Population 10,949 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Kenai
Household size in Kenai
| Period | Kenai | Alaska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.40 | 2.79 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.59 | 2.88 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.53 | 2.91 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.50 | 2.72 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.10 | −0.07 | −0.03 |
The average household in Kenai has 2.50 people, a bit under the U.S. average of 2.65. Household size has climbed from 2.40 in 2006–10, even as the national average fell.
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 Kenai
| Period | Kenai | Alaska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 36.6 | 35.0 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 36.9 | 35.2 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 38.0 | 35.9 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 36.7 | 37.1 | 40.1 |
| Change | +0.0 | +2.1 | +2.3 |
The median resident of Kenai is 36.7 years old, a few years younger than the national median of 40.1. Alaska as a whole looks much the same. The youngest areas are in the west, the oldest in the east.
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 Kenai
| Period | Kenai | Alaska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 13.9% | 14.0% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 13.3% | 13.4% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 10.0% | 12.6% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 14.0% | 11.8% | 11.6% |
| Change | +0.1 pts | −2.2 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head about one in seven households in Kenai (14.0%), above the national share of 11.6%. No other Alaska city with 5,000+ people has a higher 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 Kenai
Renters in Kenai
| Period | Kenai | Alaska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 35.8% | 35.3% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 37.7% | 36.7% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 32.2% | 35.7% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 26.7% | 33.2% | 34.8% |
| Change | −9.0 pts | −2.1 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in Kenai own their homes; 26.7% rent, below the national share of 34.8%. Just over a third of owners (35.6%) have paid off their mortgages, below the national share of 39.8%. Renting is most common in the west and least common in the southeast. Since 2006–10, the renter share has fallen 9.0 points, even as the national share rose.
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 Kenai
| Period | Kenai | Alaska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.2% | 14.2% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 14.2% | 15.0% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 14.3% | 16.8% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 14.6% | 15.2% | 9.6% |
| Change | +5.4 pts | +1.0 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in Kenai: 14.6% of homes are empty, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. Vacancy has risen 5.4 points since 2006–10, even as the national rate fell.
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 Kenai
| Period | Kenai | Alaska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1981 | 1982 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1982 | 1984 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1984 | 1985 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1986 | 1987 | 1980 |
| Change | +5 | +5 | +6 |
The housing in Kenai is younger than the country's: half of it was built after 1986, against 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1981 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the southeast, the oldest in the west.
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 Kenai
| Period | Kenai | Alaska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $862 | $1,067 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,023 | $1,192 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,088 | $1,322 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,277 | $1,518 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$415 | +$451 | +$606 |
Rent in Kenai runs $1,277 a month at the median, utilities included, below the U.S. median of $1,571. Rents are up $415 a month from 2006–10, a 48% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 29.1% of the typical renter's income, just under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Rents run highest in the center and lowest in the northwest.
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 Kenai
Bachelor's degrees in Kenai
| Period | Kenai | Alaska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 19.1% | 26.3% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 22.0% | 26.8% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 20.9% | 29.1% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 27.6% | 31.1% | 35.6% |
| Change | +8.5 pts | +4.9 pts | +7.2 pts |
More than a quarter of adults 25 and older in Kenai (27.6%) have a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national share of 35.6%. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 8.5 points, in line with the national trend.
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 Kenai
| Period | Kenai | Alaska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 91.9% | 90.6% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 92.4% | 91.5% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 88.8% | 92.5% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 95.1% | 93.3% | 89.3% |
| Change | +3.2 pts | +2.7 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion is high in Kenai: 95.1% 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 3.2 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 Kenai
| Period | Kenai | Alaska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.4% | 9.2% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 9.8% | 9.1% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 7.7% | 7.6% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 10.6% | 6.2% | 5.4% |
| Change | +0.3 pts | −3.0 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Kenai runs well above the national rate: 10.6% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4%. Only one other Alaska city with 5,000+ people has higher unemployment. Because the Census pools five years of responses (2020–24), these rates smooth over short swings and lag the current job market.
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).
Kenai 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kenai | 2.50 | 36.7 | 14.0% | 26.7% | 14.6% | 1986 | $1,277 | 27.6% | 95.1% | 10.6% |
| Kalifornsky | 2.54 | 40.3 | 12.4% | 14.9% | 17.8% | 1995 | $1,415 | 31.0% | 94.5% | 4.6% |
| Soldotna | 2.32 | 43.1 | 7.1% | 27.4% | 19.6% | 1994 | $1,168 | 27.2% | 96.5% | 6.7% |
| Nikiski | 2.99 | 36.8 | 6.5% | 20.9% | 19.1% | 1985 | $1,164 | 15.1% | 93.3% | 6.7% |
| Sterling | 2.24 | 46.0 | 0.9% | 13.2% | 30.6% | 1994 | $1,259 | 26.9% | 96.5% | 5.3% |
| Kasilof | 2.31 | 50.3 | 4.7% | 16.4% | 29.7% | 1995 | $1,448 | 27.3% | 94.7% | 10.3% |
| Clam Gulch | 2.17 | 54.7 | 5.3% | 13.5% | 41.0% | 1995 | $1,216 | 26.9% | 93.0% | 6.0% |
| Cohoe | 2.26 | 51.6 | 3.8% | 16.6% | 32.4% | 1995 | $1,444 | 27.4% | 95.3% | 11.5% |
| Tyonek | 3.11 | 30.3 | 22.1% | 43.2% | 62.3% | 1970 | $661 | 8.8% | 92.4% | 9.9% |
| Ninilchik | 2.14 | 57.0 | 6.7% | 13.4% | 47.2% | 1994 | $900 | 25.7% | 90.8% | 5.6% |
| Happy Valley | 2.14 | 57.0 | 6.7% | 13.4% | 47.2% | 1994 | $900 | 25.7% | 90.8% | 5.6% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: South Park Township, PA · Chalco, NE · Chanute, KS · Cheat Lake, WV · Cheboygan, MI · Chelsea, AL · Chesapeake Ranch Estates, MD · Chesterland, OH · Somers Point, NJ · South Apopka, 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 Kenai. 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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