Bethel ZIP Codes — Oxford County, ME

There is one unique ZIP code in Bethel, Maine and it is 04217. Area code: 207.

ZIP codes

184.28

sq mi land

2.82

sq mi water

207

area code

Bethel, ME ZIP code map

About Bethel, ME

Bethel, Maine, is a charming town located in the western part of the state, renowned for its scenic beauty and outdoor recreational opportunities. Surrounded by the stunning White Mountain National Forest, it attracts nature enthusiasts and tourists alike. With a rich history and a strong sense of community, Bethel is an inviting destination for both visitors and residents.

Location & geography

Bethel is positioned in Oxford County in western Maine, making it a gateway to both mountain adventures and serene lake experiences. The town is approximately 17 miles from Norway, 20 miles from Bridgton, and about 25 miles from Rumford, providing easy access to neighboring communities. Covering a land area of 184.28 square miles and a water area of 2.82 square miles, Bethel boasts a diverse landscape that includes rivers, hiking trails, and wooded areas.

Community & economy

The character of Bethel is strongly influenced by its outdoor lifestyle, with a community that values hiking, skiing, and fishing. Key industries include tourism, particularly in winter sports and outdoor recreation, which supports local businesses and enhances the town's economy. Daily life in Bethel is marked by a close-knit community feel, where local events and gatherings foster a strong sense of belonging among residents.

Transportation

Bethel is conveniently situated near several highways, including U.S. Route 2, which connects it with nearby towns and cities. The nearest major airport is the Portland International Jetport, located approximately 70 miles away, offering regional and national flights. Local public transportation options are limited, so most residents rely on personal vehicles for commuting.

History

Bethel was founded in the early 19th century, primarily as a farming and logging settlement, which laid the foundation for its growth. Over the years, it evolved into a popular tourist destination, known for its outdoor recreational activities and beautiful landscapes. A notable event in its history is the establishment of the Bethel Historical Society, which preserves and shares the town’s rich heritage.

Did you know?

A little-known fact about Bethel is that it was once home to a significant population of granite quarry workers in the late 1800s. This historical industry played an essential role in shaping the town's development and growth.

ZIP codes for Bethel, ME (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
04217	Bethel	Oxford	View map

Demographics & statistics

3,364

Population

47.7

Median age

$42,930

Median household income

$35,273

Per capita income

$236,600

Median home value

$764

Median monthly rent

85.7%

Home ownership

22.4%

Poverty rate

5.8%

Unemployment

2,425

Housing units

32.6%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

105

Under 5

117

5–9

104

10–14

15–19

20–24

161

25–34

143

256

35–44

227

209

45–54

186

131

55–59

117

165

60–64

147

238

65–74

212

106

75–84

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	605	18.0%
18 and over	2,759	82.0%
65 and over	826	24.6%
Median age	47.7 years

Race & ethnicity

White 84.7%

Hispanic or Latino 5.8%

Two or more races 5.2%

Other race 3.8%

Black or African American 0.2%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.2%

Asian 0.1%

Group	Count	%
White	3,025	84.7%
Hispanic or Latino	207	5.8%
Two or more races	186	5.2%
Other race	135	3.8%
Black or African American	8	0.2%
American Indian / Alaska Native	6	0.2%
Asian	4	0.1%

Household income

Under $10k 7.3%

$10k–$15k 3.6%

$15k–$25k 9.9%

$25k–$35k 15.3%

$35k–$50k 19.1%

$50k–$75k 11.9%

$75k–$100k 10.0%

$100k–$150k 13.0%

$150k–$200k 6.7%

$200k+ 3.2%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	7.3%
$10k–$15k	3.6%
$15k–$25k	9.9%
$25k–$35k	15.3%
$35k–$50k	19.1%
$50k–$75k	11.9%
$75k–$100k	10.0%
$100k–$150k	13.0%
$150k–$200k	6.7%
$200k+	3.2%
Median income	$42,930

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 9.5%

$50k–$100k 8.6%

$100k–$150k 5.4%

$150k–$200k 10.4%

$200k–$300k 37.6%

$300k–$500k 23.0%

$500k–$1M 5.1%

$1M+ 0.5%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$236,600
Median rent / month	$764
Owner occupied	85.7%
Renter occupied	14.3%
Vacant	41.7%
Single-family detached	74.8%
Large apartment buildings	3.2%
Mobile homes	7.6%
Median rooms	4.9
Avg household size (owned)	2.14

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	2.6%
2000–2009	24.7%
1990–1999	13.4%
1980–1989	13.6%
1970–1979	9.9%
1960–1969	10.9%
1950–1959	2.9%
1940–1949	1.8%
1939 or earlier	20.2%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	2.1%
1 bedroom	14.1%
2 bedrooms	27.4%
3 bedrooms	43.4%
4 bedrooms	9.3%
5+ bedrooms	3.7%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	5.0%
1 vehicle	36.4%
2 vehicles	40.8%
3 or more	17.8%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	2.3%
Electricity	5.8%
Propane / LP gas	8.2%
Fuel oil	60.5%
Wood	21.9%
Solar	0.5%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	698	45.2%
Cohabiting couple	193	12.5%
Male householder, no spouse	318	20.6%
Female householder, no spouse	334	21.6%
Households with children under 18	400	25.9%
Households with seniors (65+)	670	43.4%
Average household size	2.18

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	32.6%	23.1%
Married	48.6%	48.9%
Separated	0.1%	2.1%
Widowed	6.3%	11.4%
Divorced	12.4%	14.5%

Education

Less than 9th grade 0.7%

Some HS, no diploma 4.2%

HS graduate 35.7%

Some college, no degree 13.1%

Associate's degree 13.8%

Bachelor's degree 21.0%

Graduate / professional 11.6%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	95.2%
Bachelor's or higher	32.6%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	47	7.9%
Kindergarten	51	8.5%
Elementary school	273	45.7%
High school	97	16.2%
College / grad school	130	21.7%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 22.1%

Arts, food & hospitality 18.1%

Construction 11.5%

Retail trade 10.6%

Transportation & utilities 8.9%

Manufacturing 7.1%

Professional & management 6.2%

Other services 4.1%

Agriculture & mining 3.3%

Public administration 3.0%

Finance & real estate 2.6%

Information 2.5%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	36.3%
Service	19.2%
Sales & office	18.5%
Natural resources & construction	15.0%
Production & transportation	11.1%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	75.6%
Government	10.3%
Self-employed	12.6%
Unpaid family workers	1.5%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	72.6%
Carpool	2.1%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	5.5%
Other means	2.9%
Avg commute (minutes)	31.6

Poverty

All people 22.4%

Under 18 years 51.5%

18 and over 16.4%

Married-couple families 20.1%

Female-led households 45.0%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	47.3%
Retirement income	22.2%
Supplemental Security	3.4%
Cash public assistance	6.8%
Food stamps / SNAP	17.4%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	32.8%
High cholesterol	33.3%
Heart disease	7.2%
Stroke	3.3%
Asthma	11.5%
Arthritis	28.4%
Kidney disease	3.1%
Pulmonary disease	8.8%
Cancer	7.7%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	15.6%
No physical activity	20.7%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	32.5%
Fair or poor health	13.3%
Poor mental health	14.1%
Poor physical health	10.5%
No health insurance	12.1%
Visited doctor (checkup)	79.5%
Visited dentist	60.9%
Cholesterol screening	90.0%
Teeth loss	17.9%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	325	11.8%

Disability	%
Any disability	12.3%
Under 18	4.8%
18–64 years	8.8%
65 and over	25.9%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	53.7%
Public insurance	53.7%
Uninsured under 19	4.6%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	3,165	94.1%
Spanish	10	0.3%
Other Indo-European	2	0.1%
Asian & Pacific Islander	8	0.3%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	3,355	99.7%
Born in same state	3,341	99.3%
Born in different state	1,980	58.9%
Foreign born	14	0.4%
Naturalized citizen	9	0.3%
Not a US citizen	9	100.0%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
French	851	25.3%
Italian	698	20.7%
Arab	182	5.4%
German	127	3.8%

Ancestry	Count	%
Polish	84	2.5%
English	56	1.7%
Irish	6	0.2%
Dutch	6	0.2%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	45.9%
Internet access	92.9%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Bethel, ME have?

Bethel, ME has one ZIP code: 04217. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.