City and borough · Alaska
Sitka, Alaska
Sitka, city and borough, in Sitka City and Borough, Alaska. Sitka had 8,319 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 1.6% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 8,458 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 8,368 (controlled total). GEOID 0270540.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
8,319
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 8,458 · ACS 2020-2024: 8,368
Median household income
$101,727
±$6,460 (90% margin)
Alaska: $92,788
Median home value
$450,300
±$12,949 (90% margin)
Alaska: $352,900
Median gross rent
$1,341
±$99 (90% margin)
Alaska: $1,419
Where is Sitka and what county is it in?
Sitka is a city and borough in Sitka City and Borough, Alaska. It covers 2,870.1 square miles of land, 3 residents per square mile in 2020.
Sitka covers the same area as Sitka City and Borough: the city and borough and the county are one area, so the county's figures are Sitka's; the county page lists its census tracts.
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Sitka, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 8,319 people lived in Sitka on July 1, 2025, down 1.6% since 2020, while Alaska grew 0.5%. The 2020 Census counted 8,458 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 8,368.
| Measure | Sitka | Alaska | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 8,368 | 735,706 | −272 |
| Households | 3,440 ±140 | 270,533 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.32 ±0.09 | 2.61 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 4,161 ±30 | 328,491 | −64 |
Sitka's population since 2000
From 8,835 in 2000 to 8,319 in 2025: down 5.8%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Sitka 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 Sitka?
The median resident of Sitka is 39.7 years old; 19.2% are under 18 and 17.7% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 57.6%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 16.5%. 10.0% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Sitka | Alaska | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 39.7 ±0.9 | 35.8 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 19.2% ±0.2 pts | 24.1% | – |
| 65 years and over | 17.7% ±0.5 pts | 13.8% | – |
| Male | 50.9% ±0.9 pts | 52.5% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 6.9% | 7.3% | +0.1 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 57.6% ±1.7 pts | 57.7% | −4.0 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.3% ±0.3 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 8.3% ±0.7 pts | 6.4% | +1.6 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 7.6% ±1.2 pts | 13.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 1.2% ±1.0 pts | 1.5% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 16.5% ±2.1 pts | 10.3% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 1.6% ±1.2 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 10.0% ±1.5 pts | 7.7% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 14.4% ±1.5 pts | 15.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 8.3% ±1.5 pts | 10.7% | – |
| With a disability | 18.7% ±2.9 pts | 13.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 10.1% ±2.1 pts | 11.0% | −6.2 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 94.8% ±1.4 pts | 93.6% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 34.3% ±3.2 pts | 31.7% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 13.1% ±2.2 pts | 11.8% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 81.6% ±2.9 pts | 85.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 6.5% ±1.4 pts | 3.9% | – |
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 Sitka earn?
Half of Sitka's 3,440 households earn less than $101,727 a year (±$6,460), against $101,727 in Sitka City and Borough and $92,788 in Alaska. In 2015-2019 the median was $90,680 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $11,047 after inflation. 7.5% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Sitka | Alaska | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $101,727 ±$6,460 | $92,788 | +$11,047 |
| Mean household income | $110,919 ±$5,097 | $118,985 | – |
| Per capita income | $46,118 ±$2,015 | $46,573 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 7.5% ±1.5 pts | 10.1% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 7.4% ±3.2 pts | 12.2% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 7.5% ±2.1 pts | 10.1% | – |
| Households with a computer | 97.5% ±1.1 pts | 97.1% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 90.8% ±2.4 pts | 91.9% | – |
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 Sitka?
Owners occupy 61.7% of Sitka's occupied homes and renters 38.3%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $450,300 by its owner (±$12,949). The median renter pays $1,341 a month including utilities, and 28.5% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Sitka | Alaska | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $450,300 ±$12,949 | $352,900 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $1,341 ±$99 | $1,419 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 28.5% ±7.0 pts | 35.1% | −9.2 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $2,680 ±$160 | $2,229 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 61.7% ±3.8 pts | 66.8% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 38.3% ±3.8 pts | 33.2% | – |
| Housing units | 4,161 ±30 | 328,491 | −64 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.5% ±0.4 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 3.0% ±1.6 pts | 7.0% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 51.5% ±3.5 pts | 63.2% | – |
| Mobile homes | 9.1% ±2.4 pts | 3.9% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.3% ±1.2 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 5.5% ±1.9 pts | 9.3% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 3.3% ±0.9 pts | 1.7% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 11.0% ±2.4 pts | 9.0% | – |
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 do people in Sitka work and get to work?
60.7% of Sitka's workers drive alone and 7.5% work from home. The average trip to work takes 13.0 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 6.8%.
| Measure | Sitka | Alaska | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 70.2% ±2.2 pts | 66.3% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 6.8% ±2.5 pts | 5.9% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 60.7% ±3.7 pts | 65.0% | – |
| Carpooled | 10.8% ±3.3 pts | 11.9% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.1% ±0.1 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Walked | 16.1% ±2.6 pts | 7.2% | – |
| Worked from home | 7.5% ±2.7 pts | 9.7% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 13.0 min ±2.2 | 19.4 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 Sitka?
2 census tracts lie mostly in Sitka (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $97,000 (Tract 2) to $103,519 (Tract 1).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 2Sitka City and Borough | 5,369 | $97,000 |
| Tract 1Sitka City and Borough | 2,999 | $103,519 |
Every census tract in Sitka: the tract table of Sitka City and Borough
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 Sitka) · Census block assignment files
How does Sitka compare with other places in Alaska?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Sitka is the 3,647th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 5th-most populous of 149 in Alaska.
Sitka ranks 16th 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 | 5th | 149 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 15th | 26 |
| Residents per square mile | 70th | 71 |
| Median household income | 16th | 69 |
| Per capita income | 25th | 71 |
| Median home value | 4th | 66 |
| Median gross rent | 29th | 62 |
| Poverty rate | 44th | 57 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17th | 69 |
| Median age | 35th | 71 |
| Owner-occupied share | 51st | 68 |
| Work from home | 33rd | 50 |
| Travel time to work | 45th | 69 |
Sitka's figures with every place in Alaska (CSV)
Every place in Alaska, sortable · Compare Sitka 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 Sitka?
6 of the 57 figures for Sitka 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 Sitka 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 Sitka.