City profile · Alaska · Census ACS 2023

Utqiaġvik, AK

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

4,850
Residents
$89,038
Median income
$282,400
Median home
$1,625
Median rent (state)

Utqiaġvik - the verdict

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

70th
percentile, household income
62nd
percentile, home value
64th
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: Utqiaġvik, AK

Alaska's Utqiaġvik is a small town, with 4,850 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. Median household income here is $89,038 per year, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 9.6%. Typical homes in Utqiaġvik are valued around $282,400, and the median resident age is 30.7 years. 13.8% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 59.1% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

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 $1,625 per month statewide. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Alaska run around $271, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 14.8 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very Low).

Population

4,850 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Alaska

Median Household Income

$89,038 /yr

Poverty 9.6%

Cost of Living Index (state)

102.4 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Alaska average

How does Utqiaġvik compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 70% higher than other cities
Home value 62% pricier than other cities
Median rent 64% 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

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Utqiaġvik's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Alaska, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

70thIncome percentile

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

How Utqiaġvik's home value compares nationally

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

$282,400 38th percentile more affordable than 38% 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. Utqiaġvik $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 - Utqiaġvik, AK Utqiaġvik, AK's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Utqiaġvik, 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 Utqiaġvik, AK median $89,038/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%
Utqiaġvik, 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 Utqiaġvik, AK. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 13.8%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 9.6%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 59.1%

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

Population
4,850
Median Income
$89,038
Median Home Value
$282,400
Median Age
30.7
Poverty Rate
9.6%
Labor force participation
59.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
13.8%

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
4,600 residents4,700 residents4,800 residents4,900 residents5,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 4,912 residents 4,640 residents ▼ -5.5%
Utqiaġvik's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
39.2%
Carpool
27.1%
Public Transit
0.6%
Walk
11.8%
Work from Home
7.4%
Other
13.9%

Based on 2,094 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 Utqiaġvik sits in

Cost of Living Index
102.4
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,625/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
14.8 / 100
Very Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Alaska

Farmers Loop
4,887 people
Nikiski
4,656 people
Soldotna
4,448 people
Unalaska
4,430 people
Fishhook
5,461 people
Kodiak
5,497 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Utqiaġvik's 4,850 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Santa Isabel zona urbana, PR
4,850 people
June Park, FL
4,852 people
Pupukea, HI
4,853 people
Pearl Beach, MI
4,846 people
Wellsville, NY
4,846 people
Chittenango, NY
4,855 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Utqiaġvik's $89,038 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Circle D-KC Estates, TX
$89,037 median income
Helena Valley West Central, MT
$89,040 median income
Orange Beach, AL
$89,034 median income
Firth, NE
$89,044 median income
Halls, TN
$89,032 median income
Cambria, CA
$89,049 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Utqiaġvik, 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 Utqiaġvik, AK - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 15.0% 8.4% 53.8% 15.0% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 7.9% White 15.0% Black or African American 3.8% Asian 8.4% American Indian 53.8% Native Hawaiian 2.7% Some other race 1.2% Two or more races 15.0% 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 Utqiaġvik 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
Utqiaġvik (this city) 4,850 $89,038
Farmers Loop 4,887 $103,635
Nikiski 4,656 $63,023
Soldotna 4,448 $62,984
Census ACS 5-year FIPS AK OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Utqiaġvik, AK?

What is the population of Utqiaġvik, AK? +

Utqiaġvik, AK counts 4,850 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Utqiaġvik households earn a median of $89,038 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Utqiaġvik? +

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

The median home value in Utqiaġvik is $282,400, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, 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 Editorial

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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.