Bethlehem: Economy & Jobs
Earnings in Bethlehem center on a median $68,879 (1.3× below Northampton County median $89,184; 1.1× below Pennsylvania median $77,971), with homes at a median value of $260,400. The surrounding county supports 200,548 jobs (avg $70,311).
- $79,347 avg taxable income per return — higher than the median household income (vs Pennsylvania $73,856).
Income & Affordability
Median household income $68,879 — above the Pennsylvania median ($61,953). Poverty rate 15.7% (U.S. average ~12.5%).
| Affordability · Price To Income Ratio | 3.8× |
|---|---|
| Affordability · Rent To Income Pct | 24.1% |
| Affordability · Affordable | Yes |
| Affordability · Interpretation | affordable |
| Irs Income · IRS tax returns filed | $194,220 |
| Irs Income · Total Adjusted Gross Income (thousands) | $15,410,865 |
| Irs Income · Average AGI per return | $79,347 (vs Pennsylvania $73,856) |
| Irs Income · Year | 2022 |
| Income Estimate | $75,712 |
| Median Household Income | $68,879 (vs Pennsylvania $61,953) |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% |
Sources: IRS SOI 2022 · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Economic Character
Qualitative classification derived from Census occupation, industry, and income data — workforce composition (white-collar/blue-collar), top employing sector, and income tier.
| Economic Character · Workforce | mixed |
|---|---|
| Economic Character · Top Industry | Education Healthcare |
| Economic Character · Income Level | middle-class |
| Economic Character · Median Income | $68,879 |
Employment & Workforce
Employment + workforce stats. The county-level employment count covers all jobs within the county, not just town residents. Unemployment rate 4.1% — near the U.S. average of ~4%. 17% work from home (U.S. average ~15%).
| Commuter Profile · Mean Commute Min | 22.10 |
|---|---|
| Commuter Profile · Work From Home Pct | 17.2% |
| Commuter Profile · Profile | short commute |
| Employment · Avg annual employment (county) | 200,548 |
| Employment · Total annual wages (county) | $14,100,750,556 |
| Employment · Average annual pay | $70,311 |
| Employment · Year | 2024 |
| State Occupation Wages · Year | 2023 |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Soc Code | 00-0000 |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Title | All Occupations |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Employment | 5,948,490 |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1% (vs Pennsylvania 4.0%) |
Sources: BLS QCEW 2023 · BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Industry Sectors
Major industries by establishment count from Census County Business Patterns (2022). Sectors are NAICS-coded; counts are county-wide employer establishments.
| Agriculture · Total Farms | 38 |
|---|---|
| Agriculture · Land In Farms Acres | 64,550 |
| Agriculture · Avg Farm Size Acres | 1,698.70 |
| Agriculture · Top Commodities | Crop Totals, Animal Totals, Poultry Totals, Grain, Fruit & Tree Nut Totals |
| Agriculture · Year | 2022 |
| Business Patterns · Establishments (employer count) | 8,627 |
| Business Patterns · Total Employees | 191,163 |
| Business Patterns · Annual Payroll Thousands | 12,061,008 |
| Business Patterns · Year | 2022 |
Sources: USDA NASS Census 2022 — county FIPS matched · Census CBP API — county FIPS match
Local Business Mix
Retail and service businesses by category (Census CBP NAICS-coded). Counts cover the surrounding county, not just the town. Reflects the everyday commercial mix residents can access.
| Local Businesses · Grocery Stores | 59 |
|---|---|
| Local Businesses · Convenience Stores | 59 |
| Local Businesses · Liquor Stores | 52 |
| Local Businesses · Gas Stations | 90 |
| Local Businesses · Department Stores | 5 |
| Local Businesses · General Merchandise | 44 |
| Local Businesses · Clothing Stores | 38 |
| Local Businesses · Pet Stores | 10 |
Sources: Census CBP — NAICS detail codes
Dining Scene
Eating + drinking establishments by NAICS category (Census CBP 2022) — full-service restaurants, fast-food, bars, coffee shops. County-level counts.
| Dining Scene · Full Service Restaurants | 263 |
|---|---|
| Dining Scene · Fast Food | 282 |
| Dining Scene · Bars | 41 |
| Dining Scene · Coffee Snacks | 69 |
Sources: Census CBP NAICS 722
Banking
FDIC-insured bank branches with addresses. Branch density correlates with population — fewer branches per resident in lower-density areas.
Branches (20)
SNAP & Food Access
USDA-authorized SNAP retailers — supermarkets, super stores, convenience stores, and other locations where SNAP benefits can be redeemed. Per-1K density tracks food access.
Sample (5)
| Nearest Snap · Name | CVS PHARMACY 1036 |
|---|---|
| Nearest Snap · Total In Area | 71 |
Chamber of Commerce
IRS-registered chamber of commerce organizations matched to this town. Reflects the IRS Exempt Organizations BMF; some chambers operate informally and may not appear here.
| Chamber Of Commerce · Name | GREATER LEHIGH VALLEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FOUNDATION |
|---|
Sources: IRS EO BMF · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Spending & Tax
Federal spending flowing to the surrounding county — direct payments, grants, contracts, loans (USAspending.gov).
| Federal Spending · Federal Spending Fy2024 | $2,501,009,446 |
|---|---|
| Federal Spending · Per Capita | 6,677.25 (vs Pennsylvania $8,556) |
| Federal Spending · Population | 374,557 people (vs Pennsylvania 12,317) |
Sources: USAspending API
Other
| Job Training · Total count | 3 |
|---|---|
| Pct Drove Alone | 66.8% |
| Pct Public Transit | 3.4% |
| Pct Walked | 17.2% |
| Retirement Score · Median age | 36.1 years (vs Pennsylvania 36.8y) |
| Retirement Score · Ss Household Pct | 35.3% |
| Retirement Score · Hospitals Nearby | 2 |
| Retirement Score · Va Access | Yes |
| Retirement Score · Affordable | Yes |
| Retirement Score · Factors | strong SS base, hospital access, VA nearby, affordable |
| Retirement Score · Rating | excellent |
Sources: IRS BMF keyword search · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12