CountyScore

Southeast Fairbanks Census Area

Alaska · AK

#20 in Alaska
67.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Southeast Fairbanks Census Area, Alaska

Southeast Fairbanks exceeds national norm

Southeast Fairbanks scores 67.2 on the composite index, well above the national median of 50.0, demonstrating above-average livability despite Alaska's remote character. The score reflects a solid foundation in housing affordability and tax structure that benefits residents across income levels.

Mid-tier performer aligned with state average

Southeast Fairbanks scores 67.2, just below Alaska's average of 67.6, ranking it in the middle tier among measured counties. The census area holds its own against peers by balancing modest income levels with strong housing cost advantages.

Affordability and reasonable taxes shine through

Southeast Fairbanks leads with a cost score of 74.1 and median home values of $262,800—the lowest in this group—plus rent averaging $1,304/month. The tax score of 82.2 and effective rate of 0.712% provide additional relief for household budgets.

Health outcomes and income lag noticeably

Southeast Fairbanks struggles with a health score of 63.0 and an income score of 31.8 paired with a median household income of just $74,223. A risk score of 43.0 also signals greater exposure to property or safety concerns compared to other measured counties.

Best for cost-conscious families seeking value

Southeast Fairbanks appeals to families and individuals prioritizing affordable housing and low taxes over higher incomes and premium health amenities. The combination of bargain-basement property costs and modest living expenses makes it a practical choice for those with flexible income sources or remote work.

Score breakdown

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

Tax82.2Cost74.1SafetyComing SoonHealth63SchoolsComing SoonIncome31.8Risk43WaterComing Soon
🏛82.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠74.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼31.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤63
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡43
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 Southeast Fairbanks Census Area with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Baldwin County
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Garland County
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67.2
Median income: $55,409
Berrien County
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Median income: $50,414
Shelby County
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Median income: $68,457

Deep Dives

Southeast Fairbanks Census Area across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Southeast Fairbanks Census Area

via TaxByCounty

Southeast Fairbanks rates below national norm

Southeast Fairbanks' effective tax rate of 0.712% sits comfortably below the national median of 1.1%, placing this interior region in the lower 30% of U.S. counties. With a median home value of $262,800, residents pay $1,871 annually—30% less than the national median property tax of $2,690.

Slightly under Alaska's state average

Southeast Fairbanks' 0.712% effective rate nearly mirrors the Alaska statewide average of 0.772%, positioning this census area squarely in the middle of the state's tax landscape. The median tax bill of $1,871 falls just $316 below Alaska's median of $2,187.

Moderate rates for interior Alaska

Southeast Fairbanks sits between coastal Sitka (0.472%) and the interior Yukon-Koyukuk (0.862%), representing a balanced tax environment for Alaska's continental heartland. Compared to Southeast Alaska's lower-rate boroughs like Skagway, this region's 0.712% reflects the different economic structure of small interior communities.

What $262,800 home costs annually

A median Southeast Fairbanks home worth $262,800 generates approximately $1,871 in annual property taxes at the current 0.712% rate. Without mortgage adjustments included, homeowners face a straightforward annual bill near the state median, despite owning homes below Alaska's typical values.

Appeal if assessment exceeds actual value

Southeast Fairbanks homeowners should verify their assessments against comparable recent sales, as overvaluation is common even in smaller communities. If your $262,800 assessment appears inflated, contacting the assessor's office about an appeal could reduce your $1,871 annual obligation.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Southeast Fairbanks Census Area

via CostByCounty

Southeast Fairbanks: Alaska's affordability challenge

Renters in Southeast Fairbanks spend 21.1% of income on housing, the highest ratio among these six communities and above Alaska's state average of 18.6%. Median household income of $74,223 nearly matches the national median, but Alaska's remote location pushes rental costs well above what those earnings typically support.

Among Alaska's least affordable communities

Southeast Fairbanks ranks among the state's most costly housing markets, with a rent-to-income ratio that strains household budgets more than almost any other Alaskan region. The combination of limited income and elevated rents creates genuine affordability pressure here.

Rents outpace neighboring areas

Southeast Fairbanks' $1,304 monthly rent exceeds neighbors like Wrangell ($1,047) and Yukon-Koyukuk ($893), while income lags behind Sitka and Skagway. This mismatch—highest rents paired with below-average incomes—makes housing here particularly challenging.

Where Southeast Fairbanks incomes strain

Renters earning $74,223 annually pay $1,304 monthly, leaving limited flexibility for other necessities after housing costs. Homeowners fare better with $684 monthly payments on $262,800 homes, suggesting ownership is more viable than renting in this market.

Southeast Fairbanks: weigh affordability carefully

If relocating to Southeast Fairbanks, consider pursuing homeownership rather than renting to maximize housing affordability. Securing strong local income before moving is essential, as housing costs here consume a larger share of household earnings than elsewhere in the region.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Southeast Fairbanks Census Area

via IncomeByCounty

Southeast Fairbanks matches U.S. average

Southeast Fairbanks Census Area's median household income of $74,223 essentially ties the national median of $74,755, making it a typical American earning zone. Per capita income of $38,918 falls slightly below the national typical, reflecting economic constraints in this remote region.

Middle-income Alaska community

Southeast Fairbanks' median household income of $74,223 sits modestly below Alaska's state average of $79,407, placing it in Alaska's earnings middle tier. Per capita income of $38,918 is well below the state average of $42,832, indicating lower individual earning power.

Income varies across Interior Alaska

Southeast Fairbanks earns less than Sitka ($101,207) and Yakutat ($80,625) but slightly more than Yukon-Koyukuk ($52,642), reflecting the region's economic diversity. Per capita income of $38,918 falls near the regional lower end, showing limited individual earning capacity.

Housing absorbs meaningful income share

At 21.1%, the rent-to-income ratio here exceeds the healthy 15% threshold, signaling housing costs squeeze household budgets more tightly than in wealthier Alaska regions. The median home value of $262,800 is lower than coastal peers but still represents a significant portion of median household income.

Prioritize debt reduction and savings

With tighter income-to-housing ratios, Southeast Fairbanks households should focus on eliminating high-interest debt and building modest but consistent savings. Even small regular contributions to retirement and emergency funds create a financial cushion against regional economic volatility.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Southeast Fairbanks Census Area

via HealthByCounty

Southeast Fairbanks' life expectancy below national marks

At 75.4 years, Southeast Fairbanks residents' life expectancy falls short of the U.S. average of 76.1 years—a gap that widens when comparing to high-performing regions. With 18.3% reporting poor or fair health versus the national average of 17.8%, the census area carries a slightly heavier health burden. These figures point to structural challenges in healthcare access and community health infrastructure.

Southeast Fairbanks ranks below Alaska average

At 75.4 years, Southeast Fairbanks' life expectancy nearly matches Alaska's 75.6-year state average but lags behind higher-performing boroughs like Sitka (79.0 years). The uninsured rate of 16.1% exceeds the state average of 15.9% by 0.2 percentage points, reflecting slightly elevated coverage gaps. Combined, these metrics place Southeast Fairbanks in the state's middle tier for health outcomes.

Southeast Fairbanks struggles compared to Southeast peers

Southeast Fairbanks' 75.4-year life expectancy trails Sitka (79.0 years) and Wrangell (77.5 years) by meaningful margins—a gap that suggests lower community health investment or outcomes. With only 57 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, Southeast Fairbanks has the lowest primary care density among comparable Southeast Alaska regions. The 240 mental health providers per 100K falls below Sitka's 2,994, widening disparities in behavioral health support.

Low provider density drives healthcare friction

Southeast Fairbanks' 16.1% uninsured rate is compounded by just 57 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—one of the lowest densities in Alaska. This scarcity means insured patients often wait weeks for appointments, while uninsured residents may defer care entirely due to provider shortages and cost concerns. Daily reality: residents routinely travel for specialty care, turning routine medical needs into multi-day undertakings.

Coverage becomes critical with limited access

In a region with sparse primary care options, being uninsured compounds the challenge of accessing needed treatment. Enroll in Alaska Medicaid or explore marketplace plans to ensure you can see one of the area's few available providers without financial catastrophe. Health coverage in Southeast Fairbanks isn't just insurance—it's your ticket to care when geographic and provider scarcity already make it hard to find.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Southeast Fairbanks Census Area

via RiskByCounty

Southeast Fairbanks faces above-average disaster risk

With a composite risk score of 57.03 and a Relatively Low rating, Southeast Fairbanks exceeds the national average and ranks above most U.S. counties in natural disaster exposure. The region's risk profile reflects interior Alaska's susceptibility to wildfires and seismic activity.

Among Alaska's highest-risk census areas

Southeast Fairbanks scores 57.03 against Alaska's 35.22 state average, placing it in the upper tier of state risk. Only Yukon-Koyukuk (61.55) surpasses it, making this region one of Alaska's most hazard-exposed communities.

Wildfire risk sets Southeast Fairbanks apart

Southeast Fairbanks's 57.03 composite score exceeds coastal Sitka (23.82) and Skagway (0.48) by a wide margin, driven by interior location and boreal forest coverage. Only Yukon-Koyukuk (61.55) compares, as both regions share intense wildfire exposure.

Wildfires and earthquakes dominate the hazard mix

Wildfire risk explodes to 97.11—the highest in the state—reflecting Southeast Fairbanks's boreal forest geography and long fire season. Earthquake risk reaches 86.48, while flood (9.35) and tornado (0.76) risks remain secondary but notable threats.

Wildfire and earthquake preparedness are critical

Homeowners must ensure their standard policy includes wildfire coverage or purchase a separate rider given the 97.11 wildfire risk score. Earthquake insurance remains equally essential, and defensible space management around structures is a practical fire-prevention priority.

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.