Chena Ridge, Alaska Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Chena Ridge, Alaska had a total population of 5,881, the 21st largest community in Alaska, with a median household income of $133,775, which is 44% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 2.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 44% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in Alaska.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 2.8% — among the lowest in Alaska.
- 47.8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Alaska.
Chena Ridge Quick Facts
How Chena Ridge 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 | 5,927 | 5,881 | -0.8% |
| Median household income | $140,722 | $133,775 | -4.9% |
| Median home value | $411,600 | $395,500 | -3.9% |
How Chena Ridge 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 63 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Chena Ridge Rankings in Alaska
Explore Alaska Rankings
Other Cities in Fairbanks North Star Borough
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fairbanks | 32,083 | $73,534 | 8.7% | $268,400 |
| Badger | 18,677 | $97,183 | 4.2% | $310,600 |
| College | 11,924 | $83,895 | 6.5% | $297,500 |
| Steele Creek | 5,928 | $121,364 | 3.3% | $348,400 |
| Farmers Loop | 4,954 | $109,950 | 1.8% | $279,800 |
| Goldstream | 3,294 | $103,589 | 4.7% | $289,600 |
| Eielson AFB | 3,155 | $68,199 | 3.9% | N/A |
| Ester | 2,752 | $53,272 | 11.9% | $255,400 |
| North Pole | 2,370 | $92,273 | 4.9% | $289,400 |
| Salcha | 829 | $87,803 | 8.8% | $311,200 |
Cities Similar to Chena Ridge
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steele Creek | 5,928 | $121,364 | $348,400 | 35.3% | 3.3% |
| Fishhook | 5,819 | $111,375 | $416,300 | 29.8% | 9.2% |
| Bethel | 6,312 | $117,255 | $360,200 | 24.5% | 11.6% |
| Gateway | 6,845 | $137,772 | $446,200 | 35.0% | 4.5% |
| South Lakes | 6,180 | $98,141 | $377,500 | 24.1% | 7.6% |
Population Overview
Chena Ridge is a small city located in Alaska, within Fairbanks North Star Borough. The total population is 5,881. It ranks as the 21st most populous out of 326 Census-designated places in Alaska.
Age Demographics
The median age in Chena Ridge is 37.5 years. This is 5% higher than the state median of 35.8 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Chena Ridge is $133,775. This is 44% higher than the state median of $92,788. It is also 66% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 2.8%. This is 72% lower than the state poverty rate of 10.1%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 7.3%. This is 24% higher than the state rate of 5.9%. The median home value is $395,500. Housing costs are 12% higher than the state median of $352,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x. 75.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 13% higher than the state average of 66.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Chena Ridge is White (non-Hispanic), making up 74.3% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 5.9%. The Black or African American population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 2.9%. The Asian population (1.9%) is well below the state average of 6.3%.
Education
47.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Chena Ridge in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 51% 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 97.9%. Notably, 23.9% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Chena Ridge, 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 Chena Ridge, Alaska?
Chena Ridge, Alaska has a population of 5,881 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Chena Ridge, AK?
The median household income in Chena Ridge is $133,775, which is 66% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Chena Ridge, AK?
The poverty rate in Chena Ridge is 2.8%. This means approximately 164 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Chena Ridge, Alaska?
Chena Ridge's population is 74.3% White, 0.5% Black, 5.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Chena Ridge, AK?
The median home value in Chena Ridge is $395,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x.
How educated is Chena Ridge, Alaska?
47.8% of adults (25+) in Chena Ridge hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 23.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.