Gateway, Alaska Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Gateway, Alaska had a total population of 6,845, the 15th largest community in Alaska, with a median household income of $137,772, which is 48% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 4.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 48% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in Alaska.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 4.5% — among the lowest in Alaska.
Gateway Quick Facts
How Gateway 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 | 6,716 | 6,845 | +1.9% |
| Median household income | $137,150 | $137,772 | +0.5% |
| Median home value | $436,200 | $446,200 | +2.3% |
How Gateway 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 63 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Gateway Rankings in Alaska
Explore Alaska Rankings
Other Cities in Matanuska-Susitna Borough
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Knik-Fairview | 19,972 | $96,437 | 9.2% | $340,200 |
| North Lakes | 10,223 | $101,679 | 7.3% | $357,600 |
| Wasilla | 9,720 | $67,234 | 17.5% | $358,400 |
| Tanaina | 9,646 | $105,536 | 8.6% | $328,500 |
| Meadow Lakes | 8,689 | $81,699 | 14.1% | $323,100 |
| Palmer | 6,268 | $72,201 | 13.0% | $294,900 |
| South Lakes | 6,180 | $98,141 | 7.6% | $377,500 |
| Fishhook | 5,819 | $111,375 | 9.2% | $416,300 |
| Butte | 4,085 | $101,042 | 6.7% | $374,600 |
| Big Lake | 3,585 | $81,406 | 11.5% | $298,700 |
Cities Similar to Gateway
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bethel | 6,312 | $117,255 | $360,200 | 24.5% | 11.6% |
| Chena Ridge | 5,881 | $133,775 | $395,500 | 47.8% | 2.8% |
| Steele Creek | 5,928 | $121,364 | $348,400 | 35.3% | 3.3% |
| Sterling | 6,323 | $102,415 | $353,400 | 29.2% | 4.5% |
| Fishhook | 5,819 | $111,375 | $416,300 | 29.8% | 9.2% |
Population Overview
Gateway is a small city located in Alaska, within Matanuska-Susitna Borough. The total population is 6,845. It ranks as the 15th most populous out of 326 Census-designated places in Alaska.
Age Demographics
The median age in Gateway is 33.8 years. This is 6% lower than the state median of 35.8 years. With 33.7% of the population under 18, Gateway has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Gateway is $137,772. This is 48% higher than the state median of $92,788. It is also 71% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 4.5%. This is 56% 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 3.8%. This is 35% lower than the state rate of 5.9%. The median home value is $446,200. Housing costs are 26% higher than the state median of $352,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x. 81.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 22% higher than the state average of 66.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Gateway is White (non-Hispanic), making up 69.7% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 9.4%. The Asian population (2.5%) is well below the state average of 6.3%.
Education
35.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 10% 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 96.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Gateway, 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 Gateway, Alaska?
Gateway, Alaska has a population of 6,845 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Gateway, AK?
The median household income in Gateway is $137,772, which is 71% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Gateway, AK?
The poverty rate in Gateway is 4.5%. This means approximately 306 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Gateway, Alaska?
Gateway's population is 69.7% White, 2.8% Black, 9.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Gateway, AK?
The median home value in Gateway is $446,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x.
How educated is Gateway, Alaska?
35.0% of adults (25+) in Gateway hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 12.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.