| City: | Cantwell, Alaska |
| Borough: | Denali Borough |
| Timezone: | Alaska (GMT -09:00) |
| Local Time: | 9:23:56 AM |
| Population: | 211 [See All] |
| Area Code: | 907 |
| Classification: | PO Box |
| Coordinates: | 63.3367, -148.0864 |
| Land Area: | 2947.727 sq mi |
| Quick Link: |
Cantwell sits along Alaska's George Parks Highway, roughly midway between Anchorage and Fairbanks in the Denali Borough. This small community of 211 residents serves as a highway outpost where travelers access Denali National Park from the east. With a median age of 52.3 years, it's an older community where retirees and seasonal residents make up much of the population.
This is a PO Box Only Zone. There's no alternative mail delivery across the 168 square mile territory. The Cantwell post office maintains 139 PO Boxes for 133 occupied homes, a 1.05:1 ratio that indicates the boxes serve both year-round residents and seasonal property owners. Rural delivery operates on 2 routes, but addresses still require PO Boxes as the delivery endpoint.
Of the 290 housing units here, 108 (37%) are used seasonally. That's typical for Alaska highway communities where people maintain cabins for hunting, fishing, or summer access to Denali. The median home value of $221,400 and modest median household income of $41,000 suggest a working-class and retiree mix rather than vacation luxury.
Street names tell two stories. Wildlife names like Lynx Street, Grizzly Road, Wolf Avenue, and Caribou Avenue honor the surrounding wilderness. Alaska Native names including Saa Licae Avenue, Yedatene Na Court, Tahluu Drive, and Tene Drive recognize indigenous heritage in the region. The main corridor is George Parks Highway, the lifeline connecting central Alaska communities.
Cantwell's economy is small. Just 18 businesses employ 26 people total. The workforce shows highway community patterns: 23 workers (44% of the employed population) are in transportation, warehousing, and utilities. Another 15 work in public administration, likely for the state highway department or Borough government. With 22% working from home, some residents use this affordable location as a base while earning income remotely.
For mailing purposes, all addresses must use a PO Box number with the format: PO Box [number], Cantwell, AK 99729.
Street names honor Alaska wilderness (Lynx, Grizzly, Wolf) and indigenous heritage (Saa Licae, Yedatene Na, Tahluu), while the George Parks Highway serves as the main transportation corridor.
ZIP Code 99729 has 211 residents and 133 households (average 1.59 persons per household). The median age is 52.3 years, significantly older than the state (35.6) and significantly older than the nation (38.8). The gender split is 57.3% male and 42.7% female, which is much higher than the national male share (49.1%), making this a male-majority area. Largest groups are White (67.8%, much higher than the state average of 59.4%) and American Indian & Alaska Native (17.1%, much higher than the national average of 1.1%); Hispanic or Latino residents make up 0.9%, which is much lower than the national average (18.7%), and American Indian & Alaska Native share is much higher than the national average (1.1%).
Explore More:Population Over TimeBy Age & GenderBy RaceBy GenderNativity & Citizenship
| 2020 Population: | 211Source: Census DHC |
| 2024 ACS Population Estimate: | 128Source: Census ACS |
| 2026 ZC Population Estimate: | 0Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Population Density: | 0.1 people per sq mile |
| Average Income: | $43,438Source: Census ACS |
| Households: | 133Source: Census DHC |
| Average House Value: | $256,300Source: Census ACS |
| Persons Per Household: | 1.59Source: Census DHC |
| Average Family Size: | 2.76Source: Census ACS |
| Group | 2010 | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Census ACS Population Estimate | -- | 168 | 180 | 195 | 197 | 222 | 219 | 220 | 202 | 199 | 210 | 136 | 117 | 121 | 128 |
| Decennial Census | 231 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 211 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
Median Age: 52.3
Male Median Age: 54.2
Female Median Age: 49.5
| 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 | 3 | 2 | 8 | 2 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 9 | 10 | 14 | 10 | 17 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 1 | 4 |
| Female | 6 | 3 | 7 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 11 | 7 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 1 |
| Total | 8 | 6 | 9 | 12 | 2 | 7 | 11 | 12 | 15 | 17 | 20 | 17 | 28 | 15 | 10 | 11 | 6 | 5 |
| White: | 143 | 77.30% |
| Black: | 3 | 1.62% |
| Hispanic:* | 2 | 1.08% |
| Asian: | 0 | 0% |
| American Indian: | 36 | 19.46% |
| Hawaiian: | 1 | 0.54% |
| Other: | 0 | 0% |
| Total: | 185 | 100% |
| Gender | Count | % | Median Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Males: | 121 | 57.35% | 54.2 years |
| Females: | 90 | 42.65% | 49.5 years |
| Total: | 211 | 100% | 52.3 years |
| Native, born in the United States: | 125 | 97.66% |
| Native, born in PR, Island Areas, or abroad: | 3 | 2.34% |
| Foreign born, naturalized U.S. citizen: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Foreign born, not a U.S. citizen: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total Population: | 128 | 100% |
| Total Native Population: | 128 | 100.00% |
| Total Foreign-born Population: | 0 | 0.00% |
In 2024, the Median household income is $43,438, which is well under the national median ($80,734), is down $10,104 (18.9%) since 2011 and below its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $17,098. Family households earn a median of $70,625 versus $0 for nonfamily households (a difference of $70,625). By gender, male median income is $57,500 and female is $50,417, which is well under the national female median ($55,274), with a current gap of $7,083 that has narrowed from 2011 to 2024. The labor-force participation rate is 37.0%, which is considerably lower than the national rate (63.5%). The unemployment rate is 2.3%, which is markedly below the national rate (5.2%). The largest occupation group is Management (48.8%).
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 | $53,542 | $52,500 | $53,438 | $60,417 | $56,094 | $56,250 | $58,594 | $60,536 | $60,536 | $30,500 | $34,000 | $36,500 | $41,000 | $43,438 |
| Median Family Income | $53,646 | $58,750 | $64,063 | $64,583 | $62,500 | $64,583 | $73,750 | $88,472 | $87,500 | $85,625 | $51,250 | $61,250 | $73,125 | $70,625 |
| Median NonFamily Income | $24,375 | $30,000 | $33,750 | $38,750 | $40,938 | $39,063 | $36,875 | $36,250 | $33,393 | $21,654 | $22,188 | $24,886 | $24,943 | $0 |
| Median Male Income | $46,875 | $51,429 | $50,208 | $53,438 | $0 | $54,375 | $53,125 | $64,583 | $63,125 | $61,667 | $51,250 | $67,500 | $68,750 | $57,500 |
| Median Female Income | $31,250 | $52,750 | $47,188 | $45,938 | $0 | $53,750 | $53,125 | $63,333 | $61,250 | $0 | $41,250 | $45,313 | $50,417 | $50,417 |
| Employed: | 43 | 36.13% |
| Unemployed: | 1 | 0.84% |
| Not In Labor Force: | 75 | 63.03% |
| Total: | 119 | 100% |
| Management, business, science, and arts: | 21 | 48.84% |
| Service: | 3 | 6.98% |
| Sales and Office: | 6 | 13.95% |
| Natural resources, construction, and maintenance: | 8 | 18.60% |
| Production, transportation, and material moving: | 5 | 11.63% |
| Total Civilian Employed Population: | 43 | 100% |
In 2024, the median home value is $256,300, which is much lower than the national median ($332,700), is up $93,800 (57.72%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $102,700. The median gross rent is $1,125, which is much lower than the national median ($1,413), is up $400 (55.17%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $425. Of occupied housing, owners make up 83.91% (15.07% with a mortgage, 84.93% free-and-clear) and renters 16.09% - making this ZIP Code under national rental averages. The vacancy rate is 62.50%, which is far 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 | $162,500 | $146,500 | $159,600 | $162,500 | $154,200 | $152,500 | $157,800 | $150,000 | $153,600 | $178,800 | $183,300 | $213,600 | $221,400 | $256,300 |
| Less than $500: | 2 | 14.29% |
| $500 to $999: | 2 | 14.29% |
| $1,000 to $1,499: | 4 | 28.57% |
| $1,500 to $1,999: | 2 | 14.29% |
| $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: | 4 | 28.57% |
| Total: | 14 | 100% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Rent | $725 | $719 | $767 | $775 | $1,063 | $850 | $883 | $0 | $700 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $900 | $1,125 |
| Owner Occupied (with mortgage): | 11 | 12.64% |
| Owner Occupied (free and clear, no mortgage): | 62 | 71.26% |
| Renter Occupied: | 14 | 16.09% |
| Total Occupied Housing Units: | 87 | 100% |
| Occupied Housing Units: | 87 | 37.50% |
| Vacant Housing Units (not graphed): | 145 | 62.50% |
| Total Housing Units: | 232 | 100% |
| Single-Family Units: | 215 | 92.67% |
| Multi-Family Units: | 4 | 1.72% |
| Other Units: | 13 | 5.60% |
| Total Housing Units: | 232 | 100% |
In 2024, 22.20% 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 93.20%, which is comparable to the national rate (89.60%). The uninsured rate is 7.80%, which is comparable to the national rate (8.40%). Public coverage is 58.60%, which is far higher than the national rate (36.70%). The share of people in poverty is 8.70%, which is comparable to the national rate (8.80%), up 6.70 percentage points since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by 6.70 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 (50.00%). 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: | 6 | 5.13% |
| 9th to 12th grade, no diploma: | 2 | 1.71% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency): | 59 | 50.43% |
| Some college, no degree: | 21 | 17.95% |
| Associate's degree: | 3 | 2.56% |
| Bachelor's degree: | 17 | 14.53% |
| Graduate or professional degree: | 9 | 7.69% |
| Total: | 117 | 100% |
| High school or higher: | 109 | 93.16% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher: | 26 | 22.22% |
| Private Insurance: | 94 | 52.51% |
| Public Insurance: | 75 | 41.90% |
| No Insurance: | 10 | 5.59% |
| Total: | 179 | 100% |
| Has Health Insurance: | 169 | 94.41% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % of People in Poverty | 0.0% | 3.3% | 6.6% | 6.5% | 6.5% | 7.5% | 1.9% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 6.7% | 8.7% |
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 | 0.00% |
| Kindergarten: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Elementary school (grades 1-8): | 3 | 50.00% |
| High school (grades 9-12): | 1 | 16.67% |
| College or graduate school: | 2 | 33.33% |
| Total: | 6 | 100% |
| Early Childhood: | 0 | 0.00% |
| K-12 (Primary & Secondary School): | 4 | 66.67% |
ZIP Code 99729 supports both business and residential activity. According to the Business Census (2024), there are 18 business establishments, employing about 19 people with an annual payroll of $1,289,000.
| # Residential Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| # Business Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| Total Delivery Receptacles: | 160Source: USPS |
| Single Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| Multi Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| # of Businesses: | 18Source: CBP |
| 1st Quarter Payroll: | $150,000Source: CBP |
| Annual Payroll: | $1,289,000Source: CBP |
| # of Employees: | 19Source: CBP |
ZIP Code 99729 is located in Denali 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 99729. It covers 2947.727 sq mi of land and a water area of 32.03 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: | 2947.727 sq miSource: Census |
| Water Area: | 32.03 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: | 0210150Source: Census |
| Place Name: | Cantwell CDP; AlaskaSource: Census |
ZIP Code 99729 is in the Denali Borough 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 3 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.