Fairbanks North Star Borough
Alaska

What stands out

Three things set Fairbanks North Star Borough apart from the other 3,142 counties: the typical two-bedroom rent is in the top 6% of American counties ($1,421 a month), high-school completion is in the top 8% of American counties (95%), and homeownership is in the bottom 8% of American counties (60%). Within Alaska it ranks 8th of 29 counties for the typical two-bedroom rent.

Where you are

You live in Fairbanks North Star Borough, Alaska. 96,299 people live here with you. The population shrank 0.4% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -1,391).

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 $81,655 a year, higher than 89% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $69,700. Unemployment runs 3.7%, higher than 60% of American counties. 6% of workers work from home.

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

Home

The median home costs $312K, pricier than 72% of American counties, about 2.7 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $1,421 a month. Property tax is 1.25% of home value, roughly $3,470 a year on that median home, higher than 75% of American counties. 60% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.6 per 1,000 residents, lower than 66% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 10 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 78.6 years, longer than 81% of American counties. There are 229 active physicians in the county, about 23.8 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 2.0 of 5 stars. 11.5% 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 82 out of 100, riskier than 82% of American counties; the county has had 17 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 212 Mbps down, faster than 56% of American counties. There are 20 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.7 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 4 breweries, 9 museums.