Shishmaref city, Alaska Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Shishmaref city is a small community located in Alaska. The total population is 462. It ranks as the 136th most populous out of 330 cities and towns in Alaska.

Age Demographics

The median age in Shishmaref city is 33.7 years. This is 5% lower than the state median of 35.6 years. With 35.3% of the population under 18, Shishmaref city has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Shishmaref city is $62,083. This is 31% lower than the state median of $89,336. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 21% lower. The poverty rate stands at 23.2%. This is 128% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.2%. 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 22.9%. This is 298% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $116,700. Housing costs are 65% lower than the state median of $333,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x, Shishmaref city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 67.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.

Race & Ethnicity

Shishmaref city is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Asian residents account for 1.5%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (3.7%) is well below the state average of 58.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 7.1%. The Asian population (1.5%) is well below the state average of 6.3%.

Education

11.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 63% lower than the state rate of 31.2%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 86.9%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Shishmaref city, Alaska is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Alaska state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 330 Census-designated places in Alaska. For official data, visit data.census.gov.