Fairbanks, Alaska Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Fairbanks, Alaska had a total population of 32,083, the 2nd largest city in Alaska, with a median household income of $73,534, which is 21% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 8.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Fairbanks is the 2nd largest city in Alaska with a population of 32,083.
Fairbanks Quick Facts
How Fairbanks 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 | 32,242 | 32,083 | -0.5% |
| Median household income | $72,077 | $73,534 | +2.0% |
| Median home value | $255,700 | $268,400 | +5.0% |
How Fairbanks 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+)
Fairbanks Rankings in Alaska
Explore Alaska Rankings
Other Cities in Fairbanks North Star Borough
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 Fairbanks
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Juneau | 31,794 | $101,661 | $449,300 | 41.2% | 8.9% |
| Knik-Fairview | 19,972 | $96,437 | $340,200 | 20.9% | 9.2% |
| Badger | 18,677 | $97,183 | $310,600 | 23.5% | 4.2% |
| College | 11,924 | $83,895 | $297,500 | 39.9% | 6.5% |
| Wasilla | 9,720 | $67,234 | $358,400 | 21.7% | 17.5% |
Population Overview
Fairbanks is a mid-sized community located in Alaska, within Fairbanks North Star Borough. The total population is 32,083. It ranks as the 2nd most populous out of 326 Census-designated places in Alaska.
Age Demographics
The median age in Fairbanks is 29.0 years. This is 19% lower than the state median of 35.8 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Fairbanks is $73,534. This is 21% lower than the state median of $92,788. It is also 9% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 8.7%. This is 15% lower than the state poverty rate of 10.1%. The unemployment rate is 5.7%. This is 2% lower than the state rate of 5.9%. The median home value is $268,400. Housing costs are 24% lower than the state median of $352,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x. 39.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 40% lower than the state average of 66.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Fairbanks is White (non-Hispanic), making up 55.0% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 11.3%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (8.3% vs 2.9%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (11.3% vs 7.3%).
Education
26.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 17% lower 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 94.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Fairbanks, 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 Fairbanks, Alaska?
Fairbanks, Alaska has a population of 32,083 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Fairbanks, AK?
The median household income in Fairbanks is $73,534, which is 9% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Fairbanks, AK?
The poverty rate in Fairbanks is 8.7%. This means approximately 2,565 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Fairbanks, Alaska?
Fairbanks's population is 55.0% White, 8.3% Black, 11.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 4.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Fairbanks, AK?
The median home value in Fairbanks is $268,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x.
How educated is Fairbanks, Alaska?
26.3% of adults (25+) in Fairbanks hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.