Ketchikan Gateway Borough
Alaska

What stands out

What stands out about Ketchikan Gateway Borough: natural-hazard risk is among the safest in America (0 of 100), the typical two-bedroom rent is in the top 6% of American counties ($1,393 a month), and high-school completion is in the top 8% of American counties (95%). Within Alaska it ranks 4th of 30 counties for natural-hazard risk, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Ketchikan Gateway Borough, Alaska. 13,910 people live here with you. The population held steady at 0.3% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -72).

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 $82,763 a year, higher than 90% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $62,614. Unemployment runs 3.8%, higher than 63% of American counties. 4% of workers work from home.

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

Home

The median home costs $405K, pricier than 86% of American counties, about 3.4 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $1,393 a month. Property tax is 0.71% of home value, roughly $2,568 a year on that median home, lower than 64% of American counties. 66% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.4 per 1,000 residents, lower than 75% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 22 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 78.3 years, longer than 78% of American counties. There are 46 active physicians in the county, about 33.1 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 4.0 of 5 stars. 12.1% 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 3 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 239 Mbps down, faster than 69% of American counties. There is 1 airport in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 1.0 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 2 breweries.