City profile · Alaska · Census ACS 2023

Wasilla, AK

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

9,435
Residents
$70,756
Median income
$325,000
Median home
$1,631
Median rent (state)

Wasilla - the verdict

Nationally, Wasilla sits in the 50th percentile for household income and the 17th percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

50th
percentile, household income
69th
percentile, home value
64th
percentile, median rent
17th
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: Wasilla, AK

9,435 people live in Wasilla, Alaska - a small town by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. The typical household in Wasilla brings in $70,756 a year, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 10.3%. Home values in Wasilla run a median of $325,000, and the median resident age is 35.3 years. 18.5% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 49.9% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 59 residential building permits were authorized in Wasilla (Building Boom), up 59% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Wasilla's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 2871.1 total incidents per 100,000 residents here, above the national average (agency reporting is voluntary, so this measures reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

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. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $1,631 per month. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Alaska run around $271, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. Natural-hazard exposure scores 97.4 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very High).

Population

9,435 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Alaska

Median Household Income

$70,756 /yr

Poverty 10.3%

Cost of Living Index (state)

102.4 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Alaska average

How does Wasilla compare to other US cities?

Here's how Wasilla stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 50% higher than other cities
Home value 69% pricier than other cities
Median rent 64% pricier than other cities
Safety 17% safer than other cities

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

A national percentile can hide a lot of local variation: narrowed to Alaska alone, Wasilla ranks #17 of 20 Alaska cities by lowest crime rate - a different, more locally useful comparison than stacking it against the entire country.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

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

Alaska-relative analysis

Median Home Value places Wasilla toward the top of Alaska's cities

Among the 200 Alaska cities PlainCities tracks with reported median home value data, Wasilla ranks #34 - the 83rd percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Wasilla only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#95 of 215
56th percentile in Alaska
Median Gross Rent
#67 of 228
60th percentile in Alaska
Median Home Value
#34 of 200
83rd percentile in Alaska
Poverty Rate
#104 of 225
53rd percentile in Alaska
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#104 of 228
54th 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.

50thIncome percentile
17thSafety percentile

50th percentile nationally for median household income · 17th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Wasilla's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Wasilla'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 34 Avg. percentile National median
Wasilla'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 Wasilla's home value compares nationally

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

$325,000 31st percentile more affordable than 31% 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%). Below this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Wasilla $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 - Wasilla, AK Wasilla, AK's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Wasilla, 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 Wasilla, AK median $70,756/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%
Wasilla, 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 Wasilla, AK. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 18.5%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 10.3%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 49.9%

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

Population
9,435
Median Income
$70,756
Median Home Value
$325,000
Median Age
35.3
Poverty Rate
10.3%
Labor force participation
49.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
18.5%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
2871.1
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
449.2
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
2421.9
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.

Schools

Total Schools
26
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
8,500 residents9,000 residents9,500 residents10,000 residents10,500 residents11,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 9,113 residents 10,556 residents ▲ +15.8%
Wasilla's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
59
housing units authorized
Single-Family
11
detached homes
Multifamily
48
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
6.3
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 37
2020 32
2021 29
2022 41
2023 79
2024 59

Permit volume increased 59% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
76.1%
Carpool
9.3%
Public Transit
1.0%
Walk
1.7%
Work from Home
5.9%
Other
6.0%

Based on 3,757 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 Wasilla sits in

Cost of Living Index
102.4
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,631/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
97.4 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Alaska

Tanaina
9,738 people
Meadow Lakes
8,994 people
Sitka city and
8,393 people
North Lakes
10,583 people
Ketchikan
8,151 people
Kalifornsky
8,136 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Wasilla's 9,435 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Ashland, NJ
9,437 people
Fairfield, IA
9,438 people
Hailey, ID
9,439 people
Steger, IL
9,449 people
Alma, MI
9,421 people
Beckett Ridge, OH
9,451 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Wasilla's $70,756 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Albion, NE
$70,761 median income
Borden, IN
$70,750 median income
Froid, MT
$70,750 median income
Bennington, NH
$70,750 median income
Red Creek, NY
$70,750 median income
Phillipsburg, OH
$70,750 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Wasilla, 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 Wasilla, AK - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 76.1% 8.8% 10.3% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 4.9% White 76.1% Black or African American 0.9% Asian 2.4% American Indian 8.8% Native Hawaiian 0.3% Some other race 1.3% Two or more races 10.3% 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 Wasilla 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
Wasilla (this city) 9,435 $70,756
Tanaina 9,738 $95,587
Meadow Lakes 8,994 $81,250
Sitka city and 8,393 $101,207
Census ACS 5-year FIPS AK FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Wasilla, AK?

What is the population of Wasilla, AK? +

The population of Wasilla, AK stands at 9,435 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

The median household income in Wasilla is $70,756 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Wasilla? +

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

Wasilla has a total crime rate of 2871.1 per 100,000 residents, which is above 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 Wasilla, AK? +

Homes in Wasilla carry a median value of $325,000, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

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