Valdez, Alaska Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Valdez, Alaska had a total population of 3,847, the 31st largest city in Alaska, with a median household income of $99,271, which is 7% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 5.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Unemployment rate of 10.1% is notably above the national average.
Valdez Quick Facts
How Valdez 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 | 3,911 | 3,847 | -1.6% |
| Median household income | $97,067 | $99,271 | +2.3% |
| Median home value | $312,400 | $313,000 | +0.2% |
How Valdez 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+)
Valdez Rankings in Alaska
Explore Alaska Rankings
Other Cities in Chugach Census Area
Cities Similar to Valdez
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Butte | 4,085 | $101,042 | $374,600 | 33.7% | 6.7% |
| Mill Bay | 3,654 | $88,580 | $463,200 | 36.8% | 9.0% |
| Nome | 3,653 | $113,646 | $356,900 | 22.1% | 8.8% |
| Big Lake | 3,585 | $81,406 | $298,700 | 17.4% | 11.5% |
| Goldstream | 3,294 | $103,589 | $289,600 | 68.6% | 4.7% |
Population Overview
Valdez is a small community located in Alaska, within Chugach Census Area. The total population is 3,847. It ranks as the 31st most populous out of 326 Census-designated places in Alaska.
Age Demographics
The median age in Valdez is 38.4 years. This is 7% higher than the state median of 35.8 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Valdez is $99,271. This is 7% higher than the state median of $92,788. It is also 23% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 5.8%. This is 43% lower than the state poverty rate of 10.1%. The unemployment rate is 10.1%. This is 73% higher than the state rate of 5.9%. The median home value is $313,000. Housing costs are 11% lower than the state median of $352,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x. 65.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 2% lower than the state average of 66.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Valdez is White (non-Hispanic), making up 74.5% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 4.4%. The Asian population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 6.3%.
Education
31.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is about the same as 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 96.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Valdez, 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 Valdez, Alaska?
Valdez, Alaska has a population of 3,847 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Valdez, AK?
The median household income in Valdez is $99,271, which is 23% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Valdez, AK?
The poverty rate in Valdez is 5.8%. This means approximately 217 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Valdez, Alaska?
Valdez's population is 74.5% White, 2.6% Black, 4.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Valdez, AK?
The median home value in Valdez is $313,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x.
How educated is Valdez, Alaska?
31.9% of adults (25+) in Valdez hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 14.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.