countyscore
59.4
County Score
Disaster Risk 100Property Tax 76.5Schools 75.5

County Report Card

About Wrangell City and Borough, Alaska

Wrangell holds its own nationally

Wrangell's score of 58.6 places it in the 68th percentile nationally, comfortably above the U.S. median of 50.0. This small Southeast Alaska borough demonstrates solid overall livability despite below-average income levels.

Among Alaska's stronger counties

Wrangell scores 58.6, placing it 7.5 points above Alaska's state average of 51.1 and ranking it near the top tier of the state's counties. This strength is driven by standout performance in schools and disaster risk management.

Schools and safety excel despite lower pay

Wrangell's school score of 75.5 is among the highest in this survey, and its perfect risk score of 100.0 signals exceptional disaster preparedness. These strengths create an environment where families can trust both classrooms and community resilience despite a median household income of $64,545.

Income and health trail behind

With a median household income of $64,545 and an income score of just 52.3, Wrangell lags more prosperous Alaskan communities in earning power. Health scores of 47.2 also suggest limited medical resources for a small, isolated community.

Ideal for school-focused working families

Wrangell suits middle-income families who prize excellent schools and small-town resilience over high wages and advanced healthcare. Teachers, fishermen, and remote workers raising children will find strong community support and genuine safety in this island borough.

2040608010076.539.647.275.545.110056.3Tax76.5Cost39.6SafetyHealth47.2Schools75.5Income45.1Risk100WaterWeather56.359.4/100
This county
National avg
3 above average

Wrangell City and Borough DNA

Foverall

How Wrangell City and Borough compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Wrangell City and Borough excels in 3 of 7 measured dimensions, led by Disaster Risk (100/100). A few areas trail the national average, including Cost of Living (39.6/100).

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
76.5+24.5
Cost
39.6-8.399999999999999
Health
47.2
Schools
75.5+21.5
Income
45.1
Risk
100+53
Weather
56.3
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Compare mortgage rates in Wrangell City and Borough

Whether buying or refinancing in Wrangell City and Borough, compare rates from top lenders to find the best deal.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$296,400

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$993/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$296,400/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$39,720/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum4.6x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $63,750/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

142.5

per 100K

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

Deep Dives

Wrangell City and Borough across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 7 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.

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.

Weather & Climate in Wrangell City and Borough

via WeatherByCounty

A mild Alaskan outlier in the panhandle

Wrangell's 44.9°F annual average is much closer to the national median than most of Alaska. Its maritime climate avoids the extreme temperature swings found in the continental interior.

One of Alaska's warmest coastal regions

Wrangell stays significantly warmer than the state average of 35.9°F. Its 44.9°F average marks it as a temperate pocket within the generally frigid Alaskan landscape.

Leading the region in temperate weather

Wrangell is notably warmer than Yakutat, which averages 41.1°F annually. Both share the mild winters typical of the Southeast, though Wrangell's 33.6°F winter average is exceptionally high for the state.

Stable temperatures and gentle summers

Summer temperatures average a cool 56.9°F, while winters remain relatively mild at 33.6°F. The region records zero extreme heat days over 90°F, maintaining a narrow temperature range year-round.

Focus on moisture and mild winters

While specific snowfall data is limited, residents should prepare for the consistent dampness typical of the region. Heating needs are lower than in the interior, but high-quality waterproof gear remains a local necessity.

Lawn Care in Wrangell City and Borough

via LawnByCounty

Easiest Lawn Care in the State

Wrangell boasts an impressive lawn difficulty score of 69.1, significantly outperforming the state average of 57.8. This high score indicates that natural conditions here are exceptionally well-suited for low-maintenance turf compared to the rest of Alaska.

Mild Temperatures and Long Growth

Wrangell benefits from a long frost-free period and 821 growing degree days, providing ample time for grass to establish. With zero extreme heat days and a July average of 58.0°F, heat stress is virtually non-existent for local lawns.

Soil Prep for Lush Growth

Data on soil texture and pH is unavailable, but the lush local vegetation suggests a productive foundation. Lawns in this region typically require good aeration to handle the maritime moisture levels common to the Southeast panhandle.

No Drought Hazards in Wrangell

Drought is not a concern here, as 0% of the area is classified as abnormally dry and no weeks of drought occurred last year. You can generally rely on natural rainfall to keep your lawn hydrated without the need for irrigation systems.

Early Starts Lead to Healthy Turf

Spring seeding can begin as early as April 11, giving your lawn a massive head start compared to neighboring regions. The long season lasting until November 1 allows for strong root development of cool-season grass varieties.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Wrangell City and Borough's county score?
Wrangell City and Borough, Alaska has a composite county score of 59.4 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 Wrangell City and Borough rank among counties in Alaska?
Wrangell City and Borough ranks #8 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 Wrangell City and Borough, Alaska?
The median annual property tax in Wrangell City and Borough is $1,673, with an effective tax rate of 0.56%. This earns Wrangell City and Borough a tax score of 76.5/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Wrangell City and Borough?
The median household income in Wrangell City and Borough, Alaska is $63,750 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Wrangell City and Borough earns an income score of 45.1/100 on CountyScore.
Is Wrangell City and Borough, Alaska a good place to live?
Wrangell City and Borough scores 59.4/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #8 in Alaska. The best way to evaluate Wrangell City and Borough 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 Wrangell City and Borough 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.