Mentasta Lake, Alaska Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Mentasta Lake, Alaska had a total population of 96, the 228th largest community in Alaska. The poverty rate is 16.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Only 0.0% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Unemployment rate of 13.9% is notably above the national average.
Mentasta Lake Quick Facts
How Mentasta Lake 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 | 94 | 96 | +2.1% |
| Median home value | $166,900 | $191,700 | +14.9% |
How Mentasta Lake 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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 63 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Mentasta Lake 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 |
| Tolsona | 76 | $65,167 | 0.0% | $331,700 |
Cities Similar to Mentasta Lake
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skwentna | 97 | $46,667 | $100,000 | 31.6% | 38.1% |
| Eagle | 95 | $41,750 | $39,400 | 4.5% | 13.7% |
| Nightmute | 93 | $38,929 | N/A | 6.4% | 52.7% |
| Chitina | 100 | $23,571 | N/A | 7.4% | 43.0% |
| Aleknagik | 92 | $75,417 | $40,000 | 6.6% | 21.7% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 96, Mentasta Lake'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
Mentasta Lake is a small community located in Alaska, within Copper River Census Area. The total population is 96. It ranks as the 228th most populous out of 326 Census-designated places in Alaska.
Age Demographics
The median age in Mentasta Lake is 65.2 years. This is 82% higher than the state median of 35.8 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The poverty rate stands at 16.7%. This is 64% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.1%. The unemployment rate is 13.9%. This is 137% higher than the state rate of 5.9%. The median home value is $191,700. Housing costs are 46% lower than the state median of $352,900. 66.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.
Race & Ethnicity
Mentasta Lake is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population.
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 82.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Mentasta Lake, 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 Mentasta Lake, Alaska?
Mentasta Lake, Alaska has a population of 96 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Mentasta Lake, AK?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for Mentasta Lake — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Mentasta Lake, AK?
The poverty rate in Mentasta Lake is 16.7%. This means approximately 16 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Mentasta Lake, Alaska?
Mentasta Lake's population is 31.3% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Mentasta Lake, AK?
The median home value in Mentasta Lake is $191,700.
How educated is Mentasta Lake, Alaska?
0.0% of adults (25+) in Mentasta Lake hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.