Bethel Census Area
Alaska

What stands out

What stands out about Bethel Census Area: unemployment is among the highest in America (8.8%), violent crime is among the highest in America (5.9 per 1,000), and the typical two-bedroom rent is in the top 2% of American counties ($1,717 a month). Within Alaska it ranks 4th of 30 counties for unemployment.

Where you are

You live in Bethel Census Area, Alaska. 18,538 people live here with you. The population held steady at 0.2% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -276).

Alaska has no state income tax and no state sales tax, and it pays residents an annual Permanent Fund Dividend from oil revenue. Most goods arrive by barge or air, so groceries, fuel and building materials cost well above the national average, and winter heating is a major line item. Roughly half the population lives in the Anchorage area; much of the rest is reachable only by plane or ferry.

Money

The typical household here brings in $64,094 a year, higher than 60% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $54,820. Unemployment runs 8.8%, higher than almost every county in America. 6% of workers work from home.

Alaska has no state income tax, so none of that goes to the state.

Home

A two-bedroom rents for around $1,717 a month. 59% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 5.9 per 1,000 residents, higher than almost every county in America. Drug overdoses killed 55 people per 100,000 in 2024, one of the harder-hit counties in the country.

A child born here can expect to live 69.8 years, shorter than 96% of American counties. There are 21 active physicians in the county, about 11.3 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 5.0 of 5 stars. 15.0% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

83% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

Under Alaska law you can carry a concealed handgun without a permit, abortion is protected by state law, and marijuana is legal for adults.

Weather and risk

FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 17 out of 100, safer than 83% of American counties; the county has had 45 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 86 Mbps down, slower than 91% of American counties. There are 39 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.3 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.