Bachelor's+
0.0%
100% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate
35.6%
11% higher than US avg
Unemployment
9.1%
153% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate
0.0%
100% lower than US avg
How Hughes Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)
People
Population32
Median Age70.2 yrs
Density11/mi²
Male / Female41% / 59%
Largest GroupWhite 0%
Veterans0.0%
Economy
Per Capita$14,069
Unemployment9.1%
Poverty0.0%
County GDP$384M
Housing
Ownership73.7%
Zillow$290,656
Housing Units29
Rent Burden17.9%
Health
Obesity35.6%
Uninsured65.6%
Smoking26.1%
Depression21.7%
Heart Disease6.6%
Climate
Avg Temp26°F (-3°C)
Elevation586 ft (179 m)
Education
A+
Bachelor's+0.0%
High School+87.5%
Graduate+0.0%
School Score4.86
Community
2024 VoteR 56% / D 44%
Broadband10.5%
Libraries11
Is Hughes a Good Place to Live?
Based on current data, Hughes receives an overall livability score of 4.5 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A+. Key strengths include a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, a high uninsured rate. Hughes stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.
Economy & Jobs
At 9.1%, unemployment is notably high. Only 0.0% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%.
Education
0.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 87.5% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.9/10.
Climate & Weather
Hughes has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 26°F. Winters average -11°F in January while summers reach 60°F in July.
Hughes has a population of 32 with a density of 11 people per square mile, spread across 3.0 square miles. The median age is 70.2 years, 80% older than the national median of 38.9. The gender split is 59.4% female and 40.6% male. The city is predominantly White (0%). English is the primary language spoken at home by 46.9% of residents, while 47.1% speak Spanish. 0.0% of the population are veterans, below the national rate of 6.0%. 56.3% of residents have a disability (above the 13.0% national average). 34.4% have health insurance coverage.
Population
32
Total Population
2023 Census
70.2yrs
Median Age
80% above US avg
Language Spoken at Home
English Only
46.9%
40% below US avg
Spanish
47.1%
251% above US avg
Per capita income is $14,069 (below the $39,052 national figure). The average weekly wage is $1,002, 30% lower than the U.S. average. The unemployment rate is 9.1% (above the 3.6% US average). 0.0% of residents live below the poverty line, lower than the national rate of 12.4%. The area has 237 business establishments, including 8 restaurants. The cost of living index is 102.4, roughly in line with the national average. 0.0% of workers work from home (below the 15.2% national rate).
Income
| |
| Per Capita Income | $14,069 |
| Avg Weekly Wage | $1,002 |
| IRS Avg AGI | $46,714 |
| Gini Index | 0.464 (0=equal, 1=unequal) |
Employment & Poverty
| Unemployment | 9.1% |
| 153% above US avg |
| Poverty Rate | 0.0% |
| 100% below US avg |
| Establishments (County) | 237 |
| County GDP | $384M |
Business (County)
| Restaurants | 8 |
| Healthcare | 3 |
| Retail | 29 |
Tax & Cost of Living
| |
| Cost of Living | 102.40 (100=avg) |
Commute & Transportation
| Drive Alone | 0.0% |
| Public Transit | 0.0% |
| Work from Home | 0.0% |
Zillow estimates the typical home value at $290,656. Fair market rent ranges from $1,194 for a one-bedroom to $1,467 for a two-bedroom apartment. 73.7% of housing units are owner-occupied (above the 65.4% national rate). There are 29 total housing units in the city. The median year a home was built is 1986. 17.9% of renters spend 30% or more of their income on housing.
Rental Costs
HUD Fair Market Rent
| Studio | $1,061 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,194 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,467 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,941 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $2,304 |
Ownership & Property
| Homeownership | 73.7% |
| Owner-Occupied | 73.7% |
| Renter-Occupied | 26.3% |
| Housing Units | 29 |
| Median Year Built | 1986 |
Property Tax
In Hughes, 35.6% of adults are obese, above the national rate of 32.1%. 12.2% have diabetes (above the 10.5% national rate). Heart disease affects 6.6% of residents. 33.3% have high blood pressure. 26.1% are current smokers (above the 14.0% national rate). 15.7% report binge drinking. 26.3% are physically inactive. 21.7% report depression. 20.4% experience frequent mental distress. 65.6% of residents lack health insurance (above the 8.6% national rate). The primary care physician ratio is 1:5,275. The dentist ratio is 1:2,590. 19.5% of residents have access to exercise opportunities. The food environment index is 2.7 out of 10.
Health Metrics: Hughes vs U.S. Average (%)
Chronic Conditions
| Obesity | 35.6% |
| 11% above US avg |
| Diabetes | 12.2% |
| Heart Disease | 6.6% |
| High Blood Pressure | 33.3% |
| Asthma | 13.3% |
| COPD | 8.4% |
| Cancer | 5.4% |
| Stroke | 4.2% |
Behaviors & Mental Health
| Smoking | 26.1% |
| 86% above US avg |
| Binge Drinking | 15.7% |
| Physical Inactivity | 26.3% |
| Depression | 21.7% |
| Mental Distress | 20.4% |
| Physical Distress | 17.7% |
| Short Sleep | 38.0% |
Healthcare Access
| Insurance Rate | 34.4% |
| Uninsured | 65.6% |
| 663% above US avg |
| Primary Care | 1:5,275 |
| Dentists | 1:2,590 |
| Mental Health | 1:513 |
| Checkup Rate | 64.5% |
| Dental Visits | 48.6% |
| Premature Death | 22,704/100K |
Food & Exercise
| Food Environment | 2.7/10 |
| Exercise Access | 19.5% |
| Healthcare Facilities | 3 |
Hughes has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 26°F (-3°C). Winters average -11°F in January while summers reach 60°F in July / a wide seasonal temperature swing of 71°F. The city sits at an elevation of 586 feet.
Temperature
-11°F Jan (-24°C)
60°F Jul (16°C)
| Annual Average | 26.4°F |
| 51% below US avg |
| January Average | -11°F (-24°C) |
| July Average | 60°F (16°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 586 ft (179 m) |
| Area | 3.0 sq mi (7.9 km²) |
| Population Density | 11/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 66.0452°N, 154.2376°W |
| Timezone | America/Anchorage |
| County | Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area County |
| Nearest Airport | Fairbanks International (FAI)
202 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Wettest Month (Aug)
3.58"
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 61.6 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 99.4 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 7.1 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado |
Very Low |
| Earthquake |
Relatively Low |
| Wildfire |
Relatively Moderate |
| Flood |
Very Low |
| Hail |
Very Low |
| Strong Wind |
Very Low |
| Winter Weather |
Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning |
Very Low |
| Ice Storm |
Very Low |
| Drought |
No Rating |
| Cold Wave |
Relatively High |
| Landslide |
Relatively Moderate |
| Volcano |
Very Low |
| Avalanche |
Relatively Moderate |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
532 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990.
Strongest: M5.6. Most recent: M2.8 on Aug 20, 2025.
| Feb 3, 2000 |
northern Alaska |
M5.6 |
115 km |
| Mar 6, 2019 |
64 km S of Shungnak, Alaska |
M5.2 |
137 km |
| Jan 6, 2019 |
61 km WNW of Tanana, Alaska |
M5.1 |
83 km |
| Mar 26, 2019 |
northern Alaska |
M5.0 |
138 km |
| Mar 18, 2020 |
67 km S of Shungnak, Alaska |
M5.0 |
138 km |
| Nov 5, 1997 |
19 km ENE of Ruby, Alaska |
M4.9 |
143 km |
| Apr 8, 2019 |
64 km WNW of Tanana, Alaska |
M4.8 |
83 km |
| Feb 10, 2019 |
64 km S of Shungnak, Alaska |
M4.8 |
137 km |
| Apr 16, 2019 |
65 km S of Shungnak, Alaska |
M4.8 |
138 km |
| Apr 23, 2019 |
67 km S of Shungnak, Alaska |
M4.6 |
136 km |
| Jul 2, 2019 |
68 km S of Shungnak, Alaska |
M4.5 |
135 km |
| Apr 18, 1995 |
74 km E of Kobuk, Alaska |
M4.5 |
93 km |
| Jun 15, 2019 |
66 km S of Shungnak, Alaska |
M4.5 |
136 km |
| Mar 12, 2019 |
68 km S of Shungnak, Alaska |
M4.5 |
136 km |
| Jan 10, 2001 |
54 km SW of Hughes, Alaska |
M4.4 |
55 km |
| Oct 16, 1995 |
55 km NW of Rampart, Alaska |
M4.4 |
144 km |
| Aug 13, 1993 |
30 km ENE of Kobuk, Alaska |
M4.4 |
135 km |
| Mar 27, 2019 |
64 km S of Shungnak, Alaska |
M4.4 |
137 km |
| May 9, 2019 |
66 km S of Shungnak, Alaska |
M4.4 |
138 km |
| Oct 22, 1997 |
31 km NNW of Hughes, Alaska |
M4.3 |
32 km |
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990-2025)
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) within 100 km.
Largest: NORTH DAG (429,669 ac, 2004).
| Year |
Name |
Acres |
Distance |
| 2004 |
NORTH DAG |
429,669 |
93 km |
| 2015 |
TOBATOKH |
220,212 |
51 km |
| 1990 |
KUK 11 |
201,033 |
72 km |
| 2015 |
ISAHULTILA |
192,796 |
18 km |
| 2015 |
ROCK |
143,047 |
9 km |
| 2015 |
SUSHGITIT HILLS |
118,333 |
59 km |
| 1999 |
MELOZI MORAN |
59,011 |
64 km |
| 2016 |
HOG |
57,621 |
68 km |
| 2016 |
DULBI FLATS |
54,730 |
64 km |
| 2016 |
HOGATZA RIVER |
51,144 |
88 km |
| 2022 |
RADIO CREEK |
46,165 |
92 km |
| 2015 |
HOLONADA |
45,340 |
93 km |
| 2019 |
BERGMAN CREEK |
40,778 |
47 km |
| 1985 |
GAL NE 57 |
33,126 |
87 km |
| 1999 |
BIG CREEK |
31,606 |
88 km |
| 1990 |
BTT SW 53 |
31,344 |
61 km |
| 2018 |
LITTLE MELOZITNA RIVER |
27,949 |
73 km |
| 2005 |
SIX MILE |
26,490 |
57 km |
| 2005 |
HUGHES CREEK |
24,971 |
27 km |
| 2012 |
HOGATZA RIVER |
23,739 |
62 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)
Monthly Weather
| Month |
Avg Temperature |
Precipitation |
Summary |
| January |
-11°F (-24°C) |
0.6 in |
Coldest, Driest |
| February |
-2°F (-19°C) |
0.7 in |
|
| March |
6°F (-14°C) |
0.9 in |
|
| April |
23°F (-5°C) |
0.8 in |
|
| May |
43°F (6°C) |
0.7 in |
|
| June |
57°F (14°C) |
1.4 in |
|
| July |
60°F (16°C) |
2.2 in |
Warmest |
| August |
54°F (12°C) |
3.6 in |
Wettest |
| September |
43°F (6°C) |
1.9 in |
|
| October |
23°F (-5°C) |
1.2 in |
|
| November |
5°F (-15°C) |
0.8 in |
|
| December |
-3°F (-19°C) |
1.0 in |
|
Hughes has a seasonal temperature swing of 71°F / from -11°F in January to 60°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 15.9 inches, with August being the wettest month (3.6") and January the driest (0.6").
Average costs for common services in Hughes. Prices are estimated based on regional cost of living data and may vary by provider.
Healthcare
| Doctor Visit (Primary Care) |
$256 ($154-$410) |
| Specialist Visit |
$358 ($205-$563) |
| Urgent Care Visit |
$205 ($102-$358) |
| Emergency Room Visit |
$2,253 ($819-$5,120) |
| Dental Cleaning |
$133 ($77-$205) |
| Dental Filling |
$256 ($154-$410) |
View all 40 services
Auto Repair
| Oil Change (Conventional) |
$46 ($26-$77) |
| Oil Change (Synthetic) |
$77 ($51-$123) |
| Brake Pad Replacement |
$307 ($154-$512) |
| Tire Rotation |
$41 ($20-$77) |
| New Tires (Set of 4) |
$614 ($410-$1,024) |
| Battery Replacement |
$205 ($102-$358) |
View all 18 services
Home Services
| Plumber (Per Hour) |
$102 ($61-$154) |
| Electrician (Per Hour) |
$92 ($51-$143) |
| HVAC Repair |
$410 ($154-$819) |
| HVAC System Install |
$7,168 ($4,096-$12,288) |
| Roof Repair |
$1,024 ($410-$2,048) |
| Roof Replacement |
$9,216 ($5,632-$15,360) |
View all 25 services
Legal
| Divorce (Uncontested) |
$1,536 ($512-$3,584) |
| Divorce (Contested) |
$15,360 ($5,120-$30,720) |
| DUI Defense |
$5,120 ($2,048-$10,240) |
| Bankruptcy (Chapter 7) |
$1,536 ($819-$3,072) |
| Will Preparation |
$512 ($205-$1,024) |
| Trust Preparation |
$2,560 ($1,024-$5,120) |
View all 12 services
Personal Care
| Men's Haircut |
$26 ($15-$46) |
| Women's Haircut |
$56 ($31-$102) |
| Hair Coloring (Full) |
$154 ($77-$256) |
| Manicure |
$26 ($15-$46) |
| Pedicure |
$41 ($26-$67) |
| Massage (1 Hour) |
$82 ($51-$133) |
View all 12 services
Food & Grocery
| Gallon of Milk (per gallon) |
$4.20 ($3.07-$5.63) |
| Dozen Eggs (per dozen) |
$3.58 ($2.56-$5.12) |
| Loaf of Bread |
$3.89 ($2.56-$5.63) |
| Chicken Breast (per lb) |
$4.61 ($3.07-$6.66) |
| Ground Beef (per lb) |
$5.63 ($4.10-$7.68) |
| Rice (per lb) |
$1.02 ($0.61-$1.84) |
View all 20 services
Utilities
| Electricity (Monthly) |
$143 ($82-$256) |
| Natural Gas (Monthly) |
$72 ($31-$154) |
| Water/Sewer (Monthly) |
$72 ($41-$123) |
| Internet (Monthly) |
$72 ($41-$102) |
| Cell Phone Plan (Monthly) |
$67 ($31-$102) |
| Cable TV (Monthly) |
$87 ($51-$154) |
View all 8 services
Transportation
| Monthly Parking (Downtown) |
$205 ($77-$512) |
| Car Insurance (Annual) |
$2,048 ($1,229-$3,584) |
| Bus Pass (Monthly) |
$72 ($31-$133) |
| Taxi/Uber (5-Mile Ride) |
$15 ($8.19-$26) |
| Car Registration (Annual) |
$102 ($31-$256) |
| Driver's License Renewal |
$31 ($15-$77) |
View all 8 services
Education & Childcare
| Daycare (Infant, Monthly) |
$1,229 ($614-$2,560) |
| Daycare (Toddler, Monthly) |
$1,024 ($512-$2,048) |
| After-School Care (Monthly) |
$410 ($205-$717) |
| Tutoring (Per Hour) |
$51 ($26-$102) |
| SAT/ACT Prep Course |
$1,024 ($410-$2,560) |
| Private School (K-12, Annual) |
$12,800 ($5,120-$30,720) |
View all 8 services
Pets
| Vet Visit (Routine Checkup) |
$61 ($31-$102) |
| Dog Vaccination (Annual) |
$102 ($51-$205) |
| Dog Grooming |
$61 ($31-$102) |
| Pet Boarding (Per Night) |
$41 ($20-$77) |
| Dog Spay/Neuter |
$307 ($154-$512) |
| Cat Spay/Neuter |
$205 ($102-$410) |
View all 9 services
Frequently Asked Questions About Hughes
What is the population of Hughes?
Hughes has a population of 32 residents and is located in Alaska. The population density is 11 people per square mile, spread across 3.0 square miles. The median age of residents is 70.2 years, which is older than the national median of 38.9 years. The population is 59.4% female and 40.6% male.
Is Hughes expensive to live in?
Hughes has a cost of living roughly in line with the national average, with an index of 102.4 (baseline: 100).
What is the weather like in Hughes?
Hughes has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 26°F (-3°C). Winter temperatures average -11°F in January, while summers reach an average of 60°F in July.
How is the job market in Hughes?
The job market in Hughes faces challenges, with unemployment at 9.1% / significantly above the national rate of 3.6%. The average weekly wage is $1,002. There are 237 business establishments in the area, including 8 restaurants and food service locations.
How are the schools in Hughes?
Schools in Hughes have an average test score of 4.9 out of 10, below typical national benchmarks. Families may want to research individual school ratings. 0.0% of adults in Hughes hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 33.7%. 87.5% have completed high school. 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.
How healthy is Hughes?
The obesity rate in Hughes is 35.6% (above the national rate of 32.1%). 26.1% of adults are smokers. 26.3% are physically inactive. 21.7% of residents report depression. 65.6% lack health insurance (above the national rate). 19.5% of residents have access to exercise opportunities. The primary care physician ratio is 1:5,275.
What are the demographics of Hughes?
46.9% of residents speak only English at home, while 47.1% speak Spanish. 0.0% of the population are military veterans. 56.3% of residents have a disability. 34.4% have health insurance coverage.