Kenai city, Alaska Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Kenai city, Alaska has a total population of 7,562, the 14th largest city in Alaska, with a median household income of $74,907, which is 16% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.3%.
Key Takeaways
- Unemployment rate of 8.8% is notably above the national average.
Kenai city Quick Facts
How Kenai city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 56 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Kenai city Rankings in Alaska
Explore Alaska Rankings
Cities Similar to Kenai city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ketchikan city | 8,151 | $76,835 | $340,300 | 24.0% | 12.6% |
| Kalifornsky CDP | 8,136 | $91,081 | $306,200 | 31.7% | 9.3% |
| Meadow Lakes CDP | 8,994 | $81,250 | $305,100 | 17.6% | 12.6% |
| Palmer city | 6,141 | $70,550 | $275,900 | 23.8% | 11.0% |
| Wasilla city | 9,435 | $70,756 | $325,000 | 18.5% | 15.0% |
Population Overview
Kenai city is a small city located in Alaska. The total population is 7,562. It ranks as the 14th most populous out of 330 cities and towns in Alaska.
Age Demographics
The median age in Kenai city is 34.1 years. This is 4% lower than the state median of 35.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Kenai city is $74,907. This is 16% lower than the state median of $89,336. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 5% lower. The poverty rate stands at 12.3%. This is 21% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.2%. The unemployment rate is 8.8%. This is 53% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $249,400. Housing costs are 25% lower than the state median of $333,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x. 64.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 3% lower than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Kenai city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 68.7% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 8.1%. The Black or African American population (1.0%) is well below the state average of 3.0%.
Education
24.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 23% 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 94.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Kenai 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Kenai city, Alaska?
Kenai city, Alaska has a population of 7,562 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Kenai city, AK?
The median household income in Kenai city is $74,907, which is 5% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Kenai city, AK?
The poverty rate in Kenai city is 12.3%. This means approximately 926 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Kenai city, Alaska?
Kenai city's population is 68.7% White, 1.0% Black, 8.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Kenai city, AK?
The median home value in Kenai city is $249,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x.
How educated is Kenai city, Alaska?
24.1% of adults (25+) in Kenai city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.