Bethel is a city located in Bethel Census Area, Alaska. As of the 2000 census, the population of the city is 5,471.

Bethel is one of the largest communities in western Alaska. It lies inside the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge , the largest wildlife refuge in the United States. It is an administrative and transportation hub for the 56 villages in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta.

Geography

Bethel is located at 60°47'23" North, 161°46'46" West (60.789724, -161.779332).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 126.4 km² (48.8 mi²). 113.3 km² (43.8 mi²) of it is land and 13.1 km² (5.1 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 10.39% water.

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there are 5,471 people, 1,741 households, and 1,154 families residing in the city. The population density is 48.3/km² (125.0/mi²). There are 1,990 housing units at an average density of 17.6/km² (45.5/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 26.83% White, 0.93% Black or African American, 61.78% Native American, 2.87% Asian, 0.16% Pacific Islander, 0.51% from other races, and 6.91% from two or more races. 1.70% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 1,741 households out of which 44.1% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.6% are married couples living together, 15.2% have a female householder with no husband present, and 33.7% are non-families. 24.5% of all households are made up of individuals and 3.2% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 3.00 and the average family size is 3.65.

In the city the population is spread out with 35.5% under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 32.7% from 25 to 44, 18.9% from 45 to 64, and 3.9% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 29 years. For every 100 females there are 110.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 109.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $57,321, and the median income for a family is $62,431. Males have a median income of $45,321 versus $39,010 for females. The per capita income for the city is $20,267. 11.2% of the population and 10.6% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 9.7% of those under the age of 18 and 18.3% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

History

Bethel, at its original location, was a Yupik village called Mamterillermiut, meaning "Smokehouse People," after the nearby fish smokehouse. It was an Alaska Commercial Company trading post during the late 1800s. It had a population of 41 people in the 1880 U.S. Census. The Moravian Church established a mission in the area in 1885, under the leadership of Rev. John Henry Kilbuck, Jr. Kilbuck learned Yupik, which greatly enhanced his effectiveness as a missionary.

Because of erosion of the riverbank, Bethel was moved from the location of Mamterillermiut to its present location in about 1900. A United States Post Office was opened in 1905.

On October 1, the Kuskokwim Campus improved its Distance Education capabilities with quality instruction by the pre-eminent staff from DLS .

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