Fairbanks
With 32,083 people, Fairbanks is a city in Alaska. This skews young, with a median age of 29.0. 40% of homes are owner-occupied. Getting to work takes 15 minutes on average. About 26% of adults have finished a four-year degree. 78% were living in the same home a year earlier.
What stands out about Fairbanks
What changed most since 1990
- Homes owned by their occupants31.1% → 39.8% (+8.8 pts)US over the same years: +0.9 pts
- Adults with a bachelor's degree18.3% → 26.2% (+7.9 pts)US over the same years: +15.3 pts
- Median home value (2024 dollars)$205,926 → $268,400 (+30%)US over the same years: +67%
Among the 17 cities and towns in the Fairbanks metro
- 14th in household income$73,534
- 12th in share with a bachelor's degree26.2%
- 10th in home value$268,400
- 2nd in diversity score78.9
Its weight in Fairbanks North Star
Fairbanks's population equals 34% of Fairbanks North Star's. Its number of households without a car equals 58% of the county's. Its number of residents living in poverty equals 48% of the county's.
Population & growth
Income & economy
Housing
Race & ethnicity
Detailed origins & ancestry
+ 1 more hispanic origin group with data
+ 30 more ancestry groups with data
Education
Commute & transportation
Work & employment
People & community
Health coverage
Shares are "alone or in combination": a person with both Medicare and Medicaid counts in each, so categories overlap and do not sum to 100%.
Veterans
Share of the 2,271 veterans here. A veteran who served across eras counts in each, so shares can total more than 100%. Peacetime-only service is included in the total but not shown as an era.
Fairbanks, decade by decade
| Year | Population | Median household income | Median home value | Bachelor's degree+ | Diversity score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 30,843 | $76,881 | $205,926 | 18.3% | 59.9 |
| 2000 | 30,224 | $73,917 | $231,350 | 19.4% | 68.2 |
| 2010 | 31,535 | $73,827 | $276,925 | 18.5% | 72.1 |
| 2020 | 32,515 | $78,052 | $263,861 | 26.8% | 83.4 |
| 2024 | 32,083 | $73,534 | $268,400 | 26.2% | 78.9 |
Census years come from the decennial census and the latest year from the American Community Survey, so part of any change between those two rows can reflect the different surveys. Dollar figures are adjusted for inflation to 2024 dollars; a figure ending in "+" was at the Census Bureau's reporting cap that year. The diversity score runs from 0 to 100; see how it's calculated.
Places similar to Fairbanks
Compare Fairbanks to nearby cities
How many people live in Fairbanks, Alaska?
Fairbanks, Alaska has about 32,083 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.
What is the median household income in Fairbanks, Alaska?
The typical household in Fairbanks, Alaska earns about $73,534 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.
Is Fairbanks, Alaska expensive?
In Fairbanks, Alaska, the median home is worth about $268,400, and the typical rent is about $1,496 a month.
How educated are people in Fairbanks, Alaska?
About 26.2% of adults age 25 and over in Fairbanks, Alaska hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the poverty rate in Fairbanks, Alaska?
About 8.7% of people in Fairbanks, Alaska live below the federal poverty line.
Has Fairbanks, Alaska grown since 1990?
Yes, Fairbanks, Alaska has grown since 1990. The population has added about 1,240 residents, a change of about 4 percent over that period.
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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024