Kenai Peninsula Borough
Alaska

What stands out

Against every county in America, Kenai Peninsula Borough is unusual in three ways: natural-hazard risk is in the top 9% of American counties (91 of 100), the restaurant count per person is in the top 10% of American counties (1.3 per 1,000), and high-school completion is in the top 11% of American counties (94%). Within Alaska it ranks 2nd of 30 counties for natural-hazard risk.

Where you are

You live in Kenai Peninsula Borough, Alaska. 59,235 people live here with you. The population grew 1.0% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +486).

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 $76,272 a year, higher than 84% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $62,398. Unemployment runs 4.5%, higher than 81% of American counties. 9% of workers work from home.

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

Home

The median home costs $348K, pricier than 79% of American counties, about 2.8 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $1,104 a month. Property tax is 0.66% of home value, roughly $1,853 a year on that median home, lower than 70% of American counties. 77% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.9 per 1,000 residents, higher than 52% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 29 people per 100,000 in 2024, one of the harder-hit counties in the country.

A child born here can expect to live 78.8 years, longer than 82% of American counties. There are 128 active physicians in the county, about 21.6 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 2.0 of 5 stars. 14.0% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

94% 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 91 out of 100, riskier than 91% of American counties; the county has had 21 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 100 Mbps down, slower than 87% of American counties. There are 57 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 1.3 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 6 breweries, 6 museums, 1 National Park Service site.