Population 7,037 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Chugiak
Household size in Chugiak
| Period | Chugiak | Alaska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.86 | 2.79 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 3.00 | 2.88 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.85 | 2.91 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.43 | 2.72 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.43 | −0.07 | −0.03 |
Households in Chugiak run small, averaging 2.43 people against 2.65 nationally, which usually means more singles and couples and fewer children. Household size has dropped from 2.86 in 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. The biggest households, usually families with children, are concentrated in the east.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Chugiak
| Period | Chugiak | Alaska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 38.5 | 35.0 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 34.6 | 35.2 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 38.1 | 35.9 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 45.0 | 37.1 | 40.1 |
| Change | +6.5 | +2.1 | +2.3 |
Chugiak skews older: half of its residents are older than 45.0, well above the national median of 40.1. That usually means more empty nesters and retirees, and fewer young families. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 38.5, mirroring the country. Chugiak has the oldest population of any Alaska city with 5,000+ people.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Chugiak
| Period | Chugiak | Alaska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 4.5% | 14.0% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 11.5% | 13.4% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 7.1% | 12.6% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 3.8% | 11.8% | 11.6% |
| Change | −0.6 pts | −2.2 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are relatively rare in Chugiak: 3.8% of households, against 11.6% nationally. The single-parent share is down 0.6 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally. Only one other Alaska city with 5,000+ people has a lower share of single-parent households.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Chugiak
Renters in Chugiak
| Period | Chugiak | Alaska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 18.9% | 35.3% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 25.8% | 36.7% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 19.7% | 35.7% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 14.8% | 33.2% | 34.8% |
| Change | −4.1 pts | −2.1 pts | +1.5 pts |
Only 14.8% of households in Chugiak rent their homes, far below the national share of 34.8%, so most residents are owners who tend to stay put. Among homeowners, 37.4% have no mortgage at all, about the same as nationally. Since 2006–10, the renter share has fallen 4.1 points, even as the national share rose. Only one other Alaska city with 5,000+ people has a lower share of renters.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Chugiak
| Period | Chugiak | Alaska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.7% | 14.2% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 4.3% | 15.0% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 13.5% | 16.8% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 13.1% | 15.2% | 9.6% |
| Change | +2.4 pts | +1.0 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy runs high in Chugiak: 13.1% of homes are empty, against 9.6% nationally. The count includes vacation homes and homes between owners or tenants, not just abandoned ones. Still, the rate is lower than in Alaska as a whole (15.2%).
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Chugiak
| Period | Chugiak | Alaska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1981 | 1982 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1984 | 1984 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1983 | 1985 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1988 | 1987 | 1980 |
| Change | +6 | +5 | +6 |
Chugiak has newer housing than the country as a whole: the median home was built in 1988, versus 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1981 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the south, while the west has the oldest housing.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Chugiak
| Period | Chugiak | Alaska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,087 | $1,067 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,210 | $1,192 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,696 | $1,322 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,294 | $1,518 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$207 | +$451 | +$606 |
The median renter in Chugiak pays $1,294 a month for rent and utilities, below the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $207 a month from 2006–10, a 19% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 14.9% of household income on rent, comfortably under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, and a smaller share than renters pay nationally. Rents run highest in the southwest and lowest in the east.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Chugiak
Bachelor's degrees in Chugiak
| Period | Chugiak | Alaska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 29.7% | 26.3% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 32.7% | 26.8% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 38.9% | 29.1% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 47.6% | 31.1% | 35.6% |
| Change | +17.9 pts | +4.9 pts | +7.2 pts |
Chugiak is highly educated: nearly half of adults 25 and older (47.6%) hold at least a bachelor's degree, far above the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree has risen 17.9 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally. Only one other Alaska city with 5,000+ people has a higher share of college graduates.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Chugiak
| Period | Chugiak | Alaska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 93.5% | 90.6% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 94.9% | 91.5% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 98.8% | 92.5% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 95.3% | 93.3% | 89.3% |
| Change | +1.8 pts | +2.7 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion is high in Chugiak: 95.3% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. The share with a diploma has risen 1.8 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Chugiak
| Period | Chugiak | Alaska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.8% | 9.2% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 4.6% | 9.1% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 6.3% | 7.6% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 3.1% | 6.2% | 5.4% |
| Change | −4.7 pts | −3.0 pts | −2.7 pts |
The job market in Chugiak has been strong: just 3.1% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Only one other Alaska city with 5,000+ people has lower unemployment. Unemployment is down 4.7 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Chugiak compared with nearby cities
| City | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chugiak | 2.43 | 45.0 | 3.8% | 14.8% | 13.1% | 1988 | $1,294 | 47.6% | 95.3% | 3.1% |
| Peters Creek | 2.43 | 46.5 | 2.8% | 12.9% | 9.3% | 1985 | $1,251 | 50.9% | 95.4% | 6.1% |
| Eagle River | 2.70 | 35.7 | 4.9% | 19.2% | 7.0% | 1989 | $2,269 | 47.7% | 96.3% | 3.3% |
| Knik-Fairview | 3.04 | 33.1 | 10.7% | 15.3% | 9.6% | 2003 | $1,658 | 21.5% | 94.1% | 4.9% |
| Knik | 2.60 | 39.4 | 6.9% | 22.7% | 26.6% | 1995 | $1,074 | 8.5% | 85.5% | 3.1% |
| Fort Richardson | 3.34 | 24.1 | 5.1% | 88.4% | 4.0% | 2003 | $2,263 | 36.5% | 96.8% | 6.9% |
| Wasilla | 2.70 | 36.5 | 10.8% | 38.3% | 8.0% | 1997 | $1,392 | 24.4% | 95.8% | 6.3% |
| Meadow Lakes | 2.78 | 37.1 | 13.6% | 23.0% | 18.7% | 1996 | $1,453 | 17.6% | 92.0% | 6.1% |
| Lakes | 2.91 | 37.3 | 10.6% | 20.2% | 8.1% | 1993 | $1,680 | 25.2% | 95.4% | 7.2% |
| Tanaina | 3.02 | 33.8 | 14.0% | 23.1% | 6.3% | 1996 | $1,451 | 22.7% | 92.9% | 5.8% |
| Gateway | 3.12 | 34.5 | 9.2% | 17.5% | 6.7% | 2001 | $1,614 | 34.9% | 95.3% | 4.3% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Indian Orchard, MA · Howard City, MI · Hudson, NC · Huntingburg, IN · Tipton, IN · Hyrum, UT · Imlay City, MI · Incline Village, NV · Tickfaw, LA · Indian Harbour Beach, FL
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Chugiak. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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