Shishmaref, Alaska Demographics & Population 2026
Demographic data: ACS 2020–2024 five-year estimates. Sources and methodology
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Shishmaref, Alaska had a total population of 466, the 134th largest city in Alaska, with a median household income of $61,458, which is 34% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 24.9%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 34% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Only 7.1% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.8x.
- Unemployment rate of 29.4% is notably above the national average.
Shishmaref Quick Facts
How Shishmaref 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 | 498 | 466 | No clear change (-6.4%) |
| Median household income | $46,921 | $61,458 | +31.0% |
| Median home value¹ | $96,364 | $109,400 | No clear change (+13.5%) |
| Median gross rent | $1,037 | $950 | No clear change (-8.4%) |
How Shishmaref 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: 1.5%
- Black: 0.0%
- Hispanic: 0.0%
- Asian: 1.1%
- Other: 0.0%
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+)
- < High School: 14.5%
- HS Diploma: 64.3%
- Some College: 13.8%
- Associate's: 0.4%
- Bachelor's: 2.1%
- Graduate+: 5.0%
Shishmaref Rankings in Alaska
Explore Alaska Rankings
Other Cities in Nome Census Area
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nome | 3,653 | $113,646 | 8.8% | $356,900 |
| Savoonga | 868 | $53,750 | 26.5% | $100,000 |
| Brevig Mission | 718 | $63,088 | 55.2% | $92,900 |
| Stebbins | 596 | $48,056 | 33.3% | $107,500 |
| Gambell | 569 | $52,500 | 30.7% | $117,900 |
| Unalakleet | 519 | $87,292 | 8.9% | $221,400 |
| Elim | 383 | $37,031 | 41.8% | $120,000 |
| Koyuk | 348 | $36,563 | 41.9% | $95,000 |
| Shaktoolik | 283 | $80,417 | 7.1% | $92,100 |
| Teller | 255 | $54,375 | 33.3% | $38,100 |
Cities Similar to Shishmaref
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Stuyahok | 474 | $66,250 | $82,500 | 25.7% | 15.7% |
| Nenana | 479 | $57,446 | $90,600 | 15.3% | 21.7% |
| Napaskiak | 447 | $55,000 | $47,000 | 2.9% | 35.6% |
| Thorne Bay | 519 | $61,250 | $270,000 | 21.6% | 4.2% |
| Kiana | 437 | $68,333 | $192,500 | 10.9% | 17.4% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 466, Shishmaref'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
Shishmaref is a small community located in Alaska, within Nome Census Area. The total population is 466. It ranks as the 134th most populous out of 326 Census-designated places in Alaska.
Age Demographics
The median age in Shishmaref is 33.0 years. This is 8% lower than the state median of 35.8 years. With 32.6% of the population under 18, Shishmaref has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Shishmaref is $61,458. This is 34% lower than the state median of $92,788. It is also 24% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 24.9%. This is 145% 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 29.4%. This is 403% higher than the state rate of 5.9%. The median home value is $109,400. Housing costs are 69% lower than the state median of $352,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.8x, Shishmaref is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 75.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 13% higher than the state average of 66.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
Shishmaref is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Asian residents account for 1.1%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (1.5%) is well below the state average of 57.7%. The Asian population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 6.3%.
Education
7.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 78% 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 85.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Shishmaref, 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 Shishmaref, Alaska?
Shishmaref, Alaska has a population of 466 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Shishmaref, AK?
The median household income in Shishmaref is $61,458, which is 24% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Shishmaref, AK?
The poverty rate in Shishmaref is 24.9%. This means approximately 116 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Shishmaref, Alaska?
Shishmaref's population is 1.5% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Shishmaref, AK?
The median home value in Shishmaref is $109,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.8x.
How educated is Shishmaref, Alaska?
7.1% of adults (25+) in Shishmaref hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.