Knik River, AK

Alaska · Metropolitan Area

Knik River is a small town in Alaska with a population of 858. Residents earn $100,417 per year, which is 34% above the national average.

4.3 /5.0
A Great
858 Population 11/sq mi density
$100,417 Median Income $42,916 per capita
$266,800 Home Value
$1,250 Median Rent
37°F Avg Temperature
A
Overall
4.3 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.9 / 5.0
$100,417 median income, 1.3% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$266,800 home value, $1,250/mo rent
C+
Education
2.9 / 5.0
24.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $100,417
34% higher than US avg
Home Value $266,800
5% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 24.2%
28% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,250
7% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 35.9%
12% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.3%
64% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 8.0%
35% lower than US avg

How Knik River Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population858
Median Age37.1 yrs
Density11/mi²
Male / Female59% / 41%
Largest GroupWhite 86%

Economy

A+
Median Income$100,417
Per Capita$42,916
Unemployment1.3%
Poverty8.0%
County GDP$32,113M
Commute36 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$266,800
Rent$1,250
OwnershipN/A

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity35.9%
UninsuredN/A
Depression22.0%
Heart Disease5.4%

Climate

Avg Temp37°F
AQI21 (Good)
Rain16.6 in/yr
Elevation4,312 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+24.2%
High School+86.5%
School Score4.86

Community

2024 VoteR 44% / D 56%
Commute36 min
Libraries5

Is Knik River a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Knik River receives an overall livability score of 4.3 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low unemployment, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include long commute times. Knik River stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Knik River is $100,417, which is significantly higher than the national average — 34% above $75,149. This places Knik River among higher-income communities. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.3%. 8.0% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 36 minutes, longer than the typical American commute of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Knik River is $266,800, roughly aligned with the national median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,250 per month. At just 2.7x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

24.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 86.5% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.9/10.

Climate & Weather

Knik River has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 37°F. Winters average 14°F in January while summers reach 60°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 16.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 21.

Knik River has a population of 858 with a density of 11 people per square mile. The median age is 37.1 years, 5% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (85.9%), with 7% Hispanic.

Population

858
Total Population
11
People / sq mi
37.1yrs
Median Age
5% below US avg
81.7mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 59.4%
Female 40.6%

Race & Ethnicity

Knik River vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only94.2%
20% above US avg
Spanish5.8%
57% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Knik River vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Knik River is $100,417, which is 34% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.3% (below the 3.6% US average). 8.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 36 minutes.

Income: Knik River vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$100,417
34% above US avg
Per Capita Income$42,916
Avg Weekly Wage$1,436
IRS Avg AGI$94,616

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.3%
64% below US avg
Poverty Rate8.0%
35% below US avg
Establishments (County)8,829
County GDP$32,113M

Business (County)

Restaurants785
Healthcare1,392
Retail819
Manufacturing180

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$8,419
141% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.16%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time35.7 min
Work from Home9.5%

Walkability

The median home value in Knik River is $266,800, 5% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,250 (7% above US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$266,800
5% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,250
7% above US avg

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

Owner-Occupied86.9%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$8,419
141% above US avg
Effective Rate3.16%
In Knik River, 35.9% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 22.0% report depression. 20.4% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Knik River vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity35.9%
12% above US avg
Diabetes7.7%
Heart Disease5.4%
High Blood Pressure29.5%
Asthma10.7%
COPD5.9%
Stroke2.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking17.5%
Physical Inactivity20.4%
Depression22.0%
Mental Distress16.2%
Physical Distress12.6%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate82.7%
Checkup Rate69.7%
Premature Death9,853/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.6/10
Exercise Access93.9%
Healthcare Facilities1,392

Crime Rates: Knik River vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)20

Safety Score

Knik River has an average annual temperature of 37°F (3°C). Winters average 14°F in January while summers reach 60°F in July. Annual precipitation is 16.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 21.

Temperature

14°F Jan (-10°C) 60°F Jul (16°C)
Annual Average37.0°F
31% below US avg
January Average14°F (-10°C)
July Average60°F (16°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall16.6 inches
56% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median21.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation4,312 ft (1,314 m)
Area81.7 sq mi (211.7 km²)
Population Density11/sq mi
Coordinates61.4619°N, 149.0075°W
County FIPS02020
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 24.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (28% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 12.7-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 43.7%
D 56.3%

Winner: Democrat by 12.7 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+24.2%
28% below US avg
High School+86.5%
School Test Score4.86
C+ Education Grade (2.9/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density11/sq mi
Total Area81.7 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries5
Healthcare Facilities1,392
Restaurants785
Retail Stores819

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)20

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute35.7 min
Work from Home9.5%

Nearby Cities

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