Northwest Arctic Borough
Alaska

What stands out

What stands out about Northwest Arctic Borough: the property tax rate is among the lowest in America (0.14%), unemployment is among the highest in America (9.0%), and the overdose death rate is among the lowest in America (-999 per 100,000). Within Alaska it ranks 2nd of 27 counties for the property tax rate, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Northwest Arctic Borough, Alaska. 7,682 people live here with you, so most faces are familiar. The population shrank 1.2% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -154).

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 $77,647 a year, higher than 85% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $89,651. Unemployment runs 9.0%, higher than almost every county in America. 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 $1,568 a month. Property tax is 0.14% of home value, roughly $199 a year on that median home, lower than almost every county in America. 61% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 5.1 per 1,000 residents, higher than 97% of American counties.

A child born here can expect to live 70.7 years, shorter than 94% of American counties. There are 8 active physicians in the county, about 10.4 per 10,000 people. 15.1% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

86% 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 7 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 295 Mbps down, faster than 94% of American counties. There are 18 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 3 National Park Service sites.