City · Alaska
Fairbanks, Alaska
Fairbanks, city, in Fairbanks North Star Borough, Alaska. Fairbanks had 31,468 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 3.2% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 32,515 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 32,083 (±56). GEOID 0224230.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
31,468
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 32,515 · ACS 2020-2024: 32,083 ±56
Median household income
$73,534
±$4,373 (90% margin)
Alaska: $92,788
Median home value
$268,400
±$13,741 (90% margin)
Alaska: $352,900
Median gross rent
$1,496
±$81 (90% margin)
Alaska: $1,419
Where is Fairbanks and what county is it in?
Fairbanks is a city in Fairbanks North Star Borough, Alaska. It covers 31.8 square miles of land, 1,023 residents per square mile in 2020.
Fairbanks is in the Fairbanks-College, AK metropolitan statistical area (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Fairbanks, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 31,468 people lived in Fairbanks on July 1, 2025, down 3.2% since 2020, while Alaska grew 0.5%. The 2020 Census counted 32,515 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 32,083 (±56).
| Measure | Fairbanks | Fairbanks North Star Borough | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 32,083 ±56 | 95,460 | +532 |
| Households | 12,071 ±959 | 36,359 | +1,205 |
| Average household size | 2.43 ±0.11 | 2.51 | −0.22 |
| Housing units | 13,793 ±902 | 42,680 | no clear change |
Fairbanks's population since 2000
From 30,224 in 2000 to 31,468 in 2025: up 4.1%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Fairbanks as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Fairbanks?
The median resident of Fairbanks is 29.0 years old; 24.6% are under 18 and 11.9% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 55.0%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 11.3%. 7.5% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Fairbanks | Fairbanks North Star Borough | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 29.0 ±1.2 | 32.5 | +1.4 |
| Under 18 years | 24.6% ±2.1 pts | 23.7% | – |
| 65 years and over | 11.9% ±1.3 pts | 12.7% | – |
| Male | 54.2% ±2.1 pts | 54.6% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 11.3% ±1.8 pts | 8.5% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 55.0% ±2.6 pts | 66.8% | −5.2 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 8.2% ±2.0 pts | 3.9% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 4.2% ±1.1 pts | 2.8% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 8.4% ±1.6 pts | 5.8% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.9% ±0.6 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 10.8% ±1.8 pts | 10.6% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 1.1% ±0.8 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 7.5% ±2.0 pts | 5.6% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 14.0% ±2.0 pts | 9.8% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 11.8% ±2.0 pts | 13.7% | – |
| With a disability | 16.7% ±2.2 pts | 14.5% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 10.0% ±1.8 pts | 9.3% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 94.1% ±1.5 pts | 94.7% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 26.2% ±2.7 pts | 33.1% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 8.1% ±2.0 pts | 12.9% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 77.7% ±2.8 pts | 82.2% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 10.4% ±2.0 pts | 6.8% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Fairbanks earn?
Half of Fairbanks's 12,071 households earn less than $73,534 a year (±$4,373), against $88,267 in Fairbanks North Star Borough and $92,788 in Alaska. In 2015-2019 it was $77,044 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 8.7% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Fairbanks | Fairbanks North Star Borough | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $73,534 ±$4,373 | $88,267 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $89,815 ±$4,424 | $112,548 | – |
| Per capita income | $36,912 ±$1,690 | $45,905 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 8.7% ±1.9 pts | 6.1% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 8.1% ±4.6 pts | 5.2% | −7.5 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 11.2% ±2.2 pts | 6.8% | – |
| Households with a computer | 97.4% ±1.0 pts | 98.0% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 88.3% ±2.6 pts | 91.5% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Fairbanks?
Owners occupy 39.8% of Fairbanks's occupied homes and renters 60.2%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $268,400 by its owner (±$13,741). The median renter pays $1,496 a month including utilities, and 40.4% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Fairbanks | Fairbanks North Star Borough | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $268,400 ±$13,741 | $298,200 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $1,496 ±$81 | $1,459 | −$212 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 40.4% ±5.5 pts | 36.9% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $2,197 ±$70 | $2,194 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 39.8% ±3.2 pts | 61.7% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 60.2% ±3.2 pts | 38.3% | – |
| Housing units | 13,793 ±902 | 42,680 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.8% ±1.3 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 9.2% ±3.0 pts | 8.9% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 33.7% ±2.6 pts | 60.0% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.4% ±0.5 pts | 2.8% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.1% ±0.3 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 6.9% ±2.0 pts | 8.2% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 1.8% ±0.8 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 8.0% ±1.9 pts | 4.6% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Fairbanks building?
Builders took permits for 25 new housing units in Fairbanks in 2025 (7 in single-family houses), 0.8 per 1,000 residents against 1.2 across Alaska.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Fairbanks work and get to work?
65.7% of Fairbanks's workers drive alone and 5.3% work from home. The average trip to work takes 14.5 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.7%.
| Measure | Fairbanks | Fairbanks North Star Borough | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 71.6% ±2.9 pts | 68.5% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 5.7% ±1.5 pts | 5.3% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 65.7% ±6.2 pts | 71.5% | – |
| Carpooled | 14.6% ±2.8 pts | 12.4% | – |
| Public transportation | 1.1% ±0.8 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Walked | 9.2% ±5.5 pts | 5.7% | – |
| Worked from home | 5.3% ±1.5 pts | 6.6% | +2.0 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 14.5 min ±1.6 | 19.2 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Fairbanks?
8 census tracts lie mostly in Fairbanks, and 3 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $26,691 (Tract 1) to $89,970 (Tract 2).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 9800Fairbanks North Star Borough | 9,015 | $71,406 |
| Tract 3Fairbanks North Star Borough | 4,849 | $60,487 |
| Tract 4Fairbanks North Star Borough | 4,455 | $88,299 |
| Tract 7Fairbanks North Star Borough | 4,732 | $64,608 |
| Tract 2Fairbanks North Star Borough | 3,156 | $89,970 |
| Tract 5Fairbanks North Star Borough | 2,563 | $78,136 |
| Tract 6Fairbanks North Star Borough | 3,609 | $68,527 |
| Tract 1Fairbanks North Star Borough | 1,241 | $26,691 |
| Tract 13Fairbanks North Star Borough | 6,297 | $125,568 |
| Tract 12Fairbanks North Star Borough | 6,558 | $113,369 |
| Tract 10Fairbanks North Star Borough | 1,492 | $99,444 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Fairbanks) · Census block assignment files
How does Fairbanks compare with other places in Alaska?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Fairbanks is the 1,312th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 3rd-most populous of 149 in Alaska.
Fairbanks ranks 48th of 69 places in Alaska with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 3rd | 149 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 18th | 26 |
| Residents per square mile | 5th | 71 |
| Median household income | 48th | 69 |
| Per capita income | 57th | 71 |
| Median home value | 57th | 66 |
| Median gross rent | 15th | 62 |
| Poverty rate | 38th | 57 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 36th | 69 |
| Median age | 67th | 71 |
| Owner-occupied share | 67th | 68 |
| Work from home | 40th | 50 |
| Travel time to work | 43rd | 69 |
Fairbanks's figures with every place in Alaska (CSV)
Every place in Alaska, sortable · Compare Fairbanks with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Fairbanks?
6 of the 57 figures for Fairbanks on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Fairbanks are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Fairbanks.