Living in Shishmaref, Alaska
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Shishmaref · Census data 2020–2024
Shishmaref has 466 residents with a median age of 33. The median household income is $61,458 (34% lower than the Alaska median), the median home value is $109,400, the median rent is $950/month.
Shishmaref is a small town, so Census survey estimates have wide margins of error. Treat percentages as approximate.
Shishmaref at a glance
- Population
- 466
- Median age
- 33State: 35.8
- Median household income
- $61,458State: $92,788
- Median home value
- $109,400State: $352,900
- Median rent
- $950/moState: $1,419
- Homeowners
- 75.7%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 7.1%
- Average commute
- 4 min
Is Shishmaref a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 69% lower than the state median; an average commute of 4 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 34% lower than the Alaska median; unemployment of 29.4%; a poverty rate of 24.9%.
Cost of living in Shishmaref
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Shishmaref the median home value is $109,400, 67% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $950 per month, which is 13.3% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $910 a month in housing costs.
Shishmaref median household income
The median household income in Shishmaref is $61,458 and the income per person is $17,409. 24.9% of residents live below the poverty line (Alaska: 10.1%).
Housing in Shishmaref: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 127
- Owner-occupied
- 75.7%
- Renter-occupied
- 24.3%
- Vacant
- 12.6%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1986
- Average household size
- 4.20
Shishmaref demographics
- Population
- 466
- Median age
- 33
- Under 18
- 32.6%
- 65 and older
- 10.3%
- Households
- 111
- Foreign-born
- 1.1%
- Veterans
- 2.9%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Shishmaref ›
Education in Shishmaref
7.1% of adults 25 and older in Shishmaref have a bachelor's degree or higher (Alaska: 31.7%), and 4.9% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Shishmaref
- Unemployment rate
- 29.4%State: 5.9%
- Average commute
- 4 minState: 19 min
- Work from home
- 6.9%
- Drive alone
- 0%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 55.4%
- Homes with broadband
- 94.6%
More for people moving to Shishmaref
Weather and climate ›Living in Shishmaref: FAQ
What is the median household income in Shishmaref, AK?
The median household income in Shishmaref is $61,458, 34% lower than the Alaska median of $92,788 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Shishmaref?
The median home value in Shishmaref is $109,400, compared with $352,900 in Alaska.
How much is rent in Shishmaref?
The median gross rent in Shishmaref is $950 per month, about 13.3% of household income.
Is Shishmaref, AK a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 69% lower than the state median; an average commute of 4 minutes. Minuses: median household income 34% lower than the Alaska median; unemployment of 29.4%; a poverty rate of 24.9%.
What is the median age in Shishmaref?
The median age in Shishmaref is 33 years (Alaska: 35.8).
How long is the commute in Shishmaref?
The average commute to work in Shishmaref is 4 minutes; 6.9% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Shishmaref?
The unemployment rate in Shishmaref is 29.4% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Shishmaref?
7.1% of adults in Shishmaref have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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