View source for Bethlehem, Georgia

{{Short description|Town in the United States}}
{{good article}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Use American English|date=July 2022}}
{{Infobox settlement
<!-- Basic info  ---------------->
|official_name            = Bethlehem, Georgia
|other_name               = 
|native_name              = <!-- for cities whose native name is not in English -->
|nickname                 = 
|settlement_type          = Town
|motto                    = "The little town under the star"
<!-- images and maps  ----------->
|image_skyline            = 
|imagesize                = 
|image_caption            = 
|image_flag               = 
|flag_size                = 
|image_seal               = 
|seal_size                = 
|image_shield             = 
|shield_size              = 
|image_blank_emblem       = Logo of Bethlehem, Georgia.png
|blank_emblem_type        = Logo
|blank_emblem_size        = 
|image_map                = Barrow_County_Georgia_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Bethlehem_Highlighted.svg
|mapsize                  = 250px
|map_caption              = Location in [[Barrow County, Georgia|Barrow County]] and the state of [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]]
|image_map1               = 
|mapsize1                 = 
|map_caption1             = 
|image_dot_map            = 
|dot_mapsize              = 
|dot_map_caption          = 
|dot_x                    = 
|dot_y                    = 
|pushpin_map              = <!-- the name of a location map as per http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Location_map -->
|pushpin_label_position   = <!-- the position of the pushpin label: left, right, top, bottom, none -->
|pushpin_map_caption      = 
|pushpin_mapsize          = <!-- Location ------------------>
|subdivision_type         = Country
|subdivision_name         = United States
|subdivision_type1        = State
|subdivision_name1        = [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]]
|subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Georgia (U.S. state)|County]]
|subdivision_name2        = [[Barrow County, Georgia|Barrow]]
|subdivision_type3        = 
|subdivision_name3        = 
|subdivision_type4        = 
|subdivision_name4        = <!-- Politics ----------------->
|government_footnotes     = 
|government_type          = 
|leader_title             = 
|leader_name              = 
|leader_title1            = <!-- for places with, say, both a mayor and a city manager -->
|leader_name1             = 
|leader_title2            = 
|leader_name2             = 
|leader_title3            = 
|leader_name3             = 
|leader_title4            = 
|leader_name4             = 
|established_title        = <!-- Settled -->
|established_date         = 
|established_title2       = <!-- Incorporated (town) -->
|established_date2        = 
|established_title3       = <!-- Incorporated (city) -->
|established_date3        = <!-- Area    --------------------->
|area_magnitude           = 
|unit_pref                = Imperial
|area_footnotes           = <ref name="census2020" />
|area_total_km2           = 6.0052
|area_land_km2            = 6.00
|area_water_km2           = 0.0052
|area_total_sq_mi         = 2.302
|area_land_sq_mi          = 2.3
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.002
|area_water_percent       = 
|area_urban_km2           = 
|area_urban_sq_mi         = 
|area_metro_km2           = 
|area_metro_sq_mi         = 
|area_blank1_title        = 
|area_blank1_km2          = 
|area_blank1_sq_mi        = <!-- Population   ----------------------->
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_footnotes     = 
|population_note          = 
|population_total         = 715
|population_density_km2   = 119.2
|population_density_sq_mi = 310.9
|population_metro         = 
|population_density_metro_km2     = 
|population_density_metro_sq_mi   = 
|population_urban                 = 
|population_density_urban_km2     = 
|population_density_urban_sq_mi   = 
|population_blank1_title          = 
|population_blank1                = 
|population_density_blank1_km2    = 
|population_density_blank1_sq_mi  = <!-- General information  --------------->
|timezone                 = [[North American Eastern Time Zone|Eastern (EST)]]
|utc_offset               = -5
|timezone_DST             = EDT
|utc_offset_DST           = -4
|coordinates              = {{coord|33|56|11|N|83|42|38|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}
|elevation_footnotes      = <!--for references: use <ref> </ref> tags-->
|elevation_m              = 262
|elevation_ft             = 860
<!-- Area/postal codes & others -------->
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]
|postal_code              = 30620<ref name="usps_zip">{{Cite web |title=ZIP Code™ by City and State |url=https://tools.usps.com/zip-code-lookup.htm?bycitystate |access-date=July 14, 2022 |website=[[United States Postal Service]] |archive-date=July 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190708220236/https://tools.usps.com/zip-code-lookup.htm?bycitystate |url-status=live }}</ref>
|area_codes                = [[Area code 770|770]]; [[Area code 404|404]]; [[Area code 678|678]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 13-07612<ref name="GR2">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=January 31, 2008 |title=U.S. Census website |archive-date=July 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709054630/https://www.census.gov/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info              = 0331150<ref name="GR3">{{cite web|url=http://geonames.usgs.gov|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=US Board on Geographic Names|publisher=[[United States Geological Survey]]|date=October 25, 2007|archive-date=February 4, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120204035720/http://geonames.usgs.gov/|url-status=live}}</ref>
|website                  = {{URL|www.bethlehemga.org}}
|footnotes                = 
|pop_est_as_of = 
|pop_est_footnotes = 
|population_est = 
}}
'''Bethlehem''' is a town in [[Barrow County, Georgia|Barrow County]] in the U.S. state of [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]]. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], it had a population of 715. The major employer in town is Harrison Poultry, which is the largest non-government employer in Barrow County.

The town was named after a local church,  Bethlehem Methodist Church, and has a strong Christmas theme, with many of the street names being references to the [[nativity of Jesus]], such as Mary, Joseph, and Manger. After the introduction of a 1967 stamp in Bethlehem, the town became known as a popular location for sending mail from during the holidays, as the post office sends letters marked "from Bethlehem."

==History==
The land that Bethlehem and the surrounding Barrow County occupies was originally occupied by [[Cherokee]] and [[Muscogee|Creek]] tribes. European settlers first arrived in the area in 1786.<ref name="history">{{Cite news |date=December 22, 1996 |title=Bethlehem History |page=9 |work=[[The Atlanta Journal-Constitution]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105529696/bethlehem-history/ |access-date=July 13, 2022 |archive-date=July 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220713175201/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105529696/bethlehem-history/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The Bethlehem Methodist Church was established in 1796 in what would later become Bethlehem.<ref name="kaemmerlen">{{Cite book |last=Kaemmerlen |first=Cathy J. |title=Georgia Place-Names From Jot-em-Down to Doctortown |publisher=Arcadia Publishing Inc |year=2019 |isbn=978-1-4396-6753-8 |location=Chicago |page=75 |oclc=1111473053}}</ref> The church opened an adjacent camp ground that was used between 1851 and 1894 which was used as a [[Mobilization|troop mobilization center]] during the [[American Civil War]].<ref name="history" /> The [[Confederate States Army]]'s 16th Georgia Regiment was formed at the camp ground, and the grounds were used as a refugee camp during the war.<ref name="exemplifies">{{Cite news |date=December 24, 1936 |title=Georgia's Bethlehem Exemplifies Christ |pages=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105716140/ 2] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105717158/georgias-bethlehem-exemplifies-spirit-o/ |work=[[The Atlanta Constitution]] |access-date=July 16, 2022 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |archive-date=July 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220718144311/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105717158/georgias-bethlehem-exemplifies-spirit/ |url-status=live }}</ref> During the [[Reconstruction era]] onwards the camp ground was used for various religious services.<ref name="history" /><ref name="exemplifies" /> A Christian [[revival meeting]] was taking place on August 31, 1886, when shockwaves from the [[1886 Charleston earthquake]] were felt at an estimated [[Modified Mercalli intensity scale#mmi-6|MMI intensity of 6]].<ref name="revival">{{Cite news |last=Callaway |first=Chip |date=December 20, 1970 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |title=Bethlehem, Ga.: Where Christmas Comes Alive |work=[[The Atlanta Journal-Constitution|The Atlanta Journal and Constitution]] |page=16-B |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105719245/ |access-date=July 16, 2022 |archive-date=July 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220718144311/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105719245/the-atlanta-constitution/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="mmi6">{{Cite web |last=Lux Mitigation and Planning Corp. |title=Barrow County Hazard Mitigation Plan Update 2019 – 2024 |url=http://www.barrowga.org/departments/pdf/Barrow%20County%20-%20FEMA-Approved%202019%20Hazard%20Mitigation%20Plan%20-%20With%20Appendices.pdf |access-date=July 17, 2022 |page=111 |website=[[Barrow County]] |archive-date=July 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220718144309/http://www.barrowga.org/departments/pdf/Barrow%20County%20-%20FEMA-Approved%202019%20Hazard%20Mitigation%20Plan%20-%20With%20Appendices.pdf?AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1 |url-status=live }}</ref> The camp ground is now the current location of the Bethlehem Methodist Church, which was built in 1949.<ref name="history" />

The area was informally established as the community of Bethlehem in December 1883<ref name="exemplifies"/> as a stop along the Belmont – Monroe line<ref name="belmont_monroe">{{Cite web |last=Fergusson |first=Jim |date=February 18, 2022 |title=Georgia Railroads – SL 234 Passenger Stations and Stops |url=https://www.branchline.uk/jfpdf/georgiarrs.pdf |access-date=July 16, 2022 |website=The Branch Line Society |archive-date=July 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220718144310/https://www.branchline.uk/jfpdf/georgiarrs.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> of the [[Gainesville, Jefferson and Southern Railroad]]. The stop was named after the local Bethlehem Methodist Church.<ref name="krakow">{{Cite book |last=Krakow |first=Kenneth K. |title=Georgia Place-Names: Their History and Origins |publisher=Winship Press |year=1975 |isbn=0-915430-00-2 |location=Macon, GA |page=17 |oclc=1482211}}</ref> The church itself was named after the ancient town of [[Bethlehem]], identified in the Gospels of [[Gospel of Matthew|Matthew]] and [[Gospel of Luke|Luke]] as the birthplace of Jesus. The railway line was removed in 1946.<ref name="fire_railroad">{{Cite news |last=Boring |first=Bill |date=December 8, 1947 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |title=Christmas Spirit Stirs in Georgia's Bethlehem |page=1 |work=[[The Atlanta Constitution]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105717875/1946-fire-and-railroad-removal/ |access-date=July 16, 2022 |archive-date=July 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220716183924/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105717875/1946-fire-and-railroad-removal/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Bethlehem was [[incorporated town#United States|incorporated as a town]] in 1902 by an act of the [[Georgia General Assembly]] "under the name and style of the town of Bethlehem".<ref name="incorporation">{{Cite book |last=Georgia |first=General Assembly |title=Acts and Resolutions of the General Assembly of the State of Georgia |publisher=The Franklin Printing and Publishing Company |year=1903 |edition=1902 |location=Atlanta, Georgia |page=344}}</ref> At the time of its incorporation it was part of [[Walton County, Georgia|Walton County]], but later became part of the newly formed Barrow County in 1914, which was created using land previously belonging to the nearby [[Gwinnett County, Georgia|Gwinnett]], [[Jackson County, Georgia|Jackson]], and Walton counties.<ref name="history" />

In 1986 a 13-year-old Bethlehem Elementary School student made national headlines<ref name="kennedy1">{{Cite magazine |date=December 15, 1986 |title=Boy, 13, Charged in Slaying Ga. Principal With Pencil |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pbADAAAAMBAJ&dq=Bethlehem+Georgia&pg=PA14 |magazine=[[Jet (magazine)|Jet]] |page=14 |access-date=July 13, 2022 |archive-date=July 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220713153530/https://books.google.com/books?id=pbADAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA14&dq=Bethlehem+Georgia&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwivrtq1lvb4AhU6nGoFHXJ9Ag0Q6AF6BAgEEAI#v=onepage&q=Bethlehem%20Georgia&f=false |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="kennedy3">{{Cite news |date=November 20, 1986 |title=Student charged with stabbing elementary school principal |work=[[UPI]] |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1986/11/20/Student-charged-with-stabbing-elementary-school-principal/8762532846800/ |access-date=July 13, 2022 |archive-date=September 22, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210922184722/https://www.upi.com/Archives/1986/11/20/Student-charged-with-stabbing-elementary-school-principal/8762532846800/ |url-status=live }}</ref> when he stabbed his principal Murray Kennedy to death with a nail file.<ref name="kennedy2">{{Cite news |date=November 20, 1986 |title=13-Year-Old Called To Principal's Office, Stabs Him To Death |work=[[Associated Press]] |url=https://apnews.com/article/7c41c13b9a2e120d273c327487b85bec |access-date=July 13, 2022 |archive-date=July 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220713190108/https://apnews.com/article/7c41c13b9a2e120d273c327487b85bec |url-status=live }}</ref> Because the white principal was killed by a black student, the incident stoked fears of racial conflict in the community, which were addressed by local black and white leaders in the community.<ref name="racial_tension">{{Cite news |last=Turner |first=Renee D. |date=November 24, 1986 |title=Barrow leaders call for calm, unity after principal's slaying |page=B-2 |work=[[The Atlanta Journal-Constitution]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105713447/racial-tensions/ |access-date=July 16, 2022 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |archive-date=July 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220716173923/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105713447/racial-tensions/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The case drew the attention of the [[Southern Christian Leadership Conference]] who helped contribute to the student's defense fund.<ref name="sclc">{{Cite news |last=Walston |first=Charles |date=February 2, 1987 |title=SCLC: Ruling on teen biased |page=E-1 |work=[[The Atlanta Constitution]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105712587/sclc/ |access-date=July 16, 2022 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |archive-date=July 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220716172400/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105712587/sclc/ |url-status=live }}</ref> It also drew the attention of the [[Ku Klux Klan]]; 65 members of the Ku Klux Klan held a rally in front of the [[Winder, Georgia]] courthouse in protest of the murder.<ref name="kkk1">{{Cite news |date=February 22, 1987 |title=Klan Protests Slaying Of Principal in Georgia |pages=32 |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/02/22/us/klan-protests-slaying-of-principal-in-georgia.html |url-access=subscription |access-date=July 13, 2022 |archive-date=July 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220713190037/https://www.nytimes.com/1987/02/22/us/klan-protests-slaying-of-principal-in-georgia.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="kkk2">{{Cite news |date=February 22, 1987 |title=Klan protests defense efforts for teen facing murder charge |page=8A |work=[[Gainesville Sun]] |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1320&dat=19870222&id=qD5WAAAAIBAJ&sjid=6ekDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3829,1884131 |access-date=July 13, 2022 |archive-date=July 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220713190542/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1320&dat=19870222&id=qD5WAAAAIBAJ&sjid=6ekDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3829,1884131 |url-status=live }}</ref> Despite the involvement of the KKK, fears of racial tension in the community itself quickly died out.<ref name="racial_tension2">{{Cite news |last=Earle |first=Joe |date=November 25, 1986 |title=Tensions easing in Barrow after principal's death |page=17-A |work=[[The Atlanta Constitution]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105713990/tensions-easing/ |access-date=July 16, 2022 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |archive-date=July 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220716173925/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105713990/tensions-easing/ |url-status=live }}</ref> After being charged as an adult,<ref name="kennedy4">{{Cite news |last=Earle |first=Joe |date=February 1, 1987 |title=Boy to face adult trial in murder case |page=1 |work=[[The Atlanta Journal-Constitution]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105713080/charged-as-an-adult/ |access-date=July 16, 2022 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |archive-date=July 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220716172420/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105713080/charged-as-an-adult/ |url-status=live }}</ref> the student was sentenced to 15 years after pleading guilty to [[voluntary manslaughter]].<ref name="kennedy5">{{Cite news |last=Booker |first=Lorri Denise |date=April 17, 1989 |title=Principals take aim at school violence |page=3-E |work=[[The Atlanta Journal-Constitution]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/400120812/?terms=Bethlehem%20Elementary%20School&match=1 |access-date=July 16, 2022 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |archive-date=July 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220716172420/https://www.newspapers.com/image/400120812/?terms=Bethlehem%20Elementary%20School&match=1 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Geography==
Bethlehem is located in southern Barrow County, {{convert|4|mi|km}} south of Winder, the county seat. The town is {{convert|24.1|mi|km}} west of [[Athens, Georgia]],<ref name="gmaps_athens">{{Google maps |url=https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Athens,+Georgia/Bethlehem,+GA/@33.9307165,-83.6762543,11z/am=t/data=!4m13!4m12!1m5!1m1!1s0x88f66d19b4b433b9:0x4d747202d69d617c!2m2!1d-83.357567!2d33.9519347!1m5!1m1!1s0x88f5dc4ff1adf99d:0x84fa12ac24772a80!2m2!1d-83.7137827!2d33.9320556 |title=Athens, Georgia to Bethlehem, Georgia |access-date=December 28, 2022}}</ref> and {{convert|49.1|mi|km}} east of [[Atlanta]].<ref name="gmaps_atlanta">{{Google maps |url=https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Atlanta,+Georgia/Bethlehem,+GA/@33.8199276,-84.3344259,10z/am=t/data=!4m13!4m12!1m5!1m1!1s0x88f5045d6993098d:0x66fede2f990b630b!2m2!1d-84.3876845!2d33.748752!1m5!1m1!1s0x88f5dc4ff1adf99d:0x84fa12ac24772a80!2m2!1d-83.7137827!2d33.9320556 |title=Atlanta, Georgia to Bethlehem, Georgia |access-date=December 28, 2022}}</ref> According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the town has a total area of {{convert|2.3|sqmi|km2}}, with approximately {{convert|0.002|sqmi|km2}} of water.<ref name="Census 2010">{{cite web| url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/G001/1600000US1307612| archive-url=https://archive.today/20200212174310/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/G001/1600000US1307612| archive-date=February 12, 2020| title=Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Bethlehem town, Georgia| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder| access-date=October 30, 2013}}</ref> The land in and around Bethlehem forms a [[Drainage basin|watershed]] that flows into the [[Apalachee River (Georgia)|Apalachee River]] and Marburg Creek, which itself flows into the Apalachee River.<ref name="watershed">{{Cite web |date=August 1, 2003 |title=Revised TMDL Implementation Plan HUC 0307010108 – Marburg Creek and Upper Apalachee River |url=https://epd.georgia.gov/sites/epd.georgia.gov/files/tmdl/TMDL_Implementation_Plans/Oconee/0307010108/TMDLIP_ApalacheeRiver_Marburg_0307010108_Y2003.pdf |access-date=July 15, 2022 |website=georgia.gov |archive-date=January 27, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170127032438/http://epd.georgia.gov/sites/epd.georgia.gov/files/tmdl/TMDL_Implementation_Plans/Oconee/0307010108/TMDLIP_ApalacheeRiver_Marburg_0307010108_Y2003.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> Around 76.4% of the land in Bethlehem is used for agriculture or forestry, followed by 14.8% for residential use.<ref name="landuse">{{Cite report |url=https://www.dca.ga.gov/sites/default/files/barrow_co_w_auburn_bethlehem_carl_statham_winder_community_assessment_2007.pdf |title=Barrow County Comprehensive Plan 2007–2027 |last=MACTEC Engineering and Consulting, Inc. |date=June 7, 2007 |access-date=July 13, 2022 |archive-date=July 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220713214223/https://www.dca.ga.gov/sites/default/files/barrow_co_w_auburn_bethlehem_carl_statham_winder_community_assessment_2007.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>{{rp|4–6}}

===Climate===
The climate of Bethlehem, as with most of the southeastern United States, is [[humid subtropical climate|humid subtropical]] (Cfa) according to the [[Köppen climate classification|Köppen classification]],<ref name="koppen_map">{{Cite web |title=Interactive United States Köppen Climate Classification Map |url=https://www.plantmaps.com/koppen-climate-classification-map-united-states.php |access-date=July 13, 2022 |archive-date=October 11, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181011214712/https://www.plantmaps.com/koppen-climate-classification-map-united-states.php |url-status=live }}</ref> with four seasons including hot, humid summers and cool winters. July is generally the warmest month of the year with an average high of around {{convert|90|°F}}. The coldest month is January which has an average high of around {{convert|53|°F}}.<ref name="climatedata" />

Bethlehem receives rainfall distributed evenly throughout the year as typical of southeastern U.S. cities, with March on average having the highest average precipitation at {{convert|5.12|in}}, and May typically being the driest month with {{convert|3.17|in}}.<ref name="climatedata"/>

{{Weather box/concise F
| location=Bethlehem, Georgia (1981–2010)
| source=US Climate Data<ref name="climatedata">{{Cite web |title=Climate Bethlehem – Georgia |url=https://www.usclimatedata.com/climate/bethlehem/georgia/united-states/usga1339 |access-date=July 13, 2022 |archive-date=July 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210728203953/https://www.usclimatedata.com/climate/bethlehem/georgia/united-states/usga1339 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| 53| 58| 66| 74| 81| 88| 90| 89| 83| 74| 65| 55 <!--highs-->
| 31| 33| 39| 46| 55| 64| 67| 67| 60| 49| 40| 33 <!--lows-->
|4.66|4.46|5.12|3.57|3.17|4.26|4.07|3.95|4.10|3.67|4.01|3.72 <!--rain-->
}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1910= 209
|1920= 246
|1930= 209
|1940= 242
|1950= 240
|1960= 297
|1970= 304
|1980= 281
|1990= 348
|2000= 716
|2010= 601
|2020= 715
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015|archive-date=July 1, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210701194652/https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
}}

===2020 census===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|+'''Bethlehem town, Georgia – Racial and ethnic composition'''<br><small>{{nobold|''Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.''}}</small>
!Race / Ethnicity <small>(''NH = Non-Hispanic'')</small>
!Pop 2000<ref name=2000CensusP004>{{Cite web|title=P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Bethlehem town, Georgia |url=https://data.census.gov/table?g=160XX00US1307612&tid=DECENNIALSF12000.P004|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date= }}</ref>
!Pop 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Bethlehem town, Georgia |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=160XX00US1307612&tid=DECENNIALPL2010.P2|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date= }}</ref>
!{{partial|Pop 2020}}<ref name=2020CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Bethlehem town, Georgia |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=160XX00US1307612&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date= }}</ref>
!% 2000
!% 2010
!{{partial|% 2020}}
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino whites|White]] alone (NH)
|602
|489
|style='background: #ffffe6; |531
|84.08%
|81.36%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |74.27%
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino African Americans|Black or African American]] alone (NH)
|34
|49
|style='background: #ffffe6; |43
|4.75%
|8.15%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |6.01%
|-
|[[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]] alone (NH)
|1
|2
|style='background: #ffffe6; |1
|0.14%
|0.33%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.14%
|-
|[[Asian Americans|Asian]] alone (NH)
|21
|13
|style='background: #ffffe6; |13
|2.93%
|2.16%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |1.82%
|-
|[[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]] alone (NH)
|0
|0
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0
|0.00%
|0.00%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.00%
|-
|[[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|Other Race]] alone (NH)
|0
|0
|style='background: #ffffe6; |1
|0.00%
|0.00%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.14%
|-
|[[Multiracial Americans|Mixed race or Multiracial]] (NH)
|4
|7
|style='background: #ffffe6; |25
|0.56%
|1.16%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |3.50%
|-
|[[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (any race)
|54
|41
|style='background: #ffffe6; |101
|7.54%
|6.82%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |14.13%
|-
|'''Total'''
|'''716'''
|'''601'''
|style='background: #ffffe6; |'''715'''
|'''100.00%'''
|'''100.00%'''
|style='background: #ffffe6; |'''100.00%'''
|}

As of the census of 2020, there were 715 people, 341 households, and 241 families residing in the town. The population density was {{convert|310.9|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}.  There were 341 housing units at an average density of {{convert|148.3|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}.  The [[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|racial makeup of the town]] was 74.3% non-Hispanic white, 6.0% non-Hispanic African American, 0% non-Hispanic Native American, 1.8% non-Hispanic Asian, 0.0% non-Hispanic Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, 3.5% non-Hispanic other race, 3.5% non-Hispanic Multiracial, and 14.1% Hispanic or Latino of any race.<ref name=2020CensusP2/>

There were 341 households, out of which 42.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.2% were married couples living together, 11.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.3% were non-families. 27.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 21.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.  The average household size was 3.06 and the average family size was 3.99.<ref name="census2020" />

In the town, the population was spread out, with 32% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 25.5% from 25 to 44, 16% from 45 to 64, and 17.7% who were 65 years of age or older.  The median age was 32.3 years. For every 100 females, there were 118.9 males.<ref name="census2020" /> The median income for a household in the town was $53,281, and the median income for a family was $59,050. The median income for a non-family household was $38,043. Males had a median income of $30,417 versus $16,250 for females. The per capita income for the town was $21,969.  About 2.49% of the population were below the poverty line.<ref name="census2020">{{Cite web |title=Explore Census Data |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/ |access-date=July 13, 2022 |website=data.census.gov |archive-date=July 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200707031946/https://data.census.gov/cedsci/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Economy==
Bethlehem, as with the rest of Barrow County, has a [[sales tax]] of 7%, which is composed of the 4% Georgia state sales tax and a 3% local tax.<ref name="taxrate">{{Cite web |title=Sales Tax Rates – General |url=https://dor.georgia.gov/sales-tax-rates-general |access-date=July 13, 2022 |website=[[Georgia Department of Revenue]] |archive-date=July 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220714015654/https://dor.georgia.gov/sales-tax-rates-general |url-status=dead }}</ref> According to the U.S. Census's [[American Community Survey]] 2020 5-year estimate, 57.3% of Bethlehem's population that are 16 years or older are in the labor force. Of these, around 56.26% of the total population being employed, and 1.38% of the total population being unemployed.<ref name="census2020" /> The largest employer in the town is Harrison Poultry, which opened in Bethlehem in 1958 and is the largest non-government employer in Barrow County with around 1,000 employees.<ref name="uga_harrison">{{Cite web |last=Lameiras |first=Maria |date=July 8, 2021 |title=Harrison Foundation pledges $1M to UGA Poultry Science |url=https://news.uga.edu/harrison-foundation-poultry-science-pledge/ |access-date=July 13, 2022 |website=[[University of Georgia]] |archive-date=July 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220714020033/https://news.uga.edu/harrison-foundation-poultry-science-pledge/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Holiday postal tradition===
[[File:Estampilla de los Estados Unidos 1967 000.jpg|left|thumb|upright=0.75|alt=A copy of a 1967 stamp featuring Madonna and the newborn Jesus|The 1967 US "Madonna and Child" stamp]]

Bethlehem's post office is popular during the holiday season for sending cards and letters,<ref name="holidaymail" /><ref name="500k" /> as mail sent from there will feature Bethlehem's [[Cancellation (mail)|cancellation mark]] and [[cachet]], so that holiday mail sent will state that it is sent with "Greetings from Bethlehem."<ref name="mailnumbers" /> This special Bethlehem cancellation mark is made with a stamping machine called a flier canceler. Bethlehem's flier canceler is more than 100 years old and is the only one still in use by the U.S. Postal Service.<ref name="holidaymail">{{Cite web |last=Bridges |first=Kathy |date=December 18, 2018 |title=Barrow County's Bethlehem gets its postmarks ready for Christmas |url=https://www.gainesvilletimes.com/news/barrow-countys-bethlehem-gets-its-postmarks-ready-for-christmas/ |access-date=July 15, 2022 |website=[[The Gainesville Times (Georgia)|The Gainesville Times]] |archive-date=July 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220718144312/https://www.gainesvilletimes.com/news/barrow-countys-bethlehem-gets-its-postmarks-ready-for-christmas/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The Bethlehem post office's special cachet features the [[Three Wise Men]] and the [[Star of Bethlehem]].<ref name="500k">{{Cite web |last=Kent |first=Peter J. |date=December 11, 1997 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |title=Following Yonder Star: For Christmas card senders, the destination is Bethlehem |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105635634/bethlehem-stamp/ |access-date=July 15, 2022 |website=[[The Atlanta Journal-Constitution]]  |archive-date=July 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220715095128/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105635634/bethlehem-stamp/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Traveling to Bethlehem to send holiday mail is a holiday tradition for visitors of the town and the Bethlehem post office sends hundreds of thousands of pieces of mail during each Christmas season.<ref name="holidaymail" /><ref name="mailnumbers">{{Cite web |last=Johnston |first=Andy |date=December 13, 2011 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |title=Little town goes all out for holiday |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105635735/bethlehem-post-office-numbers/ |access-date=July 15, 2022 |website=[[The Atlanta Journal-Constitution]] |archive-date=July 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220715100354/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105635735/bethlehem-post-office-numbers/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The post office also has hand-stamps that customers can use to stamp "Christmas Greetings from Bethlehem" on their letters and cards before being sent.<ref name="stamp2">{{Cite web |last=Jones |first=Andrea |date=December 21, 2001 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |title=Annual stampede: Postmark from Bethlehem is seasonal symbol for crowds |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105635862/christmas-greetings-from-bethlehem/ |access-date=July 15, 2022 |website=[[The Atlanta Journal-Constitution]] |archive-date=July 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220715101904/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105635862/christmas-greetings-from-bethlehem/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The tradition began in 1967, when the [[United States Postal Service]] debuted a special [[Christmas stamp]] at the Bethlehem post office with a ceremony that included then-governor of Georgia [[Lester Maddox]] and Assistant U.S. Postmaster General Richard J. Murphy.<ref name="500k" /><ref name="1967stamp">{{Cite web |date=November 7, 1967 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |title=Stamp Ceremony ends in Bethlehem |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105635891/1967-stamp-bethlehem-post-office/ |access-date=July 15, 2022 |website=[[The Atlanta Journal-Constitution]] |archive-date=July 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220715103554/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105635891/1967-stamp-bethlehem-post-office/ |url-status=live }}</ref>  While it was the sixth Christmas stamp produced by the US Postal Service, it was the first Christmas stamp to be produced in the larger commemorative size, which is almost twice the size of the previous Christmas stamp.<ref name="commemorative">{{Cite news |date=November 4, 1967 |title=New Yule Stamp for 1967 Honors Bethlehem, Ga. |page=3 |work=[[Idaho Statesman]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105837097/ |access-date=July 18, 2022 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |archive-date=July 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220718161321/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105837097/the-idaho-statesman/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The stamp was a reproduction of [[Hans Memling]]'s ''Madonna and Child with Angels''.<ref name="smithsonian_stamp">{{Cite web |title=1966 and 1967 Traditional Christmas Issues |url=https://postalmuseum.si.edu/exhibition/the-art-of-christmas-stamps/1966-and-1967-traditional-christmas-issues |access-date=July 15, 2022 |website=[[Smithsonian]] |archive-date=July 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220715103607/https://postalmuseum.si.edu/exhibition/the-art-of-christmas-stamps/1966-and-1967-traditional-christmas-issues |url-status=live }}</ref> Despite only regularly employing the postmaster and one other part-time employee in a town that at the time had around 350 people,<ref name="postal_employee">{{Cite news |date=December 13, 1967 |title=Yule Mail is Booming in Bethlehem, Ga. |page=11 |work=[[Belleville News-Democrat]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105837470/ |access-date=July 18, 2022 |archive-date=July 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220718161244/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105837470/the-belleville-news-democrat/ |url-status=live }}</ref> this stamp was requested by so many people that the town's postmaster hired 43 temporary workers to handle the increased workload<ref name="stamp">{{Cite web |last=McCarthy |first=Rebecca |date=December 24, 2004 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |title=Bethlehem is one happy stamper |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105635576/ |access-date=July 15, 2022 |website=[[The Atlanta Journal-Constitution]] |page=J3 |archive-date=January 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230111035616/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105635576/bethlehem-post-office-stamp/ |url-status=live }}</ref> caused by people sending in their mail to Bethlehem to be re-sent out with the Christmas stamp's first-day-of-issue date of November 6.<ref name="1967stamp" /> The Bethlehem post office ultimately sent out around 500,000 cards and letters during the 1967 Christmas season.<ref name="500k" />

==Arts and culture==
The town operates a library inside City Hall as part of the [[Piedmont Regional Library System]].<ref name="library">{{Cite web |title=Bethlehem services |url=http://www.bethlehemga.org/Services.html |access-date=July 15, 2022 |website=Town of Bethlehem, GA |archive-date=June 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220619140555/http://www.bethlehemga.org/Services.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Bethlehem has no designated historic districts.<ref name="landuse" />{{rp|4–2}} The nearby [[Kilgore Mill Covered Bridge and Mill Site]] (also known as Bethlehem Bridge<ref name="kilgore1">{{Cite web |date=April 14, 1975 |title=National Register of Historic Places Inventory – Nomination Form |url=https://npgallery.nps.gov/NRHP/GetAsset/NRHP/75000572_text |access-date=July 16, 2022 |website=[[National Park Service]] |archive-date=September 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180914035805/https://npgallery.nps.gov/NRHP/GetAsset/NRHP/75000572_text |url-status=live }}</ref>) was built in 1874<ref name="history" /> and was listed in the [[National Register of Historic Places]] in 1975, and crosses over the Apalachee River, which serves as the boundary between Barrow and Walton counties.<ref name="kilgore2">{{Cite web |title=Register of Historic Places |url=https://npgallery.nps.gov/NRHP/AssetDetail/76ac959d-d459-4a5a-875b-85dd665d8257 |access-date=July 16, 2022 |website=[[National Park Service]] |archive-date=July 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220718153656/https://npgallery.nps.gov/NRHP/AssetDetail/76ac959d-d459-4a5a-875b-85dd665d8257 |url-status=live }}</ref> Bethlehem hosts an annual nativity pageant<ref name="history" /> during each Christmas season at the town square on Christmas Avenue, below the illuminated large star which represents the Star of Bethlehem.<ref name="revival" /> The original star was put in place in 1951 and measured {{convert|15|ft|m}} across,<ref name="cuddihy">{{Cite book |last=Cuddihy |first=Kevin |title=Christmas's most wanted: the top 10 book of Kris Kringles, merry jingles, and holiday cheer |publisher=[[Potomac Books]] |year=2005 |isbn=978-1-61234-036-4 |location=Washington, D.C. |page=16 |oclc=758984915}}</ref> and was replaced in 2009 with a star measuring {{convert|12|ft|m}} due to excessive rust and nonfunctioning lights on the original.<ref name="star2009">{{Cite news |last=Blackburn |first=Ryan |date=November 16, 2009 |title=New Christmas star to shine over Bethlehem |work=[[Gwinnett Daily Post]] |url=https://www.gwinnettdailypost.com/archive/new-christmas-star-to-shine-over-bethlehem/article_b41b41aa-7c2f-571b-976b-23730f169980.html |access-date=July 18, 2022 |archive-date=July 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220718153702/https://www.gwinnettdailypost.com/archive/new-christmas-star-to-shine-over-bethlehem/article_b41b41aa-7c2f-571b-976b-23730f169980.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Parks and recreation==
The town has one designated park, the R. Harold Harrison Community Playground, which includes a playground, walking trail, and covered pavilion.<ref name="park">{{Cite web |title=Parks & Playgrounds in Barrow County |url=https://barrowfamilyconnection.org/parks-playgrounds-in-barrow-county/ |access-date=July 15, 2022 |website=Barrow County Family Connection |archive-date=July 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220715083222/https://barrowfamilyconnection.org/parks-playgrounds-in-barrow-county/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The closest [[state park]] is [[Fort Yargo State Park]], located approximately {{convert|7|mi|km}} north of Bethlehem in Winder.<ref name="yargo">{{Cite web |title=Fort Yargo – State Park Winder |url=https://gastateparks.org/FortYargo |access-date=July 15, 2022 |website=[[Georgia Department of Natural Resources]] |archive-date=July 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220715082938/https://gastateparks.org/FortYargo |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Government==
When the town was incorporated in 1902 it was established that the town would operate as a [[civil township]] under a mayor and five [[Municipal council#United States|councilmen]], each with a term of one year.<ref name="incorporation" /> This government style was reaffirmed by an act passed during a 2004 session of the Georgia General Assembly, which added a town clerk to the council.<ref name="2004charter">{{Cite web |title=Town of Bethlehem – New Charter |url=http://www.bethlehemga.org/assets/Bethlehem%20Town%20charter.pdf |access-date=July 15, 2022 |website=Town of Bethlehem, GA |archive-date=December 29, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211229154426/http://www.bethlehemga.org/assets/Bethlehem%20Town%20charter.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

In the [[United States House of Representatives]], Bethlehem is part of [[Georgia's 10th congressional district]].<ref name="ga10th">{{Cite web |title=My Congressional District |url=https://ziplook.house.gov/htbin/findrep_house?ZIP=30620 |access-date=July 15, 2022 |website=[[census.gov]] |archive-date=July 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220718144312/https://ziplook.house.gov/htbin/findrep_house?ZIP=30620 |url-status=live }}</ref> For representation in the state government, the town is part of the [[Georgia State Senate]]'s 47th district, and the 116th district for the [[Georgia House of Representatives]].<ref name="openstates">{{Cite web |title=Find Your Legislators |url=https://openstates.org/find_your_legislator/?lat=33.932884&lon=-83.712996&address=30620&state= |access-date=July 15, 2022 |website=openstates.org |archive-date=July 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220715045535/https://openstates.org/find_your_legislator/?lat=33.932884&lon=-83.712996&address=30620&state= |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Education==
Public education for students in Bethlehem is administrated by [[Barrow County Schools]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st13_ga/schooldistrict_maps/c13013_barrow/DC20SD_C13013.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Barrow County, GA|publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]]|access-date=2024-09-06}} - Compare to the district boundary map, which mentions which elementary schools feed into which high school.</ref> Bethlehem is part of the Apalachee cluster and is served by Bethlehem Elementary School, Haymon-Morris Middle School, and [[Apalachee High School]].<ref name="schoolmap">{{Cite web |title=School Maps – Elementary, Middle, and High |url=https://www.barrow.k12.ga.us/departments/transportation/school-maps |access-date=July 15, 2022 |website=[[Barrow County Schools]] |archive-date=March 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220302122821/https://www.barrow.k12.ga.us/departments/transportation/school-maps |url-status=live }}</ref> High school students in Bethlehem are also able to apply to attend two [[college preparatory]] schools in Barrow County, Sims Academy of Innovation & Technology<ref name="sims">{{Cite web |title=Apply now for early college courses |url=https://www.barrow.k12.ga.us/schools/sims-academy/students/apply-now |access-date=July 15, 2022 |website=Sims Academy of Innovation and Technology |archive-date=July 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220715043611/https://www.barrow.k12.ga.us/schools/sims-academy/students/apply-now |url-status=live }}</ref> or the [[Barrow Arts & Sciences Academy]].<ref name="basa">{{Cite web |title=About Barrow Arts & Sciences Academy |url=https://www.barrow.k12.ga.us/schools/basa/about/index |access-date=July 15, 2022 |archive-date=July 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220715043612/https://www.barrow.k12.ga.us/schools/basa/about/index |url-status=live }}</ref> Snodon Preparatory School was located in Bethlehem until its closure in 2019, and served students from grades 9–12.<ref name="snodon_psr">{{Cite web |title=Snodon Preparatory School (Closed 2016) |url=https://www.publicschoolreview.com/snodon-preparatory-school-profile |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221229051156/https://www.publicschoolreview.com/snodon-preparatory-school-profile |archive-date=December 29, 2022 |access-date=December 29, 2022 |website=Public School Review}}</ref><ref name="snodon_closed">{{Cite web |date=August 27, 2019 |title=Snodon transition plans underway |url=https://www.mainstreetnews.com/barrow/news/snodon-transition-plans-underway/article_c064cdbe-6443-53b8-9dbc-2ea1f103b1c3.html |access-date=July 15, 2022 |website=Barrow News-Journal |archive-date=July 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220718144312/https://www.mainstreetnews.com/barrow/news/snodon-transition-plans-underway/article_c064cdbe-6443-53b8-9dbc-2ea1f103b1c3.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Following its closure, students in Bethlehem have the option to attend a charter school in [[Athens, Georgia|Athens]] known as Foothills Education Charter High School on lottery basis.<ref name="fechs">{{Cite web |title=Enrollment Information |url=https://www.foothillscharter.org/about/enrollment_information |access-date=July 15, 2022 |website=Foothills Education Charter High School |archive-date=July 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220715042348/https://www.foothillscharter.org/about/enrollment_information |url-status=live }}</ref> Bethlehem Christian Academy is a [[Independent school#United States|private school]] located in Bethlehem that serves Pre-K through 12th grade.<ref name="bca">{{Cite web |title=Our History |url=https://www.bethlehemchristianacademy.org/about/our-history |website=Bethlehem Christian Academy |access-date=July 15, 2022 |archive-date=July 30, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210730190449/https://www.bethlehemchristianacademy.org/about/our-history |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Media==
{{See also|Media in Atlanta}}
As part of the North Georgia area, Bethlehem's primary network-affiliated television stations are [[WXIA-TV]] (NBC), [[WANF]] (CBS), [[WSB-TV]] (ABC), and [[WAGA-TV]] (Fox).<ref name="tv_station">{{Cite web |title=Bethlehem TV Stations and Networks List |url=https://www.americantowns.com/bethlehem-ga/tv-stations/ |access-date=July 13, 2022 |publisher=American Towns |archive-date=July 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220718144313/https://www.americantowns.com/bethlehem-ga/tv-stations/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[WGTV]] is the local station of the statewide [[Georgia Public Television]] network and is a [[PBS]] member station.<ref name="gpb">{{cite web | url=http://www.gpb.org/television/stations/wgtv | title=WGTV | publisher=[[Georgia Public Broadcasting]] | access-date=June 10, 2016 | date=May 24, 2010 | archive-date=May 25, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160525170537/http://www.gpb.org/television/stations/wgtv | url-status=live }}</ref> Bethlehem is served by the weekly newspaper ''Barrow News Journal'',<ref name="bnj_coc">{{Cite web |title=Barrow News Journal |url=https://business.barrowchamber.com/list/member/barrow-news-journal-1090 |access-date=July 13, 2022 |website=Barrow County Chamber of Commerce |archive-date=July 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220714015718/https://business.barrowchamber.com/list/member/barrow-news-journal-1090 |url-status=live }}</ref> which also serves as Barrow County's [[legal organ]] (also called a "newspaper of public record").<ref name="legalorgan">{{Cite web |title=Barrow County Georgia Local News |url=http://www.barrowga.org/community/local-news.aspx |access-date=July 13, 2022 |website=Barrow County, Georgia |archive-date=July 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220714015718/http://www.barrowga.org/community/local-news.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref> AM radio station [[WJBB (AM)|WJBB]] operates their main studio out of Bethlehem.<ref name="ftc">{{Cite web |title=AM Station WJBB – FCC Public Inspection File |url=https://publicfiles.fcc.gov/am-profile/wjbb |access-date=July 13, 2022 |website=[[Federal Communications Commission]] |archive-date=January 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126185254/https://publicfiles.fcc.gov/am-profile/wjbb |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Infrastructure==
===Transportation===
Monroe Highway ([[Georgia State Route 11|SR 11]]) runs through Bethlehem in a north-to-south direction, while intersecting with [[Georgia State Route 316|SR 316]] ([[U.S. Route 29 in Georgia|US 29]]) inside the town limits, which runs from west-to-east through the town.<ref name="sr11">{{Cite news |last=Swanepoel |first=Sharon |date=August 5, 2020 |title=New bridge on SR 11 over Apalachee River now open |work=Monroe Local |url=https://news.monroelocal.org/new-bridge-on-sr-11-over-apalachee-river-now-open/ |access-date=July 13, 2022 |archive-date=July 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220713164041/https://news.monroelocal.org/new-bridge-on-sr-11-over-apalachee-river-now-open/ |url-status=live }}</ref> SR 316 also intersects with [[Georgia State Route 81|SR 81]] inside Bethlehem, which also runs north-to-south through the town.<ref name="sr316">{{Cite news |last=Huppertz |first=Karen |date=August 14, 2020 |title=Interchange at Ga. 316 and Ga. 81 opens Aug. 24 in Bethlehem |work=[[The Atlanta Journal-Constitution]] |url=https://www.ajc.com/neighborhoods/gwinnett/interchange-at-ga-316-and-ga-81-opens-aug-24-in-bethlehem/YMAMHAB2AZFI3JWC2WK7SZT4IA/ |access-date=July 13, 2022 |archive-date=October 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201004185226/https://www.ajc.com/neighborhoods/gwinnett/interchange-at-ga-316-and-ga-81-opens-aug-24-in-bethlehem/YMAMHAB2AZFI3JWC2WK7SZT4IA/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Many, but not all,<ref name="nativity_streets">{{Cite web |title=List of Streets in Bethlehem, Barrow County, Georgia, United States |url=https://geographic.org/streetview/usa/ga/barrow/bethlehem.html |access-date=July 16, 2022 |website=geographic.org |archive-date=July 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220716161105/https://geographic.org/streetview/usa/ga/barrow/bethlehem.html |url-status=live }}</ref> of the street names in Bethlehem are references to the [[nativity of Jesus]] and the [[Bible]],<ref name="nativity_streets" /><ref name="georgiagov">{{Cite web |title=Bethlehem |url=https://georgia.gov/cities-counties/bethlehem |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160312054946/https://georgia.gov/cities-counties/bethlehem |archive-date=March 12, 2016 |access-date=July 15, 2022 |website=georgia.gov}}</ref> including such streets as Angel Street, Joseph Street, Manger Avenue, and Star Street.<ref name="sewer">{{Cite web |last=Hunter |first=Lauren |date=October 13, 2019 |title=Bethlehem: A small town with Christmas spirit |url=https://accesswdun.com/article/2019/12/859391/bethlehem-a-small-town-with-christmas-spirit |access-date=July 13, 2022 |website=accessWDUN |archive-date=May 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200521063419/https://accesswdun.com/article/2019/12/859391/bethlehem-a-small-town-with-christmas-spirit |url-status=live }}</ref>

The town lacks any form of [[public transportation]] and has limited sidewalks for pedestrian use.<ref name="landuse" />{{rp|4–4}} The nearest airport is the [[Barrow County Airport]] in the city of Winder, a small public use airport with two [[Asphalt concrete|asphalt]] runways {{convert|7|mi|km}} from Bethlehem.<ref name="airports">{{cite web | url=http://www.travelmath.com/nearest-airport/Bethlehem,+GA | title=Nearest airport to Bethlehem, Georgia | publisher=travelmath | access-date=June 15, 2022 | archive-date=July 15, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220715030827/https://www.travelmath.com/nearest-airport/Bethlehem,+GA | url-status=live }}</ref> The closest major airports are [[Athens–Ben Epps Airport]], which is {{convert|27|mi|km}} from Bethlehem, and [[Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport]], which is {{convert|58|mi|km}} away.<ref name="airports" />

===Utilities===
Electricity in the town is provided by [[Georgia Power]],<ref name="newcomers">{{Cite web |title=Newcomer's Guide to Bethlehem |url=http://www.bethlehemga.org/assets/newcomers%20guide.pdf |access-date=July 15, 2022 |website=www.bethlehemga.org |archive-date=December 30, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211230010305/http://www.bethlehemga.org/assets/newcomers%20guide.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> while [[water industry|water utilities]] are provided by the nearby City of Winder.<ref name="water_utilities">{{Cite web |last=Thompson |first=Scott |date=November 27, 2019 |title=Barrow County, City of Winder remain apart on two SDS issues |url=https://www.mainstreetnews.com/barrow/news/barrow-county-city-of-winder-remain-apart-on-two-sds-issues/article_7af5ff34-8f5d-5fec-b7e3-45f0525e0d74.html |access-date=July 15, 2022 |website=Barrow News-Journal |archive-date=July 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220715131653/https://www.mainstreetnews.com/barrow/news/barrow-county-city-of-winder-remain-apart-on-two-sds-issues/article_7af5ff34-8f5d-5fec-b7e3-45f0525e0d74.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Unlike the rest of Barrow County which sources its water from the Bear Creek reservoir in [[Jackson County, Georgia|Jackson County]],<ref name="barrow_water">{{Cite web |title=Barrow County Georgia Water Department |url=http://www.barrowga.org/departments/water.aspx |access-date=July 15, 2022 |website=[[Barrow County, Georgia]] |archive-date=December 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211219034611/http://barrowga.org/departments/water.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref> Bethlehem and the City of Winder sources its water from three local sources: the [[Mulberry River (Georgia)|Mulberry River]], City Pond, and Fort Yargo Lake.<ref name="winder_water">{{Cite web |date=May 1, 2008 |title=Annual Water Quality Report |url=https://www.cityofwinder.com/home/showpublisheddocument/40/635965825076730000 |website=Winder Water Works |access-date=July 15, 2022 |archive-date=July 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220718144311/https://www.cityofwinder.com/home/showpublisheddocument/40/635965825076730000 |url-status=live }}</ref> Bethlehem contracts directly with a private trash hauling company to handle disposal of [[Municipal solid waste|solid waste]] as a free service to residents.<ref name="trash">{{Cite web |title=Regional Solid Waste Management Plan 2021–2031 |url=https://www.accgov.com/DocumentCenter/View/84607/FINAL_NEG_Regional_SWMP_compressed |page=6-3 |access-date=July 15, 2022 |website=Northeast Georgia Regional Commission |archive-date=July 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220718153703/https://www.accgov.com/DocumentCenter/View/84607/FINAL_NEG_Regional_SWMP_compressed |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="newcomers" /> In 2019 the mayor of Bethlehem, Sandy McNabb, cited the lack of sewer infrastructure as "the primary reason for the lack of growth in Bethlehem."<ref name="sewer"/>

===Healthcare===
Bethlehem currently has no hospitals inside its town limits. The closest hospital is Northeast Georgia Health System Barrow, also known as NGHS Barrow, which is located in Winder {{convert|6|mi|km}} north of downtown Bethlehem.<ref name="nghs_barrow">{{Cite web |last=Thompson |first=Jim |date=December 31, 2016 |title=Northeast Georgia Health System acquires Barrow Regional Medical Center |url=https://www.onlineathens.com/story/news/state/2016/12/31/northeast-georgia-health-system-acquires-barrow-regional-medical-center/15443670007/ |access-date=July 14, 2022 |website=[[Athens Banner-Herald]] |archive-date=July 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220715022229/https://www.onlineathens.com/story/news/state/2016/12/31/northeast-georgia-health-system-acquires-barrow-regional-medical-center/15443670007/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Piedmont Hospital|Piedmont]] Walton is located in [[Monroe, Georgia|Monroe]] {{convert|10.5|mi|km}} south of downtown Bethlehem.<ref name="piedmont_walton">{{Cite web |last=Hensley |first=Ellie |date=April 3, 2018 |title=Clearview Regional becomes Piedmont Walton Hospital |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/news/2018/04/03/clearview-regional-becomes-piedmont-walton.html |access-date=July 14, 2022 |archive-date=January 17, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210117134232/https://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/news/2018/04/03/clearview-regional-becomes-piedmont-walton.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In May 2022 the Barrow County Planning Commission approved the construction of a new Northeast Georgia Medical Center facility in Bethlehem.<ref name="ngmc_bethelem">{{Cite web |last=Ervin |first=Morgan |date=May 25, 2022 |title=Builders of new NGMC facility at 316 corridor seek variance from county |url=https://www.mainstreetnews.com/barrow/builders-of-new-ngmc-facility-at-316-corridor-seek-variance-from-county/article_095114c9-db71-549d-859c-222326b97311.html |access-date=July 14, 2022 |website=Barrow News-Journal |archive-date=June 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220629093829/https://www.mainstreetnews.com/barrow/builders-of-new-ngmc-facility-at-316-corridor-seek-variance-from-county/article_095114c9-db71-549d-859c-222326b97311.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Notable people==
*[[Jody Hice]], the [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. representative]] for [[Georgia's 10th congressional district]] since 2015.<ref name="hice">{{Cite web |title=Hice |url=https://thehill.com/people/jody-hice/ |access-date=July 13, 2022 |website=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]] |archive-date=July 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220713170804/https://thehill.com/people/jody-hice/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
*[[Howard W. Odum]], American sociologist and author.<ref name="odum">{{Cite news |date=April 8, 1945 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |title=Special Interest |page=6-B |work=[[The Atlanta Constitution]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105528559/odum/ |access-date=July 13, 2022 |archive-date=July 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220713172935/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105528559/odum/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.bethlehemga.org Town of Bethlehem official website]
*[http://georgiainfo.galileo.usg.edu/topics/historical_markers/county/barrow/bethlehem-united-methodist-church Bethlehem United Methodist Church] historical marker

{{Barrow County, Georgia}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Towns in Barrow County, Georgia]]
[[Category:Towns in Georgia (U.S. state)]]