Nelchina, Alaska Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Nelchina, Alaska had a total population of 149, the 207th largest community in Alaska. The poverty rate is 0.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Nelchina Quick Facts
How Nelchina 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 | 106 | 149 | +40.6% |
How Nelchina 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+)
Nelchina 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 |
| 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 |
| Tolsona | 76 | $65,167 | 0.0% | $331,700 |
Cities Similar to Nelchina
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Port Lions | 150 | $46,250 | $161,500 | 8.6% | 20.7% |
| False Pass | 151 | N/A | N/A | 15.4% | 0.0% |
| Shungnak | 147 | $78,750 | N/A | 0.0% | 24.5% |
| Cold Bay | 145 | N/A | N/A | 36.6% | 0.0% |
| Larsen Bay | 145 | $37,188 | $117,500 | 27.5% | 29.7% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 149, Nelchina'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
Nelchina is a small community located in Alaska, within Copper River Census Area. The total population is 149. It ranks as the 207th most populous out of 326 Census-designated places in Alaska.
Age Demographics
The median age in Nelchina is 39.4 years. This is 10% higher than the state median of 35.8 years. With 45.0% of the population under 18, Nelchina has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The ACS records no residents below the poverty line in Nelchina. In a community this small the estimate rests on very few survey responses, so it should be read as an absence of measurement rather than a measured absence of poverty. The survey records no unemployed residents in Nelchina, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. 100.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 50% higher than the state average of 66.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Nelchina is Hispanic or Latino, making up 56.4% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 34.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (56.4% vs 7.3%).
Education
13.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 58% lower than the state rate of 31.7%. 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 Nelchina, 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 Nelchina, Alaska?
Nelchina, Alaska has a population of 149 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Nelchina, AK?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for Nelchina — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Nelchina, AK?
The ACS sample for Nelchina recorded no residents below the federal poverty line. Because the community is small, this indicates that the survey did not capture poverty here rather than that no poverty exists — the estimate carries a wide margin of error.
What is the racial makeup of Nelchina, Alaska?
Nelchina's population is 34.2% White, 0.0% Black, 56.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Nelchina, AK?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for Nelchina — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is Nelchina, Alaska?
13.4% of adults (25+) in Nelchina hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.