Big Lake, Alaska Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Big Lake, Alaska had a total population of 3,585, the 34th largest community in Alaska, with a median household income of $81,406, which is 12% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 11.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Big Lake Quick Facts
How Big Lake 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 | 3,291 | 3,585 | +8.9% |
| Median household income | $76,292 | $81,406 | +6.7% |
| Median home value | $286,600 | $298,700 | +4.2% |
How Big Lake 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 less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 63 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Big Lake Rankings in Alaska
Explore Alaska Rankings
Other Cities in Matanuska-Susitna Borough
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Knik-Fairview | 19,972 | $96,437 | 9.2% | $340,200 |
| North Lakes | 10,223 | $101,679 | 7.3% | $357,600 |
| Wasilla | 9,720 | $67,234 | 17.5% | $358,400 |
| Tanaina | 9,646 | $105,536 | 8.6% | $328,500 |
| Meadow Lakes | 8,689 | $81,699 | 14.1% | $323,100 |
| Gateway | 6,845 | $137,772 | 4.5% | $446,200 |
| Palmer | 6,268 | $72,201 | 13.0% | $294,900 |
| South Lakes | 6,180 | $98,141 | 7.6% | $377,500 |
| Fishhook | 5,819 | $111,375 | 9.2% | $416,300 |
| Butte | 4,085 | $101,042 | 6.7% | $374,600 |
Cities Similar to Big Lake
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mill Bay | 3,654 | $88,580 | $463,200 | 36.8% | 9.0% |
| Valdez | 3,847 | $99,271 | $313,000 | 31.9% | 5.8% |
| Petersburg | 3,227 | $71,369 | $308,400 | 26.7% | 6.8% |
| Nome | 3,653 | $113,646 | $356,900 | 22.1% | 8.8% |
| Goldstream | 3,294 | $103,589 | $289,600 | 68.6% | 4.7% |
Population Overview
Big Lake is a small community located in Alaska, within Matanuska-Susitna Borough. The total population is 3,585. It ranks as the 34th most populous out of 326 Census-designated places in Alaska.
Age Demographics
The median age in Big Lake is 38.8 years. This is 8% higher than the state median of 35.8 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Big Lake is $81,406. This is 12% lower than the state median of $92,788. It is also about the same as the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 11.5%. This is 13% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.1%. The unemployment rate is 3.1%. This is 47% lower than the state rate of 5.9%. The median home value is $298,700. Housing costs are 15% lower than the state median of $352,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x. 81.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 23% higher than the state average of 66.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Big Lake is White (non-Hispanic), making up 84.0% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.9%. The Black or African American population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 2.9%. The Asian population (1.0%) is well below the state average of 6.3%.
Education
17.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 45% lower 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 94.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Big Lake, 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Big Lake, Alaska?
Big Lake, Alaska has a population of 3,585 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Big Lake, AK?
The median household income in Big Lake is $81,406, which is about the same as the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Big Lake, AK?
The poverty rate in Big Lake is 11.5%. This means approximately 410 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Big Lake, Alaska?
Big Lake's population is 84.0% White, 0.3% Black, 3.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Big Lake, AK?
The median home value in Big Lake is $298,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x.
How educated is Big Lake, Alaska?
17.4% of adults (25+) in Big Lake hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.