Gustavus, Alaska Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Gustavus, Alaska had a total population of 594, the 115th largest city in Alaska, with a median household income of $63,558, which is 32% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 10.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 32% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Unemployment rate of 8.6% is notably above the national average.
Gustavus Quick Facts
How Gustavus 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 | 610 | 594 | -2.6% |
| Median household income | $64,167 | $63,558 | -0.9% |
| Median home value | $276,500 | $330,600 | +19.6% |
How Gustavus 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+)
Gustavus Rankings in Alaska
Explore Alaska Rankings
Other Cities in Hoonah-Angoon Census Area
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hoonah | 862 | $80,500 | 16.9% | $329,400 |
| Angoon | 480 | $45,288 | 19.4% | $183,900 |
| Tenakee Springs | 163 | $54,375 | 3.1% | $258,300 |
| Klukwan | 82 | $23,542 | 25.6% | $75,000 |
| Pelican | 58 | $63,500 | 3.5% | $187,500 |
| Elfin Cove | 28 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Gustavus
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Van Horn | 572 | $73,214 | $41,500 | 6.0% | 9.8% |
| Gambell | 569 | $52,500 | $117,900 | 3.4% | 30.7% |
| Nuiqsut | 616 | $78,438 | $140,400 | 6.8% | 21.1% |
| Stebbins | 596 | $48,056 | $107,500 | 6.6% | 33.3% |
| Chefornak | 620 | $51,818 | $125,000 | 5.5% | 25.3% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 594, Gustavus'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
Gustavus is a small community located in Alaska, within Hoonah-Angoon Census Area. The total population is 594. It ranks as the 115th most populous out of 326 Census-designated places in Alaska.
Age Demographics
The median age in Gustavus is 50.9 years. This is 42% higher than the state median of 35.8 years. 17.0% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Gustavus is $63,558. This is 32% lower than the state median of $92,788. It is also 21% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 10.5%. This is 3% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.1%. The unemployment rate is 8.6%. This is 46% higher than the state rate of 5.9%. The median home value is $330,600. Housing costs are 6% lower than the state median of $352,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.2x. 81.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 22% higher than the state average of 66.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
Gustavus has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 87.7% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.4%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (87.7% vs 57.7%). The Hispanic or Latino population (3.4%) is well below the state average of 7.3%.
Education
34.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 9% 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 92.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Gustavus, 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 Gustavus, Alaska?
Gustavus, Alaska has a population of 594 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Gustavus, AK?
The median household income in Gustavus is $63,558, which is 21% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Gustavus, AK?
The poverty rate in Gustavus is 10.5%. This means approximately 62 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Gustavus, Alaska?
Gustavus's population is 87.7% White, 0.0% Black, 3.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Gustavus, AK?
The median home value in Gustavus is $330,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.2x.
How educated is Gustavus, Alaska?
34.4% of adults (25+) in Gustavus hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 13.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.