Shungnak, Alaska Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Shungnak, Alaska had a total population of 147, the 208th largest city in Alaska, with a median household income of $78,750, which is 15% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 24.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Only 0.0% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Unemployment rate of 25.5% is notably above the national average.
Shungnak Quick Facts
How Shungnak 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 | 211 | 147 | -30.3% |
| Median household income | $76,667 | $78,750 | +2.7% |
How Shungnak 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+)
Shungnak Rankings in Alaska
Explore Alaska Rankings
Other Cities in Northwest Arctic Borough
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kotzebue | 2,984 | $110,357 | 14.4% | $288,400 |
| Kivalina | 809 | $72,589 | 22.2% | $175,000 |
| Noatak | 786 | $83,750 | 10.6% | $168,800 |
| Noorvik | 748 | $63,750 | 26.0% | $157,500 |
| Buckland | 533 | $58,990 | 13.7% | $86,700 |
| Kiana | 437 | $68,333 | 17.4% | $192,500 |
| Selawik | 412 | $52,500 | 36.6% | $76,700 |
| Deering | 227 | $58,333 | 15.4% | $110,900 |
| Ambler | 182 | $40,556 | 23.6% | $96,900 |
| Kobuk | 101 | $37,917 | 25.7% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Shungnak
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nelchina | 149 | N/A | N/A | 13.4% | 0.0% |
| Cold Bay | 145 | N/A | N/A | 36.6% | 0.0% |
| Willow Creek | 144 | $79,519 | $448,400 | 44.4% | 0.0% |
| False Pass | 151 | N/A | N/A | 15.4% | 0.0% |
| Akhiok | 160 | $85,139 | $54,400 | 2.9% | 17.5% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 147, Shungnak'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
Shungnak is a small community located in Alaska, within Northwest Arctic Borough. The total population is 147. It ranks as the 208th most populous out of 326 Census-designated places in Alaska.
Age Demographics
The median age in Shungnak is 23.2 years. This is 35% lower than the state median of 35.8 years. With 46.9% of the population under 18, Shungnak has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Shungnak is $78,750. This is 15% lower than the state median of $92,788. It is also 2% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 24.5%. This is 141% 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 25.5%. This is 336% higher than the state rate of 5.9%. 88.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 33% higher than the state average of 66.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
Education
0.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 97.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Shungnak, 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 Shungnak, Alaska?
Shungnak, Alaska has a population of 147 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Shungnak, AK?
The median household income in Shungnak is $78,750, which is 2% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Shungnak, AK?
The poverty rate in Shungnak is 24.5%. This means approximately 34 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Shungnak, Alaska?
Shungnak's population is 0.0% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Shungnak, AK?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for Shungnak — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is Shungnak, Alaska?
0.0% of adults (25+) in Shungnak hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.