Lake and Peninsula Borough
Alaska

What stands out

Against every county in America, Lake and Peninsula Borough is unusual in three ways: the overdose death rate is among the lowest in America (-999 per 100,000), population growth is among the fastest shrinking in America (-3.3% a year), and natural-hazard risk is in the bottom 2% of American counties (2 of 100). Within Alaska it ranks 5th of 30 counties for the overdose death rate, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Lake and Peninsula Borough, Alaska. 999 people live here with you, so most faces are familiar. The population shrank 3.3% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -51).

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 $61,607 a year, higher than 53% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $51,234. Unemployment runs 5.8%, higher than 95% of American counties. 5% of workers work from home.

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

Home

A two-bedroom rents for around $910 a month. 67% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 4.6 per 1,000 residents, higher than 84% of American counties.

There are 0 active physicians in the county, about 0.0 per 10,000 people; the nearest doctor is in another county. 17.7% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

91% 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 2 out of 100, safer than 98% of American counties; the county has had 3 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 135 Mbps down, slower than 76% of American counties. There are 24 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 4 National Park Service sites.