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Kenai, AK
City in Kenai Peninsula Borough, Alaska.
Population
7,641
Land area
29.1sq mi
People per sq mi
262
ZIP codes
0
Kenai and its ZIP codes
Kenai at a glance
- Kenai is about 204 times as dense as Alaska as a whole.
- It is the 14th most populous of 326 cities and towns in Alaska.
- Households here earn a median of $87,083 a year, 6% less than the Alaska figure of $92,788.
- A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $283,900 (20% below Alaska) and median rent is $1,138 a month.
Local data for Kenai, AK
Counts from official public data
Housing and community stats
Kenai, AK, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Median household income
$87,083
Poverty rate
13.2%
Median home value
$283,900
Median rent
$1,138/mo
Homeownership
70.3%
Bachelor's or higher
28.1%
Median age
34.4
Average commute
15.5 min
Largest reported origins and ancestries: German Americans (1,102), Irish Americans (761), Scottish Americans (406).
Economy and federal money
Jobs, pay, income and spending are for Kenai Peninsula Borough. PPP loans are for Kenai.
Unemployment rate
4.1%
Sep 2026, -0.3 pts in a year
Average annual pay
$66,145
21,722 jobs, 2025
Income per person
$67,429
BEA, 2024
Federal spending
$700M
FY 2026, $11,898 per person
How people get to work
Kenai, AK, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- Drove alone70.3%
- Carpooled15.2%
- Public transit0.0%
- Walked3.5%
- Bicycle0.0%
- Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other6.1%
- Worked from home4.9%
Average one-way commute: 15.5 minutes for people who do not work from home.
Environment and hazard risk
Kenai, AK, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Moderate
Top: avalanche
Storm events since 1996
43
Countywide, mostly flood
Flood insurance policies
288
0.8% of homes, county
July high / Jan low
63° / 7°F
18.3 inches of rain a year
Health statistics
Share of adults in Kenai, AK, CDC PLACES estimates
Obesity
32.7%
U.S. 33.3% -0.6 pts
Diabetes
8.9%
U.S. 12.1% -3.2 pts
Smoking
17.3%
U.S. 12.8% +4.5 pts
Uninsured (18-64)
10.8%
U.S. 11.1% about the same
Cities near Kenai
| Name | Distance | Land area (sq mi) |
|---|---|---|
| SalamatofCensus-designated place | 5.9 mi | 8 |
| RidgewayCensus-designated place | 6.2 mi | 16.8 |
| SoldotnaCity | 6.6 mi | 6.9 |
| KalifornskyCensus-designated place | 8.1 mi | 68.8 |
| NikiskiCensus-designated place | 11 mi | 69.5 |
| SterlingCensus-designated place | 12 mi | 77.8 |
| Funny RiverCensus-designated place | 16 mi | 26.7 |
| KasilofCensus-designated place | 16 mi | 10.4 |
| CohoeCensus-designated place | 20 mi | 69.9 |
| Clam GulchCensus-designated place | 25 mi | 13.3 |
| Point PossessionCensus-designated place | 29 mi | 42 |
Frequently asked questions
- What county is Kenai, AK in?
- Kenai is in Kenai Peninsula Borough, Alaska.
- What is the population of Kenai, AK?
- About 7,641 people live in Kenai, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What cities are near Kenai?
- Nearby places include Salamatof (5.9 mi), Ridgeway (6.2 mi), Soldotna (6.6 mi), Kalifornsky (8.1 mi), Nikiski (11 mi).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023