Glaciated peaks above Kachemak Bay
County in Alaska

Kenai Peninsula Borough

Kenai Peninsula Borough has the 3rd highest homeownership rate in Alaska (77.0%) and the 5th largest economy ($3.6 billion GDP).

Kenai Peninsula Borough is home to 61,259 people (2024 estimate) on 16,018 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
61,259
July 1, 2024 estimate
2020 Census base
58,797
April 1, 2020
Change since 2020
+4.2%
2020–2024
Land area
16,018 mi²
41,485 km²
Population density
3.8 /mi²
2024 estimate ÷ land area
Births
510
Year to July 1, 2024
Deaths
608
Year to July 1, 2024
Natural change
−98
Births minus deaths, 2024
Net migration
+67
Domestic + international, 2024
Per capita personal income
$67,429
BEA, 2024
Gross domestic product
$3.6 billion
BEA, current dollars, 2024
Median household income
$80,538
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Poverty rate
11.8%
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Bachelor’s degree or higher
29.8%
Age 25+, ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Foreign-born residents
3.7%
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Median home value
$323,200
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Unemployment rate
5.3%
BLS annual average, 2024

Historical data

Pick an indicator to see its long-run evolution.

Population

2000–2024
61,259▲ 23%

U.S. Census Bureau: intercensal estimates 2000–2009, Vintage 2020 (2010–2019) and Vintage 2024 (2020–2024), July 1.

Data summary

IndicatorValueYear and source
Population estimate61,2592024 · U.S. Census Bureau
Population, 2010 Census55,4002010 · U.S. Census Bureau
Population, 200049,618July 1, 2000 · Census intercensal
Change since 2000+23.5%2000–2024 · Census
International migration+642024 · Census Vintage 2024
Domestic migration+32024 · Census Vintage 2024
Birth rate8.3 per 1,0002024 · calculated
Death rate9.9 per 1,0002024 · calculated
Population rank in Alaska4th of 302024 · calculated
Per capita personal income$67,429BEA, 2024 · official
Gross domestic product$3.6 billionBEA, current dollars, 2024 · official
Median household income$80,538ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official
Poverty rate11.8%ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official
Bachelor’s degree or higher29.8%Age 25+, ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official
Foreign-born residents3.7%ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official
Median home value$323,200ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official
Median gross rent$1,184/monthACS 2020–2024 5-year · official
Median age41.4 yearsACS 2020–2024 5-year · official
Households24,371ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official
Owner-occupied homes77.0%ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official

Kenai Peninsula Borough in context

Comparable indicators for Kenai Peninsula Borough, Alaska and the United States.

IndicatorCountyAlaskaU.S.Reference
Population change 2020–2024+4.2%+0.9%+2.6%Census Vintage 2024
Birth rate (per 1,000)8.312.210.62024
Death rate (per 1,000)9.97.69.12024
Net migration rate (per 1,000)1.10.38.22024
Population density (/mi²)3.81.396.32024
Per capita personal income$67,429$76,234$73,204BEA, 2024
Median household income$80,538$92,788$80,734ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Poverty rate11.8%10.1%12.5%ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Bachelor’s degree or higher29.8%31.7%35.7%Age 25+, ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Foreign-born residents3.7%7.7%14.1%ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Median home value$323,200$352,900$332,700ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Median gross rent$1,184/month$1,419/month$1,413/monthACS 2020–2024 5-year
Median age41.4 years35.8 years38.9 yearsACS 2020–2024 5-year
Owner-occupied homes77.0%66.8%65.2%ACS 2020–2024 5-year

Cities & towns

2 cities · choose how to order them

Kenai
7,400 residents
Homer
5,600 residents

Did you know? Kenai Peninsula Borough

4th most populous of 30

With 61,259 residents in 2024, Kenai Peninsula Borough ranks 4th by population among Alaska's 30 boroughs and census areas and is home to 8.3% of the state's residents.

A quarter century of change

Its population went from 49,618 in 2000 to 61,259 in 2024, a change of +23.5%, compared with +17.9% for Alaska as a whole.

Births and deaths

In the year to July 2024 the county recorded 510 births and 608 deaths, so deaths outnumbered births by 98.

Peak population in 2023

Annual Census estimates since 2000 put the county's highest population at 61,285 in 2023. The 2024 figure is 26 lower.

5th in density

Kenai Peninsula Borough has about 3.8 residents per square mile of land, ranking 5th of 30 boroughs and census areas; Alaska averages 1.3.

Household income rank

With a median household income of $80,538 (ACS 2020–2024 5-year), the county ranks 17th of 30 Alaska boroughs and census areas; the state median is $92,788.

Size of the economy

Its economy produced $3.6 billion of GDP in 2024 (BEA), 5th largest among 30 Alaska boroughs and census areas.

Latest economic growth

Real GDP grew 2.3% in 2024, adjusted for inflation (BEA, chained 2017 dollars).

Sources and methodology