Best boroughs to live in Alaska
More counties in the United States experienced population growth in the last year, according to the latest Census data, even as pandemic-related moving trends begin to normalize.
Counties in the South continued to experience growth, particularly in Florida, where 96% of its 67 counties gained new residents. Polk County, Florida, a suburb of Orlando, added the most, with 26,000 people moving there in 2023.
Meanwhile, counties in the Midwest and Northeast continued to lose population, but at slower rates than the year before. Some of the biggest losses were in counties home to large cities, including Cook County, Illinois (home of Chicago) and the boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens in New York.
Many counties are experiencing growth due to their job opportunities, education, or relatively affordable housing costs. Others are favored for their historic or well-designed downtowns or access to cultural opportunities.
Stacker compiled a list of the best boroughs to live in Alaska using rankings from Niche. Niche ranks boroughs by various factors including public schools, educational attainment, cost of living, and housing.
Keep reading to see if your borough made the list.
#7. Southeast Fairbanks Borough, Alaska
- Overall Rank: Not ranked
- Population: 6,888
- Median household income: $75,378
- Median home value: $222,200 (75% own)
- Median rent: $1,190 (25% rent)
- Top public schools: Delta Junction Elementary School (grade B+), Delta Junior/Senior High School (grade B+), Delta Junction Junior High School (grade B)
- Top private schools: WHITESTONE FARMS TRAINING CENTER / WHITESTONE HS (grade unavailable), Fort Greely Child Development Center (grade unavailable), Living Word Academy (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Big Delta (grade B minus), Delta Junction (grade B minus), Tanacross (grade C)
#6. Prince of Wales-Hyder Borough, Alaska
- Overall Rank: Not ranked
- Population: 5,799
- Median household income: $61,779
- Median home value: $220,800 (73% own)
- Median rent: $883 (27% rent)
- Top public schools: Thorne Bay School (grade B), Craig Elementary School (grade B), Kake Elementary/High School (grade B minus)
- Top private schools:
- Top places: Thorne Bay (grade B), Hydaburg (grade B minus), Craig (grade B minus)
#5. Kodiak Island Borough, Alaska
- Overall Rank: Not ranked
- Population: 13,065
- Median household income: $91,138
- Median home value: $355,000 (57% own)
- Median rent: $1,646 (43% rent)
- Top public schools: Peterson Elementary School (grade A minus), Kodiak High School (grade A minus), North Star Elementary School (grade B)
- Top private schools: Kodiak Christian School (grade unavailable), St. Mary's School (grade unavailable), USCG Base Kodiak Child Development Center (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Kodiak (grade B), Womens Bay (grade B minus), Port Lions (grade C)
#4. Ketchikan Gateway Borough, Alaska
- Overall Rank: Not ranked
- Population: 13,910
- Median household income: $82,763
- Median home value: $361,000 (66% own)
- Median rent: $1,275 (34% rent)
- Top public schools: Point Higgins School (grade B+), Ketchikan High School (grade B+), Tongass School of Arts & Sciences Charter School (grade B+)
- Top private schools: Holy Name Catholic School (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Ketchikan (grade B+), Saxman (grade C)
#3. Fairbanks North Star Borough, Alaska
- Overall Rank: Not ranked
- Population: 96,299
- Median household income: $81,655
- Median home value: $276,800 (60% own)
- Median rent: $1,360 (40% rent)
- Top public schools: Watershed Charter School (grade A minus), Interior Distance Education of Alaska (Idea) (grade A minus), West Valley High School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Catholic Schools of Fairbanks (grade A), Open Arms Lutheran Child Development Center (grade unavailable), North Pole Christian School (grade unavailable)
- Top places: College (grade A minus), Ester (grade B), North Pole (grade B minus)
#2. Kenai Peninsula Borough, Alaska
- Overall Rank: 1,204
- Population: 59,235
- Median household income: $76,272
- Median home value: $280,900 (77% own)
- Median rent: $1,126 (23% rent)
- Top public schools: Homer Middle School (grade A), Aurora Borealis Charter School (grade A minus), Soldotna Montessori Charter School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Cook Inlet Academy (grade B+), Grace Evangelical Lutheran School (grade unavailable), Wings Christian Academy (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Kalifornsky (grade B+), Soldotna (grade B), Kenai (grade B)
#1. Valdez-Cordova Borough, Alaska
- Overall Rank: 649
- Population: 9,243
- Median household income: $79,867
- Median home value: $222,200 (75% own)
- Median rent: $1,067 (25% rent)
- Top public schools:
- Top private schools:
- Top places: Valdez (grade A minus), Whittier (grade B+), Cordova (grade B+)
This story features data reporting and writing by Elena Cox and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 states.
