Kobuk, Alaska Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Kobuk, Alaska had a total population of 101, the 225th largest city in Alaska, with a median household income of $37,917, which is 59% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 25.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 59% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (25.7%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 0.0% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
Kobuk Quick Facts
How Kobuk 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 | 125 | 101 | -19.2% |
| Median household income | $31,429 | $37,917 | +20.6% |
How Kobuk 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+)
Kobuk Rankings in Alaska
Explore Alaska Rankings
Other Cities in Northwest Arctic Borough
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kotzebue | 2,984 | $110,357 | 14.4% | $288,400 |
| Kivalina | 809 | $72,589 | 22.2% | $175,000 |
| Noatak | 786 | $83,750 | 10.6% | $168,800 |
| Noorvik | 748 | $63,750 | 26.0% | $157,500 |
| Buckland | 533 | $58,990 | 13.7% | $86,700 |
| Kiana | 437 | $68,333 | 17.4% | $192,500 |
| Selawik | 412 | $52,500 | 36.6% | $76,700 |
| Deering | 227 | $58,333 | 15.4% | $110,900 |
| Ambler | 182 | $40,556 | 23.6% | $96,900 |
| Shungnak | 147 | $78,750 | 24.5% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Kobuk
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mentasta Lake | 96 | N/A | $191,700 | 0.0% | 16.7% |
| Nightmute | 93 | $38,929 | N/A | 6.4% | 52.7% |
| Eagle | 95 | $41,750 | $39,400 | 4.5% | 13.7% |
| Primrose | 89 | N/A | $450,000 | 58.8% | 9.0% |
| Skwentna | 97 | $46,667 | $100,000 | 31.6% | 38.1% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 101, Kobuk'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
Kobuk is a small community located in Alaska, within Northwest Arctic Borough. The total population is 101. It ranks as the 225th most populous out of 326 Census-designated places in Alaska.
Age Demographics
The median age in Kobuk is 22.8 years. This is 36% lower than the state median of 35.8 years. With 41.6% of the population under 18, Kobuk has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Kobuk is $37,917. This is 59% lower than the state median of $92,788. It is also 53% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 25.7%. This is 154% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.1%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The survey records no unemployed residents in Kobuk, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. 51.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 23% lower than the state average of 66.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
Kobuk is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. The White (non-Hispanic) population (5.0%) is well below the state average of 57.7%.
Education
0.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 77.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Kobuk, 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 Kobuk, Alaska?
Kobuk, Alaska has a population of 101 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Kobuk, AK?
The median household income in Kobuk is $37,917, which is 53% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Kobuk, AK?
The poverty rate in Kobuk is 25.7%. This means approximately 26 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Kobuk, Alaska?
Kobuk's population is 5.0% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Kobuk, AK?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for Kobuk — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is Kobuk, Alaska?
0.0% of adults (25+) in Kobuk hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.