Income and Poverty in the State of Alaska

Black or African American headed households had median income levels that were 16.8 percent less than the all population median published in the 2000 Census, with a median of $50,178. According to the 2000 Census, the Asian headed households in the area have median household incomes of $55,132. This median income level is 8.6 percent less than the reported median household income, in the state, for all households. Hispanic headed households in Alaskareported a median household income of $48,741, this median household income is 19.2 percent less than the areas median income level for all households. The American Indian and Alaska Native households in Alaska had a median household income level of $38,774, this was 35.7 percent less than the median for all households. In the State of Alaska, White householders had a median income (2005 Dollars) of $65,403 as reported in 2000 by the census, which was 8.4 percent greater than the median household income in 2000.

According to the 2000 Census, the census area in the State of Alaska range, in terms of total household income, from a high of $73,912 in North Slope Borough to a low of $33,539 in Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area.

Top ten census area in highest household income in the State of Alaska
Total Annual Household Income (Adjusted to 2005 Dollars)

1. North Slope Borough ($73,912)
2. Juneau City and Borough ($72,580 )
3. Aleutians West Census Area ($71,845)
4. Anchorage Municipality ($64,989)
5. Kodiak Island Borough ($63,924)
6. Denali Borough ($62,775)
7. Bristol Bay Borough ($61,035)
8. Sitka City and Borough ($60,724)
9. Ketchikan Gateway Borough ($60,072)
10. Matanuska-Susitna Borough ($59,929)


The poverty rate in the State of Alaska has increased by 1.8 percent since the 2000 rates, moving from 9.4 percent to 11.2 percent.

Contrasted against to other States throughout the US, the State of Alaska can be recognized as having a poverty rate amongst the population, with a poverty rate of 9.4 percent of people living in a family with an income below the poverty level in 1999. The American Indian and Alaska Native race/ethnicity demographic category, owns the foremost rate of poverty with 20.2 percent of the 2000 population living in poverty. People that are of the age Under 5 years are witness to the most percent living in poverty in Alaska, having 14 percent of this age group in the area living in poverty.

When compared to other States throughout the United States, the State of Alaska had a relatively high median household income of $60,338 (2005 Dollars). The income level is 18.6 percent higher than the median household income in the United States of $49,133.

While household income level experienced a decline during the period of 2000 to 2005 in the State of Alaska, the Race/Ethnicity category that felt the biggest decline in median household income was the American Indian and Alaska Native category. This group felt a decline of 30.4 percent since the year 2000. The Hispanic Race/Ethnicity category has been least effected by the income level decline in Alaska, encountering a 33.1 percent increase in median income, since the values reporting the 2000 Decennial Census.

According to the 2000 Census, the census area in the State of Alaska range, in terms of rate a poverty, from a high of 26.2 percent in Wade Hampton Census Area to a low of 6 percent in Juneau City and Borough.

Top ten census area in terms of poverty rate in the State of Alaska
Total Percent of Population Living Below Poverty

1. Wade Hampton Census Area (26.2 percent)
2. Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area (23.8 )
3. Aleutians East Borough (21.8 percent)
4. Dillingham Census Area (21.4 percent)
5. Bethel Census Area (20.6 percent)
6. Lake and Peninsula Borough (18.9 percent)
7. Southeast Fairbanks Census Ar (18.9 percent)
8. Nome Census Area (17.4 percent)
9. Northwest Arctic Borough (17.4 percent)
10. Yakutat City and Borough (13.5 percent)


The states median household income has declined from the inflation-adjusted 2000 income levels. The income level has decreased to $56,234, which represents a 6.8 percent decline. The State of Alaska ranks 19 of 46 states when analyzing the decline in median household income in the United States.

Datasource: U.S. Bureau of the Census. 2000 Decennial Census. 2005 American Community Survey.