Nikiski, AK

Full City Profile · Alaska · Kenai Peninsula Borough County

3.2 /5.0
B Good
4,656 Population 67/sq mi density
$63,023 Median Income $31,462 per capita
$309,200 Home Value $313,253 Zillow
$970 Median Rent 25.8% income on rent
36°F Avg Temperature
B
Overall
3.2 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.4 / 5.0
$63,023 median income, 6.1% unemployment
B+
Affordability
3.9 / 5.0
$309,200 home value, $970/mo rent
C
Education
2.2 / 5.0
15.6% bachelor's degree or higher

Nikiski, AK

At a Glance

Median Income
$63,023
16% below
$31,462 per capita
Home Value
$309,200
10% above
Zillow: $313,253
Median Rent
$970/mo
17% below
25.8% of income on rent
Bachelor's Degree+
15.6%
54% below
92.5% high school+
Unemployment
6.1%
69% above
9.4% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
33.5%
4% above
19.1% smoking rate
Avg Temperature
36°F

How Nikiski Compares to the U.S. Average

Each bar shows Nikiski's value as a percentage of the national average (100% = U.S. avg)

Income
84%
Home Value
110%
Rent
83%
Poverty
76%
Bachelor's
46%
Unemployment
169%
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)

Is Nikiski a Good Place to Live?

B
3.2 / 5.0 - Good
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.

Economy & Jobs

Nikiski residents earn a median household income of $63,023 , which is 16% below the national average of $75,149. Per capita income is $31,462. The unemployment rate stands at 6.1% (69% above the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 9.4% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 2,368 business establishments, including 314 restaurants.

Housing & Cost of Living

The median home value in Nikiski is $309,200 , 10% above the national median of $281,900. Zillow estimates the typical home at $313,253. Median rent is $970/month, with 25.8% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 102.4 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1986.

Education

15.6% of adults in Nikiski hold a bachelor's degree or higher (54% below the national average). 92.5% have completed high school. Local schools score 6.0/10 in standardized testing.

Climate & Weather

Nikiski has an average annual temperature of 36°F (2°C). Winters average 15°F in January while summers reach 56°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 18.3 inches.

Data Overview

People

Population4,656
Median Age37.1 yrs
Density67/mi²
Male / Female53% / 47%
Foreign Born2.7%
Veterans16.2%

Economy

B
Median Income$63,023
Per Capita$31,462
Unemployment6.1%
Poverty9.4%
County GDP$3,590M
Avg Weekly Wage$1,200

Housing

B+
Home Value$309,200
Rent$970
Ownership79.5%
Zillow$313,253
Housing Units1,867
Rent Burden25.8%

Health

Obesity33.5%
Diabetes8.5%
Smoking19.1%
Heart Disease6.1%
Premature Death8,874/100K

Climate

Avg Temp36°F
Rain18.3 in/yr
Elevation133 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+15.6%
High School+92.5%
Graduate+4.3%
School Score6.0/10

Community

2024 VoteR 56% / D 44%
Commute30 min
Broadband86.4%
Internet Speed82 Mbps
EV Stations1
Libraries11

Did You Know?

The median home in Nikiski was built in 1986.
The nearest airport is Ted Stevens Anchorage International (52 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.454 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Relatively Moderate" by FEMA.
21.5% of the population has a disability.
There are 314 restaurants in the area.
The county recorded 13 fatal vehicle crashes.
91 declared natural disasters on record.