Bethel, AK Demographics

A map of Bethel's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
Native American/Other	4,013	4,149	63.6%	65.6%
White	1,265	1,177	20.0%	18.6%
Multiracial	438	595	6.9%	9.4%
Hispanic	229	144	3.6%	2.3%
Black	190	73	3.0%	1.2%
Asian	177	187	2.8%	3.0%

Bethel, Alaska has an estimated population of 6,312, a less than 1% change from the 6,325 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 63.6% Native American/Other, 20.0% White, 6.9% Multiracial, 3.6% Hispanic, 3.0% Black, and 2.8% Asian. This demographic dot map shows the population of Bethel, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Bethel has become more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than Alaska overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Bethel, that probability was 52.5% in 2020 and 54.8% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Bethel is ranked the 17th most populous place in Alaska, out of 355 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Bethel was ranked the 16th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Bethel's White Population

1,265 residents of Bethel, or 20.0% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Bethel is significantly lower than in Alaska overall, where 57.7% of the population is White. Bethel ranks 196th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 355 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Bethel's White population has grown by an estimated 7.5%. White residents' share of Bethel's population has increased from 18.6% to 20.0%.

Bethel is more White than neighboring Oscarville (0% White), Napaskiak (0.4% White), Napakiak (0.4% White), Kwethluk (0.9% White), and Akiachak (1.5% White).

Bethel's Black Population

190 residents of Bethel, or 3.0% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Bethel is comparable to the share in Alaska overall, where 2.9% of the population is Black. Bethel ranks 45th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 355 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Bethel's Black population has grown by an estimated 160.3%. Black residents' share of Bethel's population has increased from 1.2% to 3.0%.

Bethel is more Black than neighboring Oscarville (0% Black), Napaskiak (0% Black), Napakiak (0% Black), Kwethluk (0% Black), and Akiachak (0% Black).

Bethel's Asian Population

177 residents of Bethel, or 2.8% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Bethel is slightly lower than in Alaska overall, where 6.4% of the population is Asian. Bethel ranks 37th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 355 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Bethel's Asian population has declined by an estimated 5.3%. Asian residents' share of Bethel's population has remained roughly unchanged at 2.8%.

Bethel is more Asian than neighboring Oscarville (0% Asian), Napaskiak (0% Asian), Napakiak (0% Asian), Kwethluk (0.4% Asian), and Akiachak (0% Asian).

Bethel's Hispanic Population

229 residents of Bethel, or 3.6% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Bethel is slightly lower than in Alaska overall, where 7.3% of the population is Hispanic. Bethel ranks 172nd statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 355 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Bethel's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 59.0%. Hispanic residents' share of Bethel's population has increased from 2.3% to 3.6%.

Bethel is more Hispanic than neighboring Oscarville (0% Hispanic), Napaskiak (1.6% Hispanic), Napakiak (0% Hispanic), Kwethluk (0% Hispanic), and Akiachak (0% Hispanic).

Bethel's Native American/Other Population

4,013 residents of Bethel, or 63.6% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Bethel is significantly higher than in Alaska overall, where 15.5% of the population is Native American/Other. Bethel ranks 148th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 355 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Bethel's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 3.3%. Native American/Other residents' share of Bethel's population has decreased from 65.6% to 63.6%.

Bethel is less Native American/Other than neighboring Oscarville (100% Native American/Other), Napaskiak (97.3% Native American/Other), Napakiak (99.1% Native American/Other), Kwethluk (96.1% Native American/Other), and Akiachak (93.9% Native American/Other).

Bethel's Multiracial Population

438 residents of Bethel, or 6.9% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Bethel is slightly lower than in Alaska overall, where 10.3% of the population is Multiracial. Bethel ranks 99th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 355 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Bethel's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 26.4%. Multiracial residents' share of Bethel's population has decreased from 9.4% to 6.9%.

Bethel is more Multiracial than neighboring Oscarville (0% Multiracial), Napaskiak (0.7% Multiracial), Napakiak (0.5% Multiracial), Kwethluk (2.6% Multiracial), and Akiachak (4.6% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.