City profile · Alaska · Census ACS 2023

Soldotna, AK

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

4,448
Residents
$62,984
Median income
$277,300
Median home
$1,312
Median rent (state)

Soldotna - the verdict

Nationally, Soldotna sits in the 40th percentile for household income and the 55th percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

40th
percentile, household income
61st
percentile, home value
47th
percentile, median rent
55th
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: Soldotna, AK

Alaska's Soldotna is a small town, with 4,448 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. Soldotna households earn a median of $62,984 annually, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 17.5%. Home values in Soldotna run a median of $277,300, and the median resident age is 34.2 years. About 21.4% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 54.8% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 9 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Construction Slowdown), down 44% from five years earlier. Soldotna reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 1224.7 incidents per 100,000 residents, below the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). NOAA puts Soldotna's yearly average temperature at 34.1°F with 21.6 inches of precipitation per year.

Alaska tracks close to the national cost-of-living baseline: the state registers 102.4 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Near Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,312 monthly. Monthly utility costs average around $271 across Alaska, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 93.0 out of 100 (Very High).

Population

4,448 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Alaska

Median Household Income

$62,984 /yr

Poverty 17.5%

Cost of Living Index (state)

102.4 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Alaska average

How does Soldotna compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 40% higher than other cities
Home value 61% pricier than other cities
Median rent 47% pricier than other cities
Safety 55% safer than other cities

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

National percentiles can mask local variation. Looking only at Alaska, Soldotna ranks #10 of 20 Alaska cities by lowest crime rate - a narrower, more locally useful cut than the national comparison above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Soldotna 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 Soldotna toward the bottom of Alaska's cities

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

Median Household Income
#119 of 215
45th percentile in Alaska
Median Gross Rent
#146 of 228
25th percentile in Alaska
Median Home Value
#66 of 200
67th percentile in Alaska
Poverty Rate
#72 of 225
68th percentile in Alaska
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#91 of 228
60th 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.

40thIncome percentile
55thSafety percentile

40th percentile nationally for median household income · 55th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Soldotna's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Soldotna'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 47 Avg. percentile National median
Soldotna'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 Soldotna's home value compares nationally

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

$277,300 39th percentile more affordable than 39% 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%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Soldotna $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 - Soldotna, AK Soldotna, AK's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Soldotna, 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 Soldotna, AK median $62,984/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%
Soldotna, 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 Soldotna, AK. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 21.4%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 17.5%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 54.8%

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

Population
4,448
Median Income
$62,984
Median Home Value
$277,300
Median Age
34.2
Poverty Rate
17.5%
Labor force participation
54.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
21.4%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1224.7
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
85.9
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1138.8
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
34.1°F
Annual Precipitation
21.6"
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 →
4,300 residents4,400 residents4,500 residents4,600 residents4,700 residents 202020212022202320242025 4,362 residents 4,615 residents ▲ +5.8%
Soldotna's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
9
housing units authorized
Single-Family
9
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
2
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 16
2020 15
2021 16
2022 12
2023 4
2024 9

Permit volume decreased 44% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
63.4%
Carpool
19.5%
Public Transit
1.8%
Walk
5.2%
Work from Home
4.1%
Other
6.0%

Based on 1,834 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 Soldotna 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

Unalaska
4,430 people
Nikiski
4,656 people
Utqiaġvik
4,850 people
Farmers Loop
4,887 people
Valdez
3,911 people
Butte
3,905 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Soldotna's 4,448 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

La Grange, TX
4,448 people
Salinas zona urbana, PR
4,448 people
Level Green, PA
4,450 people
Tulia, TX
4,451 people
Falfurrias, TX
4,443 people
Mojave, CA
4,442 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Soldotna's $62,984 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Marathon, NY
$62,984 median income
Olivarez, TX
$62,985 median income
Green Valley, IL
$62,986 median income
Westfield, IL
$62,986 median income
Middleport, NY
$62,981 median income
Brookshire, TX
$62,987 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Soldotna, 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 Soldotna, AK - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 79.4% 11.1% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 6.5% White 79.4% Black or African American 1.2% Asian 2.2% American Indian 4.4% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 1.6% Two or more races 11.1% 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 Soldotna 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
Soldotna (this city) 4,448 $62,984
Unalaska 4,430 $114,286
Nikiski 4,656 $63,023
Utqiaġvik 4,850 $89,038
Census ACS 5-year FIPS AK FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Soldotna, AK?

What is the population of Soldotna, AK? +

Soldotna, AK counts 4,448 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

In Soldotna, the typical household earns $62,984 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Soldotna? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Soldotna; 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 Soldotna, AK safe? +

Soldotna has a total crime rate of 1224.7 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 Soldotna, AK? +

Soldotna's median home value sits at $277,300, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Soldotna? +

Climate normals put Soldotna's yearly average temperature at 34.1°F, 21.6 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

Verify with HUD →

Verify with FBI →

Verify with NOAA →

Verify with U.S. Census Bureau →

Verify with EPA →

Verify with FEMA →

Verify with BEA →

Verify with EIA →

Verify with NCES →

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.