Whittier, Alaska Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Whittier, Alaska had a total population of 411, the 141st largest city in Alaska, with a median household income of $62,500, which is 33% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 20.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 33% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.3x.
- One of the most racially diverse communities in Alaska (diversity index: 77/100).
Whittier Quick Facts
How Whittier 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 | 471 | 411 | -12.7% |
| Median household income | $57,188 | $62,500 | +9.3% |
| Median home value | $83,500 | $83,800 | +0.4% |
How Whittier 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
This community is exceptionally diverse, with no single racial or ethnic group dominating the population.
State average: 63 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Whittier Rankings in Alaska
Explore Alaska Rankings
Other Cities in Chugach Census Area
Cities Similar to Whittier
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selawik | 412 | $52,500 | $76,700 | 2.9% | 36.6% |
| Kiana | 437 | $68,333 | $192,500 | 10.9% | 17.4% |
| Shishmaref | 466 | $61,458 | $109,400 | 7.1% | 24.9% |
| Tununak | 384 | $54,306 | N/A | 3.5% | 19.8% |
| Napaskiak | 447 | $55,000 | $47,000 | 2.9% | 35.6% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 411, Whittier'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
Whittier is a small community located in Alaska, within Chugach Census Area. The total population is 411. It ranks as the 141st most populous out of 326 Census-designated places in Alaska.
Age Demographics
The median age in Whittier is 31.8 years. This is 11% lower than the state median of 35.8 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Whittier is $62,500. This is 33% lower than the state median of $92,788. It is also 23% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 20.4%. This is 102% 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 8.0%. This is 37% higher than the state rate of 5.9%. The median home value is $83,800. Housing costs are 76% lower than the state median of $352,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.3x, Whittier is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 40.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 39% lower than the state average of 66.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
Whittier is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Asian residents account for 21.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (18.0% vs 7.3%). The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (21.9% vs 6.3%).
Education
33.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 5% 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 91.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Whittier, 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 Whittier, Alaska?
Whittier, Alaska has a population of 411 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Whittier, AK?
The median household income in Whittier is $62,500, which is 23% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Whittier, AK?
The poverty rate in Whittier is 20.4%. This means approximately 84 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Whittier, Alaska?
Whittier's population is 36.3% White, 0.0% Black, 18.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 21.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Whittier, AK?
The median home value in Whittier is $83,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.3x.
How educated is Whittier, Alaska?
33.2% of adults (25+) in Whittier hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 14.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.