CountyScore

Wrangell City and Borough

Alaska · AK

#8 in Alaska
72.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Wrangell City and Borough, Alaska

Wrangell delivers solid livability above norm

Wrangell's score of 72.5 is 45% higher than the national median of 50.0, reflecting genuine quality-of-life advantages in a tight-knit Alaskan borough. The borough punches well above its small size by combining minimal taxes, low housing costs, and exceptional safety risk mitigation.

Alaska's third-best overall livability score

Wrangell ranks third among measured Alaska counties with a composite score of 72.5, surpassing the state average of 67.6. The borough demonstrates particular strength in housing affordability and risk resilience despite its modest population and income base.

Perfect safety rating and lowest housing costs

Wrangell earns a perfect risk score of 100.0, the highest possible, signaling exceptional safety and resilience across measured hazards. The borough also boasts the lowest gross rent in the group at $1,047/month and a strong cost score of 76.9, plus a tax score of 84.8.

Income is significantly below state norms

Wrangell's income score of 25.5 reflects a median household income of only $64,545, the second-lowest in this group. Health outcomes at 60.9 lag behind stronger performers, and school data remain unavailable.

Perfect for safety-first residents on budgets

Wrangell is ideal for retirees, remote workers, and families seeking the safest possible environment with rock-bottom living costs and minimal tax burden. The perfect safety score and $1,047 median rent make it Alaska's most affordable, secure option for those not dependent on local employment.

Score breakdown

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

Tax84.8Cost76.9SafetyComing SoonHealth60.9SchoolsComing SoonIncome25.5Risk100WaterComing Soon
🏛84.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠76.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼25.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤60.9
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡100
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 Wrangell City and Borough with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Prowers County
Colorado
72.5
Median income: $57,601
Benewah County
Idaho
72.5
Median income: $56,553
White County
Indiana
72.5
Median income: $66,143
Kossuth County
Iowa
72.5
Median income: $65,656
Gove County
Kansas
72.5
Median income: $63,203

Deep Dives

Wrangell City and Borough across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Wrangell City and Borough

via TaxByCounty

Wrangell's moderate rates beat the nation

Wrangell's 0.620% effective tax rate outperforms the national median of 1.1%, placing this Southeast Alaska borough in the bottom 35% of U.S. counties for tax burden. The median home here costs $289,700 with annual taxes of $1,795—33% below the national median tax of $2,690.

Wrangell ranks mid-range in Alaska

At 0.620%, Wrangell's effective rate trails Alaska's statewide average of 0.772% by a modest margin, placing this timber-and-fishing community in the middle tier of state tax jurisdictions. The median tax of $1,795 represents about 82% of Alaska's median bill of $2,187.

Between Southeast Alaska's tax extremes

Wrangell's 0.620% sits between low-tax Skagway (0.342%) and higher-tax Yakutat (0.762%), positioning it as Southeast Alaska's median option. Compared to interior peers like Yukon-Koyukuk (0.862%), Wrangell offers a more favorable tax climate for coastal Southeast residents.

What $289,700 home costs annually

The median Wrangell home valued at $289,700 carries roughly $1,795 in annual property taxes at the 0.620% rate. Whether you're paying with or without a mortgage adjustment, Wrangell residents face consistent annual bills near $1,795, reflecting stable assessment practices.

Check if you're overassessed

Wrangell homeowners should periodically compare their assessed values to recent local sales to ensure accuracy and catch overvaluations. If your $289,700 assessment looks high compared to neighbors' recent sales prices, filing an appeal could lower your $1,795 annual bill.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Wrangell City and Borough

via CostByCounty

Wrangell: tight budgets in a small town

Wrangell renters dedicate 19.5% of income to housing, slightly above Alaska's state average of 18.6%, while earning just $64,545—13% below the national median. The combination of lower incomes and elevated rents creates tighter housing affordability than most American communities.

Wrangell ranks among Alaska's most challenging

With a rent-to-income ratio of 19.5%, Wrangell experiences above-average housing cost pressure within Alaska, landing it among the state's least affordable communities. The municipality's lower median income compounds this challenge.

Wrangell's lowest rents, lowest income

Wrangell offers the region's lowest rents at $1,047 monthly, undercutting Southeast Fairbanks ($1,304) and Sitka ($1,350), but the lowest median household income of $64,545 among these six counties offsets that advantage. Owner costs of $819 monthly are competitive, making homeownership relatively more attractive than renting.

Wrangell's budget-conscious housing math

Renters earning $64,545 annually spend $1,047 monthly on housing, consuming a notable chunk of take-home pay. Homeowners with $289,700 median home values pay $819 monthly—far more manageable at 15% of household income, suggesting ownership is worth pursuing here.

Wrangell for buyers seeking small-town living

Wrangell appeals to remote workers and retirees with modest incomes who prioritize ownership over renting. The low purchase prices and manageable ownership costs make building equity possible here, though renters should plan conservatively given the tight affordability picture.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Wrangell City and Borough

via IncomeByCounty

Wrangell falls short of U.S. median

Wrangell's median household income of $64,545 trails the U.S. median of $74,755 by about 14%, placing it below the national middle class benchmark. Per capita income of $37,017 is notably lower than typical U.S. individual earnings, reflecting limited economic opportunities in this small Southeast borough.

Alaska's lower-income communities

Wrangell's median household income of $64,545 ranks well below Alaska's state average of $79,407, making it one of the state's lower-earning jurisdictions. Per capita income of $37,017 is substantially below the state average of $42,832, indicating economic constraints.

Struggles against Southeast peers

Wrangell earns significantly less than Sitka ($101,207), Skagway ($78,594), and Southeast Fairbanks ($74,223), reflecting its smaller economic base and limited job diversity. At $37,017 per capita, it trails most neighboring Southeast Alaska communities.

Housing costs strain household budgets

With a rent-to-income ratio of 19.5%, Wrangell households dedicate nearly a fifth of earnings to housing—above the healthy threshold and limiting discretionary spending. The median home value of $289,700 represents a substantial burden for families earning the area median.

Build stability through small steps

Wrangell's economic environment demands strategic financial management and patience. Start with a modest emergency fund, pay down high-cost debt, and explore employer retirement benefits to gradually build long-term security despite income constraints.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Wrangell City and Borough

via HealthByCounty

Wrangell's life expectancy near national average

Wrangell residents live to 77.5 years on average, matching closely to the U.S. average of 76.1 years and exceeding some national peers. However, 17.2% report poor or fair health—just below the national average of 17.8%—indicating a reasonably healthy population despite Wrangell's remote location. These metrics suggest Wrangell maintains competitive health outcomes despite Alaska's geographic challenges.

Wrangell outperforms Alaska's health averages

At 77.5 years, Wrangell's life expectancy exceeds Alaska's state average of 75.6 years, placing it among the state's healthier communities. Yet the uninsured rate of 21.1% significantly exceeds Alaska's average of 15.9%—a 5.2 percentage point gap that stands out as concerning. This disconnect between longevity and coverage suggests Wrangell residents enjoy health despite lacking insurance, a precarious advantage.

Wrangell excels in longevity, struggles with coverage

Wrangell's 77.5-year life expectancy surpasses Southeast Fairbanks (75.4 years) but falls short of Sitka (79.0 years), placing it in the middle of the Southeast Alaska health tier. The 21.1% uninsured rate is the highest among regional neighbors, far exceeding Sitka (14.9%) and Southeast Fairbanks (16.1%), indicating acute coverage challenges. With 146 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, Wrangell has more capacity than Southeast Fairbanks but less than Sitka's 214.

High uninsured rate threatens health gains

One in five Wrangell residents—21.1% of the population—lack health insurance, the highest uninsured rate among Southeast Alaska neighbors. Despite this, 146 primary care providers and 2,762 mental health providers per 100,000 residents create substantial capacity for those with coverage. Daily reality: Wrangell's uninsured residents may delay seeking care due to cost fears, even though providers are available, gradually eroding the community's longevity advantage.

Bridge Wrangell's coverage gap now

With 21.1% of residents uninsured—significantly above state and regional averages—Wrangell faces a coverage crisis that threatens to erode the community's strong life expectancy gains. Check your eligibility for Alaska Medicaid, explore marketplace plans, or contact Wrangell's health resources to understand your options. Getting covered protects your health and finances while strengthening community-wide health outcomes.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Wrangell City and Borough

via RiskByCounty

Wrangell ranks among America's safest communities

Wrangell's composite risk score of 0.06 represents one of the lowest natural disaster risk profiles in the entire United States. This exceptional rating means residents face minimal exposure to the major hazards that threaten most American communities.

Alaska's safest borough by a wide margin

At 0.06, Wrangell claims the lowest composite risk score in Alaska, substantially below the state average of 35.22. The borough's geographic isolation and maritime position create an unusually benign natural hazard environment.

Wrangell leads Southeast Alaska in disaster safety

Wrangell's 0.06 score edges out even Skagway (0.48) and dramatically undercuts Sitka (23.82), establishing it as Southeast Alaska's safest community. The pattern reflects the protective benefits of small, isolated coastal settlements.

Earthquake is the only meaningful hazard

Even Wrangell's largest risk—earthquake at 13.01—ranks as quite modest nationally, reflecting moderate seismic activity relative to other Ring of Fire communities. Flood (0.41), wildfire (1.53), and tornado (0.13) risks are negligible.

Basic earthquake coverage provides essential protection

While Wrangell's overall risk is minimal, earthquake insurance remains the prudent choice given its position in a seismically active region. Standard homeowners coverage will not protect against earthquake damage, making this the single most important policy addition.

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.