Bethel, North Carolina

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 1,373 people, 754 households, and 433 families residing in the town.

As of the census[3] of 2000, there were 1,681 people, 651 households, and 449 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,606.8 inhabitants per square mile (620.4/km²). There were 710 housing units at an average density of 678.6 per square mile (262.0/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 40.15% White, 58.12% African American, 0.18% Native American, 0.12% Pacific Islander, 0.71% from other races, and 0.71% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.77% of the population.

There were 651 households, out of which 28.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.9% were married couples living together, 22.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.9% were non-families. 28.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.15.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 26.1% under the age of 18, 7.9% from 18 to 24, 23.1% from 25 to 44, 24.4% from 45 to 64, and 18.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 79.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 71.3 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $25,326, and the median income for a family was $35,278. Males had a median income of $25,982 versus $20,313 for females. The per capita income for the town was $15,219. About 18.5% of families and 22.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.7% of those under age 18 and 24.4% of those age 65 or over.