Eielson AFB, Alaska Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Eielson AFB, Alaska had a total population of 3,155, the 37th largest community in Alaska, with a median household income of $68,199, which is 27% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 3.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 3.9% — among the lowest in Alaska.
- 43.5% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Alaska.
- Unemployment rate of 14.0% is notably above the national average.
Eielson AFB Quick Facts
How Eielson AFB 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 | 3,133 | 3,155 | +0.7% |
| Median household income | $59,716 | $68,199 | +14.2% |
How Eielson AFB 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+)
Eielson AFB 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 Eielson AFB
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petersburg | 3,227 | $71,369 | $308,400 | 26.7% | 6.8% |
| Big Lake | 3,585 | $81,406 | $298,700 | 17.4% | 11.5% |
| Seward | 2,794 | $85,481 | $338,100 | 43.0% | 9.3% |
| Goldstream | 3,294 | $103,589 | $289,600 | 68.6% | 4.7% |
| Ester | 2,752 | $53,272 | $255,400 | 50.5% | 11.9% |
Population Overview
Eielson AFB is a small community located in Alaska, within Fairbanks North Star Borough. The total population is 3,155. It ranks as the 37th most populous out of 326 Census-designated places in Alaska.
Age Demographics
The median age in Eielson AFB is 22.3 years. This is 38% lower than the state median of 35.8 years. With 37.2% of the population under 18, Eielson AFB has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Eielson AFB is $68,199. This is 27% lower than the state median of $92,788. It is also 16% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 3.9%. This is 61% 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 14.0%. This is 140% higher than the state rate of 5.9%. Every occupied housing unit the survey reached in Eielson AFB was renter-occupied. At this sample size that indicates no owner-occupied homes were captured rather than that none exist.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Eielson AFB is White (non-Hispanic), making up 61.1% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 18.6%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (5.3% vs 2.9%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (18.6% vs 7.3%). The Asian population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 6.3%.
Education
43.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Eielson AFB in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 37% 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 99.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Eielson AFB, 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 Eielson AFB, Alaska?
Eielson AFB, Alaska has a population of 3,155 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Eielson AFB, AK?
The median household income in Eielson AFB is $68,199, which is 16% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Eielson AFB, AK?
The poverty rate in Eielson AFB is 3.9%. This means approximately 111 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Eielson AFB, Alaska?
Eielson AFB's population is 61.1% White, 5.3% Black, 18.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Eielson AFB, AK?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for Eielson AFB — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is Eielson AFB, Alaska?
43.5% of adults (25+) in Eielson AFB hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 13.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.