Bristol Bay Borough
Alaska

What stands out

Against every county in America, Bristol Bay Borough is unusual in three ways: natural-hazard risk is among the safest in America (0 of 100), population growth is among the fastest shrinking in America (-3.0% a year), and homeownership is in the bottom 2% of American counties (51%). Within Alaska it ranks 1st of 30 counties for natural-hazard risk, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Bristol Bay Borough, Alaska. 854 people live here with you, so most faces are familiar. The population shrank 3.0% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -34).

Alaska has no state income tax and no state sales tax, and it pays residents an annual Permanent Fund Dividend from oil revenue. Most goods arrive by barge or air, so groceries, fuel and building materials cost well above the national average, and winter heating is a major line item. Roughly half the population lives in the Anchorage area; much of the rest is reachable only by plane or ferry.

Money

The typical household here brings in $94,167 a year, higher than 95% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $70,779. Unemployment runs 4.3%, higher than 77% of American counties. 9% of workers work from home.

Alaska has no state income tax, so none of that goes to the state.

Home

A two-bedroom rents for around $1,066 a month. Property tax is 0.99% of home value, roughly $2,500 a year on that median home, higher than 59% of American counties. 51% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.7 per 1,000 residents, lower than 63% of American counties.

There are 0 active physicians in the county, about 0.0 per 10,000 people; the nearest doctor is in another county. 13.3% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

95% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

Under Alaska law you can carry a concealed handgun without a permit, abortion is protected by state law, and marijuana is legal for adults.

Weather and risk

FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 0 out of 100, safer than almost every county in America; the county has had 4 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 74 Mbps down, slower than 94% of American counties. There are 5 airports in the county, counting general aviation.