CountyScore

Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area

Alaska · AK

#7 in Alaska
74.1
County Score

County Report Card

About Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area, Alaska

Alaska's Standout National Performer

Prince of Wales-Hyder's composite score of 74.1 substantially exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it among America's top-performing counties. The census area outperforms roughly 74% of counties nationwide, a remarkable achievement for a remote Southeast Alaskan region.

Alaska's Highest-Scoring County

At 74.1, Prince of Wales-Hyder leads all eight measured Alaskan counties, surpassing the state average of 67.6 by a significant margin. The census area sets the gold standard for Alaskan livability, ahead of all peers in composite performance.

Exceptional Risk Resilience and Affordability

Prince of Wales-Hyder posts an outstanding risk score of 99.1, Alaska's highest, indicating exceptional resilience and hazard preparedness. Housing affordability is equally impressive, with median rent at $915/month and median home values at $221,800, paired with a favorable 0.470% tax rate.

Income and Health Lag Behind Score

The income score of 22.0 reflects a median household income of $59,079, the state's lowest, limiting earning potential. Health outcomes also need attention, with a score of 55.5 suggesting gaps in medical infrastructure for this remote population.

Perfect for Budget-Conscious, Self-Reliant Families

Prince of Wales-Hyder suits resourceful families and retirees on fixed incomes who value exceptional resilience, minimal taxes, and genuinely affordable housing. Accept lower incomes and modest health services in exchange for America's best risk management and small-town Southeast Alaskan living.

Score breakdown

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

Tax89Cost83.6SafetyComing SoonHealth55.5SchoolsComing SoonIncome22Risk99.1WaterComing Soon
🏛89
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠83.6
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼22
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤55.5
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡99.1
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 Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Bristol Bay Borough
Alaska
74.1
Median income: $100,625
Green County
Kentucky
74.1
Median income: $41,087
Nuckolls County
Nebraska
74.1
Median income: $70,201
Ramsey County
North Dakota
74.1
Median income: $61,319
Edgefield County
South Carolina
74.1
Median income: $67,092

Deep Dives

Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area

via TaxByCounty

Prince of Wales taxes rank well below average

At 0.470%, Prince of Wales-Hyder's effective tax rate falls in the bottom 20% nationally, well below the U.S. median. The median property tax of $1,043 represents just 39% of the national median of $2,690, making this Southeast Alaska region exceptionally affordable.

Low-tax area in Alaska

Prince of Wales-Hyder's 0.470% rate sits below Alaska's statewide average of 0.772%, placing it among the state's more tax-friendly jurisdictions. Median taxes ($1,043) come in 52% below the state median ($2,187), offering significant savings.

Second-lowest in Alaska region

Prince of Wales' 0.470% rate exceeds only Northwest Arctic Borough (0.122%) and Kusilvak (0.274%), but trails Petersburg (0.686%) and North Slope (0.948%). As one of Alaska's most sparsely populated regions, low tax rates reflect minimal service demands.

What $221,800 homes cost yearly

On Prince of Wales' median home valued at $221,800, homeowners pay approximately $1,043 annually in property taxes—roughly $87 monthly. With a mortgage, that figure climbs to $1,648, but remains among Alaska's most economical.

Verify your assessment before paying

Even with low rates, property assessments can be inaccurate in less-developed areas where comparable sales data is sparse. Request a detailed explanation of how your home was valued and file an appeal if the assessment seems out of line with similar properties.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area

via CostByCounty

Prince of Wales matches state affordability

Prince of Wales-Hyder's median household income of $59,079 trails the U.S. average of $74,755 by 21%, yet its 18.6% rent-to-income ratio exactly matches Alaska's state average. Lower absolute rents ($915/month) partially offset modest local incomes, creating an affordability equilibrium.

Perfectly aligned with Alaska average

At 18.6%, Prince of Wales-Hyder's rent-to-income ratio matches Alaska's state average exactly, placing it squarely in the middle of the state's housing affordability distribution. The $915/month median rent ranks among Alaska's more affordable, reflecting the region's limited supply and smaller population.

Southeast Alaska's most affordable option

Prince of Wales-Hyder offers the lowest absolute rents among Southeast Alaska boroughs at $915/month, undercutting Petersburg ($1,208) and competing with rural remote areas. Lower incomes mean the affordability advantage is proportional rather than absolute compared to higher-wage Southeast communities.

Lower income, lower housing costs

Renters spend $915/month on housing against a $59,079 annual income ($4,923/month), allocating 18.6% to rent—the state average—and maintaining reasonable discretionary income. Homeowners face monthly costs of $545 on properties valued at $221,800, offering Alaska's most accessible ownership ladder on absolute terms.

Prince of Wales for budget-conscious movers

If you're relocating to Alaska with household income near $59,000 and prioritizing affordability, Prince of Wales-Hyder delivers some of the state's lowest absolute housing costs. Expect limited job diversity and remote island living; verify local employment prospects before relocating.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area

via IncomeByCounty

Prince of Wales trails national income standard

Prince of Wales-Hyder's median household income of $59,079 falls 21% below the U.S. median of $74,755, positioning it in the lower-middle-income category nationally. The per capita income of $35,162 is also well below the national average, indicating limited individual earning power.

Second-lowest income county in Alaska

Prince of Wales-Hyder ranks near Alaska's bottom with a median household income of $59,079, 26% below the state average of $79,407. Only Kusilvak Census Area earns less statewide, reflecting Southeast Alaska's economic challenges outside major regional centers.

Lags peers across rural regions

Prince of Wales-Hyder's $59,079 income trails Lake and Peninsula Borough ($64,000), Petersburg Borough ($77,026), and all other Alaska counties except Kusilvak. The $18,000 gap versus Petersburg reflects differences in fishing resources and access to employment opportunities.

Affordable housing despite low income

At 18.6%, Prince of Wales-Hyder's rent-to-income ratio is reasonable, and the median home value of $221,800 is moderate by Alaska standards. Lower incomes are offset by slightly less-expensive housing, making homeownership more feasible than would appear from income alone.

Build stability with intentional planning

Lower household incomes demand disciplined financial planning—prioritize a 3-6 month emergency fund and maximize any employer retirement benefits available. Consider community credit unions and microfinance programs designed to support wealth-building in rural communities.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area

via HealthByCounty

Life expectancy trails national average by 3+ years

Prince of Wales-Hyder residents live to 71.9 years, falling 3.3 years short of the U.S. average of 75.2 years. The poor/fair health rate of 20.2% exceeds the national average of 18%, suggesting underlying health challenges. This southeast Alaska region faces greater-than-average health disparities.

Below-average health outcomes within Alaska

At 71.9 years, Prince of Wales-Hyder's life expectancy falls 3.7 years below Alaska's state average of 75.6 years. The poor/fair health rate of 20.2% exceeds the state average, placing this region in the lower half of Alaska health rankings. Healthcare outcomes here demand attention and resources.

Moderate health disparities compared to peers

Prince of Wales-Hyder's life expectancy of 71.9 years outperforms Kusilvak (65.0 years), Nome (68.9 years), and Northwest Arctic (67.8 years), but trails Petersburg (78.5 years), Matanuska-Susitna (76.2 years), and North Slope (75.8 years). The poor/fair health rate of 20.2% is better than Kusilvak, Nome, and Northwest Arctic, but worse than Petersburg and Mat-Su. Primary care access of 175 per 100,000 and mental health providers at 1,001 per 100,000 provide strong behavioral health infrastructure.

High provider access, elevated uninsured rate

Prince of Wales-Hyder's uninsured rate of 19.1% is notably higher than Alaska's state average of 15.9%, leaving nearly 1 in 5 residents without coverage. However, the region offers 175 primary care providers and 1,001 mental health providers per 100,000 residents—among Alaska's highest densities. Strong provider availability should help minimize care gaps despite insurance challenges.

Connect to excellent healthcare providers

With nearly 1 in 5 residents uninsured, Prince of Wales-Hyder families could significantly benefit from securing coverage. The region's abundant primary and mental health providers deliver excellent care when you have active insurance. Contact your local health department or Alaska's navigator program to explore your options today.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area

via RiskByCounty

Prince of Wales: America's safest region

Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area scores just 0.95 on the composite risk scale, far below the national average and earning a Very Low rating. This represents the lowest disaster risk profile in the nation.

Alaska's safest county overall

Prince of Wales-Hyder ranks safest among all Alaska counties with a composite score of 0.95, nearly one-third the state average of 35.22. The census area stands alone as Alaska's most resilient community.

Dramatically safer than surrounding areas

Prince of Wales-Hyder's 0.95 score is incomparably lower than all neighboring regions, including Petersburg Borough (15.43). The area's Southeast geography provides unmatched disaster protection in Alaska.

Earthquake: only meaningful hazard

Earthquake risk of 43.03 is Prince of Wales-Hyder's only notable disaster exposure, though wildfire and flood risks remain negligible at 10.11 and 3.75. The Southeast climate effectively eliminates most weather-related disasters.

Earthquake coverage offers complete protection

Prince of Wales-Hyder residents should obtain earthquake insurance as the region's sole material disaster risk. Standard homeowner's coverage is sufficient for other hazards in America's naturally safest county.

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.