countyscore
49.9
County Score
Income & Jobs 82.6Health 73Disaster Risk 71.7

County Report Card

About Denali Borough, Alaska

Below-average livability with mixed signals

Denali scores 47.0, falling short of the national median of 50.0 and placing it in the lower-middle tier of U.S. counties. Strong incomes and health outcomes are offset by weak schools and missing safety data.

Trailing Alaska's average performance

At 47.0, Denali falls below Alaska's state average of 51.1, indicating livability constraints despite economic strengths. The borough ranks among Alaska's middle-to-lower performers in this dataset.

Income and health care are solid

Denali's income score of 91.6 reflects median household earnings of $88,935, providing strong economic foundation for residents. Health care quality scores an impressive 73.0, suggesting good access to medical services and outcomes.

Schools and safety data critical gaps

Denali's school score of just 4.2 is alarming—among the lowest nationally—suggesting severe educational infrastructure challenges. Safety data is unavailable, and water quality (8.3) is minimal; these gaps make full livability assessment impossible.

For remote workers without school-age kids

Denali suits remote workers, retirees, and couples without children who earn good incomes and value outdoor recreation over schools and urban services. Families with school-age children should explore alternatives with stronger educational systems.

2040608010060.5734.282.671.78.349.7TaxCost60.5SafetyHealth73Schools4.2Income82.6Risk71.7Water8.3Weather49.749.9/100
This county
National avg
4 above average2 below average

Denali Borough DNA

Foverall

How Denali Borough compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Denali Borough is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Income (82.6/100) but notably weak in Schools (4.2/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Cost
60.5+12.5
Health
73+23
Schools
4.2-49.8
Income
82.6+31.599999999999994
Risk
71.7+24.700000000000003
Water
8.3-49.7
Weather
49.7
Sponsored

Compare mortgage rates in Denali Borough

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

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$275,000

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$825/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$275,000/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$33,000/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.4x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $80,781/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

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

Deep Dives

Denali Borough across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 7 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Denali Borough

via TaxByCounty

Denali's tax records remain largely unavailable

Denali Borough's effective tax rate and median property tax are not fully documented in standardized datasets, though one available point shows $350 annual tax. Homes average $262,000, close to the national median of $281,900, suggesting moderate tax exposure if rates were available.

Limited data obscures Denali's tax standing

Denali's incomplete tax records prevent precise ranking among Alaska's 29 jurisdictions, though the $350 figure suggests a minimal rate. Formal rate data from the borough is necessary for accurate state comparison.

Remote interior borough with sparse records

Denali shares incomplete tax documentation with other remote Alaska areas like Bethel and Copper River, reflecting limited property tax infrastructure. Its interior location and small population may explain the data gaps.

Estimated minimal Denali property tax

Available data shows $350 on homes valued at $262,000—an implied effective rate of roughly 0.134%. Complete tax records are needed to provide reliable estimates for median-value properties in the borough.

Contact Denali assessor for tax clarity

Denali's limited public tax records make independent verification challenging; reach out to the borough assessor to confirm your assessment, understand any exemptions, and learn about appeal procedures. Transparency supports better financial planning.

Income & Jobs in Denali Borough

via IncomeByCounty

Denali Substantially Outearns U.S. Average

Denali Borough's median household income of $88,935 exceeds the national median of $74,755 by 19 percent, placing the region solidly in America's upper-income category. The borough's tourism and resource economy generates strong wage opportunities for residents.

Above-Average Income in Alaska

Denali Borough ranks above Alaska's state average with a median household income of $88,935 compared to $79,407—an 12 percent advantage. The borough positions itself firmly in Alaska's upper-middle income tier alongside similar regional economies.

Strong Earnings in Interior Alaska

Denali's $88,935 median nearly matches Chugach Census Area ($88,565) and substantially exceeds rural neighbors like Bethel ($70,616) and Aleutians East ($72,692). The borough's tourism draw and natural resource access support competitive regional wages.

Lowest Housing Burden in Analysis

Denali Borough boasts the lowest rent-to-income ratio among all eight counties at just 12.7 percent, indicating exceptional housing affordability. With a median home value of $262,000 and household earnings of $88,935, residents enjoy the strongest housing cost position analyzed.

Optimal Conditions for Wealth Building

Denali residents earning $88,935 with the nation's best rent-to-income ratio are positioned to aggressively save and invest. The combination of strong income and exceptional housing affordability creates ideal conditions for establishing retirement accounts, education funds, and diversified investment portfolios.

Weather & Climate in Denali Borough

via WeatherByCounty

In the Shadow of Giants

Denali Borough averages 28.0°F annually, a stark contrast to the temperate climates found across most of the United States. Its weather is defined by its high latitude and rugged mountain interior.

A Cold Interior Standard

At 28.0°F, Denali is significantly colder than the Alaska state average of 35.9°F. Its climate represents the classic Alaskan interior, featuring deep winter freezes and clear, cool summers.

Similar to Copper River

Denali shares a nearly identical annual average with Copper River (28.0°F vs 27.8°F). However, Denali sees slightly more snow, recording 76.7 inches compared to Copper River's 62.2 inches.

Sub-Zero Januaries and Snowy Peaks

January temperatures average -0.7°F, while July provides a brief window of 57.6°F warmth. The borough receives 76.7 inches of snow annually, and the air remains cool year-round with zero days hitting 90°F.

Winter Survival and Summer Gear

Vehicles need engine block heaters to survive the sub-zero winter average of 2.9°F. For the 76.7 inches of annual snow, residents should invest in high-quality winter tires and reliable heating fuel storage.

Lawn Care in Denali Borough

via LawnByCounty

Short Seasons Near the Peak

Denali Borough presents a lawn difficulty score of 51.9, making it one of the more challenging places in Alaska to grow a lawn. This score is lower than the state average of 57.8, reflecting the harshness of the interior climate. You are working with a narrow margin for success compared to the national median of 50.0.

A Very Tight Growing Window

With a short frost-free season from June 6 to September 2, you have a very limited time to establish and maintain turf. Annual precipitation is low at 16.1 inches, and you only have 576 growing degree days to foster growth. Your maintenance schedule must be highly efficient to make the most of these few summer months.

Testing Your Interior Soil

Soil data is not currently available for Denali Borough, so a home soil test kit is your best friend. Interior soils can be thin and acidic, often requiring lime to reach the ideal 6.0-7.0 pH range. Adding a thick layer of topsoil before seeding can help provide the insulation roots need against the cold ground.

Managing Seasonal Dryness

About 1.1% of the area is abnormally dry, and the borough has faced four weeks of drought in the past year. Given the low 16.1 inches of annual rain, even a short dry spell can quickly turn a lawn brown. Keep a regular watering schedule during the long daylight hours of June and July to prevent root death.

Hardy Grasses for Denali

Kentucky Bluegrass blends are the standard here for their ability to survive extreme winter cold. You must plant as soon as the ground thaws after June 6 to ensure the grass is strong enough for the September 2 frost. Rapid-germinating seeds will help you make the most of the very short 576 growing degree days.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Denali Borough's county score?
Denali Borough, Alaska has a composite county score of 49.9 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 Denali Borough rank among counties in Alaska?
Denali Borough ranks #17 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 is the median household income in Denali Borough?
The median household income in Denali Borough, Alaska is $80,781 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Denali Borough earns an income score of 82.6/100 on CountyScore.
Is Denali Borough, Alaska a good place to live?
Denali Borough scores 49.9/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #17 in Alaska. The best way to evaluate Denali 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 Denali Borough with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

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