CountyScore

Ketchikan Gateway Borough

Alaska · AK

#14 in Alaska
69.6
County Score

County Report Card

About Ketchikan Gateway Borough, Alaska

Ketchikan ranks among top U.S. counties

Ketchikan Gateway Borough scores 69.6, nearly 40% above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top third of U.S. counties. The borough's strength is balanced across income, tax efficiency, and exceptional disaster preparedness (risk score 98.3). It represents one of Alaska's most livable communities measured against national standards.

Alaska's second-most livable community

Ketchikan ranks second among the eight profiled Alaska counties with a score of 69.6, exceeding the state average of 67.6. The borough benefits from strong median household income of $89,155 and excellent tax management (83.1 score), offset partially by housing costs. It's Alaska's most well-rounded livability profile after Hoonah-Angoon.

Balanced income, taxes, and resilience

Ketchikan excels with median household income of $89,155 (income score 41.6) and an effective tax rate of 0.683%, creating a favorable earnings-to-tax ratio. Most remarkably, the risk score of 98.3 reflects extraordinary disaster preparedness and infrastructure resilience—the highest among all profiled counties. These strengths appeal to families seeking economic stability and community preparedness.

Housing costs and health need attention

Ketchikan's median home value of $379,000 and rent of $1,388 create affordability pressure despite strong incomes, with a cost score of 60.1. Health outcomes at 68.5 are adequate but trail several peers, suggesting room for healthcare access improvement. These gaps require financially prepared residents with stable employment.

Ideal for resilience-minded earning families

Ketchikan suits professional families employed in tourism, fishing, and services who prioritize community disaster preparedness and tax efficiency. The borough appeals to those willing to pay higher housing costs for exceptional earning potential and infrastructure resilience. It's Alaska's best choice for balanced, forward-thinking families comfortable with Southeast coastal living.

Score breakdown

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

Tax83.1Cost60.1SafetyComing SoonHealth68.5SchoolsComing SoonIncome41.6Risk98.3WaterComing Soon
🏛83.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠60.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼41.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤68.5
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡98.3
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 Ketchikan Gateway Borough with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Lawrence County
Arkansas
69.6
Median income: $44,164
Logan County
Colorado
69.6
Median income: $55,074
Jasper County
Georgia
69.6
Median income: $59,574
Pickens County
Georgia
69.6
Median income: $75,293
Kosciusko County
Indiana
69.6
Median income: $73,922

Deep Dives

Ketchikan Gateway Borough across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Ketchikan Gateway Borough

via TaxByCounty

Ketchikan taxes run modestly below national median

At 0.683%, Ketchikan Gateway Borough's effective property tax rate sits about 22% below the national median of 0.88%, placing it in the 30th percentile nationally. This rate makes Ketchikan a relatively low-tax zone by American standards. Residents enjoy tax advantages compared to the typical U.S. homeowner.

Ketchikan ranks seventh in Alaska's tax hierarchy

Ketchikan Gateway's 0.683% effective rate sits below Alaska's state average of 0.772%, positioning it among the state's lighter-taxing boroughs. Only Hoonah-Angoon (0.416%) taxes significantly lower in Southeast Alaska. Ketchikan offers residents moderate tax relief relative to most Alaska communities.

Ketchikan maintains lighter burden than most Southeast peers

Ketchikan's 0.683% rate undercuts Juneau (0.934%), Kodiak Island (0.917%), and Haines (0.802%), positioning it as Southeast's second-lightest-taxing jurisdiction behind Hoonah-Angoon. This favorable standing reflects Ketchikan's careful balance of service delivery and fiscal restraint. The borough taxes more lightly than most regional neighbors.

The median Ketchikan home costs $2,588 yearly

With a median home value of $379,000 and a 0.683% effective rate, a typical homeowner pays $2,588 annually in property taxes. Mortgage considerations increase the obligation to $2,678, while those without mortgages owe $2,389. Despite higher home values, Ketchikan residents benefit from a moderate tax rate.

Ketchikan homeowners should verify assessment fairness

Even in lower-tax jurisdictions, assessment errors can silently drain household resources—particularly on higher-value homes like those common in Ketchikan. Request your assessment details and compare your valuation against recent comparable sales in your area. If your home appears overvalued, filing an appeal could reduce your burden.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Ketchikan Gateway Borough

via CostByCounty

Ketchikan's strong income softens housing costs

With a 18.7% rent-to-income ratio, Ketchikan mirrors Alaska's state average despite a robust median household income of $89,155—well above the nation's $74,755. The $1,388 monthly rent reflects Southeast Alaska pricing, but high local wages keep the overall burden reasonable for renters.

Strong wages, near-average affordability ratio

Ketchikan's 18.7% rent-to-income ratio essentially matches Alaska's 18.6% state average, despite housing costs that appear high in absolute terms. The borough's $89,155 median income—among the state's strongest—is the key factor keeping affordability competitive.

Southeast's income leader, moderate costs

Ketchikan's $1,388 rent ranks high for Alaska, but the borough's $89,155 median income is the strongest in Southeast, beating Haines ($72,607) and Juneau's lead ($100,513). Among gateway communities, Ketchikan balances expensive housing with above-average earning potential.

Renters spend 18.7%, owners face $1,501/month

Ketchikan renters allocate 18.7% of their $89,155 income to the $1,388 median rent, a manageable ratio buoyed by above-average wages. Homeowners bear a steeper burden at $1,501 monthly, but the strong income base provides capacity for ownership.

Ketchikan rewards job seekers with earning power

Relocate to Ketchikan if you can secure above-average wages; the $89,155 median income makes the 18.7% rent burden genuinely affordable. Compare this earning power against lower-income Haines ($72,607) to see whether Ketchikan's wage premium justifies its $1,388 monthly rent.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Ketchikan Gateway Borough

via IncomeByCounty

Ketchikan solidly above U.S. average

Ketchikan Gateway Borough's median household income of $89,155 surpasses the U.S. median by $14,400, placing it in the top quartile of American earning power. This 19.3% advantage reflects Southeast Alaska's robust cruise tourism and fishing industries, which support higher-than-average wages.

Third-highest earner in Alaska

Ketchikan ranks third among Alaska's eight regions, earning 12.2% above the state average of $79,407 with a median household income of $89,155. Its per capita income of $46,608 also exceeds Alaska's $42,832 average, indicating strong earning potential throughout the community.

Alaska's tourism income champion

Ketchikan's $89,155 income trails only Juneau ($100,513) and Fairbanks ($84,722) among Alaska regions, reflecting its premier cruise ship destination status. It outearns Kodiak Island Borough ($83,716), Kenai Peninsula ($77,722), and all other peers, positioning it as Southeast Alaska's second-strongest economy.

Strong income balances steep housing

Ketchikan's rent-to-income ratio of 18.7% remains affordable, though median home values of $379,000 demand significant household resources. High incomes help offset premium property costs, making homeownership achievable for most households despite Alaska's generally expensive real estate.

Leverage tourism income for growth

Ketchikan's tourism-driven economy can mean seasonal income fluctuations, so use your strong average earnings to build an emergency fund and diversified investments now. A financial advisor can help you weather income variability while maximizing long-term wealth growth through strategic saving and investing.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Ketchikan Gateway Borough

via HealthByCounty

Ketchikan's life expectancy slightly above U.S. average

At 77.6 years, Ketchikan exceeds the U.S. life expectancy of 76.4 years, placing the borough in healthier-than-average territory. The 14.7% poor/fair health rate is well below the national average of 18%, indicating solid community health.

Top-tier Alaska health rankings

Ketchikan's 77.6-year life expectancy surpasses Alaska's 75.6-year average by 2 years, ranking among the state's healthiest boroughs. The 14.7% poor/fair health rate places it well above most Alaska communities in health status.

Among Alaska's healthiest communities

Ketchikan's 77.6-year life expectancy matches Kodiak (77.4) and Fairbanks (77.7), positioning it in Alaska's health elite. The 14.7% poor/fair health rate ties closely with neighboring communities and reflects strong regional health patterns.

High mental health provider access

Ketchikan's 15.5% uninsured rate is just below Alaska's average of 15.9%, providing reasonable coverage levels. Mental health providers at 1776 per 100K are exceptionally abundant—Alaska's highest—while primary care access at 124 per 100K is more typical.

Leverage Ketchikan's mental health strength

With excellent mental health resources, make sure your insurance covers behavioral health and therapy services. Review your plan at healthcare.gov during annual enrollment to confirm mental health benefits align with your family's needs.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Ketchikan Gateway Borough

via RiskByCounty

Ketchikan ranks among America's safest counties

At just 1.69, Ketchikan Gateway Borough's composite risk score is Very Low and one of the lowest in the entire nation. This Southeast Alaska borough sits far below Alaska's state average of 35.22, enjoying exceptional natural hazard protection.

Alaska's safest county by composite score

Ketchikan Gateway Borough holds Alaska's lowest composite risk ranking, with a score less than one-twentieth of the state average. No other Alaska county comes close to this level of disaster safety.

Safest in an already low-risk Southeast cluster

Ketchikan (1.69) outperforms all regional peers, including Haines (4.29), Juneau (11.51), and Hoonah-Angoon (14.31). Southeast Alaska as a whole is remarkably safe, and Ketchikan leads the way.

Minimal earthquake risk; wildfire and flood negligible

Earthquake risk (31.17) is Ketchikan's only notable hazard concern, though still quite low in absolute terms. Wildfire (10.94), flood (26.00), and tornado risks (0.19) pose negligible threats to residents.

Standard homeowners insurance likely sufficient

Given Ketchikan's exceptionally low overall risk score, a standard homeowners policy should provide adequate protection for most hazards. Earthquake coverage is optional given the 31.17 risk factor, but basic emergency preparedness is always wise.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

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