| City: | Unalaska, Alaska |
| Borough: | Aleutians West Borough |
| Timezone: | Alaska (GMT -09:00) |
| Local Time: | 9:23:32 AM |
| Population: | 3,555 [See All] |
| Area Code: | 907 |
| Classification: | PO Box |
| Coordinates: | 53.8592, -166.6800 |
| Land Area: | 56.325 sq mi |
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Unalaska sits on Amaknak Island in Alaska's Aleutian chain, 800 miles southwest of Anchorage. This is one of the most populous communities with PO Box classification anywhere in the United States. With 3,555 residents, Unalaska ranks in the top 1% of all PO Box ZIPs by population.
The post office is the only mail option across this remote island territory. Unalaska is designated as a PO Box Only Zone, meaning there's no alternative mail delivery available. While the ZIP includes limited rural carrier routes on Airport Beach Road, W Broadway Avenue, and Captains Bay Road, most residents and businesses rely on the post office's 351 PO Boxes for mail access.
Nearly 60% of the population (2,033 of 3,555 people) lives in group quarters, specifically noninstitutionalized facilities. This reflects the nature of Unalaska's economy: seasonal workers in the fishing and seafood processing industries who live in company-provided housing. With a household ratio of 5.76 residents per occupied unit, it's clear this isn't a typical residential community. Only 617 traditional households exist here.
The fishing industry dominates employment. An extraordinary 2,105 workers (74% of the workforce) are employed in transportation, warehousing, and utilities sectors. This covers commercial fishing vessels, fish processing plants, and the Port of Dutch Harbor, one of the nation's busiest fishing ports by volume and value. Another 434 workers (15%) are in public administration, largely federal and state fisheries management roles. Just 41% of residents were born in the United States, indicating the international character of the fishing workforce.
Median household income is $119,063, well above the national average. This reflects the high-paying but dangerous work in commercial fishing and processing. Per capita income of $52,695 is also strong for such a remote location. Median home values of $448,700 and median rents of $2,051 show the premium cost of housing in this isolated setting.
The community covers 54.1 square miles of land and water at 53.86°N latitude. Unalaska's ZIP has been in use since before October 2004, serving this remote outpost through Alaska's extreme weather and geographic isolation. For workers, fishermen, and the small permanent population, the post office functions as a lifeline connecting them to the mainland.
Only 3 streets with delivery points, reflecting the limited addressing infrastructure and reliance on PO Box mail.
ZIP Code 99685 has 3,555 residents and 617 households (average 2.47 persons per household). The median age is 39.1 years, older than the state (35.6) and about the same as the nation (38.8). The gender split is 66.2% male and 33.8% female, which is much higher than the national male share (49.1%), making this a male-majority area. Largest groups are White (35.0%, much lower than the state average of 59.4% and well below the national average of 61.6%) and Asian (30.9%, much higher than the state average of 6.0% and well above the national average of 6.0%); Hispanic or Latino residents make up 14.2%, which is much higher than the state average (6.8%), and Asian share is much higher than both the state (6.0%) and national averages (6.0%).
Explore More:Population Over TimeBy Age & GenderBy RaceBy GenderNativity & Citizenship
| 2020 Population: | 3,555Source: Census DHC |
| 2024 ACS Population Estimate: | 3,747Source: Census ACS |
| 2026 ZC Population Estimate: | 0Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Population Density: | 63.1 people per sq mile |
| Average Income: | $135,759Source: Census ACS |
| Households: | 617Source: Census DHC |
| Average House Value: | $462,400Source: Census ACS |
| Persons Per Household: | 2.47Source: Census DHC |
| Average Family Size: | 2.82Source: Census ACS |
| Group | 2010 | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Census ACS Population Estimate | -- | 4,110 | 4,167 | 4,207 | 4,321 | 4,386 | 4,452 | 4,563 | 4,566 | 4,505 | 4,583 | 3,626 | 3,576 | 3,690 | 3,747 |
| Decennial Census | 4,224 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 3,555 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
Median Age: 39.1
Male Median Age: 39.2
Female Median Age: 38
| 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 | 42 | 71 | 55 | 57 | 100 | 242 | 314 | 355 | 230 | 213 | 222 | 231 | 119 | 76 | 15 | 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Female | 56 | 77 | 57 | 53 | 63 | 91 | 123 | 117 | 81 | 104 | 127 | 126 | 62 | 31 | 17 | 8 | 6 | 4 |
| Total | 98 | 148 | 112 | 110 | 163 | 333 | 437 | 472 | 311 | 317 | 349 | 357 | 181 | 107 | 32 | 9 | 11 | 8 |
| White: | 1,245 | 32.90% |
| Black: | 193 | 5.10% |
| Hispanic:* | 506 | 13.37% |
| Asian: | 1,099 | 29.04% |
| American Indian: | 186 | 4.92% |
| Hawaiian: | 190 | 5.02% |
| Other: | 365 | 9.65% |
| Total: | 3,784 | 100% |
| Gender | Count | % | Median Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Males: | 2,352 | 66.16% | 39.2 years |
| Females: | 1,203 | 33.84% | 38.0 years |
| Total: | 3,555 | 100% | 39.1 years |
| Native, born in the United States: | 1,755 | 46.84% |
| Native, born in PR, Island Areas, or abroad: | 242 | 6.46% |
| Foreign born, naturalized U.S. citizen: | 875 | 23.35% |
| Foreign born, not a U.S. citizen: | 875 | 46.70% |
| Total Population: | 3,747 | 100% |
| Total Native Population: | 1,997 | 53.30% |
| Total Foreign-born Population: | 1,750 | 46.70% |
In 2024, the Median household income is $135,759, which is considerably higher than the national median ($80,734), is up $50,304 (58.9%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $40,107. Family households earn a median of $135,909 versus $120,875 for nonfamily households (a difference of $15,034). By gender, male median income is $71,026 and female is $50,018, which is well under the national female median ($55,274), with a current gap of $21,008 that has widened from 2011 to 2024. The labor-force participation rate is 87.7%, which is far greater than the national rate (63.5%). The unemployment rate is 3.8%, which is below the national rate (5.2%). The largest occupation group is Production (45.1%).
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 | $85,455 | $86,563 | $89,853 | $90,550 | $90,893 | $92,857 | $92,292 | $93,008 | $95,652 | $91,652 | $102,727 | $113,625 | $119,063 | $135,759 |
| Median Family Income | $98,077 | $98,750 | $99,643 | $99,453 | $99,904 | $98,516 | $102,292 | $100,156 | $102,500 | $100,000 | $116,094 | $125,000 | $130,250 | $135,909 |
| Median NonFamily Income | $74,286 | $72,273 | $70,000 | $72,727 | $73,333 | $73,523 | $74,167 | $76,500 | $82,500 | $81,845 | $79,792 | $90,417 | $95,179 | $120,875 |
| Median Male Income | $26,680 | $29,671 | $30,735 | $41,044 | $39,792 | $40,690 | $46,654 | $50,152 | $52,260 | $54,873 | $68,205 | $70,363 | $64,481 | $71,026 |
| Median Female Income | $42,097 | $36,333 | $31,685 | $37,130 | $30,142 | $30,335 | $30,496 | $32,358 | $32,346 | $38,705 | $31,136 | $46,181 | $48,031 | $50,018 |
| Employed: | 2,833 | 83.74% |
| Unemployed: | 114 | 3.37% |
| Not In Labor Force: | 436 | 12.89% |
| Total: | 3,383 | 100% |
| Management, business, science, and arts: | 466 | 16.45% |
| Service: | 268 | 9.46% |
| Sales and Office: | 599 | 21.14% |
| Natural resources, construction, and maintenance: | 222 | 7.84% |
| Production, transportation, and material moving: | 1,278 | 45.11% |
| Total Civilian Employed Population: | 2,833 | 100% |
In 2024, the median home value is $462,400, which is considerably higher than the national median ($332,700), is up $160,700 (53.26%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $94,400. The median gross rent is $2,066, which is markedly greater than the national median ($1,413), is up $718 (53.26%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $620. Of occupied housing, owners make up 34.05% (74.31% with a mortgage, 25.69% free-and-clear) and renters 65.95% - making this ZIP Code higher than national rental averages. The vacancy rate is 16.89%, 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 | $301,700 | $309,500 | $317,100 | $322,200 | $338,600 | $339,900 | $347,800 | $342,600 | $368,000 | $403,200 | $412,100 | $434,200 | $448,700 | $462,400 |
| Less than $500: | 8 | 1.63% |
| $500 to $999: | 27 | 5.51% |
| $1,000 to $1,499: | 30 | 6.12% |
| $1,500 to $1,999: | 64 | 13.06% |
| $2,000 to $2,499: | 83 | 16.94% |
| $2,500 to $2,999: | 47 | 9.59% |
| $3,000 or more: | 21 | 4.29% |
| No Rent: | 210 | 42.86% |
| Total: | 490 | 100% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Rent | $1,348 | $1,336 | $1,351 | $1,385 | $1,425 | $1,419 | $1,426 | $1,414 | $1,446 | $1,582 | $1,711 | $1,765 | $2,051 | $2,066 |
| Owner Occupied (with mortgage): | 188 | 25.30% |
| Owner Occupied (free and clear, no mortgage): | 65 | 8.75% |
| Renter Occupied: | 490 | 65.95% |
| Total Occupied Housing Units: | 743 | 100% |
| Occupied Housing Units: | 743 | 83.11% |
| Vacant Housing Units (not graphed): | 151 | 16.89% |
| Total Housing Units: | 894 | 100% |
| Single-Family Units: | 347 | 38.81% |
| Multi-Family Units: | 507 | 56.71% |
| Other Units: | 40 | 4.47% |
| Total Housing Units: | 894 | 100% |
In 2024, 19.10% 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 91.20%, which is comparable to the national rate (89.60%). The uninsured rate is 19.20%, which is far higher than the national rate (8.40%). Public coverage is 13.40%, which is far lower than the national rate (36.70%). The share of people in poverty is 6.30%, which is comparable to the national rate (8.80%), down 0.60 percentage points since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by 0.50 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 college (35.75%). College enrollment is 35.75%, which is far higher than the national rate (26.70%), indicating the community is likely a college hub with student-driven housing and services.
Explore More:Educational AttainmentHealth InsurancePoverty Over TimeSchool Enrollment
| Less than 9th grade: | 130 | 4.44% |
| 9th to 12th grade, no diploma: | 129 | 4.41% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency): | 953 | 32.56% |
| Some college, no degree: | 831 | 28.39% |
| Associate's degree: | 326 | 11.14% |
| Bachelor's degree: | 435 | 14.86% |
| Graduate or professional degree: | 123 | 4.20% |
| Total: | 2,927 | 100% |
| High school or higher: | 2,668 | 91.15% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher: | 558 | 19.06% |
| Private Insurance: | 2,695 | 68.96% |
| Public Insurance: | 500 | 12.79% |
| No Insurance: | 713 | 18.24% |
| Total: | 3,908 | 100% |
| Has Health Insurance: | 3,195 | 81.76% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % of People in Poverty | 4.2% | 2.2% | 3.3% | 3.9% | 3.8% | 3.3% | 2.4% | 3.6% | 3.1% | 2.1% | 1.3% | 2.4% | 3.6% | 6.3% |
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: | 18 | 3.35% |
| Kindergarten: | 27 | 5.03% |
| Elementary school (grades 1-8): | 178 | 33.15% |
| High school (grades 9-12): | 122 | 22.72% |
| College or graduate school: | 192 | 35.75% |
| Total: | 537 | 100% |
| Early Childhood: | 45 | 8.38% |
| K-12 (Primary & Secondary School): | 327 | 60.89% |
ZIP Code 99685 supports both business and residential activity. According to the Business Census (2024), there are 36 business establishments, employing about 552 people with an annual payroll of $32,986,000.
| # Residential Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| # Business Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| Total Delivery Receptacles: | 409Source: USPS |
| Single Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| Multi Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| # of Businesses: | 36Source: CBP |
| 1st Quarter Payroll: | $12,321,000Source: CBP |
| Annual Payroll: | $32,986,000Source: CBP |
| # of Employees: | 552Source: CBP |
ZIP Code 99685 is located in Aleutians West 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 99685. It covers 56.325 sq mi of land and a water area of 7.436 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: | 56.325 sq miSource: Census |
| Water Area: | 7.436 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: | 0280770Source: Census |
| Place Name: | Unalaska city; AlaskaSource: Census |
ZIP Code 99685 is in the Unalaska City School District, which serves grades Pre-Kindergarten thru 12th. There are 2 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.