Bethel Census Area

Alaska · AK

#28 in Alaska
58.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Bethel Census Area, Alaska

Above national average with mixed profiles

Bethel Census Area scores 58.5 out of 100, notably higher than the national median of 50.0. However, it trails Alaska's 67.6 state average, reflecting uneven strengths and weaknesses across key livability dimensions.

Slightly below Alaska's competitive middle

This census area ranks in Alaska's lower-middle tier at 58.5 versus the state average of 67.6. It faces more headwinds than many peers but maintains meaningful advantages in specific categories.

Affordable housing and reasonable stability

Bethel excels in cost (73.4) with a median home value of $120,600 and rent at $1,454/month, making it one of the more affordable areas. Risk management scores 55.7, suggesting moderate protection from major hazards and economic shocks.

Low incomes and health concerns

Income scores just 29.5 with median household earnings of $70,616—among the state's lowest. Health scores at 49.1 are the weakest in this dataset, signaling healthcare access or outcomes below other Alaskan communities.

Best for resilient families valuing affordability

Bethel suits families prioritizing low housing costs and self-reliance over high incomes or extensive healthcare infrastructure. It's most appropriate for those with modest earnings who accept healthcare limitations in exchange for deeply affordable living.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

TaxComing SoonCost73.4SafetyComing SoonHealth49.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome29.5Risk55.7WaterComing Soon
🏛
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠73.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼29.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
49.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
55.7
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Deep Dives

Bethel Census Area across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Bethel Census Area

via TaxByCounty

Bethel's tax data remains incomplete

Bethel Census Area's effective tax rate and median property tax are not available in standard national datasets, though homes average $120,600—well below the national median of $281,900. One available data point shows merely $199 annual tax, suggesting minimal or absent property taxation.

Likely among Alaska's lightest taxed areas

Bethel's scant tax documentation suggests it ranks among Alaska's lowest-taxed regions, possibly comparable to Copper River's 0.081% rate. The $199 annual figure for one property suggests either minimal assessment or very low tax rates.

Sparse region with limited tax infrastructure

Bethel is Alaska's most remote major community; neighboring regions like Denali Borough report similarly limited tax data. This reflects Bethel's unique governance structure and sparse property tax infrastructure.

Minimal documented property tax burden

Available data suggests Bethel residents pay around $199 annually on homes valued near $120,600—a negligible effective rate. Complete tax information is needed to provide reliable estimates for median-value properties.

Request assessment clarification from the borough

Bethel's limited tax records make independent verification difficult; contact the borough assessor to confirm your property's assessed value and any applicable appeal procedures. Transparency about local tax practices can help residents plan financial obligations.

Cost of Living in Bethel Census Area

via CostByCounty

Bethel: Alaska's Least Affordable Rentals

Renters here dedicate 24.7% of income to housing—Alaska's highest burden and nearly the national danger threshold of 30%. With a median household income of just $70,616 paired against $1,454 monthly rent, Bethel residents face the state's steepest affordability crisis.

Worst Affordability in Alaska

Bethel's 24.7% rent-to-income ratio decisively ranks worst among all Alaska counties, far exceeding the state average of 18.6%. This remote region's combination of low median income and high rent creates a perfect affordability storm.

Remote but Dramatically Unaffordable

Bethel's $1,454 rent burden rivals nearby Anchorage's cost, yet with $28,000 less annual income per household, creating a punishing 24.7% ratio. Adjacent regions like Bristol Bay Borough (15.7% rent-to-income) prove that remoteness alone doesn't explain Bethel's affordability crisis.

Income Stretched Dangerously Thin

Renters spend $1,454 monthly on a $70,616 annual income, claiming nearly 25% of earnings before taxes and leaving minimal room for food, transport, or savings. Homeowners fare better at $546 monthly, but the typical renter faces acute financial strain.

Bethel: Housing Affordability Red Flag

Bethel's 24.7% rent-to-income ratio should trigger caution for any prospective relocator—it's Alaska's most unaffordable rental market. Unless your employer guarantees significant premium pay, compare this against Anchorage (17.8%) or Bristol Bay (15.7%) before making the move.

Income & Jobs in Bethel Census Area

via IncomeByCounty

Bethel Below National Income Standard

Bethel Census Area's median household income of $70,616 falls 5.6 percent below the national median of $74,755, placing the region slightly behind typical American earnings. The modest income gap reflects Bethel's rural character and limited economic diversification.

Alaska's Lowest Income Region

Bethel Census Area ranks at the bottom of Alaska's income distribution with a median household income of $70,616, trailing the state average of $79,407 by 11 percent. The region faces economic pressures distinct from Alaska's wealthier resource-based communities.

Struggles Among Alaska's Rural Communities

Bethel's $70,616 median represents the state's lowest income level, underperforming even fellow rural areas like Aleutians East ($72,692) and Copper River ($75,053). The region's subsistence economy and limited job diversity contribute to lower wage levels across households.

Housing Costs Strain Household Budgets

Bethel Census Area faces serious affordability challenges with a rent-to-income ratio of 24.7 percent—the highest among the eight counties analyzed. At this level, housing consumes nearly one-quarter of household income, limiting resources available for savings and essentials.

Build Wealth Despite Income Constraints

Bethel households earning $70,616 annually must prioritize disciplined budgeting to create investment capacity. Even modest contributions to emergency funds and low-cost index funds can establish wealth-building momentum over time, particularly through employer retirement plans if available.

Health in Bethel Census Area

via HealthByCounty

Life expectancy crisis demands urgent action

At 68.9 years, Bethel residents live 7.2 years shorter than the U.S. average of 76.1 years—a public health emergency. Nearly 30% (29.9%) report poor or fair health, more than double the national average of 17.5%, reflecting severe underlying disparities.

Alaska's most vulnerable health region

Bethel's 68.9-year life expectancy trails Alaska's state average by 6.7 years, the lowest in the state by far. The 29.9% poor/fair health rate represents the state's highest burden, indicating widespread chronic disease, substance abuse, and untreated conditions.

Mental health resources present but gaps remain

Bethel's 2,886 mental health providers per 100,000 residents reflects a statistical artifact—likely concentrated crisis response—rather than accessible routine care. With 86 primary care providers per 100,000, basic healthcare access lags critical need, leaving residents vulnerable to preventable deaths.

Poverty and isolation fuel health crisis

At 14.2% uninsured, Bethel's rate is lower than state average, yet 1 in 7 still lack coverage while facing Alaska's lowest life expectancy. Geographic isolation, high poverty, limited primary care, and behavioral health challenges converge to create a perfect storm of preventable illness and early death.

Insurance is a lifeline here

If you're uninsured in Bethel, enrolling in Medicaid or marketplace coverage could be lifesaving—these programs cover preventive care, mental health, and substance abuse treatment. Call 1-800-318-2596 or visit your local health clinic for free help navigating options today.

Disaster Risk in Bethel Census Area

via RiskByCounty

Below national average despite wildfire exposure

Bethel Census Area's 44.31 composite score is well below the national average, earning a Relatively Low rating despite the state's second-highest wildfire risk (83.84). The region's low flood and tornado risks help offset the significant fire threat.

Mid-range risk in Alaska's landscape

At 44.31, Bethel Census Area ranks above Alaska's 35.22 state average and occupies the moderate-risk tier among the state's 29 counties. It's riskier than coastal boroughs but less exposed than Anchorage Municipality.

Wildfire exposure sets it apart

Bethel Census Area's wildfire risk of 83.84 ranks second-highest statewide, significantly outpacing the modest fire exposure in nearby Bristol Bay Borough (34.22). This wildfire intensity is the primary factor elevating Bethel's overall risk profile above many Alaska neighbors.

Wildfire and earthquake threaten equally

Wildfire risk scores an extreme 83.84—second only to Denali Borough—while earthquake risk at 49.40 poses the secondary threat. Flood (9.57) and tornado (1.43) risks remain manageable, making fire and seismic hazards the clear priorities.

Prepare for fire and seismic activity

Wildfire poses the most immediate threat to Bethel homes; create defensible space, clear gutters, and ensure fire-resistant landscaping. Add earthquake insurance to your standard homeowners policy to address the region's secondary seismic exposure.

ByCounty Network

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.