Bethlehem, NC Demographics

A map of Bethlehem's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	3,505	3,971	85.5%	88.4%
Hispanic	291	160	7.1%	3.6%
Asian	254	117	6.2%	2.6%
Multiracial	51	148	1.2%	3.3%
Black	0	79	0.0%	1.8%
Native American/Other	0	16	0.0%	0.4%

Bethlehem, North Carolina has an estimated population of 4,101, a decrease from the 4,491 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 85.5% White, 7.1% Hispanic, 6.2% Asian, 1.2% Multiracial, 0.0% Black, and 0.0% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Bethlehem, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Bethlehem has become more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than North Carolina overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Bethlehem, that probability was 21.5% in 2020 and 26.1% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Bethlehem is ranked the 205th most populous place in North Carolina, out of 776 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). Bethlehem was ranked the 183rd most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Bethlehem's White Population

3,505 residents of Bethlehem, or 85.5% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Bethlehem is significantly higher than in North Carolina overall, where 60% of the population is White. Bethlehem ranks 122nd statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Bethlehem's White population has declined by an estimated 11.7%. White residents' share of Bethlehem's population has decreased from 88.4% to 85.5%.

Bethlehem is more White than neighboring St. Stephens (65.4% White), Hickory (62.6% White), Brookford (76.2% White), and Conover (67.9% White). Bethlehem is less White than neighboring Northlakes (92.8% White).

Bethlehem's Black Population

0 residents of Bethlehem, or 0.0% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Bethlehem is significantly lower than in North Carolina overall, where 20% of the population is Black. Bethlehem ranks 634th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Bethlehem's Black population has declined by an estimated 100.0%. Black residents' share of Bethlehem's population has decreased from 1.8% to 0.0%.

Bethlehem is less Black than neighboring St. Stephens (4.4% Black), Hickory (13% Black), Northlakes (0.4% Black), Brookford (7.9% Black), and Conover (3.3% Black).

Bethlehem's Asian Population

254 residents of Bethlehem, or 6.2% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Bethlehem is slightly higher than in North Carolina overall, where 3.3% of the population is Asian. Bethlehem ranks 84th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Bethlehem's Asian population has grown by an estimated 117.1%. Asian residents' share of Bethlehem's population has increased from 2.6% to 6.2%.

Bethlehem is more Asian than neighboring St. Stephens (4.9% Asian), Hickory (4.8% Asian), Northlakes (1.2% Asian), Brookford (2.1% Asian), and Conover (0.3% Asian).

Bethlehem's Hispanic Population

291 residents of Bethlehem, or 7.1% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Bethlehem is slightly lower than in North Carolina overall, where 11.3% of the population is Hispanic. Bethlehem ranks 574th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Bethlehem's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 81.9%. Hispanic residents' share of Bethlehem's population has increased from 3.6% to 7.1%.

Bethlehem is more Hispanic than neighboring Northlakes (4% Hispanic). Bethlehem is less Hispanic than neighboring St. Stephens (16.7% Hispanic), Hickory (15.2% Hispanic), Brookford (12.1% Hispanic), and Conover (22.2% Hispanic).

Bethlehem's Native American/Other Population

0 residents of Bethlehem, or 0.0% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Bethlehem is comparable to the share in North Carolina overall, where 1.4% of the population is Native American/Other. Bethlehem ranks 652nd statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Bethlehem's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 100.0%. Native American/Other residents' share of Bethlehem's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.0%.

Bethlehem is less Native American/Other than neighboring Hickory (0.4% Native American/Other), and Brookford (0.5% Native American/Other).

Bethlehem's Multiracial Population

51 residents of Bethlehem, or 1.2% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Bethlehem is slightly lower than in North Carolina overall, where 4.1% of the population is Multiracial. Bethlehem ranks 494th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Bethlehem's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 65.5%. Multiracial residents' share of Bethlehem's population has decreased from 3.3% to 1.2%.

Bethlehem is less Multiracial than neighboring St. Stephens (8.6% Multiracial), Hickory (4.1% Multiracial), Northlakes (1.6% Multiracial), Brookford (1.3% Multiracial), and Conover (6.3% 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.