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CITY · 2020 ACS

Big Lake

Alaska · 3,833 residents · 115.435 sq mi
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The short version

Big Lake has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $53,682. Population has grown 45% since 2000. 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $229,200. With a median age of 44.6, the population is older than the US median of 38.8. Households here earn about 31% less than the Alaska median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 44.6
US median: 38.8
Less educated
17% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 51%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
3,833
+45%since 2000
from 2,635 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Population density
33 / sq mi
+45%since 2000
from 23 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
44.6
+18%since 2000
from 37.8 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
1K2K3K4K4K1990201020202024Big Lake
20244K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$53,682
−18%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $43,382 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$30,964
+61%since 2000
from $19,285 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
38.8%
+3.5 ptssince 2009
from 35.3% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
17.0%
+2.4 ptssince 2000
from 14.6% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Wholesale trade10.6%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance10.5%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical9.2%
US avg: 4.7%
Information7.2%
US avg: 11.1%
Retail trade5.6%
US avg: 10%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing4.3%
US avg: 1.7%
Manufacturing3%
US avg: 0.5%
Other services2.3%
US avg: 6.6%
Arts, entertainment, food1.9%
US avg: 2%
Construction1.3%
US avg: 1.2%
Transportation & warehousing1.3%
US avg: 2.5%
Education & health services1.3%
US avg: 0.8%
Public administration0%
US avg: 4.7%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$229,200
+51%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $101,100 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,023
−3%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $705 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
83.0%
−1.6 ptssince 2000
from 84.7% in 2000
17.0% rent
Afford Score
4.3
+83%since 2000
from 2.3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Big Lake on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic86.3%(2,275)
Black0.3%(9)
Hispanic / Latino2%(52)
Asian0.3%(7)
Other0%
Diversity Score7.1%(187)
2020
White, non-Hispanic78.8%(3,022)
Black0.5%(21)
Hispanic / Latino3%(115)
Asian1%(37)
Other16.2%(622)
Diversity Score43.2%(1,655)
Diversity Score
43
+509%since 2000
from 7 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
16.7%
−0.1 ptssince 2000
from 16.7% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
95.6%
+7.5 ptssince 2000
from 88.1% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
3.4%
−3.0 ptssince 2000
from 6.4% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
45.1 min
+29%since 2000
from 34.8 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
68.2%
+4.1 ptssince 2009
from 64.1% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
6.4%
+4.3 ptssince 2009
from 2.2% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
10.5%
−0.4 ptssince 2011
from 11.0% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
49.4%
−13.2 ptssince 2011
from 62.6% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
35.3%
−15.6 ptssince 2009
from 50.9% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
53.8%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 53.9% in 2009
Female
46.2%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 46.1% in 2009
Foreign born
1.7%
−3.0 ptssince 2009
from 4.7% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
20.2%
−59.4 ptssince 2013
from 79.6% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Frequently asked

How many people live in Big Lake, Alaska?

Big Lake, Alaska has about 3,833 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Big Lake, Alaska?

The typical household in Big Lake, Alaska earns about $53,682 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Big Lake, Alaska expensive?

In Big Lake, Alaska, the median home is worth about $229,200, and the typical rent is about $1,023 a month.

How educated are people in Big Lake, Alaska?

About 16.7% of adults age 25 and over in Big Lake, Alaska hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Big Lake, Alaska?

About 17.0% of people in Big Lake, Alaska live below the federal poverty line.

Has Big Lake, Alaska grown since 1990?

Yes, Big Lake, Alaska has grown since 1990. The population has added about 2,360 residents, a change of about 160 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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