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CITY

Shishmaref

Alaska · 555 residents (2025 est.) · 2.339 sq mi
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The short version

Shishmaref has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $61,458. Population has fallen 17% since 2000, a loss of 96 residents. 7% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value is $109,400. At a median age of 33.0, residents skew younger than the country as a whole. Households here earn about 34% less than the Alaska median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 33.0
US median: 38.9
Less educated
7% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
More affordable
home values down 53%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
466
−17%since 2000
from 562 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
199 / sq mi
−17%since 2000
from 240 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
33.0
+37%since 2000
from 24.1 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:555 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
4104785466146821990201020202024Shishmaref
2024466
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$61,458
+10%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $30,714 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$17,409
+66%since 2000
from $10,487 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
38.7%
+25.6 ptssince 2009
from 13.2% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
24.9%
+8.6 ptssince 2000
from 16.3% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.367
−6%since 2010
from 0.389 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information19.4%
US avg: 10.8%
Finance & insurance7.4%
US avg: 5.9%
Education & health services4.6%
US avg: 0.9%
Arts, entertainment, food4.6%
US avg: 1.9%
Professional, scientific, technical2.8%
US avg: 5.1%
Wholesale trade1.9%
US avg: 6.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.9%
US avg: 1.6%
Manufacturing0.9%
US avg: 0.4%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Retail trade0%
US avg: 9.9%
Transportation & warehousing0%
US avg: 2.2%
Other services0%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration0%
US avg: 4.8%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$109,400
−53%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $128,800 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$950
+19%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $439 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
75.7%
+5.3 ptssince 2000
from 70.4% in 2000
24.3% rent
Vacancy rate
12.6%
+3.1 ptssince 2009
from 9.5% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
16.7%
−7.8 ptssince 2009
from 24.5% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
0.0%
−25.9 ptssince 2009
from 25.9% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
1.8
−58%since 2000
from 4.2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
33
RELATED:See current rent listings in Shishmaref on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic5.3%(30)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino0.5%(3)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%
Diversity Score20.7%(116)
2024
White, non-Hispanic1.5%(7)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino0%(0)
Asian1.1%(5)
Other97.4%(454)
Diversity Score6.3%(29)
Diversity Score
6
−69%since 2000
from 21 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
7.1%
−1.8 ptssince 2000
from 8.9% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
85.5%
+13.3 ptssince 2000
from 72.2% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
4.9%
+1.0 ptssince 2000
from 3.9% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
4.4 min
−46%since 2000
from 8.1 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
0.0%
−2.2 ptssince 2009
from 2.2% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
1.0%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
6.9%
+2.6 ptssince 2009
from 4.3% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
55.4%
+6.2 ptssince 2009
from 49.3% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
91.0%
−1.1 ptssince 2009
from 92.1% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
29.4%
+6.7 ptssince 2011
from 22.7% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
47.2%
−9.3 ptssince 2011
from 56.5% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
45.4%
−2.8 ptssince 2009
from 48.2% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
24.1%
−47.9 ptssince 2009
from 72.0% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
61.6%
+10.8 ptssince 2009
from 50.8% in 2009
Female
38.4%
−10.8 ptssince 2009
from 49.2% in 2009
Foreign born
1.1%
+1.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
2.9%
−49.1 ptssince 2009
from 51.9% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
8.6%
−0.2 ptssince 2012
from 8.8% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
20.2%
−44.8 ptssince 2013
from 65.0% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
94.6%
+47.8 ptssince 2017
from 46.8% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
72.4%
+0.4 ptssince 2016
from 72.0% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2016
from 0.0% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Shishmaref

McIntosh
Pop 551
Adrian
Pop 566
Laurel Hill
Pop 563
Coolidge
Pop 558
Places similar to Shishmaref
Head to head

Compare Shishmaref side by side

SHISHMAREF VS
McIntosh
Income$62,300+1%
Home value$275,000+151%
Population551−1%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SHISHMAREF VS
Adrian
Income$62,500+2%
Home value$65,000−41%
Population566+2%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SHISHMAREF VS
Laurel Hill
Income$63,036+3%
Home value$117,900+8%
Population563+1%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SHISHMAREF VS
Coolidge
Income$59,063−4%
Home value$158,400+45%
Population558+1%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Shishmaref, Alaska?

Shishmaref, Alaska has about 466 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Shishmaref, Alaska?

The typical household in Shishmaref, Alaska earns about $61,458 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Shishmaref, Alaska expensive?

In Shishmaref, Alaska, the median home is worth about $109,400, and the typical rent is about $950 a month.

How educated are people in Shishmaref, Alaska?

About 7.1% of adults age 25 and over in Shishmaref, Alaska hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Shishmaref, Alaska?

About 24.9% of people in Shishmaref, Alaska live below the federal poverty line.

Has Shishmaref, Alaska grown since 1990?

Yes, Shishmaref, Alaska has grown since 1990. The population has added about 33 residents, a change of about 8 percent over that period.

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

How we source and harmonize this data →

Shishmaref, Alaska: demographics, income & housing data · CensusEasy