Nenana, Alaska Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Nenana, Alaska had a total population of 479, the 132nd largest city in Alaska, with a median household income of $57,446, which is 38% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 21.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 38% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.6x.
Nenana Quick Facts
How Nenana 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 | 527 | 479 | -9.1% |
| Median household income | $51,250 | $57,446 | +12.1% |
| Median home value | $88,600 | $90,600 | +2.3% |
How Nenana 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+)
Nenana Rankings in Alaska
Explore Alaska Rankings
Other Cities in Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Yukon | 656 | $42,022 | 15.9% | $168,200 |
| Galena | 611 | $87,875 | 10.3% | $107,000 |
| Tanana | 334 | $83,036 | 11.7% | $67,100 |
| McGrath | 255 | $59,063 | 5.9% | $112,500 |
| Nulato | 255 | $53,021 | 11.4% | $102,700 |
| Ruby | 237 | N/A | 3.4% | $205,000 |
| Minto | 214 | N/A | 7.9% | $32,700 |
| Coldfoot | 211 | N/A | 25.1% | N/A |
| Holy Cross | 205 | N/A | 11.2% | $53,000 |
| Grayling | 173 | $46,250 | 31.2% | $114,300 |
Cities Similar to Nenana
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shishmaref | 466 | $61,458 | $109,400 | 7.1% | 24.9% |
| New Stuyahok | 474 | $66,250 | $82,500 | 25.7% | 15.7% |
| Napaskiak | 447 | $55,000 | $47,000 | 2.9% | 35.6% |
| Thorne Bay | 519 | $61,250 | $270,000 | 21.6% | 4.2% |
| Buckland | 533 | $58,990 | $86,700 | 1.9% | 13.7% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 479, Nenana'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
Nenana is a small community located in Alaska, within Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area. The total population is 479. It ranks as the 132nd most populous out of 326 Census-designated places in Alaska.
Age Demographics
The median age in Nenana is 41.1 years. This is 15% higher than the state median of 35.8 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Nenana is $57,446. This is 38% lower than the state median of $92,788. It is also 29% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 21.7%. This is 114% 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 unemployment rate is 3.5%. This is 41% lower than the state rate of 5.9%. The median home value is $90,600. Housing costs are 74% lower than the state median of $352,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.6x, Nenana is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 50.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 24% lower than the state average of 66.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Nenana is White (non-Hispanic), making up 48.2% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.9%) is well below the state average of 7.3%.
Education
15.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 52% 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 94.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Nenana, 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 Nenana, Alaska?
Nenana, Alaska has a population of 479 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Nenana, AK?
The median household income in Nenana is $57,446, which is 29% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Nenana, AK?
The poverty rate in Nenana is 21.7%. This means approximately 103 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Nenana, Alaska?
Nenana's population is 48.2% White, 0.0% Black, 2.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Nenana, AK?
The median home value in Nenana is $90,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.6x.
How educated is Nenana, Alaska?
15.3% of adults (25+) in Nenana hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.