countyscore
45.9
County Score
Disaster Risk 98.8Income & Jobs 95.4Property Tax 61.4

County Report Card

About Bristol Bay Borough, Alaska

Moderate livability with extreme contrasts

Bristol Bay Borough scores 45.9, matching the national median only when accounting for its remarkable income but falling short overall. The score reflects dramatic swings between economic strength and safety concerns.

Below Alaska's average despite high incomes

At 45.9, Bristol Bay trails Alaska's state average of 51.1, showing that even premium incomes cannot overcome other livability barriers. The borough represents an economic paradox among Alaska counties.

Income and taxes offer stability

Bristol Bay's income score of 95.4 delivers median household earnings of $100,625, among the highest nationally, supported by a strong 61.4 tax score reflecting a 0.717% effective rate. This economic foundation is exceptional for workforce stability.

Safety and water quality are serious issues

The borough's safety score plummets to 30.9, indicating crime or hazard concerns that significantly compromise quality of life. Risk (98.8) and water quality (1.4) are additional critical gaps; infrastructure and health (40.0) also lag behind livability standards.

For risk-tolerant workers with high incomes

Bristol Bay fits experienced professionals in fishing, resource extraction, or remote work who can earn premium wages and tolerate safety and infrastructure trade-offs. Not recommended for families prioritizing safety and established community amenities.

Score breakdown

Tax61.4Cost33.3Safety30.9Health40Schools50.9Income95.4Risk98.8Water1.4Weather50
🏛61.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠33.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼95.4
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡30.9
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
CrimeByCounty →
❤40
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓50.9
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
SchoolsByCounty →
⚡98.8
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧1.4
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades
WaterByCounty →
🌤50
Weather & Climate
Average temperatures, precipitation, and extreme weather events
WeatherByCounty →
🪨
Soil Quality
Soil composition, pH, drainage, and organic matter content
SoilByCounty →
🌱57.6
Lawn Care
Lawn difficulty score based on climate, soil, and grass suitability
LawnByCounty →
🛒
Farmers Markets
Local market density, SNAP/EBT acceptance, and product variety
MarketsByCounty →
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Compare Bristol Bay Borough with Chilton County →Share on X

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Nearby counties

Lake and Peninsula Borough
Alaska
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Dillingham Census Area
Alaska
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Kodiak Island Borough
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47.5
Kenai Peninsula Borough
Alaska
52.4
Bethel Census Area
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45.9
Anchorage Municipality
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Aleutians East Borough
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Kusilvak Census Area
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Deep Dives

Bristol Bay Borough across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Bristol Bay Borough

via TaxByCounty

Bristol Bay stays below national average

Bristol Bay Borough's 0.717% effective tax rate sits below Alaska's 0.772% state average and the national median of 0.772%. At $1,933 in median annual property taxes, it runs 28% below the national median of $2,690, making it notably tax-friendly.

Lower-middle tax burden in Alaska

Bristol Bay ranks among Alaska's lighter-taxed jurisdictions at 0.717%, substantially below the state average of 0.772%. Its median annual tax of $1,933 is the second-lowest among Alaska's documented regions.

Lower rate than Chugach, similar to Aleutians West

Bristol Bay's 0.717% rate falls between Aleutians West's 0.708% and Chugach's 0.917%, offering moderate relief compared to interior Alaska regions. The median home value of $269,800 positions Bristol Bay as an affordable area with reasonable tax exposure.

Bristol Bay keeps taxes under $2,000

A median Bristol Bay home valued at $269,800 generates approximately $1,933 in annual property taxes—$3,125 with mortgage and $1,545 without. This is the lowest documented median tax in Alaska, saving homeowners $757 annually versus the national median.

Even lower taxes with assessment review

Bristol Bay homeowners already enjoy some of Alaska's lowest taxes, but an assessment appeal could reduce bills further if your home is overvalued. Even modest overassessment challenges pay off in this tax-favorable region.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Bristol Bay Borough

via CostByCounty

Bristol Bay: Alaska's Most Affordable

Renters spend just 15.7% of income on housing, well below Alaska's 18.6% state average and comfortably under the national affordability threshold of 30%. With a median household income of $100,625, Bristol Bay offers among Alaska's strongest income-to-housing ratios.

Best Affordability in Alaska

Bristol Bay's 15.7% rent-to-income ratio ranks as Alaska's most affordable rental market, beating the state average by nearly 3 percentage points. This remote borough proves that geographic isolation doesn't automatically mean unaffordable housing.

Outpacing Remote Alternatives

Bristol Bay's median rent of $1,318 undercuts Bethel ($1,454) and Aleutians West ($1,886) while serving a comparable or higher median income. Home values of $269,800 position Bristol Bay as the most economically balanced remote area in Alaska.

Income-Friendly Housing Market

Renters dedicate just $1,318 monthly to a $100,625 annual income—only 15.7% of earnings—while homeowners spend $795 monthly on properties averaging $269,800. Bristol Bay delivers what's rare in Alaska: strong income alongside reasonable housing costs.

Bristol Bay: Consider for Relocation

If moving to remote Alaska appeals, Bristol Bay balances affordability with solid incomes better than nearly any competitor. Its 15.7% rent-to-income ratio and $1,318 median rent make it worth serious consideration against Anchorage and other urban alternatives.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Bristol Bay Borough

via IncomeByCounty

Bristol Bay Fishing Economy Pays Well

Bristol Bay Borough's median household income of $100,625 surpasses the national median of $74,755 by 35 percent, ranking among America's highest-earning regions. The borough's world-class salmon fisheries and seasonal employment opportunities drive these premium wages.

Alaska's Third-Highest Income Region

Bristol Bay Borough ranks among Alaska's elite income earners with a median household income of $100,625, exceeding the state average of $79,407 by 27 percent. Only Aleutians West and select other resource-rich regions match this earning power.

Fishing Industry Drives Premium Wages

Bristol Bay's $100,625 median significantly outearns neighboring Bethel Census Area ($70,616) and most other rural Alaskan regions, rivaling Anchorage ($98,152). The borough's concentrated salmon fishery creates high-wage seasonal employment opportunities unavailable elsewhere.

Best Housing Affordability in State

Bristol Bay Borough achieves the lowest rent-to-income ratio among all eight counties at just 15.7 percent, indicating excellent housing affordability. With a median home value of $269,800 and strong household earnings, residents enjoy robust financial stability.

Maximize Seasonal Income Through Planning

Bristol Bay residents earning $100,625 should strategically manage the sector's seasonality by setting aside earnings during peak fishing months for year-round living expenses and investments. This disciplined approach converts volatile seasonal income into consistent wealth accumulation.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Bristol Bay Borough

via CrimeByCounty

Safer than the National Average

Bristol Bay Borough reports 1,639.4 crimes per 100,000, which is well below the national average of 2,385.5. The borough maintains a safety score of 97.4.

Higher Activity than the State Average

The borough's crime rate is nearly double the Alaska state average of 861.7. Its safety score of 97.4 is slightly lower than the statewide average of 98.6.

Contrasting with Nearby Census Areas

Bristol Bay Borough has a higher crime rate than both Bethel (755.2) and Dillingham (0.0). These variations highlight the differences in reporting and activity across western Alaska.

Theft is the Primary Concern

Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,053.9 per 100,000, while the violent crime rate is 585.5. This suggests that residents are nearly twice as likely to experience property theft as violent crime.

Secure Your Property and Gear

With property crime being the most frequent issue, securing boats, ATVs, and other outdoor gear is essential. A simple fenced perimeter or locked storage shed can effectively deter opportunistic theft.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Health in Bristol Bay Borough

via HealthByCounty

Health data limited but concerns clear

While life expectancy data is unavailable, Bristol Bay's 16.5% poor/fair health rate sits near the national average of 17.5%, suggesting moderate health challenges. The 16.9% uninsured rate leaves roughly 1 in 6 residents without coverage in this fishing-dependent region.

Below-average uninsured rate masks gaps

Bristol Bay's 16.9% uninsured rate exceeds Alaska's 15.9% average, though the difference is modest. Limited provider data and geographic remoteness likely create access barriers despite relatively comparable insurance enrollment.

Provider data sparse, access unclear

Primary care and mental health provider counts remain unreported for Bristol Bay, reflecting the challenges of measuring healthcare capacity in Alaska's most remote regions. These data gaps themselves signal the infrastructure struggles affecting the community.

Remote location compounds access barriers

With 16.9% uninsured and limited recorded provider data, Bristol Bay residents likely experience significant delays accessing routine and emergency care. The seasonal fishing economy may create income volatility that complicates sustained health insurance enrollment.

Secure coverage despite seasonal work

If fishing or seasonal income makes coverage difficult, explore Alaska's Medicaid options—your income can fluctuate while staying covered. Contact the Bristol Bay health clinic or call 1-800-318-2596 to discuss plans that flex with your work schedule.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Schools in Bristol Bay Borough

via SchoolsByCounty

Targeted education in a small borough

Four public schools serve 126 total students within this small borough. The infrastructure includes one elementary school, one high school, and two specialized 'other' facilities across a single local district.

High investment with a strong score

The borough spends $22,316 per pupil, which is significantly higher than the state average of $13,745. This investment supports a high school score of 76.5, even as the graduation rate of 70.9% currently trails the state average.

Bristol Bay Borough School District focus

The primary district manages three schools and 121 students, ensuring localized control of education. No charter schools operate in the borough, concentrating all resources into the main public system.

Tight-knit rural learning environments

All schools are rural and average only 32 students each, creating a highly personal classroom experience. Naknek Elementary is the largest school with 69 students, while the local correspondence school serves just 3 pupils.

High per-pupil spending for families

The intense financial investment per student makes this an attractive area for those seeking small class sizes. Home buyers should look near Naknek to be closest to the borough's primary educational facilities.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

Disaster Risk in Bristol Bay Borough

via RiskByCounty

Among safest counties in America

Bristol Bay Borough's composite score of just 1.21 ranks among the lowest-risk counties nationwide, earning a Very Low rating. This extremely safe profile reflects minimal exposure across flood, wildfire, and tornado hazards despite modest earthquake potential.

Safest community in Alaska by far

At 1.21, Bristol Bay Borough scores dramatically lower than Alaska's 35.22 state average and is the state's safest county by a wide margin. No other Alaskan community approaches this level of natural disaster protection.

Dramatically safer than regional peers

Bristol Bay Borough at 1.21 is roughly 37 times safer than Bethel Census Area (44.31) and 73 times safer than Anchorage Municipality (97.39). Its unique geographic and climatic position creates exceptional hazard protection compared to all Alaskan neighbors.

Only earthquake poses real threat

Earthquake risk at 71.91 is Bristol Bay's sole significant hazard, while wildfire (34.22) remains moderate and flood, tornado risks near zero. The borough's remarkable overall safety stems entirely from minimal exposure to weather-related disasters.

Earthquake insurance covers the exposure

Even in Alaska's safest borough, earthquake risk at 71.91 warrants dedicated seismic coverage since standard homeowners insurance excludes it. This single policy addresses virtually all meaningful natural disaster risk in Bristol Bay.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

Weather & Climate in Bristol Bay Borough

via WeatherByCounty

A Chilly Northern Frontier

Bristol Bay Borough averages 36.5°F annually, a figure that highlights its position in the cold subarctic zone. This is nearly 20 degrees cooler than the average temperature found in the central United States.

Aligning With the State Average

The borough's 36.5°F average is almost identical to the Alaska state average of 35.9°F. It serves as a climatic benchmark for the transition between Alaska's maritime and continental zones.

Warmer and Drier Than Bethel

Bristol Bay is notably warmer than the Bethel Census Area, which averages only 31.4°F. It is also a drier region, receiving 21.4 inches of precipitation compared to the heavier snows of the interior.

Cold Winters and Brief Summers

January brings an average temperature of 16.6°F, while July provides a short window of 56.7°F warmth. Snowfall is moderate for Alaska at 47.4 inches, and there are no extreme heat days to speak of.

Plan for Sustained Winter Cold

Reliable heating systems are a must for the 19.1°F winter average. Residents should also prepare for 47.4 inches of snow, though the region's lower precipitation makes it easier to manage than coastal areas.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Lawn Care in Bristol Bay Borough

via LawnByCounty

Bay Area Lawn Challenges

Bristol Bay Borough has a lawn difficulty score of 57.6, which is nearly identical to the Alaska state average of 57.8. While this is easier than the national median of 50.0, the coastal environment still presents unique hurdles for consistent growth. Success here depends on managing a short but productive summer season.

A Concise Growing Window

The area receives 21.4 inches of annual precipitation, which is lower than the ideal 30-50 inch range for many grass types. You have 566 growing degree days to foster turf development, but zero extreme heat days to worry about. Mowing and fertilization must be timed between the last frost on May 26 and the first frost on September 15.

Building a Better Base

Because soil data for the borough is limited, you should focus on creating a nutrient-rich foundation manually. Adding a layer of screened topsoil or compost can help offset the thin soils often found in coastal Alaska. Test your pH levels to ensure they aren't too acidic, aiming for a range of 6.0 to 7.0 for optimal health.

Consistent Water Supply

There are currently no drought conditions in Bristol Bay, and the area has seen zero weeks of drought over the last year. Despite the lack of official drought, the 21.4 inches of rain is relatively low, so keep a hose ready during dry weeks. Mulching your grass clippings back into the lawn can help retain the moisture you do have.

Timing Your Seeding

Creeping Red Fescue is an excellent choice for this region due to its cold hardiness and ability to thrive in sandy soils. Seed your lawn in early June to give it enough time to root before the mid-September frost. This variety will tolerate the cool summers and provide a consistent green cover.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Bristol Bay Borough's county score?
Bristol Bay Borough, Alaska has a composite county score of 45.9 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Bristol Bay Borough rank among counties in Alaska?
Bristol Bay Borough ranks #25 among all counties in Alaska on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Bristol Bay Borough, Alaska?
The median annual property tax in Bristol Bay Borough is $1,933, with an effective tax rate of 0.72%. This earns Bristol Bay Borough a tax score of 61.4/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Bristol Bay Borough?
The median household income in Bristol Bay Borough, Alaska is $100,625 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Bristol Bay Borough earns an income score of 95.4/100 on CountyScore.
Is Bristol Bay Borough, Alaska a good place to live?
Bristol Bay Borough scores 45.9/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #25 in Alaska. The best way to evaluate Bristol Bay Borough is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Bristol Bay Borough with other counties side by side.

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality🌤Weather & Climate🪨Soil Quality🌱Lawn Care🛒Farmers Markets

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS, NOAA — informational only.