2%70

Wood

0%14

Solar

0%11

Economyi

Median Household Incomei

$68,879

Mean Household Incomei

$96,317

Per Capita Incomei

$41,031

Poverty Ratei

14.4%

Unemploymenti

6.6%

Labor Forcei

40,748

Federally Subsidized Housingi

HUD

The federal government helps low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities afford housing through several programs. Residents typically pay about 30% of their income toward rent, with the government covering the rest. This data shows how many households in this community receive that assistance.

Subsidized Homesi

3,114

Residentsi

5,397

Avg. Tenant Renti

$490/mo

Avg. Waitlisti

34 months

Programs in this community

Public Housing1,450 homes98% occupied$525/mo rent

Government-owned housing managed by local housing authorities

Housing Choice Vouchers726 homes75% occupied$496/mo rent

Rental vouchers (Section 8) that help tenants pay for private-market housing

Project Based Section 8855 homes97% occupied$435/mo rent

Privately owned apartments with rent subsidies tied to the building

202/PRAC42 homes96% occupied$354/mo rent

811/PRAC13 homes99% occupied$406/mo rent

Household Incomei

Based on area median of $68,879/yr

Extremely low incomeUnder $21K/yr

71.1%

Very low income$21K–$34K/yr

20.9%

Low income$34K–$55K/yr

6.4%

Moderate / aboveOver $55K/yr

1.6%

Who Receives This Housing

77.1% of subsidized households are headed by a single mother

73.6% of subsidized households are minority

30.3% of subsidized households include someone with a disability

46.8% of subsidized households include a senior (62+)

Social Characteristicsi

Veteransi

3,333(5.2% of civilian adults)