South Lakes, Alaska Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, South Lakes, Alaska had a total population of 6,180, the 19th largest community in Alaska, with a median household income of $98,141, which is 6% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 7.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
South Lakes Quick Facts
How South Lakes 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 | 6,132 | 6,180 | +0.8% |
| Median household income | $89,632 | $98,141 | +9.5% |
| Median home value | $367,700 | $377,500 | +2.7% |
How South Lakes 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+)
South Lakes Rankings in Alaska
Explore Alaska Rankings
Other Cities in Matanuska-Susitna Borough
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Knik-Fairview | 19,972 | $96,437 | 9.2% | $340,200 |
| North Lakes | 10,223 | $101,679 | 7.3% | $357,600 |
| Wasilla | 9,720 | $67,234 | 17.5% | $358,400 |
| Tanaina | 9,646 | $105,536 | 8.6% | $328,500 |
| Meadow Lakes | 8,689 | $81,699 | 14.1% | $323,100 |
| Gateway | 6,845 | $137,772 | 4.5% | $446,200 |
| Palmer | 6,268 | $72,201 | 13.0% | $294,900 |
| Fishhook | 5,819 | $111,375 | 9.2% | $416,300 |
| Butte | 4,085 | $101,042 | 6.7% | $374,600 |
| Big Lake | 3,585 | $81,406 | 11.5% | $298,700 |
Cities Similar to South Lakes
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sterling | 6,323 | $102,415 | $353,400 | 29.2% | 4.5% |
| Bethel | 6,312 | $117,255 | $360,200 | 24.5% | 11.6% |
| Fishhook | 5,819 | $111,375 | $416,300 | 29.8% | 9.2% |
| Steele Creek | 5,928 | $121,364 | $348,400 | 35.3% | 3.3% |
| Palmer | 6,268 | $72,201 | $294,900 | 24.5% | 13.0% |
Population Overview
South Lakes is a small city located in Alaska, within Matanuska-Susitna Borough. The total population is 6,180. It ranks as the 19th most populous out of 326 Census-designated places in Alaska.
Age Demographics
The median age in South Lakes is 34.2 years. This is 4% lower than the state median of 35.8 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in South Lakes is $98,141. This is 6% higher than the state median of $92,788. It is also 22% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 7.6%. This is 25% lower than the state poverty rate of 10.1%. The unemployment rate is 5.2%. This is 10% lower than the state rate of 5.9%. The median home value is $377,500. Housing costs are 7% higher than the state median of $352,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x. 71.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 6% higher than the state average of 66.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in South Lakes is White (non-Hispanic), making up 80.8% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 5.1%. The Black or African American population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 2.9%. The Asian population (1.7%) is well below the state average of 6.3%.
Education
24.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 24% 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 94.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for South Lakes, 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 South Lakes, Alaska?
South Lakes, Alaska has a population of 6,180 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in South Lakes, AK?
The median household income in South Lakes is $98,141, which is 22% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in South Lakes, AK?
The poverty rate in South Lakes is 7.6%. This means approximately 465 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of South Lakes, Alaska?
South Lakes's population is 80.8% White, 0.6% Black, 5.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in South Lakes, AK?
The median home value in South Lakes is $377,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x.
How educated is South Lakes, Alaska?
24.1% of adults (25+) in South Lakes hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.