Bethel, AK

Bethel, Alaska

Introduction to Bethel, Alaska

Bethel, Alaska, in Bethel county, is 438 miles W of Anchorage, Alaska. There are 5,471 residents in the city.

Bethel History

Bethel was originally a Yup’ik village called Mumtrekhlogamute. It meant ‘smokehouse people’ and was named after a nearby fish smokehouse. During the late 1800’s, the city was a trading post for the Alaska Commercial Company. Under Rev. John Henry Kilbuck, the Moravian Church established a mission in the area in 1885. In 1905, a United States post office was opened in the City of Bethel.

Bethel and nearby Attractions

• Kuskokwim Consortium Library
• Arthur Dall Lake
• Hangar Lake
• Yup’iit Piciryarait Cultural Center
• Pinky's Park

Things To Do In Bethel

The city of Bethel is near the Yup’iit Piciryarait Cultural Center which preserves and celebrates the Yup’ik culture. This cultural center has an auditorium and a library. While in the city, one can also visit the Kuskokwim Consortium Library. Pinky’s Park has a baseball field, boardwalk, playground, and basketball court. You can also visit Arthur Dall Lake and Hangar Lake.

Bethel Transportation

The Bethel Airport provides opportunities for air transportation.

Bethel Higher Education

Higher educational facilities are available from the University of Alaska Anchorage, Hawaii Pacific University, University of Alaska Fairbanks, and University of Hawaii at Manoa.

High Points

Bethel strengths, compared to Peers (similar size places nationally) or State (other places in Alaska):

Category	Trophy
Short Commute Times (vs. Peers)	Top 1%
Walking and Biking to Work (vs. Peers)	Top 2%
Public Transportation Use (vs. Peers)	Top 5%
Well-Paid Single Men (vs. Peers)	Top 11%
College Educated Adults (vs. State)	Top 13%
Median Family Income (vs. State)	Top 16%
Well-Paid Single Women (vs. State)	Top 16%

Comparative Profile of Bethel, AK

Comparing Bethel to similar size places nationwide (Peers) and to other places in Alaska (State):

Ratings range from (lowest) to (highest).

The People

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Children Under 5 Years Old
Male Share of the Population
Well-Paid Single Men
Well-Paid Single Women
Racial Diversity
Age of the Population
Female Share of the Population
Senior Citizens

Families

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Average Household Size
Portion of People Married

Wealth

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Median Family Income
College Educated Adults
People in Middle Class or Better
People Above Poverty

Commute & Sprawl

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Short Commute Times
Walking and Biking to Work
Public Transportation Use
Working at Home

Housing

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Studio & One-Bedroom Rentals
Seasonal and Vacation Housing
Housing Recently Built
Affordability of Property Taxes
People Living Alone
Affordability of Rents

Crime

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Low Property Crime
Low Violent Crime

Bethel Almanac

Bethel Climate

Nearest Weather Stations

• Temp ranges are avg daily min and max for the month
• Precipitation is rainfall (and rainfall equiv of snowfall)

Bethel Population (2000)

(From 2000 Census, as reported by individuals)

Bethel Public Libraries

More Information for Librarians

Bethel Hospitals

YUKON KUSKOKWIM DELTA REG HOSPITAL
(Government - Federal)
PO BOX 287
(907) 543-6300
Emergency Service: Yes

Bethel High Schools (2004)

BETHEL REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
1006 RON EDWARDS WAY
907-543-3957
Title I eligible, not participating.
Serves 520 students.
Student/teacher ratio: 16.4

BETHEL ALTERNATIVE BOARDING SCHOOL
BOX 1858
907-543-5610
A Non-traditional School
Title I eligible, not participating.
Serves 33 students.
Student/teacher ratio: 8.3

BETHEL YOUTH FACILITY
PO BOX 1988
907-543-5200
A Non-traditional School
Serves 21 students.
Student/teacher ratio: 7

Bethel Colleges

(List of All Alaska Colleges)

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