Bethlehem, PA

Census Place

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2021 Population

75,599

0.0371% 1-year growth

US Senator

Bob Casey Jr.

Democratic Party

US Senator

John Fetterman

Democratic Party

2021 Median Age

36.4

0.831% 1-year increase

2021 Poverty Rate

16.8%

2.17% 1-year increase

2021 Median Household Income

$58,232

3.92% 1-year growth

2021 Median Property Value

$185,600

5.69% 1-year growth

2021 Employed Population

35,524

0.635% 1-year growth

About

In 2021, Bethlehem, PA had a population of 75.6k people with a median age of 36.4 and a median household income of $58,232. Between 2020 and 2021 the population of Bethlehem, PA grew from 75,571 to 75,599, a 0.0371% increase and its median household income grew from $56,034 to $58,232, a 3.92% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Bethlehem, PA are White (Non-Hispanic) (55.8%), White (Hispanic) (12.6%), Other (Hispanic) (9.58%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (8.17%), and Two+ (Hispanic) (6.64%).

None of the households in Bethlehem, PA reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

94.5% of the residents in Bethlehem, PA are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Bethlehem, PA are Lehigh University (2,158 degrees awarded in 2021), Moravian University (710 degrees), and Triangle Tech Inc-Bethlehem (96 degrees).

In 2021, the median property value in Bethlehem, PA was $185,600, and the homeownership rate was 50.4%.

Most people in Bethlehem, PA drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 22.7 minutes. The average car ownership in Bethlehem, PA was 2 cars per household.

United States Pennsylvania Lehigh County, PA Northampton County, PA Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ Bethlehem (East) & Easton Cities PUMA, PA

Population & Diversity

Bethlehem, PA is home to a population of 75.6k people, from which 94.5% are citizens. As of 2021, 10.7% of Bethlehem, PA residents were born outside of the country (8.13k people).

In 2021, there were 4.43 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (42.2k people) in Bethlehem, PA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 9.53k White (Hispanic) and 7.24k Other (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

94.5%

2021 Citizenship

95%

2020 Citizenship

As of 2021, 94.5% of Bethlehem, PA residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2020, the percentage of US citizens in Bethlehem, PA was 95%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Bethlehem, PA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Bethlehem, PA

White (Non-Hispanic)
42.2k ± 1.48k
White (Hispanic)
9.53k ± 1.08k
Other (Hispanic)
7.24k ± 1.21k

30.1%

Hispanic Population

22.8k people

30.1% of the people in Bethlehem, PA are hispanic (22.8k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Bethlehem, PA as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the Place level, so we are showing data for Pennsylvania.

Most Common Origin

India
98,153 ± 7,663 people
Dominican Republic
81,192 ± 6,974 people
China
66,978 ± 6,337 people

In 2021, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Pennsylvania was India, the natal country of 98,153 Pennsylvania residents, followed by Dominican Republic with 81,192 and China with 66,978.

Foreign-Born Population

10.7%

2021 Foreign-Born Population

8.13k people

9.81%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

7.41k people

As of 2021, 10.7% of Bethlehem, PA residents (8.13k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.6%. In 2020, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Bethlehem, PA was 9.81%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Bethlehem, PA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
1,256 ± 217
Gulf War (2001-)
486 ± 180
Korea
346 ± 147

Bethlehem, PA has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 2.58 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Bethlehem, PA employs 35.5k people. The largest industries in Bethlehem, PA are Health Care & Social Assistance (6,276 people), Educational Services (3,990 people), and Manufacturing (3,840 people), and the highest paying industries are Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($108,047), Utilities ($76,563), and Public Administration ($69,464).

Males in Pennsylvania have an average income that is 1.33 times higher than the average income of females, which is $57,734. The income inequality in Pennsylvania (measured using the Gini index) is 0.467, which is lower than than the national average.

Employment

Occupations

35.5k

2021 Value

± 1,547

0.635%

1 Year growth

± 5.97%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Bethlehem, PA grew at a rate of 0.635%, from 35.3k employees to 35.5k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Bethlehem, PA, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (3,345 people), Sales & Related Occupations (3,061 people), and Management Occupations (2,864 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Bethlehem, PA.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Pennsylvania (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Industries

Employment by Industries

35.5k

2021 Value

± 1,547

0.635%

1 Year growth

± 5.97%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Bethlehem, PA grew at a rate of 0.635%, from 35.3k employees to 35.5k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Bethlehem, PA, are Health Care & Social Assistance (6,276 people), Educational Services (3,990 people), and Manufacturing (3,840 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Bethlehem, PA, though some of these residents may live in Bethlehem, PA and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$43,406

Median earning men ± $2,672

$33,220

Median earning women ± $1,305

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2021 are Information ($105,195), Public Administration ($86,343), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($67,995).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2021 are Manufacturing ($51,300), Public Administration ($44,450), and Construction ($43,611).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

Y-Axis

2.75%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 155M people employed in Pennsylvania. This represents a 2.75% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Pennsylvania.

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Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from Pennsylvania to other states, or from other states to Pennsylvania.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2020, the top outbound Pennsylvania product (by dollars) was Pharmaceuticals with $110B, followed by Mixed freight ($76.1B) and Electronics ($43.9B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound Pennsylvania products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Pennsylvania.

$722B

2020 Value in Pennsylvania

$1.46T

Projected 2050 Value in Pennsylvania

103% growth

In 2020, total outbound Pennsylvania trade was $722B. This is expected to increase 103% to $1.46T by 2050.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound Pennsylvania trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from Pennsylvania to other states, or from other states to Pennsylvania.

Most Common Trade Partners

New Jersey
$73.7B
New York
$72.6B
Ohio
$36B

In 2020, the top outbound Pennsylvania domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was New Jersey with $73.7B, followed by New York with $72.6B and Ohio and $36B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that Pennsylvania shares with each state (excluding itself).

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Pennsylvania went to Joseph R Biden Jr. with 50% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (48.8%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.15%).

Bob Casey Jr. and John Fetterman are the senators currently representing the state of Pennsylvania. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Pennsylvania is currently represented by 17 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Voting results are not available for Bethlehem, PA. Showing the available data for Pennsylvania.

2020 Election Results

Joseph R Biden Jr. (50%)
Democratic Party
Donald J. Trump (48.8%)
Republican Party
Jo Jorgensen (1.15%)
Libertarian Party

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Pennsylvania went to Joseph R Biden Jr. with 50% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (48.8%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.15%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Pennsylvania for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Senator Elections

US Senators from Pennsylvania

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Pennsylvania.

Bob Casey Jr.

Senator from Pennsylvania

Assumed office on January 3, 2007

John Fetterman

Senator from Pennsylvania

Assumed office on January 3, 2023

Bob Casey Jr. and John Fetterman are the senators currently representing Pennsylvania.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Pennsylvania over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representative Elections

US Representatives from Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania is currently represented by 17 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for Pennsylvania have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2021, universities in Bethlehem, PA awarded 3,134 degrees. The student population of Bethlehem, PA in 2021 is skewed towards women, with 5,028 male students and 5,288 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Bethlehem, PA are White (1,951 and 71.3%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (281 and 10.3%), Asian (158 and 5.77%), and Unknown (145 and 5.3%).

The largest universities in Bethlehem, PA by number of degrees awarded are Lehigh University (2,158 and 68.9%), Moravian University (710 and 22.7%), and Triangle Tech Inc-Bethlehem (96 and 3.06%).

The most popular majors in Bethlehem, PA are General Finance (206 and 6.57%), Computer Science (130 and 4.15%), and Mechanical Engineering (130 and 4.15%).

The median tuition cost in Bethlehem, PA for private four year colleges is $51,890.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2021 in Bethlehem, PA, the percentage of applicants admitted was 51.3%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 22.8%. The number of students enrolled in 2021 was 10,316 (48.7% men and 51.3% women).

The line chart shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2021 there were 10,316 students enrolled in Bethlehem, PA, 48.7% men and 51.3% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 6,317 records, of which 52% were women and 48% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

Computer Science
115 degree-majors awarded
Mechanical Engineering
95 degree-majors awarded
General Finance
203 degree-majors awarded

In 2021, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Bethlehem, PA was Computer Science with 115 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Bethlehem, PA according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

Lehigh University
2,158 degrees awarded
Moravian University
710 degrees awarded
Triangle Tech Inc-Bethlehem
96 degrees awarded

In 2021, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Lehigh University with 2,158 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2021, 1,446 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Bethlehem, PA, which is 0.857 times less than the 1,688 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2021 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 1,951 degrees mean that there were 6.94 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 281 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($51,890) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2021.

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($1,211) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2021.

Private for-profit, less-than 2-year ($1,544) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Working Population

Educational Pyramid

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Pennsylvania.

Measure

In 2021, 0.711% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 0.725% of women were in the same situation.

This visualization shows the gender distribution of the population according to the academic level reached.

Educational Attainment

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Pennsylvania.

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2021 were High School or Equivalent (3.52M), Bachelors Degree (1.95M), and Some college (1.84M).

This visualization illustrates the percentage distribution of the population according to the highest educational level reached. You can filter the data by race by using the selector above.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Bethlehem, PA was $185,600 in 2021, which is 0.758 times smaller than the national average of $244,900. Between 2020 and 2021 the median property value increased from $175,600 to $185,600, a 5.69% increase. The homeownership rate in Bethlehem, PA is 50.4%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.6%.

People in Bethlehem, PA have an average commute time of 22.7 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Bethlehem, PA is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Median household income in Bethlehem, PA is $58,232. In 2021, the place with the highest median household income in Bethlehem, PA was Census Tract 102 with a value of $107,625, followed by Census Tract 104 and Census Tract 93, with respective values of $85,962 and $81,923.

Housing

Property

$185,600

Median Property Value 2021

±$4,725

$15,049

Median Property Taxes

±$847

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Bethlehem, PA the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Bethlehem, PA compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

50.4%

Homeownership

2021

62.3%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2021

In 2021, 50.4% of the housing units in Bethlehem, PA were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 50.6%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Bethlehem, PA compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 102
Census Tract 104
Census Tract 93

In 2021, the place with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Bethlehem, PA was Census Tract 102 with a value of $107,625, followed by Census Tract 104 and Census Tract 93, with respective values of $85,962 and $81,923.

The following map shows all of the places in Bethlehem, PA colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$58,232

Median Household Income

± $3,028

29.9k

Number of Households

± 1,316

In 2021, the median household income of the 29.9k households in Bethlehem, PA grew to $58,232 from the previous year's value of $56,034.

The following chart displays the households in Bethlehem, PA distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Bethlehem, PA is from Pennsylvania.

0.467

2021 Wage GINI in Pennsylvania

0.466

2020 Wage GINI in Pennsylvania

In 2021, the income inequality in Pennsylvania was 0.467 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.147% growth from 2020 to 2021, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat less even. The GINI for Pennsylvania was lower than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Pennsylvania in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Pennsylvania across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2021

Drove Alone (73.4%)
Worked At Home (9.85%)
Carpooled (7.39%)

In 2021, 73.4% of workers in Bethlehem, PA drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (9.85%) and those who carpooled to work (7.39%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

22.7 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Bethlehem, PA have a shorter commute time (22.7 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.8 minutes). Additionally, 2.8% of the workforce in Bethlehem, PA have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Bethlehem, PA compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Bethlehem, PA distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Bethlehem, PA have 2 cars.

Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

16.8% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Bethlehem, PA (11.7k out of 69.9k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.6%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Males 18 - 24, followed by Females 18 - 24 and then Females 25 - 34.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Bethlehem, PA is White, followed by Hispanic and Other.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Health

92.6% of the population of Bethlehem, PA has health coverage, with 46.8% on employee plans, 20.1% on Medicaid, 12.4% on Medicare, 12.4% on non-group plans, and 0.874% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Northampton County, PA see 1193 patients per year on average, which represents a 1.73% decrease from the previous year (1214 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1645 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 389 patients per year.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

Data is only available at the country level. Showing data for Northampton County, PA.

1,193 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Northampton County, PA

Primary care physicians in Northampton County, PA see an average of 1,193 patients per year. This represents a 1.73% decrease from the previous year (1,214 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Northampton County, PA in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2021, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 20.7% under 18 years, 28.2% between 18 and 34 years, 33.8% between 35 and 64 years, and 17.2% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 46.1% were men and 53.9% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

7.41%

Uninsured

46.8%

Employer Coverage

20.1%

Medicaid

12.4%

Medicare

12.4%

Non-Group

0.874%

Military or VA

Between 2020 and 2021, the percent of uninsured citizens in Bethlehem, PA declined by 2.7% from 7.62% to 7.41%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Bethlehem, PA changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.