Utqiaġvik, Alaska Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Utqiaġvik, Alaska had a total population of 4,778, the 26th largest city in Alaska, with a median household income of $115,313, which is 24% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 11.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Unemployment rate of 9.0% is notably above the national average.
Utqiaġvik Quick Facts
How Utqiaġvik 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 | 4,850 | 4,778 | -1.5% |
| Median household income | $89,038 | $115,313 | +29.5% |
| Median home value | $282,400 | $311,400 | +10.3% |
How Utqiaġvik 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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 63 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Utqiaġvik Rankings in Alaska
Explore Alaska Rankings
Other Cities in North Slope Borough
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prudhoe Bay | 1,664 | N/A | 6.3% | N/A |
| Point Hope | 832 | $74,844 | 20.0% | $167,000 |
| Wainwright | 718 | $93,750 | 12.0% | $117,000 |
| Nuiqsut | 616 | $78,438 | 21.1% | $140,400 |
| Point Lay | 390 | $104,063 | 14.4% | $119,100 |
| Anaktuvuk Pass | 329 | $95,500 | 8.8% | $145,000 |
| Atqasuk | 288 | $90,625 | 13.9% | $122,200 |
| Kaktovik | 124 | $93,750 | 25.0% | $97,100 |
Cities Similar to Utqiaġvik
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Farmers Loop | 4,954 | $109,950 | $279,800 | 33.3% | 1.8% |
| Unalaska | 4,556 | $131,964 | $462,400 | 17.9% | 9.6% |
| Fishhook | 5,819 | $111,375 | $416,300 | 29.8% | 9.2% |
| Butte | 4,085 | $101,042 | $374,600 | 33.7% | 6.7% |
| Steele Creek | 5,928 | $121,364 | $348,400 | 35.3% | 3.3% |
Population Overview
Utqiaġvik is a small community located in Alaska, within North Slope Borough. The total population is 4,778. It ranks as the 26th most populous out of 326 Census-designated places in Alaska.
Age Demographics
The median age in Utqiaġvik is 34.4 years. This is 4% lower than the state median of 35.8 years. With 30.4% of the population under 18, Utqiaġvik has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Utqiaġvik is $115,313. This is 24% higher than the state median of $92,788. It is also 43% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 11.0%. This is 8% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.1%. The unemployment rate is 9.0%. This is 55% higher than the state rate of 5.9%. The median home value is $311,400. Housing costs are 12% lower than the state median of $352,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.7x, Utqiaġvik is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 45.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 32% lower than the state average of 66.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
Utqiaġvik is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Asian residents account for 8.1%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (19.7%) is well below the state average of 57.7%. The Black or African American population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 2.9%.
Education
16.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 48% 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 83.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Utqiaġvik, 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 Utqiaġvik, Alaska?
Utqiaġvik, Alaska has a population of 4,778 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Utqiaġvik, AK?
The median household income in Utqiaġvik is $115,313, which is 43% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Utqiaġvik, AK?
The poverty rate in Utqiaġvik is 11.0%. This means approximately 511 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Utqiaġvik, Alaska?
Utqiaġvik's population is 19.7% White, 0.8% Black, 7.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 8.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Utqiaġvik, AK?
The median home value in Utqiaġvik is $311,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.7x.
How educated is Utqiaġvik, Alaska?
16.4% of adults (25+) in Utqiaġvik hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.