| City: | Chefornak, Alaska |
| Borough: | Bethel Borough |
| Timezone: | Alaska (GMT -09:00) |
| Local Time: | 9:22:19 AM |
| Population: | 506 [See All] |
| Area Code: | 907 |
| Classification: | PO Box |
| Coordinates: | 60.1594, -164.0684 |
| Land Area: | 5.236 sq mi |
| Quick Link: |
Chefornak sits on the edge of Alaska's Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, where the post office serves as the community's primary connection to mail service. With 506 residents spread across nearly 6 square miles of tundra and wetlands, this village doesn't have street delivery. The 104 PO boxes at the local post office are the only delivery option available.
The numbers tell the story of a close-knit tribal community. Of the 506 residents, 460 identify as Alaska Native or American Indian—that's 91% of the population. The average household has nearly five people, reflecting extended family living arrangements common in Alaska Native communities. The median age is 24.1 years, making this one of the younger communities in Alaska.
The infrastructure here is minimal. Boardwalk Street has two delivery records in the ZIP+4 database, but actual mail reaches residents through their PO boxes. The village has 11 businesses and 104 occupied housing units. Two rural carrier routes serve the area, though residents still collect mail from the post office rather than receiving home delivery.
Median household income sits at $46,250, and the economy revolves around subsistence activities and limited wage opportunities. Four businesses employed 47 people as of 2003. About 87% of households speak a language other than English at home—almost certainly Yup'ik, the traditional language of this region. Only 7 residents commute to work, and 50 people work outside the village, showing how isolated Chefornak remains from Alaska's urban centers.
Chefornak has virtually no street-based infrastructure. Boardwalk Street appears in the postal database with just two delivery records, but actual mail service happens exclusively through PO boxes at the post office. This reflects the village's small size and remote location on Alaska's tundra coast.
ZIP Code 99561 has 506 residents and 104 households (average 4.87 persons per household). The median age is 24.1 years, significantly younger than the state (35.6) and significantly younger than the nation (38.8). The gender split is 52.8% male and 47.2% female, which is higher than the national male share (49.1%), making this a male-majority area. Largest groups are American Indian & Alaska Native (90.9%, much higher than the state average of 15.2% and well above the national average of 1.1%) and White (3.4%, much lower than the state average of 59.4% and well below the national average of 61.6%); Hispanic or Latino residents make up 0.4%, which is much lower than the national average (18.7%), and American Indian & Alaska Native share is much higher than both the state (15.2%) and national averages (1.1%).
Explore More:Population Over TimeBy Age & GenderBy RaceBy GenderNativity & Citizenship
| 2020 Population: | 506Source: Census DHC |
| 2024 ACS Population Estimate: | 620Source: Census ACS |
| 2026 ZC Population Estimate: | 0Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Population Density: | 96.6 people per sq mile |
| Average Income: | $51,818Source: Census ACS |
| Households: | 104Source: Census DHC |
| Average House Value: | $125,000Source: Census ACS |
| Persons Per Household: | 4.87Source: Census DHC |
| Average Family Size: | 3.66Source: Census ACS |
| Group | 2010 | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Census ACS Population Estimate | -- | 451 | 489 | 493 | 474 | 516 | 507 | 459 | 501 | 483 | 413 | 375 | 476 | 530 | 620 |
| Decennial Census | 418 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 506 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
Median Age: 24.1
Male Median Age: 23.8
Female Median Age: 24.3
| Group | < 5 | 5-9 | 10-14 | 15-19 | 20-24 | 25-29 | 30-34 | 35-39 | 40-44 | 45-49 | 50-54 | 55-59 | 60-64 | 65-69 | 70-74 | 75-79 | 80-84 | 85+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 31 | 27 | 22 | 32 | 24 | 22 | 23 | 9 | 20 | 6 | 8 | 12 | 8 | 8 | 5 | 1 | 9 | 0 |
| Female | 22 | 34 | 37 | 11 | 19 | 21 | 24 | 6 | 9 | 8 | 14 | 10 | 10 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 1 |
| Total | 53 | 61 | 59 | 43 | 43 | 43 | 47 | 15 | 29 | 14 | 22 | 22 | 18 | 11 | 12 | 4 | 9 | 1 |
| White: | 17 | 3.55% |
| Black: | 0 | 0% |
| Hispanic:* | 2 | 0.42% |
| Asian: | 0 | 0% |
| American Indian: | 460 | 96.03% |
| Hawaiian: | 0 | 0% |
| Other: | 0 | 0% |
| Total: | 479 | 100% |
| Gender | Count | % | Median Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Males: | 267 | 52.77% | 23.8 years |
| Females: | 239 | 47.23% | 24.3 years |
| Total: | 506 | 100% | 24.1 years |
| Native, born in the United States: | 620 | 100.00% |
| Native, born in PR, Island Areas, or abroad: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Foreign born, naturalized U.S. citizen: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Foreign born, not a U.S. citizen: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total Population: | 620 | 100% |
| Total Native Population: | 620 | 100.00% |
| Total Foreign-born Population: | 0 | 0.00% |
In 2024, the Median household income is $51,818, which is much lower than the national median ($80,734), is up $12,235 (30.9%) since 2011 and below its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $265. Family households earn a median of $52,500 versus $0 for nonfamily households (a difference of $52,500). By gender, male median income is $49,583 and female is $40,417, which is considerably lower than the national female median ($55,274), with a current gap of $9,166 that has widened from 2011 to 2024. The labor-force participation rate is 51.9%, which is markedly below the national rate (63.5%). The unemployment rate is 14.0%, which is markedly higher than the national rate (5.2%). The largest occupation group is Sales (31.9%).
Explore More:Income Over TimeHousehold IncomeEmployment StatusBy Occupation
| Income Type | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $39,583 | $53,438 | $51,563 | $52,500 | $55,625 | $53,333 | $53,750 | $53,750 | $52,083 | $44,375 | $34,375 | $47,500 | $46,250 | $51,818 |
| Median Family Income | $55,795 | $54,688 | $53,750 | $53,750 | $56,563 | $53,750 | $55,000 | $63,125 | $53,750 | $45,625 | $39,167 | $50,750 | $45,833 | $52,500 |
| Median NonFamily Income | $13,125 | $19,500 | $19,063 | $19,063 | $0 | $0 | $14,375 | $19,375 | $21,250 | $21,250 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Median Male Income | $34,063 | $25,000 | $26,875 | $25,625 | $0 | $0 | $37,500 | $29,375 | $0 | $38,750 | $0 | $31,250 | $50,833 | $49,583 |
| Median Female Income | $48,438 | $21,875 | $21,250 | $21,250 | $0 | $18,125 | $23,125 | $28,125 | $26,250 | $23,750 | $0 | $34,500 | $37,500 | $40,417 |
| Employed: | 166 | 44.62% |
| Unemployed: | 27 | 7.26% |
| Not In Labor Force: | 179 | 48.12% |
| Total: | 372 | 100% |
| Management, business, science, and arts: | 50 | 30.12% |
| Service: | 27 | 16.27% |
| Sales and Office: | 53 | 31.93% |
| Natural resources, construction, and maintenance: | 11 | 6.63% |
| Production, transportation, and material moving: | 25 | 15.06% |
| Total Civilian Employed Population: | 166 | 100% |
In 2024, the median home value is $125,000, which is considerably lower than the national median ($332,700), is down $43,800 (25.95%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $79,300. The median gross rent is $825, which is considerably lower than the national median ($1,413), is up $340 (70.10%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $100. Of occupied housing, owners make up 79.41% (7.41% with a mortgage, 92.59% free-and-clear) and renters 20.59% - making this ZIP Code under national rental averages. The vacancy rate is 4.90%, which is far lower than the national rate (10.12%).
Explore More:Compare Home ValueHome Value Over TimeRent & Over TimeHousing Occupancy
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $168,800 | $181,300 | $179,700 | $180,700 | $170,000 | $106,300 | $110,000 | $68,000 | $45,700 | $47,500 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $125,000 |
| Less than $500: | 6 | 21.43% |
| $500 to $999: | 7 | 25.00% |
| $1,000 to $1,499: | 7 | 25.00% |
| $1,500 to $1,999: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $2,000 to $2,499: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $2,500 to $2,999: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $3,000 or more: | 0 | 0.00% |
| No Rent: | 8 | 28.57% |
| Total: | 28 | 100% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Rent | $485 | $525 | $525 | $575 | $575 | $600 | $0 | $525 | $725 | $725 | $0 | $917 | $792 | $825 |
| Owner Occupied (with mortgage): | 8 | 5.88% |
| Owner Occupied (free and clear, no mortgage): | 100 | 73.53% |
| Renter Occupied: | 28 | 20.59% |
| Total Occupied Housing Units: | 136 | 100% |
| Occupied Housing Units: | 136 | 95.10% |
| Vacant Housing Units (not graphed): | 7 | 4.90% |
| Total Housing Units: | 143 | 100% |
| Single-Family Units: | 143 | 100.00% |
| Multi-Family Units: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Other Units: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total Housing Units: | 143 | 100% |
In 2024, 5.40% of adults (25+) have a bachelor's degree or higher, which is far lower than the national rate (35.70%). High school or higher is 79.80%, which is far lower than the national rate (89.60%). The uninsured rate is 7.60%, which is comparable to the national rate (8.40%). Private coverage is 11.50%, which is far lower than the national rate (67.10%). Public coverage is 89.40%, which is far higher than the national rate (36.70%). The share of people in poverty is 26.20%, which is far higher than the national rate (8.80%), down 0.40 percentage points since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by 3.10 percentage points. Poverty has been broadly stable, which may reflect structural barriers or offsetting gains and setbacks. Among residents ages 3+, the largest enrollment group is elementary (62.37%). College enrollment is 3.61%, which is far lower than the national rate (26.70%), indicating the community may be more oriented toward vocational/trade or direct-to-workforce opportunities.
Explore More:Educational AttainmentHealth InsurancePoverty Over TimeSchool Enrollment
| Less than 9th grade: | 47 | 15.06% |
| 9th to 12th grade, no diploma: | 16 | 5.13% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency): | 164 | 52.56% |
| Some college, no degree: | 61 | 19.55% |
| Associate's degree: | 7 | 2.24% |
| Bachelor's degree: | 13 | 4.17% |
| Graduate or professional degree: | 4 | 1.28% |
| Total: | 312 | 100% |
| High school or higher: | 249 | 79.81% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher: | 17 | 5.45% |
| Private Insurance: | 71 | 10.57% |
| Public Insurance: | 554 | 82.44% |
| No Insurance: | 47 | 6.99% |
| Total: | 672 | 100% |
| Has Health Insurance: | 625 | 93.01% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % of People in Poverty | 23.0% | 20.6% | 17.6% | 17.9% | 18.7% | 14.1% | 15.3% | 20.3% | 19.5% | 18.8% | 24.2% | 20.7% | 22.6% | 26.2% |
Note: Counts of Families & People in poverty are not published at the ZIP Code level due to small sample sizes. Percentages shown are survey estimates from the American Community Survey (ACS). They may differ from official poverty statistics. The U.S. Census Bureau defines poverty status by comparing a family's or individual's total income with federal poverty thresholds that vary by family size and composition.
| Nursery School, Preschool: | 13 | 6.70% |
| Kindergarten: | 9 | 4.64% |
| Elementary school (grades 1-8): | 121 | 62.37% |
| High school (grades 9-12): | 44 | 22.68% |
| College or graduate school: | 7 | 3.61% |
| Total: | 194 | 100% |
| Early Childhood: | 22 | 11.34% |
| K-12 (Primary & Secondary School): | 174 | 89.69% |
ZIP Code 99561 supports both business and residential activity. According to the Business Census (2024), there are 4 business establishments, employing about 47 people with an annual payroll of $1,115,000.
| # Residential Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| # Business Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| Total Delivery Receptacles: | 116Source: USPS |
| Single Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| Multi Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| # of Businesses: | 4Source: CBP |
| 1st Quarter Payroll: | $273,000Source: CBP |
| Annual Payroll: | $1,115,000Source: CBP |
| # of Employees: | 47Source: CBP |
ZIP Code 99561 is located in Bethel Borough, Alaska, within the Metropolitan Statistical Area (CBSA ) and Alaska's 0th Congressional District. This area has a population of 0 people, about 0.00% of whom live in ZIP Code 99561. It covers 5.236 sq mi of land and a water area of 0.754 sq mi.
| CBSA Name: | --Source: Census |
| CBSA Number: | --Source: Census |
| CBSA Type: | --Source: Census |
| CBSA Division: | --Source: Census |
| CBSA Population: | 0Source: Census |
| MSA: | Source: Census |
| Land Area: | 5.236 sq miSource: Census |
| Water Area: | 0.754 sq miSource: Census |
| Congressional District: | 00Source: USPS |
| Congressional Land Area: | 571951.26 sq miSource: Census |
| PMSA: | Source: Census |
| Intro Date: | < 2004-10Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Place FIPS Code: | 0212680Source: Census |
| Place Name: | Chefornak city; AlaskaSource: Census |
ZIP Code 99561 is in the Lower Kuskokwim School District, which serves grades Pre-Kindergarten thru 12th. There are 1 public school(s) in this ZIP Code, and we have located 0 private school(s).
Our sources include trusted federal and licensed data from the United States Postal Service, U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Geological Survey, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and the National Center for Education Statistics, along with proprietary datasets created by ZIP-Codes.com. Data last updated on February 1, 2026.