| City: | Thorne Bay, Alaska |
| City Alias: | Ketchikan |
| Borough: | Prince Of Wales Hyder Borough |
| Timezone: | Alaska (GMT -09:00) |
| Local Time: | 9:24:55 AM |
| Population: | 515 [See All] |
| Area Code: | 907 |
| Classification: | PO Box |
| Coordinates: | 55.6515, -132.5423 |
| Land Area: | 49.391 sq mi |
| Quick Link: |
Thorne Bay sits on the eastern shore of Prince of Wales Island in Southeast Alaska, covering 301 square miles of coastal and forested territory. With 515 residents spread across this vast landscape, it's one of Alaska's smaller incorporated communities. The town was established as a logging camp in the 1960s and incorporated in 1982, making it the newest city in Alaska at the time.
Mail delivery here uses a mix of rural routes and PO Boxes. Two rural carrier routes serve the community's scattered homes, while the post office maintains 53 PO Boxes for about 24% of the town's 223 households. This isn't a PO Box Only Zone. Most residents receive mail at their homes through rural delivery, with boxes available for those who prefer centralized pickup.
The community shows typical characteristics of a Southeast Alaska working town. Median age is 47.2 years, and 77% of households own their homes. With a median household income of $65,357, it's above the state's rural average. The workforce shows strong public sector employment, with 148 residents working in public administration and 78 in education and healthcare. This pattern fits Thorne Bay's role as a service center for logging operations and forest management on Prince of Wales Island.
The geography shapes daily life here. Prince of Wales Island is the third largest island in the United States, and Thorne Bay sits at the end of over 1,000 miles of logging roads that make it one of the most road-accessible communities in Southeast Alaska. Still, there's no connection to the mainland road system. Ferry service links the island to Ketchikan, which appears as an acceptable mailing alias dating back to before 2004. Housing stock includes 109 mobile homes among 371 total units, with 13% of homes used seasonally, likely by hunters and fishermen.
Street names reference local geography: Thorne Bay itself, scenic views of the waterways, and Setter Lake in the area.
ZIP Code 99919 has 515 residents and 223 households (average 2.31 persons per household). The median age is 47.2 years, significantly older than the state (35.6) and significantly older than the nation (38.8). The gender split is 55.5% male and 44.5% female, which is higher than the national male share (49.1%), making this a male-majority area. Largest groups are White (82.9%, much higher than the state average of 59.4% and well above the national average of 61.6%) and American Indian & Alaska Native (7.6%, much lower than the state average of 15.2%); Hispanic or Latino residents make up 2.3%, which is much lower than the national average (18.7%).
Explore More:Population Over TimeBy Age & GenderBy RaceBy GenderNativity & Citizenship
| 2020 Population: | 515Source: Census DHC |
| 2024 ACS Population Estimate: | 570Source: Census ACS |
| 2026 ZC Population Estimate: | 0Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Population Density: | 10.4 people per sq mile |
| Average Income: | $61,250Source: Census ACS |
| Households: | 223Source: Census DHC |
| Average House Value: | $290,000Source: Census ACS |
| Persons Per Household: | 2.31Source: Census DHC |
| Average Family Size: | 2.86Source: Census ACS |
| Group | 2010 | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Census ACS Population Estimate | -- | 534 | 558 | 528 | 603 | 637 | 718 | 660 | 689 | 605 | 547 | 562 | 564 | 547 | 570 |
| Decennial Census | 531 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 515 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
Median Age: 47.2
Male Median Age: 48.4
Female Median Age: 44.9
| 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 | 8 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 18 | 10 | 9 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 23 | 20 | 23 | 32 | 27 | 10 | 2 | 2 |
| Female | 11 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 7 | 9 | 17 | 14 | 17 | 7 | 22 | 18 | 22 | 24 | 13 | 7 | 0 | 1 |
| Total | 19 | 33 | 33 | 29 | 25 | 19 | 26 | 28 | 33 | 24 | 45 | 38 | 45 | 56 | 40 | 17 | 2 | 3 |
| White: | 427 | 87.32% |
| Black: | 3 | 0.61% |
| Hispanic:* | 12 | 2.45% |
| Asian: | 0 | 0% |
| American Indian: | 39 | 7.98% |
| Hawaiian: | 5 | 1.02% |
| Other: | 3 | 0.61% |
| Total: | 489 | 100% |
| Gender | Count | % | Median Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Males: | 286 | 55.53% | 48.4 years |
| Females: | 229 | 44.47% | 44.9 years |
| Total: | 515 | 100% | 47.2 years |
| Native, born in the United States: | 570 | 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: | 570 | 100% |
| Total Native Population: | 570 | 100.00% |
| Total Foreign-born Population: | 0 | 0.00% |
In 2024, the Median household income is $61,250, which is considerably lower than the national median ($80,734), is up $10,764 (21.3%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $13,304. Family households earn a median of $80,455 versus $0 for nonfamily households (a difference of $80,455). By gender, male median income is $61,250 and female is $63,125, which is markedly greater than the national female median ($55,274), with a current gap of $1,875 that has narrowed from 2011 to 2024. The labor-force participation rate is 59.4%, which is falls short of the national rate (63.5%). The unemployment rate is 10.6%, which is considerably above the national rate (5.2%). The largest occupation group is Service (35.3%).
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 | $50,486 | $49,643 | $49,050 | $52,216 | $52,679 | $62,794 | $50,956 | $51,875 | $47,946 | $47,059 | $50,156 | $64,135 | $65,357 | $61,250 |
| Median Family Income | $54,167 | $56,875 | $49,323 | $52,438 | $52,273 | $65,000 | $51,979 | $59,286 | $66,667 | $58,000 | $70,938 | $87,917 | $84,500 | $80,455 |
| Median NonFamily Income | $40,750 | $34,375 | $35,500 | $40,000 | $50,000 | $51,250 | $40,000 | $37,083 | $27,969 | $26,429 | $28,750 | $37,500 | $0 | $0 |
| Median Male Income | $67,679 | $68,929 | $54,167 | $54,250 | $0 | $56,000 | $50,694 | $54,643 | $50,781 | $51,620 | $54,107 | $57,132 | $61,250 | $61,250 |
| Median Female Income | $36,250 | $42,188 | $42,188 | $61,563 | $0 | $58,333 | $67,500 | $64,583 | $51,607 | $52,083 | $53,542 | $66,250 | $70,000 | $63,125 |
| Employed: | 241 | 52.28% |
| Unemployed: | 29 | 6.29% |
| Not In Labor Force: | 191 | 41.43% |
| Total: | 461 | 100% |
| Management, business, science, and arts: | 35 | 14.52% |
| Service: | 85 | 35.27% |
| Sales and Office: | 55 | 22.82% |
| Natural resources, construction, and maintenance: | 24 | 9.96% |
| Production, transportation, and material moving: | 42 | 17.43% |
| Total Civilian Employed Population: | 241 | 100% |
In 2024, the median home value is $290,000, which is considerably lower than the national median ($332,700), is up $110,800 (61.83%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $126,000. The median gross rent is $947, which is much lower than the national median ($1,413), is up $47 (5.22%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $115. Of occupied housing, owners make up 58.54% (38.19% with a mortgage, 61.81% free-and-clear) and renters 41.46% - making this ZIP Code higher than national rental averages. The vacancy rate is 24.54%, 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 | $179,200 | $179,500 | $201,300 | $222,100 | $198,400 | $212,800 | $191,700 | $168,800 | $164,000 | $163,500 | $162,500 | $252,800 | $244,200 | $290,000 |
| Less than $500: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $500 to $999: | 55 | 53.92% |
| $1,000 to $1,499: | 19 | 18.63% |
| $1,500 to $1,999: | 1 | 0.98% |
| $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: | 27 | 26.47% |
| Total: | 102 | 100% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Rent | $900 | $835 | $821 | $834 | $834 | $837 | $843 | $906 | $832 | $813 | $870 | $883 | $938 | $947 |
| Owner Occupied (with mortgage): | 55 | 22.36% |
| Owner Occupied (free and clear, no mortgage): | 89 | 36.18% |
| Renter Occupied: | 102 | 41.46% |
| Total Occupied Housing Units: | 246 | 100% |
| Occupied Housing Units: | 246 | 75.46% |
| Vacant Housing Units (not graphed): | 80 | 24.54% |
| Total Housing Units: | 326 | 100% |
| Single-Family Units: | 172 | 52.76% |
| Multi-Family Units: | 49 | 15.03% |
| Other Units: | 105 | 32.21% |
| Total Housing Units: | 326 | 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 92.40%, which is comparable to the national rate (89.60%). The uninsured rate is 17.00%, which is far higher than the national rate (8.40%). Private coverage is 48.80%, which is falls below the national rate (67.10%). The share of people in poverty is 10.00%, which is comparable to the national rate (8.80%), up 4.70 percentage points since 2011 and below its 2019 pre-pandemic level by 0.30 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 (56.14%). College enrollment is 5.26%, 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: | 5 | 1.40% |
| 9th to 12th grade, no diploma: | 22 | 6.18% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency): | 113 | 31.74% |
| Some college, no degree: | 113 | 31.74% |
| Associate's degree: | 35 | 9.83% |
| Bachelor's degree: | 66 | 18.54% |
| Graduate or professional degree: | 2 | 0.56% |
| Total: | 356 | 100% |
| High school or higher: | 329 | 92.42% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher: | 68 | 19.10% |
| Private Insurance: | 276 | 42.66% |
| Public Insurance: | 275 | 42.50% |
| No Insurance: | 96 | 14.84% |
| Total: | 647 | 100% |
| Has Health Insurance: | 551 | 85.16% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % of People in Poverty | 5.4% | 12.0% | 13.5% | 10.7% | 6.8% | 6.5% | 11.1% | 8.9% | 10.4% | 17.9% | 18.7% | 10.5% | 10.1% | 10.0% |
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: | 15 | 13.16% |
| Kindergarten: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Elementary school (grades 1-8): | 64 | 56.14% |
| High school (grades 9-12): | 29 | 25.44% |
| College or graduate school: | 6 | 5.26% |
| Total: | 114 | 100% |
| Early Childhood: | 15 | 13.16% |
| K-12 (Primary & Secondary School): | 93 | 81.58% |
ZIP Code 99919 supports both business and residential activity. According to the Business Census (2024), there are 16 business establishments, employing about 47 people with an annual payroll of $2,204,000.
| # Residential Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| # Business Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| Total Delivery Receptacles: | 53Source: USPS |
| Single Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| Multi Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| # of Businesses: | 16Source: CBP |
| 1st Quarter Payroll: | $290,000Source: CBP |
| Annual Payroll: | $2,204,000Source: CBP |
| # of Employees: | 47Source: CBP |
ZIP Code 99919 is located in Prince Of Wales Hyder 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 99919. It covers 49.391 sq mi of land and a water area of 3.811 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: | 49.391 sq miSource: Census |
| Water Area: | 3.811 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: | 0277140Source: Census |
| Place Name: | Thorne Bay city; AlaskaSource: Census |
ZIP Code 99919 is in the Southeast Island 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 March 1, 2026.