Ester, Alaska Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Ester, Alaska had a total population of 2,752, the 41st largest community in Alaska, with a median household income of $53,272, which is 43% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 11.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 43% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- 50.5% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Alaska.
Ester Quick Facts
How Ester 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 | 2,784 | 2,752 | -1.1% |
| Median household income | $67,640 | $53,272 | -21.2% |
| Median home value | $242,000 | $255,400 | +5.5% |
How Ester 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+)
Ester 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 |
| Eielson AFB | 3,155 | $68,199 | 3.9% | N/A |
| North Pole | 2,370 | $92,273 | 4.9% | $289,400 |
| Salcha | 829 | $87,803 | 8.8% | $311,200 |
Cities Similar to Ester
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seward | 2,794 | $85,481 | $338,100 | 43.0% | 9.3% |
| Eielson AFB | 3,155 | $68,199 | N/A | 43.5% | 3.9% |
| Anchor Point | 2,243 | $63,000 | $241,600 | 19.5% | 14.4% |
| Petersburg | 3,227 | $71,369 | $308,400 | 26.7% | 6.8% |
| Cordova | 2,453 | $85,132 | $419,400 | 31.5% | 2.9% |
Population Overview
Ester is a small community located in Alaska, within Fairbanks North Star Borough. The total population is 2,752. It ranks as the 41st most populous out of 326 Census-designated places in Alaska.
Age Demographics
The median age in Ester is 38.0 years. This is 6% higher than the state median of 35.8 years. Only 13.1% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Ester is $53,272. This is 43% lower than the state median of $92,788. It is also 34% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 11.9%. This is 18% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.1%. The unemployment rate is 5.5%. This is 7% lower than the state rate of 5.9%. The median home value is $255,400. Housing costs are 28% lower than the state median of $352,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.8x. 55.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 17% lower than the state average of 66.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Ester is White (non-Hispanic), making up 79.8% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.8%.
Education
50.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Ester in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 59% 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 96.2%. Notably, 21.1% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Ester, 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 Ester, Alaska?
Ester, Alaska has a population of 2,752 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Ester, AK?
The median household income in Ester is $53,272, which is 34% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Ester, AK?
The poverty rate in Ester is 11.9%. This means approximately 315 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Ester, Alaska?
Ester's population is 79.8% White, 2.2% Black, 3.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Ester, AK?
The median home value in Ester is $255,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.8x.
How educated is Ester, Alaska?
50.5% of adults (25+) in Ester hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 21.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.