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CITY · 1990 CENSUS

Bethlehem

Pennsylvania · 71,428 residents · 19.115 sq mi
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The short version

Bethlehem has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $28,375. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value is $89,800.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $30,130
Mid-age
median age 34.1
US median: 33.0
Average education
20% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 20%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $93,722
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
71,428
Unchangedvs 2000
vs 71,329 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
3,737 / sq mi
Unchangedvs 2000
vs 3,732 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 221
Median age
34.1
−6%vs 2000
vs 36.2 in 2000
US average: 33.0
Population, 1990 – 2024
71K73K75K77K79K1990201020202024Bethlehem
202478K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$28,375
+4%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $35,815 in 2000
US average: $30,130
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$13,684
−28%vs 2000
vs $18,987 in 2000
US average: $14,340
Poverty rate
13.0%
−2.1 ptsvs 2000
vs 15.0% in 2000
US average: 13.2%
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$89,800
+22%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $97,100 in 2000
US average: $93,722
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$453
+7%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $559 in 2000
US average: $450
Owner-occupied
61.0%
+2.9 ptsvs 2000
vs 58.1% in 2000
39.0% rent
Afford Score
3.2
+17%vs 2000
vs 2.7 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Bethlehem on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic74.9%(53,408)
Black3.1%(2,244)
Hispanic / Latino18.2%(13,002)
Asian2.2%(1,557)
Other0%
Diversity Score48.2%(34,377)
1990
White, non-Hispanic87.7%(62,647)
Black2.8%(2,017)
Hispanic / Latino12.8%(9,113)
Asian1.7%(1,204)
Other7.8%(5,560)
Diversity Score47.1%(33,622)
Diversity Score
47
−2%vs 2000
vs 48 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
20.2%
−3.7 ptsvs 2000
vs 23.8% in 2000
US average: 20.3%
High school or higher
71.1%
−7.4 ptsvs 2000
vs 78.4% in 2000
US average: 75.2%
Graduate degree
8.4%
−1.3 ptsvs 2000
vs 9.6% in 2000
US average: 7.1%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
16.3 min
+16%vs 2000
vs 14.0 min in 2000
US average: 21.9
Section 07

Work & employment

No data for the years selected.

Section 08

People & community

No data for the years selected.

Drill deeper

Places similar to Bethlehem

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Pop 82,396
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Pop 75,068
Cicero
Pop 81,858
Miami Beach
Pop 81,594
Places similar to Bethlehem
Head to head

Compare Bethlehem to nearby cities

BETHLEHEM VS
Phillipsburg
Income$68,324+141%
Home value$193,200+115%
Population15,456−81%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BETHLEHEM VS
Hackettstown
Income$93,083+228%
Home value$361,600+303%
Population10,185−87%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BETHLEHEM VS
Bradley Gardens
Income$177,849+527%
Home value$546,300+508%
Population14,165−82%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BETHLEHEM VS
Budd Lake
Income$114,154+302%
Home value$456,100+408%
Population10,650−87%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania?

Bethlehem, Pennsylvania has about 71,428 residents according to the 1990 Census.

What is the median household income in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania?

The typical household in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania earns about $28,375 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Bethlehem, Pennsylvania expensive?

In Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, the median home is worth about $89,800, and the typical rent is about $453 a month.

How educated are people in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania?

About 20.2% of adults age 25 and over in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania?

About 13.0% of people in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania live below the federal poverty line.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →