countyscore
45.4
County Score
Disaster Risk 98.8Income & Jobs 93.2Lawn Care 57.6

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.

2040608010047.941.130.94050.993.298.81.450Tax47.9Cost41.1Safety30.9Health40Schools50.9Income93.2Risk98.8Water1.4Weather5045.4/100
This county
National avg
2 above average3 below average

Bristol Bay Borough DNA

Foverall

How Bristol Bay Borough compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Bristol Bay Borough is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Disaster Risk (98.8/100) but notably weak in Water Quality (1.4/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
47.9
Cost
41.1
Safety
30.9-24.1
Health
40-10
Schools
50.9
Income
93.2+42.2
Risk
98.8+51.8
Water
1.4-56.6
Weather
50
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Compare mortgage rates in Bristol Bay Borough

Whether buying or refinancing in Bristol Bay Borough, compare rates from top lenders to find the best deal.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$245,800

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,317/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$245,800/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$52,680/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.6x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $95,625/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
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Seneca County
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Morrow County
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Starr County
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Dale County
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Nearby counties

Lake and Peninsula Borough
Alaska
45.7
Dillingham Census Area
Alaska
45.6
Kodiak Island Borough
Alaska
47.8
Kenai Peninsula Borough
Alaska
52.3
Bethel Census Area
Alaska
53.8
Anchorage Municipality
Alaska
29.7
Aleutians East Borough
Alaska
66.9
Kusilvak Census Area
Alaska
56.2

Deep Dives

Bristol Bay Borough across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 8 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

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

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 45.4 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 #24 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 $2,045, with an effective tax rate of 0.83%. This earns Bristol Bay Borough a tax score of 47.9/100 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 $95,625 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Bristol Bay Borough earns an income score of 93.2/100 on CountyScore.
Is Bristol Bay Borough, Alaska a good place to live?
Bristol Bay Borough scores 45.4/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #24 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.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

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