County · Alaska
Fairbanks North Star Borough, Alaska
Fairbanks North Star Borough, Alaska. Fairbanks North Star Borough had 93,972 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 1.8% since 2020, while Alaska grew 0.5%. It holds 17 places (2 cities, villages and boroughs and 15 census-designated) and 22 census tracts. GEOID 02090.
Fairbanks North Star Borough is the county of the Fairbanks-College, AK metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
93,972
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 95,655 · ACS 2020-2024: 95,460
Median household income
$88,267
±$4,639 (90% margin)
Alaska: $92,788
Median home value
$298,200
±$9,478 (90% margin)
Alaska: $352,900
Median gross rent
$1,459
±$45 (90% margin)
Alaska: $1,419
How many people live in Fairbanks North Star Borough, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 95,655 residents in Fairbanks North Star Borough. The Census Bureau estimates 93,972 for July 1, 2025, down 1.8% since 2020, while Alaska grew 0.5%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 95,460 over 7,335 square miles of land.
| Measure | Fairbanks North Star Borough | Alaska | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 95,460 | 735,706 | −3,612 |
| Households | 36,359±1,066 | 270,533 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.51±0.05 | 2.61 | −0.11 |
| Housing units | 42,680±799 | 328,491 | −1,509 |
Fairbanks North Star Borough's population since 2000
From 82,840 in 2000 to 93,972 in 2025: up 13.4%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. 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); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Fairbanks North Star Borough?
Fairbanks North Star Borough holds 17 places: 2 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 15 census-designated places. The largest is Fairbanks with 31,468 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Fairbanks | 32,515 | $73,534 |
|---|---|---|
| Badger | 19,031 | $97,183 |
| College | 11,332 | $83,895 |
| Steele Creek | 6,437 | $121,364 |
| Chena Ridge | 6,015 | $133,775 |
| Farmers Loop | 4,704 | $109,950 |
| Goldstream | 3,299 | $103,589 |
| Eielson AFBGEOID 0221370 | 2,610 | $68,199 |
| Ester | 2,416 | $53,272 |
| North Pole | 2,243 | $92,273 |
| SalchaGEOID 0266550 | 977 | $87,803 |
| Two RiversGEOID 0279830 | 650 | $78,155 |
| Pleasant ValleyGEOID 0261120 | 606 | $218,389 |
| Moose CreekGEOID 0250080 | 534 | $91,250 |
| South Van HornGEOID 0272230 | 503 | $73,214 |
| FoxGEOID 0226870 | 406 | $76,198 |
| Harding-Birch LakesGEOID 0231765 | 253 | $100,125 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Fairbanks North Star Borough?
The median resident of Fairbanks North Star Borough is 32.5 years old; 23.7% are under 18 and 12.7% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 66.8%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 10.6%. 5.6% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Fairbanks North Star Borough | Alaska | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 32.5±0.3 | 35.8 | +1.2 |
| Under 18 years | 23.7% | 24.1% | – |
| 65 years and over | 12.7%±0.2 pts | 13.8% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 8.5% | 7.3% | +0.5 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 66.8%±0.5 pts | 57.7% | −3.1 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 3.9%±0.5 pts | 2.9% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 2.8%±0.3 pts | 6.4% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 5.8%±0.7 pts | 13.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.7%±0.1 pts | 1.5% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 10.6%±1.0 pts | 10.3% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.9%±0.4 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 5.6%±0.8 pts | 7.7% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 9.8%±0.9 pts | 15.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 13.7%±1.3 pts | 10.7% | – |
| With a disability | 14.5%±1.3 pts | 13.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 9.3%±1.4 pts | 11.0% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 94.7%±1.0 pts | 93.6% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 33.1%±1.9 pts | 31.7% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 12.9%±1.5 pts | 11.8% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 6.8%±0.9 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 Fairbanks North Star Borough earn?
Half of Fairbanks North Star Borough's 36,359 households earn less than $88,267 a year (±$4,639), against $92,788 in Alaska. In 2015-2019 the median was $94,754 in 2024 dollars, so it fell by $6,487 after inflation. 6.1% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Fairbanks North Star Borough | Alaska | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $88,267±$4,639 | $92,788 | −$6,487 |
| Mean household income | $112,548±$4,775 | $118,985 | – |
| Per capita income | $45,905±$2,113 | $46,573 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 6.1%±1.0 pts | 10.1% | −1.9 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 5.2%±2.0 pts | 12.2% | −5.0 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 6.8%±1.2 pts | 10.1% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 91.5%±1.6 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 Fairbanks North Star Borough?
Owners occupy 61.7% of Fairbanks North Star Borough's occupied homes and renters 38.3%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $298,200 by its owner (±$9,478). The median renter pays $1,459 a month including utilities, and 36.9% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Fairbanks North Star Borough | Alaska | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $298,200±$9,478 | $352,900 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $1,459±$45 | $1,419 | −$147 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 36.9%±4.1 pts | 35.1% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $2,194±$64 | $2,229 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 61.7%±2.1 pts | 66.8% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 42,680±799 | 328,491 | −1,509 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.6%±0.5 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 8.9%±2.4 pts | 7.0% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 60.0%±2.0 pts | 63.2% | – |
| Mobile homes | 2.8%±0.7 pts | 3.9% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.7%±0.3 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 0.9%±0.3 pts | 1.7% | – |
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 many new homes is Fairbanks North Star Borough building?
Builders took permits for 31 new housing units across Fairbanks North Star Borough in 2025 (13 single-family), 0.3 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Fairbanks North Star Borough get to work?
71.5% of Fairbanks North Star Borough's workers drive alone and 6.6% work from home. The average trip to work takes 19.2 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.3%.
| Measure | Fairbanks North Star Borough | Alaska | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 68.5%±1.6 pts | 66.3% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 5.3%±1.1 pts | 5.9% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 71.5%±3.0 pts | 65.0% | – |
| Carpooled | 12.4%±1.7 pts | 11.9% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.7%±0.3 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Walked | 5.7%±2.5 pts | 7.2% | – |
| Worked from home | 6.6%±1.2 pts | 9.7% | +2.9 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 19.2 min±1.1 | 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 are Fairbanks North Star Borough's census tracts?
Fairbanks North Star Borough is divided into 22 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $26,691 (Tract 1) to $132,725 (Tract 9).
All 22 census tracts of Fairbanks North Star Borough, with their figures
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Fairbanks North Star Borough compare with Alaska's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 3rd of 30 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 16th of 30 |
| Residents per square mile | 2nd of 30 |
| Median household income | 10th of 30 |
| Median home value | 12th of 30 |
| Median gross rent | 6th of 30 |
| Poverty rate | 25th of 27 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 5th of 27 |
| Median age | 25th of 30 |
Source: PlainCities ranks 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 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 Fairbanks North Star Borough 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' school search.