Population 10,309 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in University Area
Household size in University Area
| Period | University Area | Anchorage | Alaska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.56 | 2.67 | 2.79 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.70 | 2.77 | 2.88 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.44 | 2.72 | 2.91 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.49 | 2.70 | 2.72 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.07 | +0.03 | −0.07 | −0.03 |
Households in University Area run a little small, averaging 2.49 people against 2.65 nationally, which usually means more singles and couples and fewer children. Household size has edged down from 2.56 in 2006–10, as it has nationally.
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 University Area
| Period | University Area | Anchorage | Alaska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 34.1 | 35.2 | 35.0 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 31.9 | 35.4 | 35.2 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 33.1 | 36.1 | 35.9 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 34.5 | 36.8 | 37.1 | 40.1 |
| Change | +0.4 | +1.6 | +2.1 | +2.3 |
University Area is young: half of its residents are under 34.5, compared with a national median of 40.1. The population tilts toward young adults, many of them living alone or as couples. The median age has crept up from 34.1 in 2006–10, a smaller shift than nationally.
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 University Area
| Period | University Area | Anchorage | Alaska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 11.1% | 14.8% | 14.0% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 17.0% | 14.0% | 13.4% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 8.1% | 13.0% | 12.6% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 14.8% | 13.4% | 11.8% | 11.6% |
| Change | +3.7 pts | −1.4 pts | −2.2 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are common in University Area: 14.8% of all households, against 11.6% nationally. The single-parent share has risen 3.7 points since 2006–10, even as the national share fell.
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 University Area
Renters in University Area
| Period | University Area | Anchorage | Alaska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 49.2% | 39.1% | 35.3% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 49.5% | 40.0% | 36.7% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 44.0% | 38.2% | 35.7% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 45.9% | 37.0% | 33.2% | 34.8% |
| Change | −3.3 pts | −2.0 pts | −2.1 pts | +1.5 pts |
Renting is far more common in University Area than nationally: 45.9% of households rent their homes, against 34.8%. Among homeowners, 30.7% have no mortgage at all, below the national share of 39.8%. Renting is most common in the southwest and least common in the northeast. Since 2006–10, the renter share has fallen 3.3 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 University Area
| Period | University Area | Anchorage | Alaska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 11.7% | 7.9% | 14.2% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 11.9% | 8.7% | 15.0% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 11.6% | 10.4% | 16.8% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 12.9% | 10.6% | 15.2% | 9.6% |
| Change | +1.2 pts | +2.7 pts | +1.0 pts | −1.8 pts |
More homes sit empty in University Area than nationally: 12.9%, against 9.6%. The count includes vacation homes and homes between owners or tenants, not just abandoned ones. Since 2006–10, vacancy has edged up 1.2 points, 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 University Area
| Period | University Area | Anchorage | Alaska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1977 | 1980 | 1982 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1979 | 1980 | 1984 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1980 | 1981 | 1985 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1979 | 1982 | 1987 | 1980 |
| Change | +1 | +2 | +5 | +6 |
Homes in University Area are about the same age as the nation's housing: the median home was built in 1979, versus 1980 nationally. Newer construction is concentrated in the southeast, while the north 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 University Area
| Period | University Area | Anchorage | Alaska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,020 | $1,182 | $1,067 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,118 | $1,263 | $1,192 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,344 | $1,511 | $1,322 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,539 | $1,667 | $1,518 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$519 | +$486 | +$451 | +$606 |
The median renter in University Area pays $1,539 a month for rent and utilities, close to the national median of $1,571. Rents here are lower than in Anchorage overall ($1,667). Rents are up $519 a month from 2006–10, a 51% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 33.0% of household income on rent, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched.
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 University Area
Bachelor's degrees in University Area
| Period | University Area | Anchorage | Alaska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 33.3% | 31.8% | 26.3% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 33.0% | 31.6% | 26.8% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 39.5% | 34.6% | 29.1% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 35.2% | 37.1% | 31.1% | 35.6% |
| Change | +1.9 pts | +5.3 pts | +4.9 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are about as common in University Area as nationally: 35.2% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor's or higher, against 35.6%. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 1.9 points, a smaller shift than nationally. College graduates are most concentrated in the north and least in the south.
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 University Area
| Period | University Area | Anchorage | Alaska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 94.2% | 90.8% | 90.6% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 94.7% | 91.4% | 91.5% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 95.9% | 93.1% | 92.5% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 94.5% | 93.4% | 93.3% | 89.3% |
| Change | +0.3 pts | +2.6 pts | +2.7 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion is high in University Area: 94.5% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. The picture is much the same across Anchorage.
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 University Area
| Period | University Area | Anchorage | Alaska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.6% | 7.9% | 9.2% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 7.8% | 7.4% | 9.1% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 7.2% | 5.9% | 7.6% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 3.4% | 4.7% | 6.2% | 5.4% |
| Change | −7.2 pts | −3.2 pts | −3.0 pts | −2.7 pts |
The job market in University Area has been strong: just 3.4% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Unemployment is down 7.2 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country. Each figure pools five years of surveys (2020–24), so it describes that whole stretch rather than today's 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).
University Area compared with nearby neighborhoods
| Neighborhood | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University Area | 2.49 | 34.5 | 14.8% | 45.9% | 12.9% | 1979 | $1,539 | 35.2% | 94.5% | 3.4% |
| Scenic Foothills | 2.66 | 37.7 | 12.8% | 14.8% | 8.3% | 1980 | $1,906 | 46.7% | 93.4% | 5.0% |
| Russian Jack Park | 3.09 | 34.2 | 18.6% | 44.2% | 13.4% | 1978 | $1,400 | 27.3% | 88.7% | 7.0% |
| Airport Heights | 2.67 | 34.8 | 11.4% | 34.7% | 12.4% | 1972 | $1,430 | 41.3% | 92.0% | 8.8% |
| Campbell Park | 2.66 | 30.8 | 24.0% | 39.3% | 10.1% | 1980 | $1,853 | 29.0% | 93.7% | 3.7% |
| Rogers Park | 2.98 | 44.0 | 3.3% | 11.3% | 10.0% | 1968 | $1,876 | 48.6% | 93.3% | 2.7% |
| Northeast | 2.82 | 34.9 | 15.9% | 42.9% | 9.8% | 1985 | $1,613 | 26.1% | 87.5% | 6.2% |
| Mountain View | 3.05 | 24.6 | 30.2% | 70.4% | 14.3% | 1976 | $1,203 | 8.8% | 87.5% | 8.6% |
| Fairview | 2.16 | 35.9 | 17.6% | 78.8% | 16.4% | 1975 | $1,227 | 20.4% | 89.3% | 6.0% |
| Abbott Loop | 2.80 | 35.6 | 13.6% | 29.3% | 7.0% | 1989 | $1,810 | 31.8% | 95.5% | 3.6% |
| Midtown | 1.94 | 33.6 | 16.5% | 74.3% | 17.6% | 1977 | $1,196 | 35.5% | 87.8% | 4.8% |
All figures 2020–24.
Neighborhoods with similar populations: Bitter Lake, Seattle, WA · Woodstock, Portland, OR · Western Hills Yarborough, Shreveport, LA · Vista, Boise, ID · Village East, Aurora, CO · Van Mall, Vancouver, WA · Twin Lakes, Federal Way, WA · Southcrest, San Diego, CA · South Side, Scranton, PA · Silver Terrace, San Francisco, CA
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 University Area. 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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