Prudhoe Bay, Alaska Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Prudhoe Bay, Alaska had a total population of 1,664, the 56th largest community in Alaska. The poverty rate is 6.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.3%.
Prudhoe Bay Quick Facts
How Prudhoe Bay 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 | 1,971 | 1,664 | -15.6% |
How Prudhoe Bay Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Employment
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 63 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Prudhoe Bay Rankings in Alaska
Explore Alaska Rankings
Other Cities in North Slope Borough
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Utqiaġvik | 4,778 | $115,313 | 11.0% | $311,400 |
| Point Hope | 832 | $74,844 | 20.0% | $167,000 |
| Wainwright | 718 | $93,750 | 12.0% | $117,000 |
| Nuiqsut | 616 | $78,438 | 21.1% | $140,400 |
| Point Lay | 390 | $104,063 | 14.4% | $119,100 |
| Anaktuvuk Pass | 329 | $95,500 | 8.8% | $145,000 |
| Atqasuk | 288 | $90,625 | 13.9% | $122,200 |
| Kaktovik | 124 | $93,750 | 25.0% | $97,100 |
Cities Similar to Prudhoe Bay
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Point MacKenzie | 1,668 | N/A | N/A | 2.9% | 7.3% |
| Tok | 1,649 | $64,063 | $224,600 | 20.5% | 14.5% |
| Bear Creek | 1,732 | $95,774 | $474,500 | 36.4% | 3.1% |
| Cohoe | 1,598 | $63,500 | $242,600 | 21.6% | 17.7% |
| Sutton-Alpine | 1,598 | $75,119 | $236,200 | 14.4% | 3.2% |
Population Overview
Prudhoe Bay is a small community located in Alaska, within North Slope Borough. The total population is 1,664. It ranks as the 56th most populous out of 326 Census-designated places in Alaska.
Age Demographics
The median age in Prudhoe Bay is 40.0 years. This is 12% higher than the state median of 35.8 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The poverty rate stands at 6.3%. This is 38% lower than the state poverty rate of 10.1%. The unemployment rate is 1.3%. This is 79% lower than the state rate of 5.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Prudhoe Bay is White (non-Hispanic), making up 74.2% of the population. Asian residents account for 8.5%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (5.1% vs 2.9%).
Education
18.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 41% 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 93.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Prudhoe Bay, 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 Prudhoe Bay, Alaska?
Prudhoe Bay, Alaska has a population of 1,664 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Prudhoe Bay, AK?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for Prudhoe Bay — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Prudhoe Bay, AK?
The poverty rate in Prudhoe Bay is 6.3%. This means approximately 104 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Prudhoe Bay, Alaska?
Prudhoe Bay's population is 74.2% White, 5.1% Black, 7.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 8.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Prudhoe Bay, AK?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for Prudhoe Bay — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is Prudhoe Bay, Alaska?
18.8% of adults (25+) in Prudhoe Bay hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.