countyscore
53.8
County Score
Property Tax 99.9Income & Jobs 70.9Safety 67.7

County Report Card

About Bethel Census Area, Alaska

Moderate livability slightly below median

Bethel Census Area scores 45.9, falling just short of the national median of 50.0 and placing it in the lower-middle tier of U.S. counties. While not critically low, the score signals notable livability challenges that warrant consideration.

Below Alaska's average performance

At 45.9, Bethel trails Alaska's state average of 51.1, reflecting statewide livability patterns. The census area ranks among Alaska's middle-performers in this dataset.

Affordability and schools show promise

Bethel's cost score of 48.9 provides relatively better housing affordability, with median homes at $120,600 and gross rent at $1,454/month. Household incomes average $70,616 (67.9 score), and safety reaches a respectable 67.7.

Health and water access need urgent focus

Bethel faces a severe health crisis with a score of just 8.3—among the lowest in the nation—suggesting serious gaps in care access or outcomes. Water quality infrastructure is nearly nonexistent at 1.2, and school quality (48.4) trails state and national standards.

Best for cost-conscious community builders

Bethel suits individuals and families with modest budgets and strong community ties who can navigate limited health services. Healthcare workers and educators seeking affordable frontiers may find opportunity here, but expect isolation and infrastructure gaps.

2040608010099.947.467.78.348.470.955.71.249.9Tax99.9Cost47.4Safety67.7Health8.3Schools48.4Income70.9Risk55.7Water1.2Weather49.953.8/100
This county
National avg
3 above average2 below average

Bethel Census Area DNA

Foverall

How Bethel Census Area compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Bethel Census Area is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Property Tax (99.9/100) but notably weak in Water Quality (1.2/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
99.9+47.900000000000006
Cost
47.4
Safety
67.7+12.700000000000003
Health
8.3-41.7
Schools
48.4
Income
70.9+19.900000000000006
Risk
55.7+8.700000000000003
Water
1.2-56.8
Weather
49.9
Sponsored

Compare mortgage rates in Bethel Census Area

Whether buying or refinancing in Bethel Census Area, compare rates from top lenders to find the best deal.

See Today's Rates

Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$168,100

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,474/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$168,100/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$58,960/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.3x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $73,996/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

108.2

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Deep Dives

Bethel Census Area across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 8 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.

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.

Safety in Bethel Census Area

via CrimeByCounty

Bethel Maintains Strong Safety Score

Bethel Census Area reports a total crime rate of 755.2 per 100,000, which is roughly one-third of the national average of 2,385.5. This results in a high safety score of 98.8.

Ranked Above the State Average

Bethel's safety score of 98.8 slightly exceeds the Alaska state average of 98.6. Its total crime rate of 755.2 also falls below the state average of 861.7.

Moderate Risk Compared to Neighbors

While Bethel is safer than Bristol Bay Borough, which has a 1,639.4 crime rate, it is more active than the Chugach Census Area. It serves as a relatively safe regional hub for western Alaska.

Violent Crime Exceeds Property Crime

Interestingly, Bethel’s violent crime rate of 534.0 is higher than its property crime rate of 221.2. This contrasts with national trends where property crime is usually far more prevalent.

Focus on Personal and Home Safety

Because violent crime rates are higher than property rates, focusing on secure door locks and exterior lighting is important. Building a strong network with your neighbors can also improve overall community safety.

Weather & Climate in Bethel Census Area

via WeatherByCounty

A True Subarctic Interior

Bethel averages just 31.4°F annually, placing it among the coldest regions in the United States. This temperature is far below the national median and reflects a landscape dominated by permafrost and long winters.

Colder Than the State Baseline

The census area's 31.4°F annual average is significantly lower than the 35.9°F state average for Alaska. It experiences much harsher winter conditions than the coastal southern boroughs.

Harsher Winters Than Bristol Bay

Bethel is much colder than its neighbor, Bristol Bay Borough, which averages 36.5°F annually. Bethel's January average of 6.9°F is nearly 10 degrees colder than Bristol Bay's 16.6°F.

Extreme Cold and Low Humidity

Winters are brutal with a December-February average of 10.1°F and 64 inches of snow. Summers are brief and cool, with July averaging 56.3°F and no recorded days of extreme heat over 90°F.

Invest in Extreme Cold Gear

Living here requires specialized cold-weather gear rated for sub-zero temperatures. Because the area only receives 19.7 inches of annual precipitation, wind protection is often more critical than waterproof layering.

Lawn Care in Bethel Census Area

via LawnByCounty

Growing Lawns on the Tundra

Bethel Census Area carries a lawn difficulty score of 55.6, which is slightly below the state average of 57.8. This score indicates a moderately challenging environment where the short season and lower rainfall require more attention. However, it still ranks as slightly easier than the national median difficulty of 50.0.

Short Seasons and Dry Air

With only 19.7 inches of annual precipitation, Bethel is significantly drier than the state average of 53.5 inches. You have roughly 501 growing degree days to work with, meaning growth is concentrated in a tight window. The frost-free period typically runs from May 21 to September 22, leaving little room for error in your maintenance schedule.

Acknowledge Your Soil Limits

Comprehensive soil data is not available for this region, necessitating local testing for successful lawn establishment. Northern soils in this area can be lean, so regular applications of organic matter may be needed to support healthy turf. Keep a close eye on drainage, as permafrost can sometimes impact how water moves through the ground.

Managing Abnormal Dryness

About 30.7% of the area is currently classified as abnormally dry (D0), and the region has faced two weeks of drought in the past year. Because annual rainfall is low at 19.7 inches, supplemental watering is often necessary to keep grass from going dormant. Focus on evening watering to minimize evaporation and help your lawn survive these dry cycles.

Choosing Hardy Varieties

Fine fescues are recommended for Bethel because they require less water and handle the cold better than most varieties. Aim to get your seeds in the ground by late May to maximize the short 501 growing degree days available. Rapid establishment is key, as the first frost typically arrives by September 22.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Bethel Census Area's county score?
Bethel Census Area, Alaska has a composite county score of 53.8 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Bethel Census Area rank among counties in Alaska?
Bethel Census Area ranks #13 among all counties in Alaska on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Bethel Census Area, Alaska?
The median annual property tax in Bethel Census Area is $199, with an effective tax rate of 0.12%. This earns Bethel Census Area a tax score of 99.9/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Bethel Census Area?
The median household income in Bethel Census Area, Alaska is $73,996 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Bethel Census Area earns an income score of 70.9/100 on CountyScore.
Is Bethel Census Area, Alaska a good place to live?
Bethel Census Area scores 53.8/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #13 in Alaska. The best way to evaluate Bethel Census Area is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Bethel Census Area with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

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