Kusilvak Census Area
Alaska

What stands out

Three things set Kusilvak Census Area apart from the other 3,142 counties: unemployment is among the highest in America (12.9%), the average commute is among the shortest in America (6 minutes), and violent crime is among the highest in America (6.8 per 1,000). Within Alaska it ranks 1st of 30 counties for unemployment.

Where you are

You live in Kusilvak Census Area, Alaska. 8,372 people live here with you, so most faces are familiar. The population shrank 2.6% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -356).

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 $42,663 a year, lower than 91% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $38,914. Unemployment runs 12.9%, higher than almost every county in America. 4% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 6 minutes each way.

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

Home

A two-bedroom rents for around $820 a month. Property tax is 0.24% of home value, roughly $199 a year on that median home, lower than almost every county in America. 71% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 6.8 per 1,000 residents, higher than almost every county in America.

A child born here can expect to live 65.2 years, shorter 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. 12.3% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

81% 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 3 out of 100, safer than 97% of American counties; the county has had 2 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 159 Mbps down, slower than 67% of American counties. There are 14 airports in the county, counting general aviation.