Mentasta Lake, AK

Alaska

Mentasta Lake is a small town in Alaska with a population of 94. Residents earn $26,912 per year, which is 64% below the national average.

3.1 /5.0
B Good
94 Population 0/sq mi density
$26,912 Median Income $16,826 per capita
$166,900 Home Value
$379 Median Rent
25°F Avg Temperature
B
Overall
3.1 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C
Economy
2.0 / 5.0
$26,912 median income, 4.8% unemployment
B
Affordability
3.2 / 5.0
$166,900 home value, $379/mo rent
A
Education
4.1 / 5.0
0.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $26,912
64% lower than US avg
Home Value $166,900
41% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 0.0%
100% lower than US avg
Median Rent $379
67% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 36.1%
12% higher than US avg
Unemployment 4.8%
33% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 27.8%
124% higher than US avg

How Mentasta Lake Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population94
Median Age36.3 yrs
Density0/mi²
Male / Female57% / 43%
Largest GroupWhite 18%

Economy

C
Median Income$26,912
Per Capita$16,826
Unemployment4.8%
Poverty27.8%
County GDP$1,055M

Housing

B
Home Value$166,900
Rent$379
OwnershipN/A

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity36.1%
UninsuredN/A
Depression19.6%
Heart Disease6.6%

Climate

Avg Temp25°F
AQI21 (Good)
Elevation5,489 ft

Education

A
Bachelor's+0.0%
High School+78.6%
School Score4.86

Community

2024 VoteR 56% / D 44%
CommuteN/A
Broadband65.0%
Libraries3

Is Mentasta Lake a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Mentasta Lake receives an overall livability score of 3.1 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes. Mentasta Lake offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Mentasta Lake is $26,912, 64% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 4.8%, indicating a healthy job market. The poverty rate of 27.8% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Mentasta Lake is $166,900, 41% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $379 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. The price-to-income ratio of 6.2x means housing costs are stretched relative to local earnings.

Education

0.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 78.6% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.9/10.

Climate & Weather

Mentasta Lake has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 25°F. Winters average -12°F in January while summers reach 59°F in July. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 21.

Mentasta Lake has a population of 94 with a density of 0 people per square mile. The median age is 36.3 years, 7% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly Hispanic (81.9%), with 18.1% White.

Population

94
Total Population
0
People / sq mi
36.3yrs
Median Age
7% below US avg
300.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 57.4%
Female 42.6%

Race & Ethnicity

Mentasta Lake vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.7%
26% above US avg
Spanish1.3%
90% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Mentasta Lake vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Mentasta Lake is $26,912, which is 64% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 4.8% (above the 3.6% US average). 27.8% of residents live below the poverty line.

Income: Mentasta Lake vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$26,912
64% below US avg
Per Capita Income$16,826
Avg Weekly Wage$1,733
IRS Avg AGI$77,227

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment4.8%
33% above US avg
Poverty Rate27.8%
124% above US avg
Establishments (County)257
County GDP$1,055M

Business (County)

Restaurants25
Healthcare12
Retail33
Manufacturing3

Tax & Cost of Living

Commute & Transportation

Work from Home12.5%

Walkability

The median home value in Mentasta Lake is $166,900, 41% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $379 (67% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$166,900
41% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$379
67% below 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-Occupied46.0%

Property Tax

In Mentasta Lake, 36.1% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 19.6% report depression. 23.4% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Mentasta Lake vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity36.1%
12% above US avg
Diabetes11.1%
Heart Disease6.6%
High Blood Pressure34.4%
Asthma12.2%
COPD6.6%
Stroke3.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking20.5%
Physical Inactivity23.4%
Depression19.6%
Mental Distress17.8%
Physical Distress15.3%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate70.9%
Checkup Rate66.7%
Premature Death9,720/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.2/10
Exercise Access27.1%
Healthcare Facilities12

Crime Rates: Mentasta Lake vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

FEMA Disasters182

Safety Score

Mentasta Lake has an average annual temperature of 25°F (-4°C). Winters average -12°F in January while summers reach 59°F in July. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 21.

Temperature

-12°F Jan (-25°C) 59°F Jul (15°C)
Annual Average25.0°F
54% below US avg
January Average-12°F (-25°C)
July Average59°F (15°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Air Quality

AQI Median21.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation5,489 ft (1,673 m)
Area300.6 sq mi (778.6 km²)
Population Density0/sq mi
Coordinates63.0117°N, 143.5615°W
County FIPS02240
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 0.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (100% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 11.6-point margin. 65.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 55.8%
D 44.2%

Winner: Republican by 11.6 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+0.0%
100% below US avg
High School+78.6%
School Test Score4.86
A Education Grade (4.1/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density0/sq mi
Total Area300.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access65.0%
Public Libraries3
Healthcare Facilities12
Restaurants25
Retail Stores33

Safety & Disasters

FEMA Disaster Declarations182

Commute & Transportation

Work from Home12.5%

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