Fairbanks city, Alaska Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Fairbanks city is a mid-sized community located in Alaska. The total population is 32,242. It ranks as the 2nd most populous out of 330 cities and towns in Alaska.

Age Demographics

The median age in Fairbanks city is 28.6 years. This is 20% lower than the state median of 35.6 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Fairbanks city is $72,077. This is 19% lower than the state median of $89,336. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 8% lower. The poverty rate stands at 9.6%. This is 6% lower than the state poverty rate of 10.2%. The unemployment rate is 5.8%. The median home value is $255,700. Housing costs are 23% lower than the state median of $333,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x. 40.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 39% lower than the state average of 66.6%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Fairbanks city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 57.4% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 10.6%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (7.3% vs 3.0%).

Education

26.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 15% lower than the state rate of 31.2%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 93.8%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Fairbanks city, Alaska is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Alaska state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 330 Census-designated places in Alaska. For official data, visit data.census.gov.