CountyScore

Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area

Alaska · AK

#22 in Alaska
64.1
County Score

County Report Card

About Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area, Alaska

Yukon-Koyukuk exceeds national livability baseline

Yukon-Koyukuk's score of 64.1 is 28% above the national median of 50.0, a respectable showing for one of Alaska's most remote and sparsely populated regions. The census area delivers value primarily through exceptional housing affordability that few counties nationwide can match.

Alaska's lowest-ranked measured county

Yukon-Koyukuk scores 64.1, falling below the state average of 67.6 and ranking last among the six measured counties in this analysis. The census area faces genuine challenges in income, health, and risk resilience that offset its exceptional housing cost advantages.

Unbeatable housing costs and reasonable taxes

Yukon-Koyukuk's cost score of 85.4 is the highest measured, with median home values of just $87,800 and gross rent at $893/month—substantially cheaper than any peer. The tax score of 78.0 and effective rate of 0.862% further reduce the cost of living.

Income and health outcomes lag significantly

Yukon-Koyukuk's income score of 17.8 paired with median household income of $52,642 is the lowest in the group, limiting purchasing power despite cheap housing. Health outcomes at 45.7 and risk score of 38.5 are also the weakest measured, suggesting healthcare access and natural hazard exposure concerns.

Only for self-sufficient remote settlers

Yukon-Koyukuk suits only the most independent remote workers, retirees with secure outside income, or those seeking extreme isolation at rock-bottom cost. The combination of minimal local earning opportunities, health challenges, and exposure to environmental risk makes this census area suitable only for those with substantial financial independence and willingness to tolerate frontier conditions.

Score breakdown

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

Tax78Cost85.4SafetyComing SoonHealth45.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome17.8Risk38.5WaterComing Soon
🏛78
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠85.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼17.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤45.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡38.5
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 Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Glades County
Florida
64.1
Median income: $38,905
Santa Rosa County
Florida
64.1
Median income: $88,968
Columbia County
Georgia
64.1
Median income: $96,122
Stewart County
Georgia
64.1
Median income: $35,000
Moultrie County
Illinois
64.1
Median income: $71,676

Deep Dives

Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area

via TaxByCounty

Yukon-Koyukuk rates high but affordable

Yukon-Koyukuk's 0.862% effective tax rate exceeds the national median of 1.1% in percentage terms, yet the median home value of just $87,800 keeps annual taxes to only $757—71% below the national median tax of $2,690. This interior census area illustrates how modest property values can offset higher rates.

Alaska's highest effective tax rate

At 0.862%, Yukon-Koyukuk carries the highest effective tax rate among Alaska's major jurisdictions, exceeding the statewide average of 0.772% by 12%. Yet the median tax bill of $757 remains far below Alaska's median of $2,187, thanks to dramatically lower home values in this remote region.

Interior's steepest rate among analyzed counties

Yukon-Koyukuk's 0.862% significantly exceeds Southeast Fairbanks (0.712%) and all coastal Southeast boroughs, reflecting different municipal finance structures in Alaska's most remote interior. Despite this highest rate, actual tax dollars paid remain the lowest among these six counties due to minimal home valuations.

What $87,800 home costs annually

The median Yukon-Koyukuk home valued at $87,800 generates roughly $757 in annual property taxes at the 0.862% rate—the lowest actual bill among these six Alaska counties. With mortgage adjustments, the annual obligation reaches $761, making property ownership remarkably affordable despite the region's high effective rate.

Challenge your assessment if inflated

Even in Yukon-Koyukuk's tight market, homeowners should verify their assessments match recent comparable sales to catch overvaluations. If your $87,800 assessment seems high for your property, appealing could trim your $757 annual tax bill and improve your financial position.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area

via CostByCounty

Yukon-Koyukuk: lowest income, reasonable rents

Yukon-Koyukuk renters spend 20.4% of income on housing, above Alaska's state average and nearly double the national affordability standard. With a median household income of just $52,642—29% below the national median—this Interior Alaska region faces significant housing cost pressure despite the state's most modest rents.

Alaska's most income-constrained community

Yukon-Koyukuk ranks last among these six counties in median household income and near the top in rent-to-income ratio, making it Alaska's most economically constrained housing market. The region's remote interior location limits employment opportunities and income potential.

Lowest rents match lowest incomes

Yukon-Koyukuk's $893 monthly rent is Alaska's lowest in this comparison, yet the $52,642 median income makes even these bargain rents consume a significant share of household earnings. Owner costs of $453 monthly on $87,800 homes offer the most affordable pathway to equity building in the state.

Yukon-Koyukuk's tight financial picture

Renters earning $52,642 annually pay $893 monthly, leaving limited financial cushion for other essentials after housing. Homeowners face far better prospects, with $453 monthly payments representing just 10.3% of income—the lowest ownership ratio in this entire regional comparison.

Yukon-Koyukuk for resilient remote workers

Yukon-Koyukuk suits only those with remote income or strong local job prospects, given the region's income constraints. If you can secure stable, above-average income before relocating, Yukon-Koyukuk offers Alaska's most affordable homeownership and lowest cost of living.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area

via IncomeByCounty

Yukon-Koyukuk significantly trails U.S. earnings

Yukon-Koyukuk's median household income of $52,642 falls roughly 30% below the U.S. median of $74,755, making it one of America's lower-income regions. Per capita income of $32,096 is substantially below the national typical, reflecting limited economic opportunities in this vast Interior census area.

Alaska's lowest-income census area

Yukon-Koyukuk's median household income of $52,642 ranks well below Alaska's state average of $79,407, placing it among the state's most economically constrained regions. Per capita income of $32,096 is significantly lower than the state average of $42,832.

Earnings lag all nearby Alaska regions

Yukon-Koyukuk earns substantially less than all neighboring census areas and boroughs—Sitka ($101,207), Yakutat ($80,625), and Southeast Fairbanks ($74,223)—reflecting isolation and limited economic diversification. Its per capita income of $32,096 is the lowest in the comparison group.

Housing costs consume sizable income share

With a rent-to-income ratio of 20.4%, Yukon-Koyukuk households dedicate over one-fifth of earnings to housing, straining budgets and limiting savings capacity. The median home value of $87,800 is lowest in the state, but still represents a significant portion of median household income.

Seek stability through regional opportunity

Yukon-Koyukuk residents face economic headwinds requiring resilience and strategic planning. Prioritize emergency savings, explore regional employment growth sectors, and consider skills training that could unlock higher-wage opportunities within Alaska or beyond.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area

via HealthByCounty

Yukon-Koyukuk faces critical health challenges

At 67.3 years, Yukon-Koyukuk's life expectancy trails the U.S. average of 76.1 years by nearly nine years—one of the largest gaps of any U.S. region. With 27.0% reporting poor or fair health versus the national average of 17.8%, residents experience a health burden nearly 50% worse than the country overall. These figures point to systemic health crises requiring urgent intervention and resource investment.

Yukon-Koyukuk crisis outpaces Alaska challenges

At 67.3 years, Yukon-Koyukuk's life expectancy falls far below Alaska's 75.6-year state average—a 8.3-year gap that marks the region as a clear health outlier. The uninsured rate of 19.1% exceeds the state average of 15.9%, and the 27.0% poor/fair health rate dwarfs state comparables. This convergence of low life expectancy, high uninsured rates, and poor health perceptions represents a public health emergency.

Yukon-Koyukuk's crisis dwarfs all comparables

Yukon-Koyukuk's 67.3-year life expectancy is catastrophically lower than any Southeast Alaska peer—trailing Sitka (79.0 years) by nearly 12 years and Yakutat (unavailable but likely better). With just 19 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, Yukon-Koyukuk has the lowest primary care density in Alaska, compared to Sitka's 214 and Southeast Fairbanks' 57. The 195 mental health providers per 100,000 pales beside higher-resourced regions, leaving behavioral health crises largely unaddressed.

Severe provider scarcity meets health crisis

Yukon-Koyukuk's 19.1% uninsured rate is compounded by the lowest primary care provider density in Alaska at just 19 per 100,000 residents—creating a perfect storm of care scarcity. With 27.0% of residents reporting poor or fair health, demand far outpaces supply, meaning even insured patients struggle to find available physicians. Daily reality: residents often travel hundreds of miles by air or boat for basic medical care, making routine health maintenance nearly impossible.

Insurance is lifeline in health crisis

In Yukon-Koyukuk, being uninsured amid a severe life expectancy crisis and critical provider shortages isn't just risky—it can be life-threatening. Enroll in Alaska Medicaid immediately, and if you're Alaska Native, access tribal health services for comprehensive care. Health insurance here isn't a luxury: it's your access point to the scarce providers and resources available in a region facing a genuine health emergency.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area

via RiskByCounty

Yukon-Koyukuk faces Alaska's highest disaster risk

With a composite risk score of 61.55 and a Relatively Low rating, Yukon-Koyukuk exceeds the national average and ranks among the highest-risk census areas in the country. The region's interior boreal forest geography creates extreme wildfire exposure.

Alaska's most hazard-exposed census area

Yukon-Koyukuk's 61.55 score stands 75% above Alaska's state average of 35.22, making it the state's highest-risk region. This distinction reflects the census area's vast geographic size, sparse population, and wildfire-prone landscape.

Wildfire sets Yukon-Koyukuk apart statewide

Yukon-Koyukuk's 61.55 score exceeds all coastal Alaska communities and rivals Southeast Fairbanks (57.03) as the state's most hazard-exposed region. Both interior census areas share exceptionally high wildfire risk—93.00 for Yukon-Koyukuk and 97.11 for Southeast Fairbanks.

Wildfires and earthquakes define the risk

Wildfire risk reaches 93.00, making Yukon-Koyukuk one of Alaska's most fire-prone regions, while earthquake risk at 75.32 reflects circum-Pacific seismic activity. Flood (6.65) and tornado (0.67) risks remain secondary but should not be ignored.

Comprehensive coverage addresses dual threats

Homeowners must ensure wildfire coverage is explicitly included in their policy or purchase a separate rider given the 93.00 wildfire risk. Earthquake insurance is equally critical, and property owners should prioritize defensible space management and emergency evacuation planning.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

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