| City: | Ester, Alaska |
| Borough: | Fairbanks North Star Borough |
| Timezone: | Alaska (GMT -09:00) |
| Local Time: | 9:23:53 AM |
| Population: | 261 [See All] |
| Area Code: | 907 |
| Classification: | PO Box |
| Coordinates: | 64.8439, -148.0310 |
| Land Area: | 4.841 sq mi |
| Quick Link: |
Ester's post office doesn't just serve the 261 people who live here. With 472 PO Boxes for 138 local households, this tiny Fairbanks North Star Borough community operates as a mail hub for a much larger service area. The adoption rate of 3.42 boxes per household tells the real story: hundreds of people from the surrounding Interior Alaska region rely on Ester's post office because their own areas lack carrier delivery infrastructure.
This is a true PO Box only zone, meaning residents have no alternative mail delivery option. The single street in the ZIP+4 database, Village RD, handles all physical delivery points. But the post office's reach extends far beyond that one road. Rural Route 1 serves the broader area, connecting scattered homesteads and properties across the Interior's challenging terrain. When you're living off the grid or on remote acreage outside Fairbanks, Ester's post office becomes your connection to the rest of the world.
The numbers confirm Ester's regional role. Those 472 boxes serve roughly 334 more people than live in the ZIP code itself. That means for every local resident checking their mail, there's more than one person driving in from somewhere else. The median household income of $50,912 reflects Alaska's higher cost of living, while the median home value of $209,300 shows a working-class community where people have invested in property despite the isolation.
At 0.05 square miles, the actual ZIP boundary is tiny. But that small footprint supports outsized infrastructure: 30 businesses and 8 establishments that provide services to the broader region. The median age of 37.3 years suggests working families rather than retirees, and 92 people are employed locally. This isn't a frontier outpost or vacation spot. It's a functioning service hub where the post office handles far more mail volume than the local population alone would generate, connecting Interior Alaska residents to commerce, government services, and family members in the Lower 48.
With just one street in the database, Ester's delivery infrastructure is minimal. Village RD represents the core settlement, while Rural Route 1 handles the vast majority of actual mail delivery to scattered properties across Interior Alaska. The absence of a traditional street grid reflects the community's role as a service point rather than a conventional town.
ZIP Code 99725 has 261 residents and 138 households (average 1.89 persons per household). The median age is 37.3 years, slightly older than the state (35.6) and slightly younger than the nation (38.8). The gender split is 52.1% male and 47.9% female, which is higher than the national male share (49.1%), making this a male-majority area. Largest groups are White (93.1%, much higher than the state average of 59.4% and well above the national average of 61.6%) and American Indian & Alaska Native (4.6%, much lower than the state average of 15.2%); Hispanic or Latino residents make up 1.9%, which is much lower than the national average (18.7%).
Explore More:Population Over TimeBy Age & GenderBy RaceBy GenderNativity & Citizenship
| 2020 Population: | 261Source: Census DHC |
| 2024 ACS Population Estimate: | 448Source: Census ACS |
| 2026 ZC Population Estimate: | 0Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Population Density: | 53.9 people per sq mile |
| Average Income: | $53,364Source: Census ACS |
| Households: | 138Source: Census DHC |
| Average House Value: | $222,400Source: Census ACS |
| Persons Per Household: | 1.89Source: Census DHC |
| Average Family Size: | 2.74Source: Census ACS |
| Group | 2010 | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Census ACS Population Estimate | -- | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 611 | 562 | 494 | 448 |
| Decennial Census | 0 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 261 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
Median Age: 37.3
Male Median Age: 35.2
Female Median Age: 39.8
| 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 | 9 | 3 | 8 | 8 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 8 | 5 | 12 | 7 | 0 | 1 |
| Female | 9 | 10 | 2 | 3 | 8 | 2 | 6 | 23 | 12 | 11 | 5 | 12 | 6 | 9 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Total | 18 | 13 | 10 | 11 | 22 | 15 | 18 | 37 | 22 | 11 | 5 | 24 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 7 | 3 | 1 |
| White: | 243 | 93.46% |
| Black: | 0 | 0% |
| Hispanic:* | 5 | 1.92% |
| Asian: | 0 | 0% |
| American Indian: | 12 | 4.62% |
| Hawaiian: | 0 | 0% |
| Other: | 0 | 0% |
| Total: | 260 | 100% |
| Gender | Count | % | Median Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Males: | 136 | 52.11% | 35.2 years |
| Females: | 125 | 47.89% | 39.8 years |
| Total: | 261 | 100% | 37.3 years |
| Native, born in the United States: | 432 | 96.43% |
| Native, born in PR, Island Areas, or abroad: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Foreign born, naturalized U.S. citizen: | 16 | 3.57% |
| Foreign born, not a U.S. citizen: | 0 | 3.57% |
| Total Population: | 448 | 100% |
| Total Native Population: | 432 | 96.43% |
| Total Foreign-born Population: | 16 | 3.57% |
In 2024, the Median household income is $53,364, which is much lower than the national median ($80,734), and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $53,364. Family households earn a median of $0 versus $0 for nonfamily households (a difference of $0). By gender, male median income is $0 and female is $0, which is considerably lower than the national female median ($55,274), with a current gap of $0 that has stayed about the same from 2011 to 2024. The labor-force participation rate is 19.0%, which is considerably lower 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 Production (81.2%).
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 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $45,931 | $48,212 | $50,912 | $53,364 |
| Median Family Income | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Median NonFamily Income | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Median Male Income | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Median Female Income | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Employed: | 85 | 18.97% |
| Unemployed: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Not In Labor Force: | 363 | 81.03% |
| Total: | 448 | 100% |
| Management, business, science, and arts: | 16 | 18.82% |
| Service: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Sales and Office: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Natural resources, construction, and maintenance: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Production, transportation, and material moving: | 69 | 81.18% |
| Total Civilian Employed Population: | 85 | 100% |
In 2024, the median home value is $222,400, which is considerably lower than the national median ($332,700), and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $222,400. The median gross rent is $0, which is well under the national median ($1,413), and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $0. Of occupied housing, owners make up 76.73% (0.00% with a mortgage, 100.00% free-and-clear) and renters 23.27% - making this ZIP Code under national rental averages. The vacancy rate is 0.00%, which is considerably 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 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $209,800 | $209,900 | $209,300 | $222,400 |
| Less than $500: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $500 to $999: | 41 | 71.93% |
| $1,000 to $1,499: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $1,500 to $1,999: | 16 | 28.07% |
| $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: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total: | 57 | 100% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Rent | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Owner Occupied (with mortgage): | 0 | 0.00% |
| Owner Occupied (free and clear, no mortgage): | 188 | 76.73% |
| Renter Occupied: | 57 | 23.27% |
| Total Occupied Housing Units: | 245 | 100% |
| Occupied Housing Units: | 245 | 100.00% |
| Vacant Housing Units (not graphed): | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total Housing Units: | 245 | 100% |
| Single-Family Units: | 245 | 100.00% |
| Multi-Family Units: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Other Units: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total Housing Units: | 245 | 100% |
In 2024, 52.80% of adults (25+) have a bachelor's degree or higher, which is comparable to the national rate (35.70%). High school or higher is 82.00%, which is comparable to the national rate (89.60%). The uninsured rate is 0.00%, which is far lower than the national rate (8.40%). Private coverage is 100.00%, which is well above the national rate (67.10%). The share of people in poverty is 0.00%, which is comparable to the national rate (8.80%). Poverty has been broadly stable, which may reflect structural barriers or offsetting gains and setbacks. Insufficient data for school enrollment.
Explore More:Educational AttainmentHealth InsurancePoverty Over TimeSchool Enrollment
| Less than 9th grade: | 0 | 0.00% |
| 9th to 12th grade, no diploma: | 68 | 18.04% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency): | 69 | 18.30% |
| Some college, no degree: | 41 | 10.88% |
| Associate's degree: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Bachelor's degree: | 120 | 31.83% |
| Graduate or professional degree: | 79 | 20.95% |
| Total: | 377 | 100% |
| High school or higher: | 309 | 81.96% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher: | 199 | 52.79% |
| Private Insurance: | 448 | 81.90% |
| Public Insurance: | 99 | 18.10% |
| No Insurance: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total: | 547 | 100% |
| Has Health Insurance: | 547 | 100.00% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % of People in Poverty | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
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: | 0 | 0% |
| Kindergarten: | 0 | 0% |
| Elementary school (grades 1-8): | 0 | 0% |
| High school (grades 9-12): | 0 | 0% |
| College or graduate school: | 0 | 0% |
| Total: | 0 | 100% |
| Early Childhood: | 0 | 0% |
| K-12 (Primary & Secondary School): | 0 | 0% |
ZIP Code 99725 supports both business and residential activity. According to the Business Census (2024), there are 8 business establishments, employing about 50 people with an annual payroll of $2,124,000.
| # Residential Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| # Business Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| Total Delivery Receptacles: | 498Source: USPS |
| Single Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| Multi Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| # of Businesses: | 8Source: CBP |
| 1st Quarter Payroll: | $500,000Source: CBP |
| Annual Payroll: | $2,124,000Source: CBP |
| # of Employees: | 50Source: CBP |
ZIP Code 99725 is located in Fairbanks North Star Borough, Alaska, within the Fairbanks-College, AK Metropolitan Statistical Area (CBSA 21820) and Alaska's 0th Congressional District. This Metro area has a population of 97,581 people, about 0.27% of whom live in ZIP Code 99725. It covers 4.841 sq mi of land and a water area of 0 sq mi.
| CBSA Name: | Fairbanks-College, AKSource: Census |
| CBSA Number: | 21820Source: Census |
| CBSA Type: | MetroSource: Census |
| CBSA Division: | --Source: Census |
| CBSA Population: | 97,581Source: Census |
| MSA: | Source: Census |
| Land Area: | 4.841 sq miSource: Census |
| Water Area: | --Source: 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: | 0223460Source: Census |
| Place Name: | Ester CDP; AlaskaSource: Census |
We could not locate which school district 99725 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. It also has 2 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 February 1, 2026.