City profile · Alaska · Census ACS 2023

Kaktovik, AK

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Kaktovik - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

153
Residents
$88,750
Median income
$102,100
Median home
$1,676
Median rent (state)

Kaktovik - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Kaktovik lands in the 70th percentile for household income. Source: Census ACS.

70th
percentile, household income
10th
percentile, home value
66th
percentile, median rent
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Kaktovik, AK

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 153 residents in Kaktovik, a small town within Alaska. Kaktovik households earn a median of $88,750 annually, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 29.3%. Typical homes in Kaktovik are valued around $102,100, and the median resident age is 32.4 years. About 0.0% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 52.3% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The city is served by 1 public schools according to NCES Common Core of Data.

Alaska tracks close to the national cost-of-living baseline: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, Alaska scores 102.4 (Near Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $1,676 per month statewide. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Alaska's average monthly utility costs around $271 (state average). Workers in Kaktovik report an average commute of 3.6 minutes, with 10.7% driving alone and 0.0% working from home. Natural-hazard exposure scores 88.5 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very High).

Population

153 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Alaska

Median Household Income

$88,750 /yr

Poverty 29.3%

Cost of Living Index (state)

102.4 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Alaska average

How does Kaktovik compare to other US cities?

Kaktovik measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 70% higher than other cities
Home value 10% pricier than other cities
Median rent 66% pricier than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Kaktovik against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Alaska only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Alaska-relative analysis

Bachelor's Degree or Higher places Kaktovik near the bottom of Alaska's cities

Among the 228 Alaska cities PlainCities tracks with reported bachelor's degree or higher data, Kaktovik ranks #217 - the 0th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Kaktovik only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#50 of 215
76th percentile in Alaska
Median Gross Rent
#43 of 228
71st percentile in Alaska
Median Home Value
#156 of 200
22nd percentile in Alaska
Poverty Rate
#36 of 225
84th percentile in Alaska
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#217 of 228
0th percentile in Alaska

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Alaska only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

70thIncome percentile

70th percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Kaktovik's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$102,100 Among the most affordable more affordable than 90% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). This entry sits in this band. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Kaktovik $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Kaktovik, AK Kaktovik, AK's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Kaktovik, AK-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Kaktovik, AK median $88,750/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Kaktovik, AK's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Kaktovik, AK. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 0.0%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 29.3%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 52.3%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
153
Median Income
$88,750
Median Home Value
$102,100
Median Age
32.4
Poverty Rate
29.3%
Labor force participation
52.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
0.0%

Schools

Total Schools
1
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
260 residents270 residents280 residents290 residents 202020212022202320242025 285 residents 269 residents ▼ -5.6%
Kaktovik's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
3.6 minutes
Drive Alone
10.7%
Carpool
37.5%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
32.1%
Work from Home
0.0%
Other
19.7%

Based on 56 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Alaska - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$131
avg/month
Natural Gas
$95
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$45
avg/month
Total Utilities
$271
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Alaska state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Alaska state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Kaktovik sits in

Cost of Living Index
102.4
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,676/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
88.5 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Alaska

Cold Bay
153 people
Port Lions
151 people
Dry Creek
147 people
Hollis
147 people
Anderson
160 people
Kaltag
146 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Kaktovik's 153 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Oak Shores, CA
153 people
Vidette, GA
153 people
Unity, IL
153 people
Cannelburg, IN
153 people
Atlanta, KS
153 people
Corning, KS
153 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Kaktovik's $88,750 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Hunter, AR
$88,750 median income
Plumas Eureka, CA
$88,750 median income
Timber Cove, CA
$88,750 median income
Brooklyn, CT
$88,750 median income
Highland Park, FL
$88,750 median income
Dallas Center, IA
$88,750 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Kaktovik, AK Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Kaktovik, AK - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 88.9% 8.5% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 2.0% White 2.6% Black or African American 0.0% Asian 0.0% American Indian 88.9% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.0% Two or more races 8.5% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Kaktovik compares to nearby Alaska cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Kaktovik (this city) 153 $88,750
Cold Bay 153 $112,273
Port Lions 151 $51,111
Dry Creek 147 N/A
Census ACS 5-year FIPS AK NCES CCD OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Kaktovik, AK?

What is the population of Kaktovik, AK? +

Kaktovik, AK has a population of 153 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Kaktovik, AK? +

Median annual household income in Kaktovik runs $88,750, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Kaktovik? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Kaktovik; the closest available measure is the Alaska state average, a cost of living index of 102.4 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Near Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Alaska vary by metro area.

What is the median home value in Kaktovik, AK? +

Homes in Kaktovik carry a median value of $102,100, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, NCES CCD, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.