countyscore

Southeast Fairbanks Census Area, Alaska — County Report Card

AK

#26 in Alaska
40.6
County Score
Income & Jobs 70.6Lawn Care 51.7Weather & Climate 49.4

County Report Card

About Southeast Fairbanks Census Area, Alaska

Southeast Fairbanks slips below national average

With a composite score of 47.9, Southeast Fairbanks falls just shy of the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 45th percentile. This interior Alaska region faces livability headwinds compared to the broader U.S., though it outperforms some Alaskan neighbors.

Below Alaska's county average

Southeast Fairbanks scores 47.9, placing it below Alaska's state average of 51.1 and ranking it in the lower-middle tier of the state's counties. This positioning reflects structural challenges in health, education, and water infrastructure across the region.

Affordable homes in a rugged landscape

The region's cost score of 41.9 reflects the lowest median home values in this survey at $262,800, making it Alaska's most affordable option for homebuyers. Median rent of $1,304/month and a median income of $74,223 suggest working families can establish roots here without crushing debt.

Health, water, and education all lag

Health score of 39.8, school score of 49.0, and water score of 12.0 collectively paint a picture of stretched public services in a frontier region. These dimensions suggest residents trade urban convenience for both affordability and isolation.

For hardy homesteaders and budget seekers

Southeast Fairbanks suits self-reliant individuals and families drawn to remote Alaskan living who prioritize low housing costs over convenient medical, educational, and water services. This is not a county for those requiring robust public infrastructure or social amenities.

2040608010023.942.439.84970.6431249.4Tax23.9Cost42.4SafetyHealth39.8Schools49Income70.6Risk43Water12Weather49.440.6/100
This county
National avg
1 above average3 below average

Southeast Fairbanks Census Area DNA

Foverall

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

Southeast Fairbanks Census Area falls below the national average in most categories. The biggest gap is in Water Quality (12/100), though Income (70.6/100) remains a relative bright spot.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
23.9-28.1
Cost
42.4
Health
39.8-10.200000000000003
Schools
49
Income
70.6+19.599999999999994
Risk
43
Water
12-46
Weather
49.4
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Think property taxes are too high in Southeast Fairbanks Census Area?

Many homeowners in Southeast Fairbanks Census Area pay more than they should. A professional appeal could save you hundreds per year.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$282,000

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,351/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$282,000/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$54,040/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.8x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $73,882/yr
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Economic & Education Snapshot

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

Deep Dives

Southeast Fairbanks Census Area across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 7 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.

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.

Weather & Climate in Southeast Fairbanks Census Area

via WeatherByCounty

A subarctic climate far below national averages

With an annual average temperature of 26.1°F, this region sits nearly 30 degrees below the national median. It represents a classic subarctic climate where freezing conditions persist for much of the year.

Colder than the typical Alaskan landscape

The area's 26.1°F average is significantly colder than the statewide average of 35.9°F. This gap highlights the census area's position in the frigid interior compared to the state's more temperate coastal zones.

Slightly warmer than its western neighbors

Southeast Fairbanks is marginally warmer than the Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area, which averages 25.3°F. Both regions share a dry climate, receiving far less annual precipitation than the 54.8-inch state average.

Deep winter freezes and mild summer peaks

Winters are intense with a -4.3°F average and 41.5 inches of snowfall. July brings a mild average of 59.2°F, but the region never sees extreme heat days at or above 90°F.

Prepare for extreme sub-zero endurance

Residents must prioritize high-efficiency heating to withstand January lows that average -8.3°F. Heavy-duty winter gear and vehicle winterization are essential for safety during the long, snowy season.

Lawn Care in Southeast Fairbanks Census Area

via LawnByCounty

Tough Conditions in the Interior

This area faces a tougher challenge with a lawn difficulty score of 51.7, which is lower than the Alaska state average of 57.8. Growers must navigate a short, dry season to keep their turf resilient against the interior’s climate.

Scarce Rain and Short Summers

A meager 12.1 inches of annual precipitation falls far short of the 30-50 inches lawns ideally require. Combined with only 700 growing degree days and a very short season, this means grass grows slowly and requires careful supplemental watering.

Building Organic Matter for Retention

While specific soil pH and sand-clay ratios are not listed, the dry climate often results in compact soils. Adding organic matter is essential to help the ground retain the limited 12.1 inches of rain that falls each year.

Managing Regular Drought Cycles

Residents experienced four weeks of drought over the past year, highlighting the area's vulnerability to dry spells. To conserve water, keep grass heights longer to shade the soil and reduce evaporation during the dry interior summers.

Rapid Planting for Short Windows

The window for growth is tight, starting after the June 4 frost and ending abruptly by September 2. Choose cold-hardy cultivars like creeping red fescue that can survive the intense winter average temperature of -8.3°F.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Southeast Fairbanks Census Area's county score?
Southeast Fairbanks Census Area, Alaska has a composite county score of 40.6 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 Southeast Fairbanks Census Area rank among counties in Alaska?
Southeast Fairbanks Census Area ranks #26 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 Southeast Fairbanks Census Area, Alaska?
The median annual property tax in Southeast Fairbanks Census Area is $3,350, with an effective tax rate of 1.19%. This earns Southeast Fairbanks Census Area a tax score of 23.9/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Southeast Fairbanks Census Area?
The median household income in Southeast Fairbanks Census Area, Alaska is $73,882 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Southeast Fairbanks Census Area earns an income score of 70.6/100 on CountyScore.
Is Southeast Fairbanks Census Area, Alaska a good place to live?
Southeast Fairbanks Census Area scores 40.6/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #26 in Alaska. The best way to evaluate Southeast Fairbanks 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 Southeast Fairbanks 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.