College, Alaska Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, College, Alaska had a total population of 11,924, the 6th largest community in Alaska, with a median household income of $83,895, which is 10% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 6.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- 39.9% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Alaska.
College Quick Facts
How College 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 | 11,730 | 11,924 | +1.7% |
| Median household income | $76,831 | $83,895 | +9.2% |
| Median home value | $279,100 | $297,500 | +6.6% |
How College 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+)
College 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 |
| Steele Creek | 5,928 | $121,364 | 3.3% | $348,400 |
| Chena Ridge | 5,881 | $133,775 | 2.8% | $395,500 |
| 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 College
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Lakes | 10,223 | $101,679 | $357,600 | 25.7% | 7.3% |
| Wasilla | 9,720 | $67,234 | $358,400 | 21.7% | 17.5% |
| Tanaina | 9,646 | $105,536 | $328,500 | 24.5% | 8.6% |
| Meadow Lakes | 8,689 | $81,699 | $323,100 | 15.8% | 14.1% |
| Kalifornsky | 8,663 | $93,508 | $336,800 | 31.6% | 8.6% |
Population Overview
College is a small city located in Alaska, within Fairbanks North Star Borough. The total population is 11,924. It ranks as the 6th most populous out of 326 Census-designated places in Alaska.
Age Demographics
The median age in College is 32.7 years. This is 9% lower than the state median of 35.8 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in College is $83,895. This is 10% lower than the state median of $92,788. It is also 4% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 6.5%. This is 36% lower than the state poverty rate of 10.1%. The unemployment rate is 4.4%. This is 25% lower than the state rate of 5.9%. The median home value is $297,500. Housing costs are 16% lower than the state median of $352,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x. 61.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 9% lower than the state average of 66.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in College is White (non-Hispanic), making up 55.9% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 9.8%.
Education
39.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places College in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 26% 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 95.5%. Notably, 22.6% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for College, 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 College, Alaska?
College, Alaska has a population of 11,924 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in College, AK?
The median household income in College is $83,895, which is 4% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in College, AK?
The poverty rate in College is 6.5%. This means approximately 723 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of College, Alaska?
College's population is 55.9% White, 3.4% Black, 9.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 6.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in College, AK?
The median home value in College is $297,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x.
How educated is College, Alaska?
39.9% of adults (25+) in College hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 22.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.