| City: | Point Hope, Alaska |
| Borough: | North Slope Borough |
| Timezone: | Alaska (GMT -09:00) |
| Local Time: | 9:24:23 AM |
| Population: | 830 [See All] |
| Area Code: | 907 |
| Classification: | PO Box |
| Coordinates: | 68.2577, -166.2117 |
| Land Area: | 262.553 sq mi |
| Quick Link: |
Point Hope sits at the tip of a peninsula jutting into the Chukchi Sea, 300 miles northwest of Kotzebue and 125 miles above the Arctic Circle. Known as Tikigaq in Iñupiaq, this is one of the oldest continuously inhabited sites in North America. Of the 830 residents, 732 (88%) are Alaska Native, primarily Iñupiaq. The community lives across 4,671 square miles of Arctic coastline, making it one of the most geographically isolated communities in the United States.
PO Box is the only way to receive mail in Point Hope. This is a federally designated PO Box Only Zone. There's no alternative delivery across the territory. The post office maintains just 7 PO Boxes for a population of 830, far fewer than typical communities. Most residents receive General Delivery mail instead. The ZIP+4 data lists two streets with rural carrier routes (Ippiq Street and Tikigaq Avenue), but these serve minimal delivery points in this predominantly subsistence-based community.
Households average 3.9 people, typical of Alaska Native communities where extended families live together. The median age is 25.4 years. This young population contrasts sharply with most rural Alaska communities. Of adults 25 and older, only 4.6% have bachelor's degrees, though this doesn't capture the sophisticated traditional knowledge required for Arctic subsistence living. Public administration employs 99 of the workforce. Most jobs are with the North Slope Borough, tribal government, or school district.
Mail arrives by air year-round. Point Hope has no road connections to other communities. During winter, the Arctic Ocean freezes, and during summer, the sea ice retreats but storms batter the coast. Packages, prescriptions, government checks, and hunting supplies all come through the post office. For subsistence hunters who depend on caribou, walrus, and bowhead whales, mail service isn't just convenience. It's the supply line to the outside world.
Point Hope street names honor Iñupiaq language: Ippiq Street and Tikigaq Avenue. Tikigaq is the traditional name for Point Hope itself. This isn't symbolic naming. It represents a living culture. The median household income of $81,944 comes primarily from North Slope Borough employment and Alaska Permanent Fund dividends. Home values average $184,700. These numbers don't reflect cash wealth but rather the cost of building and heating in the Arctic, where everything arrives by plane or barge.
Both streets use Iñupiaq language, with Tikigaq being the traditional name for Point Hope itself.
ZIP Code 99766 has 830 residents and 214 households (average 3.88 persons per household). The median age is 25.4 years, significantly younger than the state (35.6) and significantly younger than the nation (38.8). The gender split is 52.0% male and 48.0% female, which is slightly higher than the national male share (49.1%), making this a male-majority area. Largest groups are American Indian & Alaska Native (88.2%, much higher than the state average of 15.2% and well above the national average of 1.1%) and White (7.1%, 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: | 830Source: Census DHC |
| 2024 ACS Population Estimate: | 832Source: Census ACS |
| 2026 ZC Population Estimate: | 0Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Population Density: | 3.2 people per sq mile |
| Average Income: | $74,844Source: Census ACS |
| Households: | 214Source: Census DHC |
| Average House Value: | $167,000Source: Census ACS |
| Persons Per Household: | 3.88Source: Census DHC |
| Average Family Size: | 4.04Source: Census ACS |
| Group | 2010 | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Census ACS Population Estimate | -- | 1,139 | 894 | 718 | 628 | 562 | 625 | 668 | 625 | 636 | 724 | 925 | 649 | 721 | 832 |
| Decennial Census | 678 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 830 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
Median Age: 25.4
Male Median Age: 27.5
Female Median Age: 21.3
| 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 | 57 | 47 | 37 | 39 | 22 | 32 | 34 | 35 | 19 | 22 | 19 | 21 | 17 | 16 | 7 | 6 | 2 | 0 |
| Female | 39 | 47 | 51 | 50 | 23 | 31 | 21 | 28 | 14 | 16 | 13 | 19 | 22 | 14 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 2 |
| Total | 96 | 94 | 88 | 89 | 45 | 63 | 55 | 63 | 33 | 38 | 32 | 40 | 39 | 30 | 10 | 11 | 2 | 2 |
| White: | 59 | 7.38% |
| Black: | 5 | 0.63% |
| Hispanic:* | 3 | 0.38% |
| Asian: | 0 | 0% |
| American Indian: | 732 | 91.61% |
| Hawaiian: | 0 | 0% |
| Other: | 0 | 0% |
| Total: | 799 | 100% |
| Gender | Count | % | Median Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Males: | 432 | 52.05% | 27.5 years |
| Females: | 398 | 47.95% | 21.3 years |
| Total: | 830 | 100% | 25.4 years |
| Native, born in the United States: | 832 | 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: | 832 | 100% |
| Total Native Population: | 832 | 100.00% |
| Total Foreign-born Population: | 0 | 0.00% |
In 2024, the Median household income is $74,844, which is much lower than the national median ($80,734), is down $1,406 (1.8%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $12,031. Family households earn a median of $73,750 versus $31,563 for nonfamily households (a difference of $42,187). By gender, male median income is $49,250 and female is $33,250, which is much lower than the national female median ($55,274), with a current gap of $16,000 that has widened from 2011 to 2024. The labor-force participation rate is 56.6%, which is below the national rate (63.5%). The unemployment rate is 26.1%, which is considerably above the national rate (5.2%). The largest occupation group is Management (27.5%).
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 | $76,250 | $83,125 | $71,875 | $67,500 | $57,292 | $60,208 | $60,417 | $64,000 | $62,813 | $59,375 | $62,321 | $56,250 | $81,944 | $74,844 |
| Median Family Income | $92,250 | $92,500 | $88,125 | $69,167 | $57,188 | $56,875 | $55,625 | $62,500 | $62,813 | $61,000 | $62,917 | $63,750 | $81,944 | $73,750 |
| Median NonFamily Income | $55,000 | $41,250 | $28,750 | $28,500 | $28,750 | $29,375 | $19,375 | $21,875 | $21,667 | $20,750 | $0 | $23,125 | $0 | $31,563 |
| Median Male Income | $53,281 | $53,594 | $49,063 | $46,250 | $44,375 | $55,833 | $61,250 | $62,750 | $63,036 | $80,000 | $52,875 | $57,000 | $61,354 | $49,250 |
| Median Female Income | $50,774 | $41,563 | $42,500 | $39,219 | $39,167 | $37,250 | $51,250 | $41,250 | $52,500 | $0 | $51,250 | $0 | $67,917 | $33,250 |
| Employed: | 218 | 41.84% |
| Unemployed: | 77 | 14.78% |
| Not In Labor Force: | 226 | 43.38% |
| Total: | 521 | 100% |
| Management, business, science, and arts: | 60 | 27.52% |
| Service: | 43 | 19.72% |
| Sales and Office: | 35 | 16.06% |
| Natural resources, construction, and maintenance: | 34 | 15.60% |
| Production, transportation, and material moving: | 46 | 21.10% |
| Total Civilian Employed Population: | 218 | 100% |
In 2024, the median home value is $167,000, which is much lower than the national median ($332,700), is up $71,800 (75.42%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $74,700. The median gross rent is $1,088, which is well under the national median ($1,413), is up $305 (38.95%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $155. Of occupied housing, owners make up 54.59% (4.95% with a mortgage, 95.05% free-and-clear) and renters 45.41% - making this ZIP Code higher than national rental averages. The vacancy rate is 14.35%, which is much 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 | $95,200 | $95,400 | $93,400 | $97,100 | $90,000 | $89,500 | $88,300 | $91,300 | $92,300 | $96,400 | $121,900 | $171,900 | $184,700 | $167,000 |
| Less than $500: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $500 to $999: | 27 | 32.14% |
| $1,000 to $1,499: | 38 | 45.24% |
| $1,500 to $1,999: | 1 | 1.19% |
| $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: | 18 | 21.43% |
| Total: | 84 | 100% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Rent | $783 | $820 | $840 | $857 | $842 | $731 | $781 | $863 | $933 | $1,042 | $1,089 | $1,250 | $1,288 | $1,088 |
| Owner Occupied (with mortgage): | 5 | 2.70% |
| Owner Occupied (free and clear, no mortgage): | 96 | 51.89% |
| Renter Occupied: | 84 | 45.41% |
| Total Occupied Housing Units: | 185 | 100% |
| Occupied Housing Units: | 185 | 85.65% |
| Vacant Housing Units (not graphed): | 31 | 14.35% |
| Total Housing Units: | 216 | 100% |
| Single-Family Units: | 209 | 96.76% |
| Multi-Family Units: | 7 | 3.24% |
| Other Units: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total Housing Units: | 216 | 100% |
In 2024, 3.20% 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 77.60%, which is far lower than the national rate (89.60%). The uninsured rate is 26.20%, which is far higher than the national rate (8.40%). Private coverage is 33.10%, which is far lower than the national rate (67.10%). The share of people in poverty is 16.70%, which is comparable to the national rate (8.80%), up 11.30 percentage points since 2011 and below its 2019 pre-pandemic level by 1.20 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 (60.95%). College enrollment is 3.65%, 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: | 17 | 3.89% |
| 9th to 12th grade, no diploma: | 81 | 18.54% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency): | 214 | 48.97% |
| Some college, no degree: | 107 | 24.49% |
| Associate's degree: | 4 | 0.92% |
| Bachelor's degree: | 7 | 1.60% |
| Graduate or professional degree: | 7 | 1.60% |
| Total: | 437 | 100% |
| High school or higher: | 339 | 77.57% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher: | 14 | 3.20% |
| Private Insurance: | 275 | 32.13% |
| Public Insurance: | 363 | 42.41% |
| No Insurance: | 218 | 25.47% |
| Total: | 856 | 100% |
| Has Health Insurance: | 638 | 74.53% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % of People in Poverty | 6.1% | 4.0% | 6.4% | 9.3% | 14.7% | 14.3% | 16.8% | 18.7% | 18.6% | 25.0% | 24.2% | 24.6% | 17.4% | 16.7% |
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: | 13 | 4.74% |
| Kindergarten: | 8 | 2.92% |
| Elementary school (grades 1-8): | 167 | 60.95% |
| High school (grades 9-12): | 76 | 27.74% |
| College or graduate school: | 10 | 3.65% |
| Total: | 274 | 100% |
| Early Childhood: | 21 | 7.66% |
| K-12 (Primary & Secondary School): | 251 | 91.61% |
ZIP Code 99766 supports both business and residential activity. According to the Business Census (2024), there are 6 business establishments, employing about 35 people with an annual payroll of $1,631,000.
| # Residential Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| # Business Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| Total Delivery Receptacles: | 222Source: USPS |
| Single Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| Multi Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| # of Businesses: | 6Source: CBP |
| 1st Quarter Payroll: | $392,000Source: CBP |
| Annual Payroll: | $1,631,000Source: CBP |
| # of Employees: | 35Source: CBP |
ZIP Code 99766 is located in North Slope 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 99766. It covers 262.553 sq mi of land and a water area of 42.533 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: | 262.553 sq miSource: Census |
| Water Area: | 42.533 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: | 0261630Source: Census |
| Place Name: | Point Hope city; AlaskaSource: Census |
ZIP Code 99766 is in the North Slope Borough 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 February 1, 2026.