Nikiski, Alaska Demographics & Population 2026
Demographic data: ACS 2020–2024 five-year estimates. Sources and methodology
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Nikiski, Alaska had a total population of 4,773, the 27th largest community in Alaska, with a median household income of $65,863, which is 29% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 15.9%.
Nikiski Quick Facts
How Nikiski Changed
Change from the non-overlapping 2015–2019 ACS period to 2020–2024. Earlier dollar figures are adjusted to 2024 dollars; changes marked “no clear change” are within the combined 90% margins of error.
| Metric | 2015–2019 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 4,316 | 4,773 | No clear change (+10.6%) |
| Median household income | $67,176 | $65,863 | No clear change (-2.0%) |
| Median home value¹ | $264,479 | $312,600 | No clear change (+18.2%) |
| Median gross rent | $1,392 | $996 | -28.4% |
How Nikiski Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
- White: 70.4%
- Black: 0.8%
- Hispanic: 5.9%
- Asian: 3.6%
- Other: 2.0%
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 63 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
- < High School: 7.1%
- HS Diploma: 36.4%
- Some College: 30.2%
- Associate's: 12.3%
- Bachelor's: 10.8%
- Graduate+: 3.3%
Nikiski Rankings in Alaska
Explore Alaska Rankings
Other Cities in Kenai Peninsula Borough
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kalifornsky | 8,663 | $93,508 | 8.6% | $336,800 |
| Kenai | 7,641 | $87,083 | 13.2% | $283,900 |
| Sterling | 6,323 | $102,415 | 4.5% | $353,400 |
| Homer | 5,877 | $74,449 | 11.8% | $388,400 |
| Soldotna | 4,485 | $56,280 | 16.4% | $306,000 |
| Seward | 2,794 | $85,481 | 9.3% | $338,100 |
| Fritz Creek | 2,383 | $89,531 | 7.9% | $344,100 |
| Anchor Point | 2,243 | $63,000 | 14.4% | $241,600 |
| Ridgeway | 1,997 | $90,391 | 16.6% | $303,900 |
| Bear Creek | 1,732 | $95,774 | 3.1% | $474,500 |
Cities Similar to Nikiski
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soldotna | 4,485 | $56,280 | $306,000 | 22.7% | 16.4% |
| Homer | 5,877 | $74,449 | $388,400 | 40.1% | 11.8% |
| Utqiaġvik | 4,778 | $115,313 | $311,400 | 16.4% | 11.0% |
| Kodiak | 5,447 | $90,292 | $347,100 | 25.3% | 7.5% |
| Farmers Loop | 4,954 | $109,950 | $279,800 | 33.3% | 1.8% |
Population Overview
Nikiski is a small community located in Alaska, within Kenai Peninsula Borough. The total population is 4,773. It ranks as the 27th most populous out of 326 Census-designated places in Alaska.
Age Demographics
The median age in Nikiski is 36.5 years. This is 2% higher than the state median of 35.8 years. With 30.2% of the population under 18, Nikiski has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Nikiski is $65,863. This is 29% lower than the state median of $92,788. It is also 18% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 15.9%. This is 57% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.1%. The unemployment rate is 6.1%. This is 4% higher than the state rate of 5.9%. The median home value is $312,600. Housing costs are 11% lower than the state median of $352,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.7x. 78.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 18% higher than the state average of 66.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Nikiski is White (non-Hispanic), making up 70.4% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 5.9%. The Black or African American population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 2.9%.
Education
14.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 56% 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 92.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Nikiski, 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.
Free data download: Get all Alaska city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Nikiski, Alaska?
Nikiski, Alaska has a population of 4,773 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Nikiski, AK?
The median household income in Nikiski is $65,863, which is 18% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Nikiski, AK?
The poverty rate in Nikiski is 15.9%. This means approximately 758 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Nikiski, Alaska?
Nikiski's population is 70.4% White, 0.8% Black, 5.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Nikiski, AK?
The median home value in Nikiski is $312,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.7x.
How educated is Nikiski, Alaska?
14.0% of adults (25+) in Nikiski hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.