Kenai, Alaska Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Kenai, Alaska had a total population of 7,641, the 14th largest city in Alaska, with a median household income of $87,083, which is 6% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 13.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Kenai Quick Facts
How Kenai 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 | 7,562 | 7,641 | +1.0% |
| Median household income | $74,907 | $87,083 | +16.3% |
| Median home value | $249,400 | $283,900 | +13.8% |
How Kenai 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+)
Kenai Rankings in Alaska
Explore Alaska Rankings
Other Cities in Kenai Peninsula Borough
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kalifornsky | 8,663 | $93,508 | 8.6% | $336,800 |
| Sterling | 6,323 | $102,415 | 4.5% | $353,400 |
| Homer | 5,877 | $74,449 | 11.8% | $388,400 |
| Nikiski | 4,773 | $65,863 | 15.9% | $312,600 |
| Soldotna | 4,485 | $56,280 | 16.4% | $306,000 |
| Seward | 2,794 | $85,481 | 9.3% | $338,100 |
| Fritz Creek | 2,383 | $89,531 | 7.9% | $344,100 |
| Anchor Point | 2,243 | $63,000 | 14.4% | $241,600 |
| Ridgeway | 1,997 | $90,391 | 16.6% | $303,900 |
| Bear Creek | 1,732 | $95,774 | 3.1% | $474,500 |
Cities Similar to Kenai
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ketchikan | 8,078 | $85,275 | $352,400 | 24.5% | 11.2% |
| Meadow Lakes | 8,689 | $81,699 | $323,100 | 15.8% | 14.1% |
| Kalifornsky | 8,663 | $93,508 | $336,800 | 31.6% | 8.6% |
| Sitka | 8,368 | $101,727 | $450,300 | 34.3% | 7.5% |
| Sterling | 6,323 | $102,415 | $353,400 | 29.2% | 4.5% |
Population Overview
Kenai is a small city located in Alaska, within Kenai Peninsula Borough. The total population is 7,641. It ranks as the 14th most populous out of 326 Census-designated places in Alaska.
Age Demographics
The median age in Kenai is 34.4 years. This is 4% lower than the state median of 35.8 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Kenai is $87,083. This is 6% lower than the state median of $92,788. It is also 8% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 13.2%. This is 30% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.1%. The unemployment rate is 7.4%. This is 27% higher than the state rate of 5.9%. The median home value is $283,900. Housing costs are 20% lower than the state median of $352,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x. 70.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 5% higher than the state average of 66.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Kenai is White (non-Hispanic), making up 69.2% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 7.8%. The Black or African American population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 2.9%.
Education
28.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 11% 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 96.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Kenai, 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 Kenai, Alaska?
Kenai, Alaska has a population of 7,641 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Kenai, AK?
The median household income in Kenai is $87,083, which is 8% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Kenai, AK?
The poverty rate in Kenai is 13.2%. This means approximately 1,006 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Kenai, Alaska?
Kenai's population is 69.2% White, 0.9% Black, 7.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Kenai, AK?
The median home value in Kenai is $283,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x.
How educated is Kenai, Alaska?
28.1% of adults (25+) in Kenai hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.