3rd most populous of 30
With 94,951 residents in 2024, Fairbanks North Star Borough ranks 3rd by population among Alaska's 30 boroughs and census areas and is home to 12.8% of the state's residents.
Fairbanks North Star Borough is home to 94,951 people (2024 estimate) on 7,335 square miles of land. This page brings together official U.S. Census Bureau population estimates since 2000, the components of change—births, deaths and migration—American Community Survey indicators on income, housing, poverty and education, BEA economic accounts and BLS unemployment.
Key indicators
Population
94,951
July 1, 2024 estimate
2020 Census base
95,667
April 1, 2020
Change since 2020
−0.7%
2020–2024
Land area
7,335 mi²
18,997 km²
Population density
12.9 /mi²
2024 estimate ÷ land area
Births
1,375
Year to July 1, 2024
Deaths
616
Year to July 1, 2024
Natural change
+759
Births minus deaths, 2024
Net migration
−1,496
Domestic + international, 2024
Per capita personal income
$75,191
BEA, 2024
Gross domestic product
$7.9 billion
BEA, current dollars, 2024
Median household income
$88,267
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Poverty rate
6.1%
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Bachelor’s degree or higher
33.1%
Age 25+, ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Foreign-born residents
5.6%
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Median home value
$298,200
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Unemployment rate
4.0%
BLS annual average, 2024
Historical data
Pick an indicator to see its long-run evolution.
Population
2000–202494,951▲ 14%
U.S. Census Bureau: intercensal estimates 2000–2009, Vintage 2020 (2010–2019) and Vintage 2024 (2020–2024), July 1.
Data summary
| Indicator | Value | Year and source |
|---|---|---|
| Population estimate | 94,951 | 2024 · U.S. Census Bureau |
| Population, 2010 Census | 97,581 | 2010 · U.S. Census Bureau |
| Population, 2000 | 83,005 | July 1, 2000 · Census intercensal |
| Change since 2000 | +14.4% | 2000–2024 · Census |
| International migration | +353 | 2024 · Census Vintage 2024 |
| Domestic migration | −1,849 | 2024 · Census Vintage 2024 |
| Birth rate | 14.5 per 1,000 | 2024 · calculated |
| Death rate | 6.5 per 1,000 | 2024 · calculated |
| Population rank in Alaska | 3rd of 30 | 2024 · calculated |
| Per capita personal income | $75,191 | BEA, 2024 · official |
| Gross domestic product | $7.9 billion | BEA, current dollars, 2024 · official |
| Median household income | $88,267 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Poverty rate | 6.1% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Bachelor’s degree or higher | 33.1% | Age 25+, ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Foreign-born residents | 5.6% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Median home value | $298,200 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Median gross rent | $1,459/month | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Median age | 32.5 years | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Households | 36,359 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Owner-occupied homes | 61.7% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
Fairbanks North Star Borough in context
Comparable indicators for Fairbanks North Star Borough, Alaska and the United States.
| Indicator | County | Alaska | U.S. | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population change 2020–2024 | −0.7% | +0.9% | +2.6% | Census Vintage 2024 |
| Birth rate (per 1,000) | 14.5 | 12.2 | 10.6 | 2024 |
| Death rate (per 1,000) | 6.5 | 7.6 | 9.1 | 2024 |
| Net migration rate (per 1,000) | -15.8 | 0.3 | 8.2 | 2024 |
| Population density (/mi²) | 12.9 | 1.3 | 96.3 | 2024 |
| Per capita personal income | $75,191 | $76,234 | $73,204 | BEA, 2024 |
| Median household income | $88,267 | $92,788 | $80,734 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Poverty rate | 6.1% | 10.1% | 12.5% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Bachelor’s degree or higher | 33.1% | 31.7% | 35.7% | Age 25+, ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Foreign-born residents | 5.6% | 7.7% | 14.1% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Median home value | $298,200 | $352,900 | $332,700 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Median gross rent | $1,459/month | $1,419/month | $1,413/month | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Median age | 32.5 years | 35.8 years | 38.9 years | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Owner-occupied homes | 61.7% | 66.8% | 65.2% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
Cities & towns
2 cities · choose how to order them
Fairbanks
32,500 residents
North Pole
2,300 residents
Did you know? Fairbanks North Star Borough
A quarter century of change
Its population went from 83,005 in 2000 to 94,951 in 2024, a change of +14.4%, compared with +17.9% for Alaska as a whole.
Births and deaths
In the year to July 2024 the county recorded 1,375 births and 616 deaths, so births outnumbered deaths by 759.
Peak population in 2013
Annual Census estimates since 2000 put the county's highest population at 101,046 in 2013. The 2024 figure is 6,095 lower.
2nd in density
Fairbanks North Star Borough has about 12.9 residents per square mile of land, ranking 2nd of 30 boroughs and census areas; Alaska averages 1.3.
Household income rank
With a median household income of $88,267 (ACS 2020–2024 5-year), the county ranks 10th of 30 Alaska boroughs and census areas; the state median is $92,788.
Size of the economy
Its economy produced $7.9 billion of GDP in 2024 (BEA), 3rd largest among 30 Alaska boroughs and census areas.
Latest economic growth
Real GDP grew 6.6% in 2024, adjusted for inflation (BEA, chained 2017 dollars).
Sources and methodology
- U.S. Census Bureau — County population totals and components, Vintage 2024
- U.S. Census Bureau — County estimates 2010–2020
- U.S. Census Bureau — Intercensal estimates 2000–2010
- U.S. Census Bureau — Gazetteer files (land area)
- U.S. Census Bureau — American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis — Regional economic accounts
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — LAUS