City profile · Alaska · Census ACS 2023

Kenai, AK

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

7,562
Residents
$74,907
Median income
$249,400
Median home
$1,312
Median rent (state)

Kenai - the verdict

Nationally, Kenai sits in the 56th percentile for household income and the 60th percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

56th
percentile, household income
56th
percentile, home value
47th
percentile, median rent
60th
percentile, safety
📝 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: Kenai, AK

7,562 people live in Kenai, Alaska - a small town by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. The typical household in Kenai brings in $74,907 a year, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 5.7%. Kenai's housing stock carries a median value of $249,400, and the median resident age is 34.1 years. About 24.1% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 58.2% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 39 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Building Boom), up 225% from five years earlier. Kenai reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 1095.4 incidents per 100,000 residents, below the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). NOAA climate normals record an annual average temperature of 34.2°F with 18.8 inches of precipitation per year.

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 $1,312 per month statewide. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Alaska run around $271, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. The average commute for Kenai workers runs 13.2 minutes, with 69.7% driving alone and 7.0% working from home. Natural-hazard exposure scores 93.0 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very High).

Population

7,562 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Alaska

Median Household Income

$74,907 /yr

Poverty 5.7%

Cost of Living Index (state)

102.4 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Alaska average

How does Kenai compare to other US cities?

Where Kenai sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 56% higher than other cities
Home value 56% pricier than other cities
Median rent 47% pricier than other cities
Safety 60% safer than other cities

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

Zoom in to just Alaska and the picture shifts: Kenai ranks #8 of 20 Alaska cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

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

Alaska-relative analysis

Median Gross Rent places Kenai toward the bottom of Alaska's cities

Among the 228 Alaska cities PlainCities tracks with reported median gross rent data, Kenai ranks #146 - the 25th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Kenai only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#81 of 215
62nd percentile in Alaska
Median Gross Rent
#146 of 228
25th percentile in Alaska
Median Home Value
#80 of 200
60th percentile in Alaska
Poverty Rate
#153 of 225
32nd percentile in Alaska
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#73 of 228
68th 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.

56thIncome percentile
60thSafety percentile

56th percentile nationally for median household income · 60th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Kenai's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Kenai's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 55 Avg. percentile National median
Kenai's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Kenai's home value compares nationally

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

$249,400 44th percentile more affordable than 44% 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%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Kenai $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 - Kenai, AK Kenai, AK's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Kenai, 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 Kenai, AK median $74,907/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%
Kenai, 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 Kenai, AK. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 24.1%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 5.7%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 58.2%

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

Population
7,562
Median Income
$74,907
Median Home Value
$249,400
Median Age
34.1
Poverty Rate
5.7%
Labor force participation
58.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
24.1%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1095.4
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
229.3
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
866.1
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Climate

Avg Temperature
34.2°F
Annual Precipitation
18.8"
Annual Snowfall
N/A

Schools

Total Schools
8
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
7,200 residents7,400 residents7,600 residents7,800 residents8,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 7,441 residents 7,924 residents ▲ +6.5%
Kenai's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
39
housing units authorized
Single-Family
26
detached homes
Multifamily
13
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
5.2
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 12
2020 14
2021 19
2022 19
2023 15
2024 39

Permit volume increased 225% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
13.2 minutes
Drive Alone
69.7%
Carpool
11.3%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
5.9%
Work from Home
7.0%
Other
6.1%

Based on 3,261 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 Kenai sits in

Cost of Living Index
102.4
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,312/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
93.0 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Alaska

Kalifornsky
8,136 people
Ketchikan
8,151 people
Sterling
6,776 people
Sitka city and
8,393 people
Gateway
6,716 people
Bethel
6,313 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Kenai's 7,562 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Freeland, MI
7,562 people
Swainsboro, GA
7,561 people
Pikeville, KY
7,560 people
Lander, WY
7,565 people
Macclenny, FL
7,558 people
Southwest Ranches, FL
7,569 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Kenai's $74,907 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Midland, MI
$74,906 median income
Lake City, PA
$74,909 median income
Leland, IL
$74,911 median income
St. Bernard, OH
$74,911 median income
Central Garage, VA
$74,911 median income
Dacula, GA
$74,900 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Kenai, 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 Kenai, AK - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 70.6% 7.3% 13.6% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 8.1% White 70.6% Black or African American 1.0% Asian 3.2% American Indian 7.3% Native Hawaiian 0.6% Some other race 3.7% Two or more races 13.6% 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 Kenai 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
Kenai (this city) 7,562 $74,907
Kalifornsky 8,136 $91,081
Ketchikan 8,151 $76,835
Sterling 6,776 $110,341
Census ACS 5-year FIPS AK FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Kenai, AK?

What is the population of Kenai, AK? +

Kenai, AK has a population of 7,562 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Median annual household income in Kenai runs $74,907, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Kenai? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Kenai; 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.

Is Kenai, AK safe? +

Kenai has a total crime rate of 1095.4 per 100,000 residents, which is below the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

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

A typical home in Kenai is worth $249,400, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Kenai? +

Climate normals put Kenai's yearly average temperature at 34.2°F, 18.8 inches of precipitation. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, 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.