Anchorage, Alaska Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Anchorage, Alaska had a total population of 288,976, the 1st largest city in Alaska, with a median household income of $103,284, which is 11% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 8.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Anchorage is the 1st largest city in Alaska with a population of 288,976.
- 38.6% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Alaska.
Anchorage Quick Facts
How Anchorage Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,069 | 288,976 | -0.0% |
| Median household income | $98,152 | $103,284 | +5.2% |
| Median home value | $375,900 | $395,900 | +5.3% |
How Anchorage Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 63 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Anchorage Rankings in Alaska
Explore Alaska Rankings
Cities Similar to Anchorage
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Juneau | 31,794 | $101,661 | $449,300 | 41.2% | 8.9% |
| Fairbanks | 32,083 | $73,534 | $268,400 | 26.3% | 8.7% |
| Knik-Fairview | 19,972 | $96,437 | $340,200 | 20.9% | 9.2% |
| Badger | 18,677 | $97,183 | $310,600 | 23.5% | 4.2% |
| College | 11,924 | $83,895 | $297,500 | 39.9% | 6.5% |
Population Overview
Anchorage is a major urban center located in Alaska, within Anchorage Municipality. The total population is 288,976. It ranks as the 1st most populous out of 326 Census-designated places in Alaska.
Age Demographics
The median age in Anchorage is 35.2 years. This is 2% lower than the state median of 35.8 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Anchorage is $103,284. This is 11% higher than the state median of $92,788. It is also 28% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 8.9%. This is 12% lower than the state poverty rate of 10.1%. The unemployment rate is 4.6%. This is 22% lower than the state rate of 5.9%. The median home value is $395,900. Housing costs are 12% higher than the state median of $352,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x. 63.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 4% lower than the state average of 66.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Anchorage is White (non-Hispanic), making up 54.2% of the population. Asian residents account for 9.8%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (4.8% vs 2.9%). The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (9.8% vs 6.3%).
Education
38.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Anchorage in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 22% higher than the state rate of 31.7%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 94.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Anchorage, Alaska is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Alaska state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 326 Census-designated places in Alaska. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
Free data download: Get all Alaska city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Anchorage, Alaska?
Anchorage, Alaska has a population of 288,976 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Anchorage, AK?
The median household income in Anchorage is $103,284, which is 28% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Anchorage, AK?
The poverty rate in Anchorage is 8.9%. This means approximately 25,281 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Anchorage, Alaska?
Anchorage's population is 54.2% White, 4.8% Black, 9.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 9.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Anchorage, AK?
The median home value in Anchorage is $395,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x.
How educated is Anchorage, Alaska?
38.6% of adults (25+) in Anchorage hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 14.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.