Lehigh County
Bethlehem Area School District
Straddles Lehigh and Northampton counties (PDE lists it under Northampton). Tax figures shown are the Lehigh County side; Northampton-side homes are billed on Northampton assessments.
Academic outcomes (2024-25)
% proficient or advanced, official PDE district files. Gold tick = state average.
The true tax picture
- School millage (2025-26)
- 19.42 mills
- Effective school tax (of market value)
- 0.96%/yr
- Typical total (county + muni + school)
- 1.59%/yr
- On a $450,000 purchase
- ≈ $7,138/yr
- Median asking (21 active)
- $479,000
Rates assume an assessment at Lehigh County's current Common Level Ratio (49.40%). PA does not reassess on sale. Exact math for any price: the calculator.
Tax bill by municipality
| Municipality | Muni millage | Total millage | Effective rate | Tax on $450,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bethlehem City (Lehigh side) | 6.21 mills | 29.41 mills | 1.45% | ≈ $6,538/yr |
| Fountain Hill Borough | 11.61 mills | 34.81 mills | 1.72% | ≈ $7,738/yr |
Browse homes in Bethlehem Area
Common questions
Is Bethlehem Area a good school district?
Bethlehem Area scores 45.4 of 100 on the NookLocal Academic Index — #54 of 62 districts serving Bucks, Montgomery, Lehigh, and Berks counties. Components (official 2025 PDE data): PSSA proficiency 33% (state ~45%), Keystone proficiency 36%, graduation rate 88.8% (state 89.1%). The index measures outcomes, not school effectiveness in isolation.
What are property taxes in Bethlehem Area School District?
The district levies 19.42 mills (2025-26) on Lehigh County's assessment base — an effective school tax of about 0.96% of market value at the current Common Level Ratio. With county and typical municipal millage, the total runs about 1.59% — roughly $7,138 per year on a $450,000 purchase. Exact bills vary by municipality (1.45%–1.72% across 2) and by the home's actual assessment.
What towns are in Bethlehem Area School District?
NookLocal-covered towns served by Bethlehem Area: Bethlehem. The taxing municipalities are Bethlehem City (Lehigh side), Fountain Hill Borough. A specific home's district is shown on every NookLocal listing.
Bethlehem Area vs. Catasauqua Area: how do they compare?
Academically: Bethlehem Area 45.4 vs. Catasauqua Area 46.6 on the Academic Index. On taxes: 1.59% vs. 1.70% of home value per year — about $7,138 vs. $7,644 on a $450,000 purchase. Full comparison on the school district value matrix.
Free email digest
Track Bethlehem Area rates and inventory
New school budgets and the new Common Level Ratio land July 1 — every district's true rate moves. We send the re-rank, plus weekly new listings and price cuts.
Double opt-in — we only email you after you confirm. Unsubscribe any time. See our Privacy Policy.
Academic data: PA Department of Education district-level files (2024-25). Tax data: county assessment offices and STEB. Estimates only — verify with the district and county before transacting. Full methodology on the value matrix.