Bethlehem named ninth best city to live

Bethlehem was recently named one of the top 50 cities to live in, snagging ninth place on the list.

The website 24/7 Wall St. declared Bethlehem “one of the most liveable in the United States.”

With a population of 78,579, Bethlehem has a enough residents without being too overwhelming. The median home value clocked in at $165,300, more than $15,000 below the value of a typical American home, which is $181,200.

Bethlehem has grown over the last decade by 15.6 percent in population, which is higher than the national average of 10.6 percent.  Still, there are 292 amenities per 100,000 residents.

Nearly a quarter of residents, 24.7 percent, have at least a bachelor’s degree. Perhaps that is thanks to Lehigh University, which is housed in Bethlehem. Approximately 5,000 undergraduate and graduate students attend the university, and the town is affordable for both college students and professionals.

According to the report, the costs associated with healthcare, transportation, and utilities are all below the national average in Bethlehem. “The city, which formerly served as the headquarters for Bethlehem Steel, has an abundance of attractions and restaurants. The city has a significantly higher share of eateries, libraries, and museums than the nation as a whole,” stated the report.
The city’s poverty rate is 14.8 percent, slightly above the national rate of 14.5 percent.

Overall, Bethlehem was in the highest percentile for housing options, scoring 99.2 and low crime, scoring 99.1, and the economy, with a score of 92.9. According to the report, Bethlehem could improve in infrastructure and leisure.

The site analyzed data on the 550 cities across the country with populations more than 65,000, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The site examined a wide range of statistics, including crime rates, employment growth, access to restaurants and attractions, educational attainment, and housing affordability.