CountyScore

Yakutat City and Borough

Alaska · AK

#9 in Alaska
71.7
County Score

County Report Card

About Yakutat City and Borough, Alaska

Yakutat ranks above U.S. livability median

Yakutat's composite score of 71.7 is 43% above the national median of 50.0, positioning the borough as a strong performer in overall livability. The score reflects a balanced profile emphasizing housing affordability and extremely low natural disaster risk.

Alaska's fourth-ranked livability performer

Yakutat scores 71.7, placing it fourth among measured Alaska counties and 4.1 points above the state average of 67.6. The borough excels relative to its size and isolation by maintaining consistent strength across most measured dimensions.

Unmatched risk score and affordable housing

Yakutat delivers a risk score of 97.1, among Alaska's highest, alongside a cost score of 75.4 and the lowest median home value in the group at just $185,000. The tax score of 80.8 and effective rate of 0.762% also support household budgets.

Lower income and health outcomes need attention

Yakutat's income score of 36.0 reflects a median household income of $80,625, below the strongest performers in this analysis. Health outcomes at 61.1 also lag behind top scorers, suggesting potential gaps in healthcare access or quality in the remote borough.

Suits remote workers and risk-averse families

Yakutat appeals to individuals prioritizing exceptional safety and minimal natural disaster risk with truly affordable housing in a pristine setting. The combination of a 97.1 risk score, low property values, and reasonable taxes makes it perfect for those seeking geographic isolation and security over local earning opportunities.

Score breakdown

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

Tax80.8Cost75.4SafetyComing SoonHealth61.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome36Risk97.1WaterComing Soon
🏛80.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠75.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼36
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤61.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡97.1
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 Yakutat City and Borough with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Howard County
Arkansas
71.7
Median income: $44,492
Monroe County
Arkansas
71.7
Median income: $43,955
Montrose County
Colorado
71.7
Median income: $66,072
Lawrence County
Indiana
71.7
Median income: $65,551
Newton County
Indiana
71.7
Median income: $68,596

Deep Dives

Yakutat City and Borough across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Yakutat City and Borough

via TaxByCounty

Yakutat's rate below national average

Yakutat's 0.762% effective tax rate remains below the national median of 1.1%, though it ranks slightly above most other Southeast Alaska municipalities. Despite this, the median home value of $185,000 generates just $1,410 annually—nearly 48% less than the national median tax of $2,690.

Yakutat edges above Alaska average

Yakutat's 0.762% effective rate marginally exceeds Alaska's statewide average of 0.772%, placing it near the state median for tax burden. The median tax bill of $1,410 trails Alaska's median of $2,187 by $777, reflecting the community's smaller home values rather than higher rates.

Higher rates than nearby Southeast peers

Yakutat's 0.762% exceeds Sitka (0.472%), Skagway (0.342%), and Wrangell (0.620%), making it the higher-taxed Southeast municipality analyzed here. However, the actual dollar burden remains low thanks to Yakutat's notably smaller median home values compared to coastal neighbors.

What $185,000 home costs annually

A median Yakutat home valued at $185,000 results in approximately $1,410 in annual property taxes at the current 0.762% rate. With mortgage-related assessments, the annual tax obligation rises to $1,643, yet remains affordable compared to national averages.

Appeal if your assessment seems off

Yakutat homeowners should verify their assessments are fair market value by comparing recent comparable sales in the community. If your $185,000 assessment appears inflated, appealing could reduce your $1,410 annual tax bill and free up cash for other priorities.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Yakutat City and Borough

via CostByCounty

Yakutat offers balanced Alaska affordability

Yakutat renters allocate 19.0% of income to housing, slightly above Alaska's state average of 18.6% but comfortably below the national 30% threshold. With median household income of $80,625, residents here earn 8% above the national median while managing moderate rents of $1,276.

Yakutat ranks mid-tier statewide

Yakutat's rent-to-income ratio places it in Alaska's middle tier for housing affordability, neither among the most pressured nor the most comfortable communities. The municipality offers a balanced housing market reflecting its position as a mid-sized Southeast community.

Yakutat's moderate rents serve moderate incomes

Yakutat's $1,276 monthly rent falls between Skagway ($1,228) and Sitka ($1,350), with income ($80,625) closer to Skagway's ($78,594) than Sitka's ($101,207). Owner costs of $633 monthly stand as the region's lowest, making homeownership a particularly attractive option for cost-conscious residents.

Where Yakutat's income distributes

Renters earning $80,625 annually pay $1,276 monthly, dedicating about 19% to housing while retaining reasonable income for other needs. Homeowners enjoy exceptional affordability at $633 monthly with a median home value of just $185,000, making ownership accessible to a broad income range.

Yakutat: Alaska's homeownership sweet spot

Yakutat represents one of Alaska's best opportunities for affordable homeownership, with the lowest owner costs in this regional comparison. Whether you're seeking to rent or buy, Yakutat offers more balanced affordability than many comparable Alaskan communities.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Yakutat City and Borough

via IncomeByCounty

Yakutat exceeds national income standards

Yakutat's median household income of $80,625 surpasses the U.S. median of $74,755 by roughly 8%, demonstrating solid earning power for this remote Southeast borough. Per capita income of $50,644 significantly exceeds the national typical, reflecting strong individual earnings despite the small population.

Upper-middle earner in Alaska

Yakutat's median household income of $80,625 slightly exceeds Alaska's state average of $79,407, placing it in the state's upper-middle income tier. Per capita income of $50,644 notably outpaces the state average of $42,832, showing particularly strong individual earnings.

Strong earner among Southeast Alaska

Yakutat's $80,625 median income ranks above Skagway ($78,594), Southeast Fairbanks ($74,223), and Wrangell ($64,545), second only to Sitka in the region. Its per capita income of $50,644 is the second-highest among Southeast peers.

Reasonable housing costs for income level

At 19%, Yakutat's rent-to-income ratio sits comfortably below the 30% affordability ceiling, allowing households to cover shelter while maintaining discretionary spending. Notably, the median home value of $185,000 is the lowest among Alaska's Southeast communities, making homeownership particularly achievable.

Capitalize on affordable housing advantage

Yakutat's combination of solid income and low home values creates rare opportunity for wealth building through property ownership. Channel income gains into mortgage principal, home equity, and complementary investments to compound your financial position over time.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Yakutat City and Borough

via HealthByCounty

Yakutat's health data remains limited

Life expectancy data for Yakutat is not currently available, preventing direct comparison to the U.S. average of 76.1 years. However, 19.9% of residents report poor or fair health—notably higher than the national average of 17.8%—suggesting the community faces meaningful health challenges. With incomplete longevity data, this higher self-reported health burden warrants closer attention and improved data collection.

Yakutat's health burden exceeds state norms

Yakutat's life expectancy is unavailable for state comparison, limiting full context, but the 19.9% poor/fair health rate significantly exceeds Alaska's overall health burden. The uninsured rate of 19.3% surpasses the state average of 15.9% by 3.4 percentage points, indicating substantial coverage gaps in this small community. Combined, these figures suggest Yakutat faces compounded health and access challenges.

Yakutat struggles among Southeast Alaska peers

Yakutat's 19.9% poor/fair health rate is the highest among the Southeast Alaska communities profiled here, exceeding Wrangell (17.2%) and Sitka (14.9%). Primary care provider data is unavailable, limiting comparison, but the 146 mental health providers per 100,000 residents falls below regional leaders like Sitka (2,994) and Wrangell (2,762). These gaps suggest Yakutat residents face both physical and behavioral health access barriers.

High uninsured rates compound isolation

Nearly one in five Yakutat residents—19.3%—lack health insurance, significantly exceeding the state average and creating barriers to care in this geographically isolated community. Primary care provider data is unavailable, but the limited mental health provider density of 146 per 100,000 suggests residents may struggle to find any available specialist. Daily reality: uninsured Yakutat residents often delay care decisions until emergencies force expensive air transport and outside hospitalization.

Coverage protects against remote emergencies

In a small, remote community like Yakutat, being uninsured creates extreme financial risk when emergencies require air transport and off-island treatment—costs that can exceed tens of thousands of dollars. Enroll in Alaska Medicaid, explore marketplace coverage, or contact tribal health programs to secure protection before a health crisis strikes. Insurance in Yakutat isn't optional—it's your safeguard against financial catastrophe.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Yakutat City and Borough

via RiskByCounty

Yakutat faces low but notable earthquake risk

With a composite risk score of 2.96 and a Very Low rating, Yakutat remains well below the national average for natural disaster risk. The borough's exposure is driven primarily by seismic activity rather than the weather-related hazards that dominate most U.S. counties.

Among Alaska's lowest-risk municipalities

Yakutat's 2.96 score sits comfortably below Alaska's 35.22 state average and ranks among the safest communities in the state. Only coastal municipalities like Skagway (0.48) and Wrangell (0.06) maintain lower profiles.

Yakutat safer than most Southeast peers

Yakutat's 2.96 score substantially trails Sitka (23.82) while remaining slightly above Skagway (0.48) and Wrangell (0.06). Its coastal setting provides similar hazard protections as other maritime Southeast communities.

Earthquake dominates a minimal hazard landscape

Earthquake risk at 77.45 accounts for the vast majority of Yakutat's exposure, reflecting its position on the Pacific Ring of Fire. Wildfire (1.69), flood (0.29), and tornado (0.16) risks remain negligible by national standards.

Earthquake insurance is your primary priority

Standard homeowners policies exclude earthquake damage, making separate earthquake coverage essential for Yakutat property owners. Given the borough's moderate seismic risk and geographic isolation, this single policy addition provides critical protection.

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.