Wales city, Alaska Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Wales city is a small community located in Alaska. The total population is 286. It ranks as the 163rd most populous out of 330 cities and towns in Alaska.

Age Demographics

The median age in Wales city is 20.7 years. This is 42% lower than the state median of 35.6 years. With 42.7% of the population under 18, Wales city has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Wales city is $38,125. This is 57% lower than the state median of $89,336. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 51% lower. The poverty rate stands at 28.0%. This is 175% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.2%. 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 14.6%. This is 153% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $96,900. Housing costs are 71% lower than the state median of $333,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, Wales city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 67.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.

Race & Ethnicity

Wales city is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. The White (non-Hispanic) population (7.7%) is well below the state average of 58.3%.

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. This is 100% lower than the state rate of 31.2%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 84.4%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Wales city, Alaska is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Alaska state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 330 Census-designated places in Alaska. For official data, visit data.census.gov.