| City: | Goodnews Bay, Alaska |
| Borough: | Bethel Borough |
| Timezone: | Alaska (GMT -09:00) |
| Local Time: | 11:20:39 PM |
| Population: | 258 [See All] |
| Area Code: | 907 |
| Classification: | PO Box |
| Coordinates: | 58.9475, -161.7106 |
| Land Area: | 247.667 sq mi |
| Quick Link: |
The 71 PO Boxes serve 84 occupied households, creating an adoption rate of 0.85. That ratio tells the story of rural Alaska mail service. Most households rely on a PO Box because there's no alternative. The ZIP classification confirms it: this is a PO Box Only zone. One rural carrier route exists, serving Goodnews Bay Street, but it doesn't bring mail to doorsteps in the traditional sense. The route structure reflects the reality of a small coastal community where street delivery isn't feasible.
Goodnews Bay covers 248 square miles of land and nearly 2 square miles of water. That vast area supports just one named street in the postal database: Goodnews Bay Street. The lack of street diversity isn't a data gap. It's what happens when a community develops around fishing, subsistence activities, and close-knit family networks rather than commercial development. The median household income of $29,167 reflects an economy built on traditional activities and seasonal work.
The post office maintains 71 boxes for a population that includes 13 children under 5 and a median age of 30.4 years. Seven businesses operate here, generating 44 jobs according to establishment data. Those numbers capture a community where the post office does more than distribute mail. It's a gathering point, a connection to the outside world, and one of the few year-round services in a place where isolation shapes daily life.
Only one street appears in the postal database, reflecting the informal road network typical of small Alaska Native villages where traditional land use patterns prevail over formal street grids.
ZIP Code 99589 has 258 residents and 84 households (average 3.07 persons per household). The median age is 30.4 years, younger than the state (35.6) and significantly younger than the nation (38.8). The gender split is 53.1% male and 46.9% female, which is higher than the national male share (49.1%), making this a male-majority area. Largest groups are American Indian & Alaska Native (90.3%, much higher than the state average of 15.2% and well above the national average of 1.1%) and White (5.0%, 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: | 258Source: Census DHC |
| 2024 ACS Population Estimate: | 113Source: Census ACS |
| 2026 ZC Population Estimate: | 0Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Population Density: | 1.0 people per sq mile |
| Average Income: | $29,167Source: Census ACS |
| Households: | 84Source: Census DHC |
| Average House Value: | $125,000Source: Census ACS |
| Persons Per Household: | 3.07Source: Census DHC |
| Average Family Size: | 3.54Source: Census ACS |
| Group | 2010 | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Census ACS Population Estimate | -- | 372 | 353 | 331 | 237 | 230 | 216 | 210 | 192 | 182 | 127 | 73 | 118 | 113 |
| Decennial Census | 243 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 258 | -- | -- | -- |
Median Age: 30.4
Male Median Age: 29.3
Female Median Age: 30.7
| 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 | 13 | 19 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 0 | 5 | 4 | 12 | 11 | 4 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Female | 15 | 12 | 11 | 4 | 1 | 12 | 12 | 5 | 1 | 6 | 11 | 9 | 11 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total | 28 | 31 | 22 | 14 | 10 | 20 | 22 | 17 | 1 | 11 | 15 | 21 | 22 | 10 | 9 | 1 | 3 | 1 |
| White: | 13 | 5.26% |
| Black: | 0 | 0% |
| Hispanic:* | 1 | 0.40% |
| Asian: | 0 | 0% |
| American Indian: | 233 | 94.33% |
| Hawaiian: | 0 | 0% |
| Other: | 0 | 0% |
| Total: | 247 | 100% |
| Gender | Count | % | Median Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Males: | 137 | 53.10% | 29.3 years |
| Females: | 121 | 46.90% | 30.7 years |
| Total: | 258 | 100% | 30.4 years |
| Native, born in the United States: | 113 | 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: | 113 | 100% |
| Total Native Population: | 113 | 100.00% |
| Total Foreign-born Population: | 0 | 0.00% |
In 2023, the Median household income is $29,167, which is much lower than the state median ($89,336), is up $7,292 (33.3%) since 2011 and below its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $8,333. Family households earn a median of $22,143 versus $26,667 for nonfamily households (a difference of $4,524). By gender, male median income is $0 and female is $25,000, which is well under the state female median ($60,325), with a current gap of $25,000 that has narrowed from 2011 to 2023. The labor-force participation rate is 57.7%, which is considerably lower than the state rate (66.4%). The unemployment rate is 6.7%, which is above the national rate (5.2%). The largest occupation group is Management (35.7%).
Explore More:Income Over TimeHousehold IncomeEmployment StatusBy Occupation
| Income Type | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $21,875 | $22,917 | $18,750 | $22,750 | $30,313 | $28,125 | $22,083 | $35,000 | $37,500 | $0 | $23,500 | $27,708 | $29,167 |
| Median Family Income | $43,500 | $35,000 | $29,792 | $29,000 | $38,750 | $41,875 | $30,833 | $43,438 | $58,125 | $46,250 | $25,000 | $27,083 | $22,143 |
| Median NonFamily Income | $7,500 | $7,750 | $13,125 | $15,625 | $0 | $13,750 | $0 | $0 | $3,438 | $0 | $3,500 | $0 | $26,667 |
| Median Male Income | $28,750 | $25,000 | $33,750 | $25,000 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Median Female Income | $20,625 | $23,750 | $33,750 | $26,250 | $0 | $45,625 | $58,750 | $65,417 | $65,000 | $68,125 | $0 | $0 | $25,000 |
| Employed: | 42 | 53.85% |
| Unemployed: | 3 | 3.85% |
| Not In Labor Force: | 33 | 42.31% |
| Total: | 78 | 100% |
| Management, business, science, and arts: | 15 | 35.71% |
| Service: | 6 | 14.29% |
| Sales and Office: | 8 | 19.05% |
| Natural resources, construction, and maintenance: | 10 | 23.81% |
| Production, transportation, and material moving: | 3 | 7.14% |
| Total Civilian Employed Population: | 42 | 100% |
In 2023, the median home value is $125,000, which is far less than the state median ($333,300), is up $10,600 (9.27%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $64,000. The median gross rent is $0, which is far less than the state median ($1,388), is down $667 (100.00%) since 2011 and below its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $375. Insufficient data for owner/renter mix. Insufficient data for vacancy rate.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $114,400 | $119,600 | $131,300 | $162,500 | $108,300 | $68,600 | $68,800 | $59,000 | $61,000 | $63,300 | $165,000 | $129,200 | $125,000 |
| Less than $500: | 0 | 0% |
| $500 to $999: | 0 | 0% |
| $1,000 to $1,499: | 0 | 0% |
| $1,500 to $1,999: | 0 | 0% |
| $2,000 to $2,499: | 0 | 0% |
| $2,500 to $2,999: | 0 | 0% |
| $3,000 or more: | 0 | 0% |
| No Rent: | 0 | 0% |
| Total: | 0 | 100% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Rent | $667 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $375 | $375 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Owner Occupied (with mortgage): | 6 | 16.67% |
| Owner Occupied (free and clear, no mortgage): | 30 | 83.33% |
| Renter Occupied: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total Occupied Housing Units: | 36 | 100% |
| Occupied Housing Units: | 36 | 66.67% |
| Vacant Housing Units (not graphed): | 18 | 33.33% |
| Total Housing Units: | 54 | 100% |
| Single-Family Units: | 48 | 88.89% |
| Multi-Family Units: | 3 | 5.56% |
| Other Units: | 3 | 5.56% |
| Total Housing Units: | 54 | 100% |
In 2023, 0.00% of adults (25+) have a bachelor's degree or higher, which is far lower than the national rate (35.00%). High school or higher is 71.40%, which is markedly below the state rate (93.50%). The uninsured rate is 8.00%, which is on par with the state rate (11.20%). Private coverage is 2.70%, which is far lower than the national rate (67.30%). Public coverage is 89.40%, which is far higher than the national rate (36.30%). The share of people in poverty is 53.80%, which is markedly above the state rate (6.80%), up 22.50 percentage points since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by 28.10 percentage points. This signals a sharp increase in hardship - a shrinking consumer base, heavy pressure on public services, and job-market contraction risks. Among residents ages 3+, the largest enrollment group is elementary (72.00%). College enrollment is 0.00%, 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: | 0 | 0.00% |
| 9th to 12th grade, no diploma: | 20 | 28.57% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency): | 44 | 62.86% |
| Some college, no degree: | 6 | 8.57% |
| Associate's degree: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Bachelor's degree: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Graduate or professional degree: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total: | 70 | 100% |
| High school or higher: | 50 | 71.43% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Private Insurance: | 3 | 2.65% |
| Public Insurance: | 101 | 89.38% |
| No Insurance: | 9 | 7.96% |
| Total: | 113 | 100% |
| Has Health Insurance: | 104 | 92.04% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % of People in Poverty | 31.3% | 33.9% | 41.2% | 42.5% | 26.7% | 32.6% | 37.5% | 33.3% | 25.7% | 30.0% | 38.9% | 51.9% | 53.8% |
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: | 4 | 16.00% |
| Kindergarten: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Elementary school (grades 1-8): | 18 | 72.00% |
| High school (grades 9-12): | 3 | 12.00% |
| College or graduate school: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total: | 25 | 100% |
| Early Childhood: | 4 | 16.00% |
| K-12 (Primary & Secondary School): | 21 | 84.00% |
ZIP Code 99589 supports both business and residential activity. According to the Business Census (2024), there are 5 business establishments, employing about 44 people with an annual payroll of $834,000.
| # Residential Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| # Business Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| Total Delivery Receptacles: | 86Source: USPS |
| Single Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| Multi Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| # of Businesses: | 5Source: CBP |
| 1st Quarter Payroll: | $113,000Source: CBP |
| Annual Payroll: | $834,000Source: CBP |
| # of Employees: | 44Source: CBP |
ZIP Code 99589 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 99589. It covers 247.667 sq mi of land and a water area of 1.926 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: | 247.667 sq miSource: Census |
| Water Area: | 1.926 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: | 0229290Source: Census |
| Place Name: | Goodnews Bay city; AlaskaSource: Census |
ZIP Code 99589 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 3 private school(s). It also has 6 colleges, universities or post secondary education institutions nearby which would be a short commute to.
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 January 1, 2026.