countyscore
56.2
County Score
Property Tax 99.5Cost of Living 79.6Lawn Care 72.1

County Report Card

About Kusilvak Census Area, Alaska

Above Average Livability for Rural Alaska

Kusilvak Census Area scores 55.2 out of 100, placing it 5 points above the national median of 50.0 and in the upper 60th percentile nationwide. This above-average score is notable for a remote region, indicating conditions more favorable than most U.S. counties.

Better Than Most Alaska Counties

Kusilvak ranks above Alaska's state average composite score of 51.1, performing better than roughly half of all Alaska counties. This positions it solidly in the upper tier of livability across the state.

Tax Advantages and Housing Affordability

The county excels with an exceptional 99.1 tax score—among the best in the nation—thanks to an effective tax rate of just 0.274%. Housing remains deeply affordable, with a median home value of $72,700 and median rent at $832/month, the lowest in this group.

Income and Health Gaps Need Attention

Kusilvak's income score of 11.4 and health score of 7.2 are the county's weakest dimensions, reflecting a median household income of just $48,233 and significant health care access challenges. These gaps are typical of remote Alaska but remain the primary areas for improvement.

Best for Tax-Conscious, Cost-Sensitive Settlers

Kusilvak suits families and individuals prioritizing low taxes and minimal housing costs over higher incomes and specialized health services. This is an ideal landing spot for remote workers with stable income or retirees seeking affordability in a tight-knit community.

2040608010099.579.67.249.614.342.149.9Tax99.5Cost79.6SafetyHealth7.2Schools49.6Income14.3Risk42.1WaterWeather49.956.2/100
This county
National avg
2 above average2 below average

Kusilvak Census Area DNA

Foverall

How Kusilvak Census Area compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Kusilvak Census Area is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Property Tax (99.5/100) but notably weak in Health (7.2/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
99.5+47.5
Cost
79.6+31.599999999999994
Health
7.2-42.8
Schools
49.6
Income
14.3-36.7
Risk
42.1
Weather
49.9
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Compare mortgage rates in Kusilvak Census Area

Whether buying or refinancing in Kusilvak Census Area, compare rates from top lenders to find the best deal.

See Today's Rates

Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$84,300

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$833/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$84,300/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$33,320/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum1.6x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $51,471/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

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

Deep Dives

Kusilvak Census Area across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 6 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Kusilvak Census Area

via TaxByCounty

Kusilvak taxes far below national average

At 0.274%, Kusilvak's effective tax rate ranks in the bottom 5% nationally—homeowners here pay a fraction of what typical Americans do. The median property tax of $199 falls dramatically short of the national median of $2,690, placing this region among the nation's lowest-taxed counties.

Among Alaska's lightest tax burdens

Kusilvak's 0.274% rate sits well below Alaska's statewide average of 0.772%, making it one of the state's most tax-friendly areas. Median taxes here ($199) represent just 9% of the state average ($2,187).

Lowest taxes in remote Alaska

Kusilvak's tax burden is comparable to Northwest Arctic Borough (0.122%) but lighter than Nome Census Area (1.547%) and North Slope Borough (0.948%). Among Alaska's rural regions, Kusilvak stands out as exceptionally affordable.

What $72,700 homes cost to own

On the median home valued at $72,700, a Kusilvak homeowner pays about $199 annually in property taxes. This translates to roughly $17 per month—among the nation's lowest carrying costs.

Verify your assessment is fair

Even in low-tax jurisdictions, some homeowners are overassessed relative to market value. If your home value has dropped or your assessment seems high, consider filing a formal appeal with your local assessor's office.

Income & Jobs in Kusilvak Census Area

via IncomeByCounty

Kusilvak trails national income average

Kusilvak's median household income of $48,233 falls 35% below the U.S. median of $74,755, placing it among the lower-income regions nationally. This income gap reflects the economic realities of rural Alaska, where employment opportunities and wage scales differ significantly from national norms.

Lowest income county in Alaska

At $48,233, Kusilvak ranks as Alaska's lowest-median-income county, 39% below the state average of $79,407. The per capita income of $16,657 is also substantially lower than Alaska's state average of $42,832, indicating concentrated economic challenges.

Significant gap from nearby counties

Kusilvak's median income is notably lower than neighboring regions like Northwest Arctic Borough ($81,298) and Nome Census Area ($76,643). This $28,000+ income disparity suggests different employment sectors and economic opportunities across rural Alaskan communities.

Housing remains affordable here

At 20.7%, Kusilvak's rent-to-income ratio is manageable and near the national sustainability benchmark, despite lower overall earnings. The median home value of $72,700 is the lowest in Alaska, making homeownership more accessible than in most neighboring counties.

Build financial stability intentionally

Lower household incomes in Kusilvak make proactive financial planning essential—start with an emergency fund covering 3-6 months of expenses and explore employer retirement plans. Consider microloans and community development programs that support wealth-building in rural Alaskan communities.

Lawn Care in Kusilvak Census Area

via LawnByCounty

A Surprisingly Favorable Score in Kusilvak

Kusilvak Census Area earns a lawn difficulty score of 72.1, making it significantly easier to maintain a lawn here than the national average of 50.0. This score stands well above the Alaska state average of 57.8, suggesting fewer environmental hurdles for local turf.

Managing Moderate Moisture and Cool Summers

The area receives 19.7 inches of annual precipitation, which falls below the state average of 53.5 inches and the national ideal of 30-50 inches. With zero extreme heat days and an average July temperature of 56.3°F, mowing schedules remain steady throughout the short summer.

Preparing Northern Ground for Success

While specific soil pH and texture data are limited for this region, local lawns typically require careful preparation to thrive in sub-arctic conditions. Testing your soil is essential to determine if you need lime or organic amendments to reach the ideal pH range of 6.0 to 7.0.

Consistent Hydration Without Recent Drought

Kusilvak has experienced zero weeks of drought over the past year, with 0% of the area currently classified as abnormally dry. This stability allows homeowners to focus on standard irrigation rather than emergency water conservation measures.

Timing Your Kusilvak Lawn Project

Hardy cool-season grasses like Kentucky Bluegrass and Fine Fescue are the best choices for this climate. Because specific frost dates are variable, wait until the ground thaws completely in late spring to begin seeding or laying sod.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Kusilvak Census Area's county score?
Kusilvak Census Area, Alaska has a composite county score of 56.2 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 Kusilvak Census Area rank among counties in Alaska?
Kusilvak Census Area ranks #11 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 Kusilvak Census Area, Alaska?
The median annual property tax in Kusilvak Census Area is $199, with an effective tax rate of 0.24%. This earns Kusilvak Census Area a tax score of 99.5/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Kusilvak Census Area?
The median household income in Kusilvak Census Area, Alaska is $51,471 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Kusilvak Census Area earns an income score of 14.3/100 on CountyScore.
Is Kusilvak Census Area, Alaska a good place to live?
Kusilvak Census Area scores 56.2/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #11 in Alaska. The best way to evaluate Kusilvak Census Area 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 Kusilvak Census Area 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.