| City: | Cold Bay, Alaska |
| City Alias: | Adak, Nelson Lagoon |
| Borough: | Aleutians East Borough |
| Timezone: | Alaska (GMT -09:00) |
| Local Time: | 9:22:25 AM |
| Population: | 91 [See All] |
| Area Code: | 907 |
| Classification: | PO Box |
| Coordinates: | 55.2205, -162.7827 |
| Land Area: | 57.989 sq mi |
| Quick Link: |
The community sits on a narrow spit of land where the Aleutians curve toward Russia. Cold Bay covers 42 square miles, but that doesn't capture the service area. Native residents make up 56% of the population here. Extended families are common, with 2.2 people per household reflecting multi-generational living patterns typical of Alaska Native communities. The median household income of $111,250 seems high, but costs here run three times the national average. Everything arrives by air or seasonal barge.
Street delivery doesn't exist in the traditional sense. The ZIP contains just three named roads: Farnester Avenue, Nelson Lagoon Road, and Letty Avenue. One rural carrier route handles what limited physical delivery occurs. Most mail goes to boxes at the post office, a building that serves as a daily gathering point during the brief summer and brutal winters when wind chills can hit 40 below. For communities this remote, the PO Box isn't a limitation. It's the lifeline that works when storms ground flights for days.
The postal infrastructure here supports more than mail delivery. With 32 businesses operating despite the tiny population, Cold Bay functions as a service center. Seventeen establishments employed 35 people as of the last business census. Many work in aviation support, fishing logistics, or government services. The post office maintains service to named buildings like the one designated simply as "Postmaster" in ZIP+4 records, the administrative center for this far-flung operation. When you're closer to Siberia than Anchorage, reliable mail service matters in ways most Americans never consider.
With only three named streets in the entire ZIP code, Cold Bay's road system reflects its role as a small but strategic outpost. Nelson Lagoon Road hints at the regional connections this post office maintains, serving communities dozens of miles away. The limited street infrastructure shows why PO Boxes are the only practical mail delivery method in this remote corner of the Aleutians.
ZIP Code 99571 has 91 residents and 41 households (average 2.02 persons per household). The median age is 46.1 years, significantly older than the state (35.6) and significantly older than the nation (38.8). The gender split is 59.3% male and 40.7% female, which is much higher than the national male share (49.1%), making this a male-majority area. Largest groups are American Indian & Alaska Native (56.0%, much higher than the state average of 15.2% and well above the national average of 1.1%) and White (20.9%, much lower than the state average of 59.4% and well below the national average of 61.6%); Hispanic or Latino residents make up 8.8%, 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: | 91Source: Census DHC |
| 2024 ACS Population Estimate: | 223Source: Census ACS |
| 2026 ZC Population Estimate: | 0Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Population Density: | 1.6 people per sq mile |
| Average Income: | $70,000Source: Census ACS |
| Households: | 41Source: Census DHC |
| Average House Value: | $217,300Source: Census ACS |
| Persons Per Household: | 2.02Source: Census DHC |
| Average Family Size: | 2.19Source: Census ACS |
| Group | 2010 | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Census ACS Population Estimate | -- | 55 | 82 | 101 | 83 | 88 | 106 | 110 | 126 | 142 | 221 | 201 | 237 | 236 | 223 |
| Decennial Census | 160 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 91 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
Median Age: 46.1
Male Median Age: 44.5
Female Median Age: 47.8
| 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 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 6 | 5 | 8 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Female | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 9 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 6 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 9 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 12 | 12 | 5 | 9 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| White: | 19 | 22.62% |
| Black: | 3 | 3.57% |
| Hispanic:* | 8 | 9.52% |
| Asian: | 1 | 1.19% |
| American Indian: | 51 | 60.71% |
| Hawaiian: | 0 | 0% |
| Other: | 2 | 2.38% |
| Total: | 84 | 100% |
| Gender | Count | % | Median Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Males: | 54 | 59.34% | 44.5 years |
| Females: | 37 | 40.66% | 47.8 years |
| Total: | 91 | 100% | 46.1 years |
| Native, born in the United States: | 213 | 95.52% |
| Native, born in PR, Island Areas, or abroad: | 10 | 4.48% |
| Foreign born, naturalized U.S. citizen: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Foreign born, not a U.S. citizen: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total Population: | 223 | 100% |
| Total Native Population: | 223 | 100.00% |
| Total Foreign-born Population: | 0 | 0.00% |
In 2024, the Median household income is $70,000, which is much lower than the national median ($80,734), is up $21,875 (45.5%) since 2011 and below its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $12,708. Family households earn a median of $65,278 versus $128,333 for nonfamily households (a difference of $63,055). By gender, male median income is $40,909 and female is $54,464, which is modestly lower than the national female median ($55,274), with a current gap of $13,555 that has widened from 2011 to 2024. The labor-force participation rate is 70.5%, which is higher than the national rate (63.5%). The unemployment rate is 0.0%, which is considerably lower than the national rate (5.2%). The largest occupation group is Management (46.0%).
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 | $48,125 | $50,250 | $53,500 | $59,688 | $78,125 | $70,000 | $77,250 | $79,375 | $82,708 | $104,861 | $108,056 | $108,750 | $111,250 | $70,000 |
| Median Family Income | $47,917 | $53,750 | $82,500 | $97,500 | $86,250 | $81,875 | $78,750 | $79,583 | $82,083 | $80,833 | $69,583 | $95,833 | $110,227 | $65,278 |
| Median NonFamily Income | $48,750 | $45,417 | $51,250 | $54,583 | $63,750 | $59,375 | $66,875 | $67,083 | $82,917 | $120,694 | $125,511 | $135,625 | $126,250 | $128,333 |
| Median Male Income | $42,917 | $44,167 | $52,500 | $74,375 | $0 | $65,000 | $69,583 | $66,563 | $59,063 | $62,500 | $60,313 | $62,500 | $44,375 | $40,909 |
| Median Female Income | $57,083 | $63,750 | $60,000 | $44,375 | $0 | $37,500 | $30,833 | $0 | $0 | $31,250 | $0 | $0 | $78,352 | $54,464 |
| Employed: | 100 | 56.82% |
| Unemployed: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Not In Labor Force: | 76 | 43.18% |
| Total: | 176 | 100% |
| Management, business, science, and arts: | 46 | 46.00% |
| Service: | 7 | 7.00% |
| Sales and Office: | 26 | 26.00% |
| Natural resources, construction, and maintenance: | 7 | 7.00% |
| Production, transportation, and material moving: | 14 | 14.00% |
| Total Civilian Employed Population: | 100 | 100% |
In 2024, the median home value is $217,300, which is far less than the national median ($332,700), is up $52,300 (31.70%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $93,900. The median gross rent is $0, which is well under the national median ($1,413), is down $783 (100.00%) since 2011 and below its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $900. Of occupied housing, owners make up 48.75% (23.08% with a mortgage, 76.92% free-and-clear) and renters 51.25% - making this ZIP Code higher than national rental averages. The vacancy rate is 37.98%, which is much higher 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 | $165,000 | $255,000 | $59,200 | $58,300 | $143,800 | $143,800 | $157,500 | $112,500 | $123,400 | $116,300 | $137,500 | $156,300 | $162,500 | $217,300 |
| Less than $500: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $500 to $999: | 15 | 36.59% |
| $1,000 to $1,499: | 1 | 2.44% |
| $1,500 to $1,999: | 13 | 31.71% |
| $2,000 to $2,499: | 1 | 2.44% |
| $2,500 to $2,999: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $3,000 or more: | 0 | 0.00% |
| No Rent: | 11 | 26.83% |
| Total: | 41 | 100% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Rent | $783 | $775 | $840 | $1,000 | $975 | $900 | $1,125 | $1,038 | $900 | $1,273 | $1,135 | $1,375 | $1,141 | $0 |
| Owner Occupied (with mortgage): | 9 | 11.25% |
| Owner Occupied (free and clear, no mortgage): | 30 | 37.50% |
| Renter Occupied: | 41 | 51.25% |
| Total Occupied Housing Units: | 80 | 100% |
| Occupied Housing Units: | 80 | 62.02% |
| Vacant Housing Units (not graphed): | 49 | 37.98% |
| Total Housing Units: | 129 | 100% |
| Single-Family Units: | 117 | 90.70% |
| Multi-Family Units: | 11 | 8.53% |
| Other Units: | 1 | 0.78% |
| Total Housing Units: | 129 | 100% |
In 2024, 19.30% of adults (25+) have a bachelor's degree or higher, which is comparable to the national rate (35.70%). High school or higher is 81.50%, which is comparable to the national rate (89.60%). The uninsured rate is 36.90%, which is far higher than the national rate (8.40%). Private coverage is 32.80%, which is far lower than the national rate (67.10%). The share of people in poverty is 16.00%, which is comparable to the national rate (8.80%), down 23.10 percentage points since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by 4.20 percentage points. This points to a pronounced improvement in local conditions - rising incomes, firmer consumer demand, and a stronger tax base. Among residents ages 3+, the largest enrollment group is pre-K (46.67%). College enrollment is 33.33%, which is comparable to the national rate (26.70%), meaning the community mirrors broader higher-education participation.
Explore More:Educational AttainmentHealth InsurancePoverty Over TimeSchool Enrollment
| Less than 9th grade: | 4 | 2.96% |
| 9th to 12th grade, no diploma: | 21 | 15.56% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency): | 53 | 39.26% |
| Some college, no degree: | 29 | 21.48% |
| Associate's degree: | 2 | 1.48% |
| Bachelor's degree: | 7 | 5.19% |
| Graduate or professional degree: | 19 | 14.07% |
| Total: | 135 | 100% |
| High school or higher: | 110 | 81.48% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher: | 26 | 19.26% |
| Private Insurance: | 65 | 30.66% |
| Public Insurance: | 74 | 34.91% |
| No Insurance: | 73 | 34.43% |
| Total: | 212 | 100% |
| Has Health Insurance: | 139 | 65.57% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % of People in Poverty | 27.3% | 5.6% | 10.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 6.5% | 3.6% | 4.5% | 4.2% | 16.0% |
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: | 7 | 46.67% |
| Kindergarten: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Elementary school (grades 1-8): | 3 | 20.00% |
| High school (grades 9-12): | 0 | 0.00% |
| College or graduate school: | 5 | 33.33% |
| Total: | 15 | 100% |
| Early Childhood: | 7 | 46.67% |
| K-12 (Primary & Secondary School): | 3 | 20.00% |
ZIP Code 99571 supports both business and residential activity. According to the Business Census (2024), there are 17 business establishments, employing about 35 people with an annual payroll of $7,613,000.
| # Residential Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| # Business Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| Total Delivery Receptacles: | 85Source: USPS |
| Single Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| Multi Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| # of Businesses: | 17Source: CBP |
| 1st Quarter Payroll: | $472,000Source: CBP |
| Annual Payroll: | $7,613,000Source: CBP |
| # of Employees: | 35Source: CBP |
ZIP Code 99571 is located in Aleutians East 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 99571. It covers 57.989 sq mi of land and a water area of 9.072 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: | 57.989 sq miSource: Census |
| Water Area: | 9.072 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: | 0216530Source: Census |
| Place Name: | Cold Bay city; AlaskaSource: Census |
We could not locate which school district 99571 belongs to, but we will update this once new district data is released. There are no public schools nor private schools with a mailing address in this ZIP Code. Listing Nearby schools instead.
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.