Gulkana, Alaska Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Gulkana, Alaska had a total population of 47, the 270th largest community in Alaska. The poverty rate is 14.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Unemployment rate of 20.0% is notably above the national average.
Gulkana Quick Facts
How Gulkana 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 | 73 | 47 | -35.6% |
How Gulkana 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+)
Gulkana Rankings in Alaska
Explore Alaska Rankings
Other Cities in Copper River Census Area
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glennallen | 450 | $89,609 | 3.3% | $226,800 |
| Tazlina | 365 | $100,208 | 10.7% | $313,000 |
| Copper Center | 346 | $59,750 | 5.3% | $217,900 |
| Kenny Lake | 289 | $76,161 | 2.8% | $252,800 |
| Gakona | 181 | $96,250 | 12.7% | $350,000 |
| Nelchina | 149 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
| Willow Creek | 144 | $79,519 | 0.0% | $448,400 |
| Slana | 119 | N/A | 23.5% | N/A |
| Chitina | 100 | $23,571 | 43.0% | N/A |
| Mentasta Lake | 96 | N/A | 16.7% | $191,700 |
Cities Similar to Gulkana
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tonsina | 47 | N/A | N/A | 32.1% | 0.0% |
| Pilot Point | 48 | N/A | $110,000 | 20.7% | 35.4% |
| Sleetmute | 48 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 31.3% |
| Port Alexander | 50 | $57,813 | $118,800 | 18.9% | 6.0% |
| Nikolai | 44 | N/A | $100,000 | 2.6% | 15.9% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 47, Gulkana's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Gulkana is a small community located in Alaska, within Copper River Census Area. The total population is 47. It ranks as the 270th most populous out of 326 Census-designated places in Alaska.
Age Demographics
The median age in Gulkana is 60.2 years. This is 68% higher than the state median of 35.8 years. Only 6.4% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 12.8% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The poverty rate stands at 14.9%. This is 47% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.1%. The unemployment rate is 20.0%. This is 242% higher than the state rate of 5.9%. 16.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 76% lower than the state average of 66.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
Gulkana is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population.
Education
23.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 27% 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 69.8%. Notably, 20.9% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Gulkana, 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 Gulkana, Alaska?
Gulkana, Alaska has a population of 47 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Gulkana, AK?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for Gulkana — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Gulkana, AK?
The poverty rate in Gulkana is 14.9%. This means approximately 7 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Gulkana, Alaska?
Gulkana's population is 38.3% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Gulkana, AK?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for Gulkana — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is Gulkana, Alaska?
23.3% of adults (25+) in Gulkana hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 20.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.