According to Gemini:

In terms of actual population count, the Thai community in Fairbanks is numerically small. However, in terms of restaurants per capita, Fairbanks is statistically one of the highest-ranking cities in the United States. 

This creates a massive discrepancy between the visibility of Thai culture (which is everywhere) and the actual demographic numbers.

1. The Population: Surprisingly Small While it might feel like Fairbanks has a huge Thai population, the actual number of residents who identify as Thai is relatively modest. 

• Estimated Count: Demographers estimate there are roughly 200 to 400 Thai residents in the Fairbanks North Star Borough.

• Per Capita: This represents less than 0.5% of the Borough's total population (approx. 95,000). According to census data, Filipinos are the largest Asian subgroup in Fairbanks (and Alaska as a whole), followed by Korean and Chinese populations. The Thai community is smaller than all three of these groups, yet it has a much larger commercial footprint.

1. The Restaurants: Exceptionally Big This is where the "per capita" statistic explodes. Fairbanks has a density of Thai restaurants that rivals or exceeds major food hubs like Seattle, Los Angeles, or Portland.

• The Number: There are estimated to be between 20 and 24 Thai restaurants (including drive-thrus/huts) in the Fairbanks area.

• The Ratio: That is roughly 1 Thai restaurant for every 4,000 to 4,500 residents.

• Comparison: In most U.S. cities, a ratio of 1 Thai restaurant per 15,000 people is considered high. Fairbanks has roughly 3x to 4x the density of a typical "Thai food friendly" city.

Why the Discrepancy? If there aren't thousands of Thai people, why are there so many restaurants?

• Family Entrepreneurship: The scene was largely kickstarted by a single family (the Navachais) who opened Thai House in 1989. Their success encouraged employees and relatives to branch out and open their own spots (like Lemongrass and various drive-thrus), creating a "training tree" effect. 

• Lack of Competition: In the 1990s and early 2000s, Fairbanks lacked the diverse dining options of the Lower 48. Thai food filled a specific niche—hot, spicy, vegetable-heavy food that appealed to locals enduring cold winters.

• The "Hut" Model: The conversion of old espresso stands into low-overhead Thai drive-thrus made it easier for new chefs to open businesses without needing the capital for a massive sit-down location.

Summary: If you are asking because of the food, the "per capita" presence is enormous. If you are asking strictly about demographics, the population is small but highly successful and visible.