Slana, Alaska Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Slana, Alaska had a total population of 119, the 218th largest community in Alaska. The poverty rate is 23.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- 43.7% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Alaska.
- Unemployment rate of 45.8% is notably above the national average.
Slana Quick Facts
How Slana 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 | 88 | 119 | +35.2% |
How Slana 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 63 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Slana Rankings in Alaska
Explore Alaska Rankings
Other Cities in Copper River Census Area
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glennallen | 450 | $89,609 | 3.3% | $226,800 |
| Tazlina | 365 | $100,208 | 10.7% | $313,000 |
| Copper Center | 346 | $59,750 | 5.3% | $217,900 |
| Kenny Lake | 289 | $76,161 | 2.8% | $252,800 |
| Gakona | 181 | $96,250 | 12.7% | $350,000 |
| Nelchina | 149 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
| Willow Creek | 144 | $79,519 | 0.0% | $448,400 |
| Chitina | 100 | $23,571 | 43.0% | N/A |
| Mentasta Lake | 96 | N/A | 16.7% | $191,700 |
| Tolsona | 76 | $65,167 | 0.0% | $331,700 |
Cities Similar to Slana
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuluksak | 118 | $67,813 | N/A | 24.1% | 26.3% |
| Newhalen | 122 | $106,250 | $240,600 | 15.4% | 8.2% |
| Mosquito Lake | 116 | $148,065 | $364,500 | 16.3% | 0.0% |
| Tetlin | 123 | N/A | $46,100 | 0.0% | 12.8% |
| Goodnews Bay | 115 | $26,875 | $137,500 | 0.0% | 60.0% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 119, Slana'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
Slana is a small community located in Alaska, within Copper River Census Area. The total population is 119. It ranks as the 218th most populous out of 326 Census-designated places in Alaska.
Age Demographics
The median age in Slana is 76.1 years. This is 113% higher than the state median of 35.8 years. 53.8% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The poverty rate stands at 23.5%. This is 132% 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 45.8%. This is 683% higher than the state rate of 5.9%. 36.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 46% lower than the state average of 66.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Slana is White (non-Hispanic), making up 70.6% of the population.
Education
43.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Slana in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 38% 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 70.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Slana, 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 Slana, Alaska?
Slana, Alaska has a population of 119 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Slana, AK?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for Slana — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Slana, AK?
The poverty rate in Slana is 23.5%. This means approximately 28 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Slana, Alaska?
Slana's population is 70.6% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Slana, AK?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for Slana — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is Slana, Alaska?
43.7% of adults (25+) in Slana hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.