countyscore
51.5
County Score
Disaster Risk 97.1Water Quality 86Income & Jobs 84.5

County Report Card

About Yakutat City and Borough, Alaska

Yakutat matches the national norm

With a composite score of 51.5, Yakutat aligns almost exactly with the national median of 50.0, placing it squarely in the middle of American counties. This balance masks significant strength in some dimensions and weakness in others.

Right at Alaska's average

Yakutat scores 51.5, just slightly above Alaska's state average of 51.1, putting it in the middle range of the state's counties. Its profile reflects both opportunities and constraints typical of small Southeast Alaska communities.

Strong water quality and low housing costs

Yakutat's water score of 86.0 is exceptional—the highest in this survey—reflecting excellent water infrastructure for a remote location. Combined with a cost score of 45.8 and the lowest median home value of $185,000, Yakutat offers genuine affordability paired with blue-ribbon natural resources.

Health emergencies and limited schools worry

Yakutat's health score of 23.7 is the lowest in this entire survey, signaling severe gaps in medical services that would concern families and older adults. School score of 51.8 similarly reflects limited educational infrastructure for a community of its size.

For rugged outdoor lovers, not families

Yakutat appeals to remote workers, outdoor enthusiasts, and those with strong constitutions who can live with minimal medical access and modest schools. This borough is not suitable for families with young children or anyone requiring regular healthcare.

Score breakdown

Tax56.5Cost45.8SafetyComing SoonHealth23.7Schools51.8Income84.5Risk97.1Water86Weather51.8
🏛56.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠45.8
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼84.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
CrimeByCounty →
❤23.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓51.8
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
SchoolsByCounty →
⚡97.1
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧86
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades
WaterByCounty →
🌤51.8
Weather & Climate
Average temperatures, precipitation, and extreme weather events
WeatherByCounty →
🪨
Soil Quality
Soil composition, pH, drainage, and organic matter content
SoilByCounty →
🌱53.8
Lawn Care
Lawn difficulty score based on climate, soil, and grass suitability
LawnByCounty →
🛒
Farmers Markets
Local market density, SNAP/EBT acceptance, and product variety
MarketsByCounty →
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Deep Dives

Yakutat City and Borough across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 8 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

Schools in Yakutat City and Borough

via SchoolsByCounty

Intimate Learning in Yakutat

The Yakutat City and Borough education landscape consists of just two schools serving a total of 92 students. Both facilities are classified as 'other' by the NCES, reflecting their flexible PK-12 and correspondence-based structures.

Solid Scores Despite Lower Graduation

The borough earns a school score of 63.8, which is higher than the Alaska state average of 62.3. While per-pupil spending is healthy at $15,430, the 75% graduation rate trails the national average of 87%.

The Yakutat School District

One district manages the entirety of the borough's student population across two specialized schools. There are no charter schools, as the Yakutat School District provides the sole public educational framework for the community.

Tiny Schools, Close Connections

Attending school here means being part of an extremely small cohort, with an average school size of 46 students. The primary Yakutat School hosts 73 students, while the LEAD Correspondence program serves just 19.

Remote Living with Strong Support

Yakutat offers a unique lifestyle for families seeking a remote, rural environment with better-than-average school scores. Explore local real estate to find your place in this small, dedicated coastal community.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

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

Weather & Climate in Yakutat City and Borough

via WeatherByCounty

A wet, cool maritime climate

Yakutat's 41.1°F average temperature sits below the national median but remains mild for its high latitude. It is defined by massive precipitation levels that far exceed most locations in the lower 48.

Exceeding state averages in warmth and wetness

Yakutat's 41.1°F annual average is warmer than the statewide average of 35.9°F. However, its 140.4 inches of annual precipitation is nearly triple the state average of 54.8 inches.

Snowier than its southern neighbors

Yakutat receives a staggering 147.3 inches of snow annually, dwarfing many other coastal areas. While Wrangell is warmer at 44.9°F, Yakutat's proximity to the Gulf of Alaska drives its extreme moisture levels.

Cool summers and heavy winter snow

July temperatures average a modest 55.4°F, while winter temperatures hover near the freezing mark at 30.0°F. The region experiences no days above 90°F but endures massive snow accumulation throughout the winter.

Gear up for rain and snow

With over 140 inches of annual precipitation, waterproof housing and clothing are absolute requirements. Residents must also plan for heavy snow removal given the 147.3 inches of annual snowfall.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Lawn Care in Yakutat City and Borough

via LawnByCounty

Rain-Drenched Challenges in Yakutat

Yakutat holds a lawn difficulty score of 53.8, placing it right near the national average but below the Alaska state average of 57.8. The primary challenge here isn't heat or drought, but rather managing extreme moisture and low growing heat.

Extreme Rainfall and Limited Heat

The borough receives a massive 140.4 inches of rain annually, nearly triple the ideal lawn threshold. With only 448 growing degree days, grass grows very slowly, and managing drainage is far more critical than watering.

Treating Soils for Surface Drainage

Specific soil metrics are unavailable, but the high precipitation likely creates very wet, potentially acidic soil conditions. To prevent moss from taking over your lawn, you may need to apply lime and improve surface drainage significantly.

Constant Moisture and Zero Drought

Yakutat experienced zero weeks of drought last year and maintains 0% drought coverage. In this rain-drenched environment, water conservation is not a priority for lawn maintenance, as precipitation far exceeds the state average of 53.5 inches.

Slow and Steady Growth Cycles

The best time to start your lawn is after the May 20 frost, though growth will be slow due to the cool July average of 55.4°F. Focus on moisture-tolerant grass types and aim to finish any major work before the September 23 frost date.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Yakutat City and Borough's county score?
Yakutat City and Borough, Alaska has a composite county score of 51.5 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 Yakutat City and Borough rank among counties in Alaska?
Yakutat City and Borough ranks #14 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 Yakutat City and Borough, Alaska?
The median annual property tax in Yakutat City and Borough is $1,410, with an effective tax rate of 0.76%. This earns Yakutat City and Borough a tax score of 56.5/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Yakutat City and Borough?
The median household income in Yakutat City and Borough, Alaska is $80,625 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Yakutat City and Borough earns an income score of 84.5/100 on CountyScore.
Is Yakutat City and Borough, Alaska a good place to live?
Yakutat City and Borough scores 51.5/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #14 in Alaska. The best way to evaluate Yakutat 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 Yakutat City and Borough with other counties side by side.

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality🌤Weather & Climate🪨Soil Quality🌱Lawn Care🛒Farmers Markets

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS, NOAA — informational only.