When was Bethel Census Area founded?

Bethel Census Area was founded in 1980, and named after Bethel, Alaska.

Is there an online parcel map for Bethel Census Area?

Yes. A public source publishes a parcel map of 3,435 parcels, rated good enough here. You can click any parcel on it in Parcel Chart's free map, no sign-in needed.

Has Bethel Census Area's boundary or name changed?

Atlas of Historical County Boundaries records 5 changes for Bethel Census Area. Since then the Atlas of Historical County Boundaries records 5 later changes, most of them small boundary adjustments.

Is my lot in a flood zone?

We do not have flood maps for Bethel Census Area yet. Look up the address on FEMA's Flood Map Service Center, which shows the effective flood map for any lot.

Census Area · code 02050

Bethel Census AreaAlaska

Bethel Census Area is a census area in Alaska that was established in 1980.

Founded1980
Named forBethel, Alaska
Land area40,627 sq mi + 4,928 sq mi water
Population18,666 2020 Census
Parcels mapped3,435 checked 15 October 2026

Open the free map Click any parcel in Bethel Census Area: acreage, parcel id, address and who publishes the map. No sign-in.

Updated 19 October 2026

Census outline

History

Founded in 1980

An old deed may name a county that no longer exists, or a boundary that has since moved.

Bethel Census Area was formed in 1980, and named after Bethel, Alaska.

Boundary changes from the Newberry Library, Atlas of Historical County Boundaries.

1960
Changed 1960 census. Bethel (Election District 16) served as a census area. 1 April 1960 · 1960 Census of Population, 51; NHGIS
1970
Changed 1970 census. Bethel Census Division served as a census area. 1 April 1970 · 1970 Census of Population, 90; NHGIS
1980
Changed 1980 census. Bethel Census Area served as a census division. 1 April 1980 · Forstall, 12; NHGIS
1990
Changed 1990 census. Bethel Census Area served as a census division. 1 April 1990 · Forstall, 12; NHGIS
2000
Changed 2000 census. Bethel Census Area served as a census division. 1 April 2000 · Census 2000 Data Alaska; NHGIS

Land and parcels

What the maps cover in Bethel

Who publishes each layer, how good it is, and when we last checked.

Parcels Good enough

Lot lines and tax-map numbers for 3,435 parcels. Drawn for tax purposes: usually within a few feet of a survey, but not a survey.
edited 14 October 2026 · checked 15 October 2026
Address points Missing

No public address points layer found for Bethel Census Area yet.
Buildings Reference

Roof outlines traced from aerial imagery from FEMA Response Geospatial Office with Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). Good for seeing what is on a lot; not accurate enough to set a fence from.
checked 18 October 2026

Official: from the office that keeps the record
Good enough: a reliable statewide or national copy
Fallback: a guide only; check the official record
Missing: nothing public found yet

People and land

Bethel by the Census

Population

18,666 2020 Census count

Housing units

5,984 2020 Census count

Land area

40,627 square miles

Water area

4,928 square miles

People per sq mi

<1 population ÷ land area

Source: US Census Bureau, 2020 Census; US Census Bureau, 2020 Gazetteer Files. Not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.

See your own lot on these maps

Open Bethel Census Area on Parcel Chart's free map and click your parcel. Save it with a free account; the full record of your place (site map, projects, documents) is Pro, in early access.

Open the free map no sign-in Pro early access

Questions

Common questions about Bethel Census Area

When was Bethel Census Area founded?: Bethel Census Area was founded in 1980, and named after Bethel, Alaska.
Is there an online parcel map for Bethel Census Area?: Yes. A public source publishes a parcel map of 3,435 parcels, rated good enough here. You can click any parcel on it in Parcel Chart's free map, no sign-in needed.
Has Bethel Census Area's boundary or name changed?: Atlas of Historical County Boundaries records 5 changes for Bethel Census Area. Since then the Atlas of Historical County Boundaries records 5 later changes, most of them small boundary adjustments.
Is my lot in a flood zone?: We do not have flood maps for Bethel Census Area yet. Look up the address on FEMA's Flood Map Service Center, which shows the effective flood map for any lot.

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