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Bethlehem, NC
Census-designated place in Alexander County, North Carolina.
Population
4,101
Land area
7.6sq mi
People per sq mi
538
ZIP codes
0
Bethlehem and its ZIP codes
Bethlehem at a glance
- Bethlehem is about 2.4 times as dense as North Carolina as a whole.
- Households here earn a median of $87,795 a year, 21% more than the North Carolina figure of $72,388.
- A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $327,000 (13% above North Carolina) and median rent is $795 a month.
Local data for Bethlehem, NC
Counts from official public data
Housing and community stats
Bethlehem, NC, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Median household income
$87,795
Poverty rate
4.5%
Median home value
$327,000
Median rent
$795/mo
Homeownership
89.5%
Bachelor's or higher
43.3%
Median age
52.7
Average commute
25.5 min
Largest reported origins and ancestries: German Americans (1,051), Irish Americans (397), Chinese Americans (142).
Economy and federal money
Jobs, pay, income and spending are for Alexander County. PPP loans are for Bethlehem.
Unemployment rate
3.4%
Aug 2026, -0.6 pts in a year
Average annual pay
$47,701
8,667 jobs, 2025
Income per person
$53,459
BEA, 2024
Federal spending
$241M
FY 2026, $6,623 per person
How people get to work
Bethlehem, NC, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- Drove alone82.7%
- Carpooled5.4%
- Public transit0.0%
- Walked0.8%
- Bicycle0.0%
- Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other1.8%
- Worked from home9.2%
Average one-way commute: 25.5 minutes for people who do not work from home.
Environment and hazard risk
Bethlehem, NC, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Low
Top: ice storm
Storm events since 1996
399
Countywide, mostly thunderstorm wind
Flood insurance policies
17
0.1% of homes, county
July high / Jan low
87° / 30°F
47.1 inches of rain a year
Health statistics
Share of adults in Bethlehem, NC, CDC PLACES estimates
Obesity
34.6%
U.S. 33.3% +1.3 pts
Diabetes
12.5%
U.S. 12.1% about the same
Smoking
14.6%
U.S. 12.8% +1.8 pts
Uninsured (18-64)
8.9%
U.S. 11.1% -2.2 pts
Cities near Bethlehem
| Name | Distance | Land area (sq mi) |
|---|---|---|
| St. StephensCensus-designated place | 3.9 mi | 9.1 |
| NorthlakesCensus-designated place | 5 mi | 1.5 |
| HickoryCity | 6 mi | 32.3 |
| ConoverCity | 7.2 mi | 11.5 |
| Granite FallsTown | 7.7 mi | 4.9 |
| Long ViewTown | 8.5 mi | 4 |
| BrookfordTown | 8.6 mi | 0.6 |
| RhodhissTown | 8.7 mi | 1.2 |
| TaylorsvilleTown | 9.5 mi | 2.4 |
| HildebranTown | 9.8 mi | 2.8 |
| Mountain ViewCensus-designated place | 10 mi | 4.7 |
| SawmillsTown | 10 mi | 6.6 |
| ClaremontCity | 11 mi | 2.9 |
| NewtonCity | 11 mi | 13.8 |
| HudsonTown | 11 mi | 3.7 |
| IcardCensus-designated place | 12 mi | 3.8 |
Frequently asked questions
- What county is Bethlehem, NC in?
- Bethlehem is in Alexander County, North Carolina.
- What is the population of Bethlehem, NC?
- About 4,101 people live in Bethlehem, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What cities are near Bethlehem?
- Nearby places include St. Stephens (3.9 mi), Northlakes (5 mi), Hickory (6 mi), Conover (7.2 mi), Granite Falls (7.7 mi).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023