Seward, Alaska Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Seward, Alaska had a total population of 2,794, the 40th largest city in Alaska, with a median household income of $85,481, which is 8% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 9.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- 43.0% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Alaska.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.3%.
Seward Quick Facts
How Seward 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 | 2,735 | 2,794 | +2.2% |
| Median household income | $71,016 | $85,481 | +20.4% |
| Median home value | $290,300 | $338,100 | +16.5% |
How Seward 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 less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 63 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Seward 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 |
| Nikiski | 4,773 | $65,863 | 15.9% | $312,600 |
| Soldotna | 4,485 | $56,280 | 16.4% | $306,000 |
| 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 Seward
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cordova | 2,453 | $85,132 | $419,400 | 31.5% | 2.9% |
| Fritz Creek | 2,383 | $89,531 | $344,100 | 43.0% | 7.9% |
| Kotzebue | 2,984 | $110,357 | $288,400 | 18.7% | 14.4% |
| Farm Loop | 2,894 | $119,375 | $431,300 | 37.4% | 5.7% |
| North Pole | 2,370 | $92,273 | $289,400 | 29.4% | 4.9% |
Population Overview
Seward is a small community located in Alaska, within Kenai Peninsula Borough. The total population is 2,794. It ranks as the 40th most populous out of 326 Census-designated places in Alaska.
Age Demographics
The median age in Seward is 37.7 years. This is 5% higher than the state median of 35.8 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Seward is $85,481. This is 8% lower than the state median of $92,788. It is also 6% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 9.3%. This is 8% lower than the state poverty rate of 10.1%. The unemployment rate is 2.3%. This is 61% lower than the state rate of 5.9%. The median home value is $338,100. Housing costs are 4% lower than the state median of $352,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.0x. 68.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 3% higher than the state average of 66.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Seward is White (non-Hispanic), making up 83.8% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 2.7%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.0%) is well below the state average of 7.3%. The Asian population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 6.3%.
Education
43.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Seward in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 36% higher 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 94.3%. Notably, 16.6% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Seward, 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 Seward, Alaska?
Seward, Alaska has a population of 2,794 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Seward, AK?
The median household income in Seward is $85,481, which is 6% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Seward, AK?
The poverty rate in Seward is 9.3%. This means approximately 200 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Seward, Alaska?
Seward's population is 83.8% White, 2.7% Black, 2.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Seward, AK?
The median home value in Seward is $338,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.0x.
How educated is Seward, Alaska?
43.0% of adults (25+) in Seward hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 16.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.