CountyScore

Chugach Census Area

Alaska · AK

#15 in Alaska
69.3
County Score

County Report Card

About Chugach Census Area, Alaska

Strong Alaskan performer well above median

Chugach scores 69.3 out of 100, nearly 40% higher than the national median of 50.0 and above Alaska's 67.6 state average. It ranks among the better-performing counties nationally and stands out as competitive within Alaska.

Solidly above Alaska average

Chugach ranks in the upper-middle tier of Alaska counties at 69.3 versus the state average of 67.6. It demonstrates above-average performance across the state's competitive livability landscape.

Strong health and risk management

Chugach delivers health scores of 72.0 and a risk score of 80.4—strong protection against hazards and excellent health outcomes. The tax score of 76.5 with an effective rate of 0.917% also reflects reasonable tax efficiency.

Modest income and moderate housing costs

Income scores 41.2 with median household earnings of $88,565—below some peers despite decent affordability at cost 66.2. Rent and home values ($1,397/month and $330,900) are moderate but not among the state's most affordable.

Great for health-focused, moderate-income families

Chugach appeals to families valuing strong healthcare, natural disaster resilience, and reasonable tax burdens over maximum earning potential. It's an excellent fit for those earning $80–100K who prioritize quality of life and community health.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax76.5Cost66.2SafetyComing SoonHealth72SchoolsComing SoonIncome41.2Risk80.4WaterComing Soon
🏛76.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠66.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼41.2
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤72
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡80.4
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Chugach Census Area with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Colbert County
Alabama
69.3
Median income: $56,736
Jackson County
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69.3
Median income: $49,454
Sharp County
Arkansas
69.3
Median income: $42,950
Rabun County
Georgia
69.3
Median income: $61,466
Upson County
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69.3
Median income: $50,904

Deep Dives

Chugach Census Area across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Chugach Census Area

via TaxByCounty

Chugach slightly above national average

Chugach Census Area's 0.917% effective tax rate exceeds both Alaska's state average of 0.772% and the national median of 0.772%, placing it in the upper-middle tier nationally. Its median annual tax of $3,033 runs 13% above the national median of $2,690.

Second-highest tax rate in Alaska

Chugach's 0.917% rate ranks second only to Anchorage's 1.294% among Alaska's jurisdictions, substantially exceeding the state average of 0.772%. This elevated rate generates a median annual tax of $3,033 on homes valued at $330,900.

Chugach outpaces most regional competitors

Chugach's 0.917% rate significantly exceeds Bristol Bay's 0.717% and Aleutians West's 0.708%, making it the most heavily taxed region outside Anchorage. Only Anchorage's 1.294% rate surpasses Chugach.

Chugach homes trigger $3,000+ tax bills

A median Chugach home valued at $330,900 generates approximately $3,033 in annual property taxes—$4,267 with mortgage and $2,362 without. This exceeds the national median tax by $343 annually, reflecting Chugach's elevated rate.

Challenge valuations in high-rate jurisdiction

At 0.917%, small assessment errors compound significantly; Chugach homeowners should verify their valuations against recent comparable sales. A successful appeal in this higher-rate region yields meaningful annual savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Chugach Census Area

via CostByCounty

Chugach: Slightly Above State Average

Renters spend 18.9% of income on housing, marginally above Alaska's 18.6% state average and well below the national affordability threshold of 30%. With median household income of $88,565, Chugach residents maintain reasonable housing burdens despite above-average regional costs.

Solid Middle Ground in Alaska

Chugach's 18.9% rent-to-income ratio sits nearly at Alaska's average, making it a representative example of the state's typical housing affordability. This census area avoids both the extremes of Bristol Bay's affordability (15.7%) and Bethel's crisis (24.7%).

Reasonable Costs Near Urban Center

Chugach's $1,397 median rent falls between Anchorage ($1,453) and Bristol Bay ($1,318), reflecting its position as an accessible area adjacent to Alaska's urban hub. Home values of $330,900 sit mid-range among Alaskan regions.

Balanced Expense Structure

Renters spend $1,397 monthly on an $88,565 annual income, claiming 18.9% of earnings for housing, while homeowners dedicate $1,086 monthly to properties averaging $330,900. Chugach offers predictable, manageable housing costs across both rental and ownership categories.

Chugach: Alaska's Safe Housing Bet

Relocating to Alaska's sub-urban areas? Chugach's 18.9% rent-to-income ratio and $1,397 median rent provide stability without Anchorage's urban intensity. It's a pragmatic choice for those seeking rural character with reasonable affordability metrics.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Chugach Census Area

via IncomeByCounty

Chugach Solidly Above National Average

Chugach Census Area's median household income of $88,565 exceeds the national median of $74,755 by 18 percent, positioning the region in America's upper-income tier. This strong performance reflects Alaska's overall wage premium and Chugach's proximity to Anchorage's economic influence.

Mid-Tier Income in Alaska

Chugach Census Area earns above Alaska's state average with a median household income of $88,565 compared to the state average of $79,407—an 11 percent advantage. The region ranks comfortably in the middle-to-upper tier of Alaska's income distribution.

Strong Earnings Near Anchorage Hub

At $88,565, Chugach's median income trails Anchorage ($98,152) and Bristol Bay Borough ($100,625) but substantially exceeds rural counterparts like Bethel ($70,616) and Aleutians East ($72,692). Proximity to Alaska's largest city supports competitive wage levels.

Reasonable Housing Costs

Chugach Census Area maintains a healthy rent-to-income ratio of 18.9 percent, keeping housing costs within manageable ranges for households earning $88,565 annually. The median home value of $330,900 remains accessible relative to local earnings.

Invest in Your Financial Future

Chugach residents earning $88,565 have meaningful capacity to invest in retirement accounts, education savings, and diversified portfolios. With stable regional employment and reasonable housing affordability, consistent 10-15 percent savings rates can build substantial long-term wealth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Chugach Census Area

via HealthByCounty

Solid health status with coverage gaps

While life expectancy data isn't available, Chugach's 13.6% poor/fair health rate outperforms the national average of 17.5%, indicating relatively good underlying health. However, 17.5% lack health insurance—above the U.S. average and the state rate of 15.9%—leaving roughly 1 in 6 vulnerable.

Good health outcomes, weak insurance reach

Chugach's 13.6% poor/fair health rate ranks among Alaska's best, but its 17.5% uninsured rate trails few Alaska regions. This gap suggests that while most residents report good health now, those without insurance face barriers to preventive care that could worsen outcomes later.

Strong primary care, adequate mental health

With 159 primary care providers and 222 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, Chugach exceeds many rural Alaska areas in provider capacity. This infrastructure should support better care access if uninsured residents can afford it.

Uninsured rate threatens good health gains

At 17.5%, Chugach's uninsured rate is the highest gap between good current health (13.6% poor/fair) and coverage—suggesting people are healthy now but at risk. Without insurance, a single illness or injury could spiral into debt and delayed care.

Don't wait until you're sick

With strong primary care available, now is the time to secure coverage and use preventive services while you're healthy. Visit healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 to explore plans—many qualify for subsidies that cut premiums dramatically.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Chugach Census Area

via RiskByCounty

Exceptionally safe despite coastal exposure

Chugach Census Area's 19.62 composite score is one of Alaska's lowest and far below the national average, earning Very Low rating. Minimal flood, wildfire, and tornado risks combine with modest earthquake exposure to create an unusually protected region.

Among Alaska's safest communities

Chugach Census Area ranks near the bottom of Alaska's 29 counties at 19.62—well below the state average of 35.22. Only Bristol Bay Borough and a handful of other remote areas offer comparable safety.

Far safer than Anchorage to the north

Chugach Census Area at 19.62 is nearly five times safer than neighboring Anchorage Municipality (97.39), though both face similar seismic activity. Anchorage's wildfire and flood exposures drive its dramatically higher overall risk.

Earthquake and flooding are primary hazards

Earthquake risk scores 81.81 and flood risk at 20.80 are Chugach's main natural disaster concerns, while wildfire (1.30) and tornado (0.06) risks remain negligible. These two hazards account for the area's limited but present vulnerability.

Earthquake and flood coverage recommended

Secure earthquake insurance to cover Chugach's 81.81 seismic exposure, and evaluate flood insurance if your home is near water or wetlands. These two policies address essentially all meaningful natural disaster risk in this protected region.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

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