| City: | Kwethluk, Alaska |
| Borough: | Bethel Borough |
| Timezone: | Alaska (GMT -09:00) |
| Local Time: | 9:22:50 AM |
| Population: | 812 [See All] |
| Area Code: | 907 |
| Classification: | PO Box |
| Coordinates: | 60.7790, -161.3964 |
| Land Area: | 10.143 sq mi |
| Quick Link: |
The post office maintains 187 PO Boxes for just 177 households. That's an adoption rate of 1.06, which means the facility serves some residents from surrounding areas without postal access. In Alaska's remote regions, a post office isn't just where you get mail. It's where you pick up packages, send documents, and connect with the outside world. For Kwethluk residents, there's no alternative.
The ZIP code covers nearly 22 square miles across the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta. The median household income sits at $48,056, well below the national average. Extended families are common here. With 812 people living in 177 occupied housing units, that's 4.6 people per household compared to the national average of 2.5. Multi-generational households aren't unusual in Alaska Native communities.
The settlement has minimal street infrastructure. Only Airport Road has formal carrier route designation, with just one delivery record. Instead of traditional street addresses, residents rely on their PO Box numbers for everything: driver's licenses, business registrations, bank accounts, and government correspondence. The post office recorded 9 business addresses despite only 4 registered establishments in 2003. Some businesses have grown since then, but the PO Box remains the standard business address format.
This isn't a case of outdated infrastructure waiting for upgrades. At this population density and geographic scale, PO Box service makes practical sense. The post office efficiently serves everyone without requiring carriers to navigate unmarked paths across tundra terrain. For Kwethluk, the PO Box system is appropriate infrastructure, not a gap that needs filling.
Kwethluk has virtually no formal street delivery system. Airport Road is the only named street with a carrier route designation, reflecting the community's reliance on PO Box service rather than traditional street addresses. This is typical for remote Alaska Native villages where geographic isolation and small population make PO Box delivery more practical than developing extensive street infrastructure.
ZIP Code 99621 has 812 residents and 177 households (average 4.59 persons per household). The median age is 24.0 years, significantly younger than the state (35.6) and significantly younger than the nation (38.8). The gender split is 54.8% male and 45.2% female, which is higher than the national male share (49.1%), making this a male-majority area. Largest groups are American Indian & Alaska Native (95.2%, much higher than the state average of 15.2% and well above the national average of 1.1%) and White (1.8%, much lower than the state average of 59.4% and well below the national average of 61.6%); Hispanic or Latino residents make up 0.0%, 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: | 812Source: Census DHC |
| 2024 ACS Population Estimate: | 975Source: Census ACS |
| 2026 ZC Population Estimate: | 0Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Population Density: | 80.1 people per sq mile |
| Average Income: | $51,917Source: Census ACS |
| Households: | 177Source: Census DHC |
| Average House Value: | $86,700Source: Census ACS |
| Persons Per Household: | 4.59Source: Census DHC |
| Average Family Size: | 4.39Source: Census ACS |
| Group | 2010 | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Census ACS Population Estimate | -- | 672 | 705 | 702 | 763 | 824 | 787 | 705 | 653 | 613 | 459 | 425 | 561 | 852 | 975 |
| Decennial Census | 723 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 812 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
Median Age: 24
Male Median Age: 25.1
Female Median Age: 23.3
| 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 | 51 | 40 | 54 | 48 | 29 | 29 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 24 | 17 | 24 | 13 | 16 | 12 | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| Female | 35 | 49 | 41 | 36 | 30 | 20 | 23 | 21 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 13 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 3 | 5 |
| Total | 86 | 89 | 95 | 84 | 59 | 49 | 49 | 49 | 46 | 41 | 33 | 41 | 26 | 24 | 20 | 12 | 4 | 5 |
| White: | 15 | 1.89% |
| Black: | 0 | 0% |
| Hispanic:* | 0 | 0% |
| Asian: | 4 | 0.51% |
| American Indian: | 773 | 97.60% |
| Hawaiian: | 0 | 0% |
| Other: | 0 | 0% |
| Total: | 792 | 100% |
| Gender | Count | % | Median Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Males: | 445 | 54.80% | 25.1 years |
| Females: | 367 | 45.20% | 23.3 years |
| Total: | 812 | 100% | 24.0 years |
| Native, born in the United States: | 971 | 99.59% |
| Native, born in PR, Island Areas, or abroad: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Foreign born, naturalized U.S. citizen: | 4 | 0.41% |
| Foreign born, not a U.S. citizen: | 0 | 0.41% |
| Total Population: | 975 | 100% |
| Total Native Population: | 971 | 99.59% |
| Total Foreign-born Population: | 4 | 0.41% |
In 2024, the Median household income is $51,917, which is considerably lower than the national median ($80,734), is up $4,834 (10.3%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $10,667. Family households earn a median of $54,167 versus $0 for nonfamily households (a difference of $54,167). By gender, male median income is $46,250 and female is $48,333, which is considerably lower than the national female median ($55,274), with a current gap of $2,083 that has widened from 2011 to 2024. The labor-force participation rate is 52.5%, which is considerably lower than the national rate (63.5%). The unemployment rate is 29.1%, which is far worse than the national rate (5.2%). The largest occupation group is Sales (33.9%).
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 | $47,083 | $47,500 | $43,125 | $42,250 | $44,063 | $47,500 | $44,375 | $42,917 | $41,250 | $43,250 | $31,250 | $43,750 | $48,056 | $51,917 |
| Median Family Income | $52,813 | $52,857 | $45,500 | $44,063 | $44,688 | $47,857 | $48,125 | $45,156 | $47,000 | $48,750 | $39,375 | $46,667 | $47,708 | $54,167 |
| Median NonFamily Income | $28,036 | $29,167 | $18,125 | $18,125 | $18,125 | $20,625 | $21,250 | $21,250 | $20,625 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $24,583 | $0 |
| Median Male Income | $48,250 | $40,625 | $34,028 | $36,875 | $36,750 | $42,188 | $36,250 | $42,750 | $38,750 | $43,125 | $37,500 | $37,708 | $40,000 | $46,250 |
| Median Female Income | $62,500 | $66,875 | $23,750 | $26,875 | $31,250 | $38,750 | $36,563 | $41,250 | $52,500 | $66,250 | $71,875 | $37,000 | $46,250 | $48,333 |
| Employed: | 239 | 37.23% |
| Unemployed: | 98 | 15.26% |
| Not In Labor Force: | 305 | 47.51% |
| Total: | 642 | 100% |
| Management, business, science, and arts: | 59 | 24.69% |
| Service: | 53 | 22.18% |
| Sales and Office: | 81 | 33.89% |
| Natural resources, construction, and maintenance: | 19 | 7.95% |
| Production, transportation, and material moving: | 27 | 11.30% |
| Total Civilian Employed Population: | 239 | 100% |
In 2024, the median home value is $86,700, which is well under the national median ($332,700), is down $19,600 (18.44%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $27,500. The median gross rent is $725, which is considerably lower than the national median ($1,413), is up $105 (16.94%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $200. Of occupied housing, owners make up 73.89% (18.67% with a mortgage, 81.33% free-and-clear) and renters 26.11% - making this ZIP Code under national rental averages. The vacancy rate is 23.68%, which is markedly above 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 | $106,300 | $97,500 | $113,500 | $114,600 | $93,300 | $93,100 | $85,000 | $76,900 | $59,200 | $56,900 | $51,000 | $0 | $63,700 | $86,700 |
| Less than $500: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $500 to $999: | 20 | 37.74% |
| $1,000 to $1,499: | 2 | 3.77% |
| $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: | 31 | 58.49% |
| Total: | 53 | 100% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Rent | $620 | $604 | $544 | $563 | $706 | $525 | $513 | $513 | $525 | $513 | $0 | $829 | $825 | $725 |
| Owner Occupied (with mortgage): | 28 | 13.79% |
| Owner Occupied (free and clear, no mortgage): | 122 | 60.10% |
| Renter Occupied: | 53 | 26.11% |
| Total Occupied Housing Units: | 203 | 100% |
| Occupied Housing Units: | 203 | 76.32% |
| Vacant Housing Units (not graphed): | 63 | 23.68% |
| Total Housing Units: | 266 | 100% |
| Single-Family Units: | 260 | 97.74% |
| Multi-Family Units: | 6 | 2.26% |
| Other Units: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total Housing Units: | 266 | 100% |
In 2024, 5.10% 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 80.30%, which is far lower than the national rate (89.60%). The uninsured rate is 15.70%, which is far higher than the national rate (8.40%). Private coverage is 19.60%, which is far lower than the national rate (67.10%). Public coverage is 74.90%, which is far higher than the national rate (36.70%). The share of people in poverty is 28.30%, which is far higher than the national rate (8.80%), up 16.50 percentage points since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by 1.40 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 (46.45%). College enrollment is 7.40%, 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: | 19 | 4.02% |
| 9th to 12th grade, no diploma: | 74 | 15.64% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency): | 252 | 53.28% |
| Some college, no degree: | 97 | 20.51% |
| Associate's degree: | 7 | 1.48% |
| Bachelor's degree: | 15 | 3.17% |
| Graduate or professional degree: | 9 | 1.90% |
| Total: | 473 | 100% |
| High school or higher: | 380 | 80.34% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher: | 24 | 5.07% |
| Private Insurance: | 191 | 17.78% |
| Public Insurance: | 730 | 67.97% |
| No Insurance: | 153 | 14.25% |
| Total: | 1,074 | 100% |
| Has Health Insurance: | 921 | 85.75% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % of People in Poverty | 20.2% | 18.5% | 19.8% | 22.7% | 26.1% | 19.3% | 23.2% | 31.8% | 35.3% | 40.2% | 53.6% | 42.7% | 36.7% | 28.3% |
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: | 23 | 6.80% |
| Kindergarten: | 20 | 5.92% |
| Elementary school (grades 1-8): | 157 | 46.45% |
| High school (grades 9-12): | 113 | 33.43% |
| College or graduate school: | 25 | 7.40% |
| Total: | 338 | 100% |
| Early Childhood: | 43 | 12.72% |
| K-12 (Primary & Secondary School): | 290 | 85.80% |
ZIP Code 99621 supports both business and residential activity. According to the Business Census (2024), there are 4 business establishments, employing about 37 people with an annual payroll of $1,223,000.
| # Residential Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| # Business Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| Total Delivery Receptacles: | 197Source: USPS |
| Single Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| Multi Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| # of Businesses: | 4Source: CBP |
| 1st Quarter Payroll: | $310,000Source: CBP |
| Annual Payroll: | $1,223,000Source: CBP |
| # of Employees: | 37Source: CBP |
ZIP Code 99621 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 99621. It covers 10.143 sq mi of land and a water area of 1.678 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: | 10.143 sq miSource: Census |
| Water Area: | 1.678 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: | 0242380Source: Census |
| Place Name: | Kwethluk city; AlaskaSource: Census |
ZIP Code 99621 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 March 1, 2026.