CountyScore

Petersburg Borough

Alaska · AK

#11 in Alaska
70.3
County Score

County Report Card

About Petersburg Borough, Alaska

Well-Positioned Among U.S. Counties

Petersburg's composite score of 70.3 clearly exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it among America's better-performing counties. The borough outperforms approximately 70% of counties nationwide, an excellent result for a small Southeast Alaskan community.

Among Alaska's Top Performers

At 70.3, Petersburg ranks above Alaska's state average of 67.6 and sits among the state's highest-scoring counties. The borough competes with the state's livability leaders, reflecting Southeast Alaska's appeal for quality-of-life seekers.

Health and Risk Management Excel

Petersburg shines with a health score of 66.0, among Alaska's best, and an exceptional risk score of 84.6 indicating strong resilience planning. The borough also maintains a reasonable tax rate of 0.686% and moderate housing costs with median rent at $1,208/month.

Income Potential Remains Limited

The income score of 33.7 reflects a median household income of $77,026, solid but lower than some peers seeking wealth accumulation. Housing values exceed $300,000, placing it among Alaska's pricier markets despite reasonable rental affordability.

Ideal for Health-Conscious, Resilient Communities

Petersburg suits families and retirees valuing excellent health infrastructure and risk management in a tight-knit Southeast Alaskan community. Embrace modest income potential and higher home prices in exchange for top-tier health outcomes and strong disaster preparedness.

Score breakdown

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

Tax83Cost69.5SafetyComing SoonHealth66SchoolsComing SoonIncome33.7Risk84.6WaterComing Soon
🏛83
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠69.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼33.7
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤66
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡84.6
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 Petersburg Borough with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Trinity County
California
70.3
Median income: $53,498
Johnson County
Georgia
70.3
Median income: $54,183
Pulaski County
Georgia
70.3
Median income: $47,688
Webster County
Georgia
70.3
Median income: $40,764
Cass County
Indiana
70.3
Median income: $56,525

Deep Dives

Petersburg Borough across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Petersburg Borough

via TaxByCounty

Petersburg taxes run slightly below national

At 0.686%, Petersburg Borough's effective tax rate sits just below the national median, ranking it in the 40th percentile. The median property tax of $2,066 falls short of the national median of $2,690 by 23%, despite homes averaging $301,300—above the national norm.

Below average for Alaska

Petersburg's 0.686% rate trails Alaska's statewide average of 0.772%, placing it in the lower half of the state's tax burden. Median taxes ($2,066) fall 5% below the state median ($2,187), offering slight relief compared to many Alaskan regions.

Moderate tax burden in Southeast

Petersburg's 0.686% rate sits between Prince of Wales (0.470%) and North Slope Borough (0.948%), reflecting Southeast Alaska's more balanced tax environment. It's noticeably lower than Mat-Su's 1.100% and Nome's 1.547%.

What $301,300 homes cost annually

On Petersburg's median home valued at $301,300, homeowners pay approximately $2,066 per year in property taxes—roughly $172 monthly. With a mortgage, that figure rises to $2,332, making Petersburg one of Alaska's more affordable areas to own property.

Check if your assessment is fair

Petersburg's moderate tax rate doesn't guarantee individual properties are correctly valued. Review your assessment against comparable homes in your neighborhood and consider filing an appeal if your valuation seems misaligned with recent sales.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Petersburg Borough

via CostByCounty

Petersburg maintains national affordability

Petersburg's median household income of $77,026 slightly outpaces the U.S. average of $74,755, while its 18.8% rent-to-income ratio tracks near the national comfort zone. The Southeast Alaska fishing and timber economy supports wages that keep housing costs proportionally manageable.

Slightly above Alaska's affordability average

At 18.8%, Petersburg's rent-to-income ratio marginally exceeds Alaska's state average of 18.6%, placing it squarely in the middle of the state's affordability spectrum. The $1,208/month median rent reflects a stable community with moderate maritime-economy employment and fishing-driven incomes.

Southeast Alaska's balanced housing market

Petersburg's $1,208/month rent and $77,026 income reflect Southeast Alaska's fishing and timber heritage, positioning it near state affordability norms. Compared to smaller remote boroughs, Petersburg offers more stable employment and slightly lower absolute rents, though higher home values suggest property appreciation.

Fishing economy supports renter stability

Renters allocate $1,208/month rent against a $77,026 annual income ($6,419/month), consuming 18.8% and leaving room for other obligations. Homeowners face substantial monthly costs of $1,108 on properties valued at $301,300—Alaska's second-highest—reflecting Petersburg's desirable Southeast location and limited available land.

Petersburg for Southeast lifestyle seekers

Petersburg suits those valuing Alaska's maritime communities and fishing heritage, with reasonable rent affordability if your household income approaches $77,000. Be prepared for high home purchase prices and limited job diversity outside the fishing and timber sectors.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Petersburg Borough

via IncomeByCounty

Petersburg slightly above U.S. median income

Petersburg's median household income of $77,026 exceeds the U.S. median of $74,755 by 3%, placing it squarely in the middle-to-upper-middle class nationally. The per capita income of $42,380 is close to Alaska's state average of $42,832, suggesting relatively balanced earning distribution.

Middle-to-upper income tier in Alaska

Petersburg ranks in Alaska's upper-middle tier with a median household income of $77,026, 3% below the state average of $79,407. The borough's per capita income of $42,380 is nearly identical to the state average, indicating typical income distribution patterns for Alaska communities.

Strong earnings in Southeast Alaska

Petersburg's $77,026 income exceeds Prince of Wales-Hyder ($59,079) by $18,000, positioning it as a Southeast Alaska economic leader. The borough's fishing and timber heritage supports wage levels competitive with Nome Census Area ($76,643) and other regional peers.

Housing is pricey relative to income

At 18.8%, Petersburg's rent-to-income ratio is moderate, but the median home value of $301,300 is the second-highest in Alaska—reflecting Southeast real estate premiums. Households here must carefully budget for housing costs that consume nearly one-fifth of income.

Strategic saving for Petersburg prosperity

With median income of $77,026, aim to save 12-15% monthly for retirement and emergency funds, adjusted downward if housing costs dominate your budget. Explore employer pension plans common in fishing and resource industries, and consider geographic diversification of investment holdings.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Petersburg Borough

via HealthByCounty

Petersburg leads nation in life expectancy outcomes

Petersburg residents live to 78.5 years, exceeding the U.S. average of 75.2 years by 3.3 years. Just 15.2% report poor or fair health, significantly better than the national average of 18%. Petersburg ranks among America's healthiest communities despite its remote Alaska location.

Alaska's strongest health outcomes borough

At 78.5 years, Petersburg's life expectancy exceeds Alaska's state average of 75.6 years by 2.9 years, the highest among all Alaska counties. The poor/fair health rate of 15.2% is the lowest statewide and well below the state average. Petersburg demonstrates how rural Alaska communities can achieve exceptional health outcomes.

Clear health advantage across Alaska

Petersburg's life expectancy of 78.5 years significantly outpaces all neighboring counties: Matanuska-Susitna (76.2 years), North Slope (75.8 years), Prince of Wales (71.9 years), and all others. The poor/fair health rate of 15.2% is the best in the state, better than even national averages. Strong primary care (149 per 100,000) and mental health providers (438 per 100,000) support this health advantage.

Highest provider access with managed uninsured rates

Petersburg's uninsured rate of 18.4% is elevated compared to state average of 15.9%, yet the community maintains the state's best health outcomes. The region provides 149 primary care providers and 438 mental health providers per 100,000 residents—among Alaska's most accessible healthcare systems. Strong provider infrastructure helps bridge gaps created by uninsured residents.

Build on Petersburg's health success story

While Petersburg boasts Alaska's strongest health outcomes, nearly 1 in 5 residents lack insurance—an opportunity to strengthen the community further. Coverage helps ensure all residents access Petersburg's excellent primary and mental health providers. Explore enrollment options today to join the community's health-centered culture.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Petersburg Borough

via RiskByCounty

Petersburg: minimal national risk

Petersburg Borough scores 15.43 on the composite risk scale, well below the national average and earning a Very Low rating. The borough's Southeast location and natural geography provide exceptional disaster protection.

Third-safest county in Alaska

Petersburg Borough ranks third-lowest among Alaska counties with a composite score of 15.43, less than half the state average of 35.22. Only two boroughs enjoy greater natural disaster resilience.

Safer than nearby Southeast peers

Petersburg's 15.43 score exceeds Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area (0.95) but remains safer than Kusilvak Census Area (57.92). The borough represents Southeast Alaska's generally low-risk profile.

Earthquake presents only real threat

Earthquake risk scores 18.26 in Petersburg, the borough's sole material hazard, while wildfire risk remains minimal at 3.40. Flood, tornado, and hurricane risks are negligible in this Southeast community.

Basic earthquake coverage sufficient

Petersburg residents should obtain earthquake insurance to address the region's seismic activity. Standard homeowner's coverage adequately protects against other disaster types in Alaska's safest Southeast borough.

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.