McCarthy, Alaska Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, McCarthy, Alaska had a total population of 3, the 322nd largest community in Alaska. The poverty rate is 66.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (66.7%), 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%.
McCarthy Quick Facts
How McCarthy 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 | 2 | 3 | +50.0% |
How McCarthy Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Employment
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 63 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
McCarthy 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 McCarthy
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alcan Border | 3 | N/A | N/A | 33.3% | 0.0% |
| Red Devil | 3 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Beluga | 4 | N/A | N/A | 75.0% | 0.0% |
| Ugashik | 4 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Lake Minchumina | 7 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 14.3% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 3, McCarthy'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
McCarthy is a small community located in Alaska, within Copper River Census Area. The total population is 3. It ranks as the 322nd most populous out of 326 Census-designated places in Alaska.
Age Demographics
The median age in McCarthy is 34.5 years. This is 4% lower than the state median of 35.8 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The poverty rate stands at 66.7%. This is 557% 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 McCarthy, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness.
Race & Ethnicity
McCarthy is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 33.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (33.3% vs 7.3%). The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (33.3% vs 6.3%).
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. No surveyed resident aged 25 or older reported leaving school before earning a high school diploma, though a rate of exactly 100% reflects the limits of a small sample.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for McCarthy, 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 McCarthy, Alaska?
McCarthy, Alaska has a population of 3 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in McCarthy, AK?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for McCarthy — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in McCarthy, AK?
The poverty rate in McCarthy is 66.7%. This means approximately 2 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of McCarthy, Alaska?
McCarthy's population is 33.3% White, 0.0% Black, 33.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 33.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in McCarthy, AK?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for McCarthy — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is McCarthy, Alaska?
0.0% of adults (25+) in McCarthy hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.