| City: | Shungnak, Alaska |
| Borough: | Northwest Arctic Borough |
| Timezone: | Alaska (GMT -09:00) |
| Local Time: | 9:24:27 AM |
| Population: | 272 [See All] |
| Area Code: | 907 |
| Classification: | PO Box |
| Coordinates: | 66.7333, -156.9792 |
| Land Area: | 8.036 sq mi |
| Quick Link: |
Shungnak sits on the Kobuk River in Alaska's Northwest Arctic Borough, about 150 miles north of the Arctic Circle. This Iñupiaq village of 272 people has no road connection to the outside world. Mail arrives by bush plane, and there's no alternative to PO Box delivery.
Nearly everyone here is Alaska Native. Of the 272 residents, 259 (95%) are American Indian or Alaska Native. Households are large by national standards, averaging 3.8 people per home. That's typical of Iñupiaq communities where extended families live together. The median age of 24.5 years points to a young population with many children.
The post office maintains 39 PO Boxes for 72 households. With no street addressing infrastructure in this remote village, every piece of mail comes through the post office. It's the single point of contact for government documents, packages, and prescription medications flown in from regional hubs like Kotzebue.
Despite the isolation, median household income reaches $76,667. Many residents work in transportation (28 workers), public administration (17 workers), or other services (10 workers). Zero percent of adults over 25 hold a bachelor's degree, but that doesn't tell the whole story. This is a subsistence community where traditional knowledge of hunting, fishing, and surviving in the Arctic matters more than formal credentials.
Only one named road exists in the village postal records, reflecting the limited infrastructure in this remote community.
ZIP Code 99773 has 272 residents and 72 households (average 3.78 persons per household). The median age is 24.5 years, significantly younger than the state (35.6) and significantly younger than the nation (38.8). The gender split is 47.1% male and 52.9% female, which is lower than the state male share (52.0%), making this a female-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 (2.2%, 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: | 272Source: Census DHC |
| 2024 ACS Population Estimate: | 147Source: Census ACS |
| 2026 ZC Population Estimate: | 0Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Population Density: | 33.8 people per sq mile |
| Average Income: | $78,750Source: Census ACS |
| Households: | 72Source: Census DHC |
| Average House Value: | $666,666,666Source: Census ACS |
| Persons Per Household: | 3.78Source: Census DHC |
| Average Family Size: | 4.64Source: Census ACS |
| Group | 2010 | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Census ACS Population Estimate | -- | 376 | 368 | 361 | 308 | 342 | 290 | 280 | 288 | 292 | 210 | 204 | 244 | 211 | 147 |
| Decennial Census | 262 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 272 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
Median Age: 24.5
Male Median Age: 28.3
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 | 13 | 8 | 19 | 11 | 10 | 6 | 9 | 7 | 4 | 10 | 11 | 1 | 8 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 1 |
| Female | 12 | 20 | 19 | 13 | 12 | 9 | 4 | 6 | 12 | 6 | 5 | 10 | 4 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Total | 25 | 28 | 38 | 24 | 22 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 1 |
| White: | 6 | 2.26% |
| Black: | 0 | 0% |
| Hispanic:* | 1 | 0.38% |
| Asian: | 0 | 0% |
| American Indian: | 259 | 97.37% |
| Hawaiian: | 0 | 0% |
| Other: | 0 | 0% |
| Total: | 266 | 100% |
| Gender | Count | % | Median Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Males: | 128 | 47.06% | 28.3 years |
| Females: | 144 | 52.94% | 23.3 years |
| Total: | 272 | 100% | 24.5 years |
| Native, born in the United States: | 147 | 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: | 147 | 100% |
| Total Native Population: | 147 | 100.00% |
| Total Foreign-born Population: | 0 | 0.00% |
In 2024, the Median household income is $78,750, which is slightly below the national median ($80,734), is up $31,094 (65.2%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $34,583. Family households earn a median of $107,500 versus $0 for nonfamily households (a difference of $107,500). By gender, male median income is $0 and female is $110,625, which is far above the national female median ($55,274), with a current gap of $110,625 that has narrowed from 2011 to 2024. The labor-force participation rate is 58.8%, which is falls short of the national rate (63.5%). The unemployment rate is 25.5%, which is much higher than the national rate (5.2%). The largest occupation group is Service (40.0%).
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 | $47,656 | $50,000 | $50,625 | $51,944 | $43,125 | $40,833 | $39,688 | $38,333 | $44,167 | $60,000 | $60,938 | $68,750 | $76,667 | $78,750 |
| Median Family Income | $37,813 | $41,875 | $50,000 | $52,083 | $44,583 | $48,750 | $43,750 | $39,375 | $48,438 | $49,583 | $52,188 | $66,250 | $69,375 | $107,500 |
| Median NonFamily Income | $38,125 | $32,917 | $21,250 | $21,250 | $20,833 | $20,625 | $20,625 | $21,250 | $23,750 | $28,750 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Median Male Income | $25,313 | $26,250 | $26,563 | $43,125 | $29,375 | $28,750 | $29,167 | $33,750 | $36,875 | $37,250 | $39,375 | $46,250 | $0 | $0 |
| Median Female Income | $28,750 | $28,750 | $29,000 | $27,917 | $28,333 | $28,750 | $32,500 | $32,083 | $58,750 | $49,375 | $56,250 | $0 | $98,750 | $110,625 |
| Employed: | 35 | 43.75% |
| Unemployed: | 12 | 15.00% |
| Not In Labor Force: | 33 | 41.25% |
| Total: | 80 | 100% |
| Management, business, science, and arts: | 12 | 34.29% |
| Service: | 14 | 40.00% |
| Sales and Office: | 5 | 14.29% |
| Natural resources, construction, and maintenance: | 2 | 5.71% |
| Production, transportation, and material moving: | 2 | 5.71% |
| Total Civilian Employed Population: | 35 | 100% |
In 2024, the median home value is $0, which is much lower than the national median ($332,700), is down $131,800 (100.00%) since 2011 and below its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $96,700. The median gross rent is $0, which is well under the national median ($1,413), is down $1,225 (100.00%) since 2011 and below its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $867. Insufficient data for owner/renter mix. Insufficient data for vacancy rate.
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 | $131,800 | $117,900 | $120,000 | $115,000 | $104,700 | $96,000 | $93,800 | $94,300 | $96,700 | $86,700 | $96,700 | $127,100 | $85,000 | $0 |
| Less than $500: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $500 to $999: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $1,000 to $1,499: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $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: | 4 | 100.00% |
| Total: | 4 | 100% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Rent | $1,225 | $1,200 | $817 | $675 | $675 | $694 | $750 | $850 | $867 | $850 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Owner Occupied (with mortgage): | 11 | 31.43% |
| Owner Occupied (free and clear, no mortgage): | 20 | 57.14% |
| Renter Occupied: | 4 | 11.43% |
| Total Occupied Housing Units: | 35 | 100% |
| Occupied Housing Units: | 35 | 66.04% |
| Vacant Housing Units (not graphed): | 18 | 33.96% |
| Total Housing Units: | 53 | 100% |
| Single-Family Units: | 51 | 96.23% |
| Multi-Family Units: | 2 | 3.77% |
| Other Units: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total Housing Units: | 53 | 100% |
In 2024, 0.00% 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 97.20%, which is far higher than the national rate (89.60%). The uninsured rate is 15.00%, which is comparable to the national rate (8.40%). Private coverage is 41.50%, which is falls below the national rate (67.10%). Public coverage is 81.60%, which is far higher than the national rate (36.70%). The share of people in poverty is 8.30%, which is comparable to the national rate (8.80%), down 8.40 percentage points since 2011 and below its 2019 pre-pandemic level by 6.70 percentage points. This points to a pronounced improvement in local conditions - rising incomes, firmer consumer demand, and a stronger tax base. Among residents ages 3+, the largest enrollment group is elementary (64.58%). College enrollment is 4.17%, 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: | 0 | 0.00% |
| 9th to 12th grade, no diploma: | 2 | 2.82% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency): | 44 | 61.97% |
| Some college, no degree: | 20 | 28.17% |
| Associate's degree: | 5 | 7.04% |
| Bachelor's degree: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Graduate or professional degree: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total: | 71 | 100% |
| High school or higher: | 69 | 97.18% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Private Insurance: | 61 | 30.05% |
| Public Insurance: | 120 | 59.11% |
| No Insurance: | 22 | 10.84% |
| Total: | 203 | 100% |
| Has Health Insurance: | 181 | 89.16% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % of People in Poverty | 28.4% | 20.3% | 19.0% | 20.0% | 25.5% | 19.0% | 22.5% | 25.0% | 26.7% | 27.3% | 25.8% | 25.0% | 20.0% | 8.3% |
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: | 6 | 12.50% |
| Kindergarten: | 3 | 6.25% |
| Elementary school (grades 1-8): | 31 | 64.58% |
| High school (grades 9-12): | 6 | 12.50% |
| College or graduate school: | 2 | 4.17% |
| Total: | 48 | 100% |
| Early Childhood: | 9 | 18.75% |
| K-12 (Primary & Secondary School): | 40 | 83.33% |
ZIP Code 99773 is designated for PO Box delivery only; business establishment and employment data are not available.
| # Residential Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| # Business Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| Total Delivery Receptacles: | 48Source: USPS |
| Single Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| Multi Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| # of Businesses: | 0Source: CBP |
| 1st Quarter Payroll: | $0Source: CBP |
| Annual Payroll: | $0Source: CBP |
| # of Employees: | 0Source: CBP |
ZIP Code 99773 is located in Northwest Arctic 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 99773. It covers 8.036 sq mi of land and a water area of 0.946 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: | 8.036 sq miSource: Census |
| Water Area: | 0.946 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: | 0270100Source: Census |
| Place Name: | Shungnak city; AlaskaSource: Census |
ZIP Code 99773 is in the Northwest Arctic 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.