Fairbanks, AK

Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)

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2021 Population

97,149

1.33% 1-year decline

US Senator

Lisa Murkowski

Republican Party

US Senator

Dan Sullivan

Republican Party

US Representative

Mary Peltola

Democratic Party

2021 Median Age

31.9

1.27% 1-year increase

2021 Poverty Rate

6.39%

2.43% 1-year decrease

2021 Median Household Income

$78,321

2.43% 1-year growth

2021 Median Property Value

$245,700

2.25% 1-year growth

2021 Employed Population

42,297

4.53% 1-year decline

About

In 2021, Fairbanks, AK had a population of 97.1k people with a median age of 31.9 and a median household income of $78,321. Between 2020 and 2021 the population of Fairbanks, AK declined from 98,455 to 97,149, a −1.33% decrease and its median household income grew from $76,464 to $78,321, a 2.43% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Fairbanks, AK are White (Non-Hispanic) (68.4%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (7.64%), American Indian & Alaska Native (Non-Hispanic) (7.06%), White (Hispanic) (4.6%), and Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (4.34%).

None of the households in Fairbanks, AK reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

97.9% of the residents in Fairbanks, AK are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Fairbanks, AK are University of Alaska Fairbanks (1,335 degrees awarded in 2021).

In 2021, the median property value in Fairbanks, AK was $245,700, and the homeownership rate was 58.8%.

Most people in Fairbanks, AK drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 19.5 minutes. The average car ownership in Fairbanks, AK was 2 cars per household.

Fairbanks, AK borders .

United States Alaska

Population & Diversity

Fairbanks, AK is home to a population of 97.1k people, from which 97.9% are citizens. As of 2021, 5.14% of Fairbanks, AK residents were born outside of the country (4.99k people).

In 2021, there were 8.95 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (66.4k people) in Fairbanks, AK than any other race or ethnicity. There were 7.42k Two+ (Non-Hispanic) and 6.85k American Indian & Alaska Native (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

97.9%

2021 Citizenship

97.8%

2020 Citizenship

As of 2021, 97.9% of Fairbanks, AK residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2020, the percentage of US citizens in Fairbanks, AK was 97.8%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Fairbanks, AK compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Fairbanks, AK

White (Non-Hispanic)
66.4k ± 431
Two+ (Non-Hispanic)
7.42k ± 890
American Indian & Alaska Native (Non-Hispanic)
6.85k ± 641

8.25%

Hispanic Population

8.02k people

8.25% of the people in Fairbanks, AK are hispanic (8.02k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Fairbanks, AK as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the MSA level, so we are showing data for Alaska.

Most Common Origin

Philippines
20,618 ± 3,476 people
Thailand
3,480 ± 1,445 people
Mexico
3,321 ± 1,412 people

In 2021, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Alaska was Philippines, the natal country of 20,618 Alaska residents, followed by Thailand with 3,480 and Mexico with 3,321.

Foreign-Born Population

5.14%

2021 Foreign-Born Population

4.99k people

4.99%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

4.91k people

As of 2021, 5.14% of Fairbanks, AK residents (4.99k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.6%. In 2020, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Fairbanks, AK was 4.99%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Fairbanks, AK compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Gulf War (2001-)
4,795 ± 698
Vietnam
2,323 ± 335
Gulf War (1990s)
1,342 ± 287

Fairbanks, AK has a large population of military personnel who served in Gulf War (2001-), 2.06 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Fairbanks, AK employs 42.3k people. The largest industries in Fairbanks, AK are Health Care & Social Assistance (6,512 people), Educational Services (5,096 people), and Public Administration (4,337 people), and the highest paying industries are Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($104,801), Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($84,707), and Utilities ($76,778).

Males in Alaska have an average income that is 1.27 times higher than the average income of females, which is $59,604. The income inequality in Alaska (measured using the Gini index) is 0.437, which is lower than than the national average.

Employment

Occupations

42.3k

2021 Value

± 1,921

−4.53%

1 Year decline

± 6.62%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Fairbanks, AK declined at a rate of −4.53%, from 44.3k employees to 42.3k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Fairbanks, AK, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (5,447 people), Management Occupations (3,494 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (3,435 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Fairbanks, AK.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Alaska (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Industries

Employment by Industries

42.3k

2021 Value

± 1,921

−4.53%

1 Year decline

± 6.62%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Fairbanks, AK declined at a rate of −4.53%, from 44.3k employees to 42.3k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Fairbanks, AK, are Health Care & Social Assistance (6,512 people), Educational Services (5,096 people), and Public Administration (4,337 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Fairbanks, AK, though some of these residents may live in Fairbanks, AK and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$62,154

Median earning men ± $4,522

$38,746

Median earning women ± $1,639

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2021 are Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($89,782), Information ($82,537), and Public Administration ($73,044).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2021 are Construction ($68,620), Public Administration ($52,953), and Manufacturing ($49,125).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

Y-Axis

2.75%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 155M people employed in Alaska. This represents a 2.75% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Alaska.

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Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

1,133
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
506
Finance & Insurance, and Real Estate, Rental & Leasing
453
Professional, Scientific & Management, and Administrative & Waste Management Services

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$1.02M
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
$211k
Finance & Insurance, and Real Estate, Rental & Leasing
$193k
Retail Trade

The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from Alaska to other states, or from other states to Alaska.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2020, the top outbound Alaska product (by dollars) was Electronics with $11B, followed by Crude petroleum ($7.58B) and Meat/seafood ($4.53B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound Alaska products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Alaska.

$43.1B

2020 Value in Alaska

$68.3B

Projected 2050 Value in Alaska

58.3% growth

In 2020, total outbound Alaska trade was $43.1B. This is expected to increase 58.3% to $68.3B by 2050.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound Alaska trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from Alaska to other states, or from other states to Alaska.

Most Common Trade Partners

California
$8.09B
Texas
$3.13B
Washington
$2.85B

In 2020, the top outbound Alaska domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was California with $8.09B, followed by Texas with $3.13B and Washington and $2.85B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that Alaska shares with each state (excluding itself).

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Alaska went to Donald J. Trump with 52.8% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (42.8%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (2.47%).

Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan are the senators currently representing the state of Alaska. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Fairbanks, AK is currently represented by Mary Peltola in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Voting results are not available for Fairbanks, AK. Showing the available data for Alaska.

2020 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (52.8%)
Republican Party
Joseph R Biden Jr. (42.8%)
Democratic Party
Jo Jorgensen (2.47%)
Libertarian Party

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Alaska went to Donald J. Trump with 52.8% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (42.8%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (2.47%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Alaska for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Senator Elections

US Senators from Alaska

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Alaska.

Lisa Murkowski

Senator from Alaska

Assumed office on December 20, 2002
Appointed to the seat following the resignation of her father Frank Murkowski, who was elected List of governors of Alaska|Governor of Alaska.

Dan Sullivan

Senator from Alaska

Assumed office on January 3, 2015

Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan are the senators currently representing Alaska.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Alaska over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representative Elections

US Representatives from Fairbanks, AK

Mary Peltola

Alaska at-large Representative

Democratic Party

Fairbanks, AK is currently represented by Mary Peltola (Democratic Party).

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the member for Fairbanks, AK have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2021, universities in Fairbanks, AK awarded 1,335 degrees. The student population of Fairbanks, AK in 2021 is skewed towards women, with 2,625 male students and 4,201 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Fairbanks, AK are White (747 and 57.8%), followed by American Indian or Alaska Native (138 and 10.7%), Unknown (122 and 9.44%), and Hispanic or Latino (112 and 8.66%).

The largest universities in Fairbanks, AK by number of degrees awarded are University of Alaska Fairbanks (1,335 and 100%).

The most popular majors in Fairbanks, AK are General Business Administration & Management (133 and 9.96%), Liberal Arts & Sciences (85 and 6.37%), and General Biological Sciences (56 and 4.19%).

The median tuition cost in Fairbanks, AK for a public four year colleges is $7,296 for in-state students and $23,087 for out-of-state students.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2021 in Fairbanks, AK, the percentage of applicants admitted was 64.7%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 74.8%. The number of students enrolled in 2021 was 6,826 (38.5% men and 61.5% women).

The line chart shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2021 there were 6,826 students enrolled in Fairbanks, AK, 38.5% men and 61.5% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 3,637 records, of which 59.5% were women and 40.5% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

General Business Administration & Management
51 degree-majors awarded
Other Multidisciplinary Studies
48 degree-majors awarded
General Biological Sciences
47 degree-majors awarded

In 2021, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Fairbanks, AK was General Business Administration & Management with 51 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Fairbanks, AK according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

University of Alaska Fairbanks

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

1,335 degrees awarded

In 2021, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was University of Alaska Fairbanks with 1,335 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2021, 539 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Fairbanks, AK, which is 0.677 times less than the 796 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2021 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 747 degrees mean that there were 5.41 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, American Indian or Alaska Native, with 138 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Public, 4-year or above ($7,296) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2021.

Public, 4-year or above ($1,925) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2021.

Public, 4-year or above ($2,000) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Working Population

Educational Pyramid

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Alaska.

Measure

In 2021, 0.483% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 0.417% of women were in the same situation.

This visualization shows the gender distribution of the population according to the academic level reached.

Educational Attainment

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Alaska.

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2021 were High School or Equivalent (166k), Some college (150k), and Bachelors Degree (97.5k).

This visualization illustrates the percentage distribution of the population according to the highest educational level reached. You can filter the data by race by using the selector above.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Fairbanks, AK was $245,700 in 2021, which is 1 times larger than the national average of $244,900. Between 2020 and 2021 the median property value increased from $240,300 to $245,700, a 2.25% increase. The homeownership rate in Fairbanks, AK is 58.8%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.6%.

People in Fairbanks, AK have an average commute time of 19.5 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Fairbanks, AK is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Median household income in Fairbanks, AK is $78,321. In 2021, the county with the highest Median Household Income in Fairbanks, AK was Aleutians West Census Area, AK with a value of $90,708, followed by Juneau City and Borough, AK and Anchorage Municipality, AK, with respective values of $90,126 and $88,871.

Housing

Property

$245,700

Median Property Value 2021

±$7,461

$20,763

Median Property Taxes

±$1,170

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Fairbanks, AK the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Fairbanks, AK compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

58.8%

Homeownership

2021

69.5%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2021

In 2021, 58.8% of the housing units in Fairbanks, AK were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 58.9%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Fairbanks, AK compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

In 2021, the county with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Fairbanks, AK was Aleutians West Census Area, AK with a value of $90,708, followed by Juneau City and Borough, AK and Anchorage Municipality, AK, with respective values of $90,126 and $88,871.

The following map shows all of the counties in Fairbanks, AK colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$78,321

Median Household Income

± $3,174

35.3k

Number of Households

± 1,652

In 2021, the median household income of the 35.3k households in Fairbanks, AK grew to $78,321 from the previous year's value of $76,464.

The following chart displays the households in Fairbanks, AK distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Fairbanks, AK is from Alaska.

0.437

2021 Wage GINI in Alaska

0.435

2020 Wage GINI in Alaska

In 2021, the income inequality in Alaska was 0.437 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.513% growth from 2020 to 2021, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat less even. The GINI for Alaska was lower than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Alaska in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Alaska across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2021

Drove Alone (73.8%)
Carpooled (13.2%)
Worked At Home (6.01%)

In 2021, 73.8% of workers in Fairbanks, AK drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (13.2%) and those who worked at home (6.01%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

19.5 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Fairbanks, AK have a shorter commute time (19.5 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.8 minutes). Additionally, 1.77% of the workforce in Fairbanks, AK have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Fairbanks, AK compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Fairbanks, AK distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Fairbanks, AK have 2 cars.

Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

6.39% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Fairbanks, AK (5.94k out of 93k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 12.6%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Females 18 - 24 and then Males 55 - 64.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Fairbanks, AK is White, followed by Native American and Hispanic.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Health

90.4% of the population of Fairbanks, AK has health coverage, with 41.8% on employee plans, 10.1% on Medicaid, 7.26% on Medicare, 19% on non-group plans, and 12.2% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Alaska see 1025 patients per year on average, which represents a 4.12% decrease from the previous year (1069 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 983 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 161 patients per year.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Alaska.

1,025 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Alaska

Primary care physicians in Alaska see an average of 1,025 patients per year. This represents a 4.12% decrease from the previous year (1,069 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Alaska in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2021, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 27.3% under 18 years, 25.3% between 18 and 34 years, 35.5% between 35 and 64 years, and 12% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 50.6% were men and 49.4% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

9.56%

Uninsured

41.8%

Employer Coverage

10.1%

Medicaid

7.26%

Medicare

19%

Non-Group

12.2%

Military or VA

Between 2020 and 2021, the percent of uninsured citizens in Fairbanks, AK grew by 2.04% from 9.37% to 9.56%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Fairbanks, AK changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.