Denali Borough
Alaska

What stands out

If you had to describe Denali Borough in numbers, start here: the property tax rate is among the lowest in America (0.17%), life expectancy is among the longest in America (84.7 years), and high-school completion is among the highest in America (97%). Within Alaska it ranks 3rd of 27 counties for the property tax rate, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Denali Borough, Alaska. 2,101 people live here with you, so most faces are familiar. The population grew 0.6% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -9).

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 $87,292 a year, higher than 92% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $67,009. Unemployment runs 6.3%, higher than 97% of American counties. 4% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 14 minutes each way.

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

Home

A two-bedroom rents for around $950 a month. Property tax is 0.17% of home value, roughly $389 a year on that median home, lower than almost every county in America. 87% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.5 per 1,000 residents, lower than 69% of American counties.

A child born here can expect to live 84.7 years, longer than almost every county in America. 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

97% 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 12 out of 100, safer than 88% of American counties; the county has had 10 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 115 Mbps down, slower than 83% of American counties. There are 13 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 2.4 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 1 brewery, 1 National Park Service site.