Population of Mount McKinley (Denali): Zero Permanent Residents

No one lives on Mount McKinley (Denali). The 2020 U.S. Census recorded zero population in the Denali National Park & Preserve census area (which includes the mountain).

Who Is There?

• Seasonal NPS staff: Rangers, maintenance, scientists (summer ~200–300).
• Concession employees: Lodge, bus, flightseeing, guiding (summer ~500–800).
• Climbers: ~1,000–1,200 attempt summit annually (May–Jul); base camp at 7,200 ft.
• Researchers: Glaciology, geology, wildlife (year-round but small numbers).

Nearest Communities

• Talkeetna (1,500 pop, 60 mi south) – flightseeing hub.
• Cantwell (200 pop, 30 mi south).
• Healy (1,000 pop, 70 mi north).

Denali is wilderness—visited, not inhabited.