Buffalo Soapstone, AK

Alaska · Metropolitan Area

Buffalo Soapstone is a small town in Alaska with a population of 799. Residents earn $68,750 per year, which is 9% below the national average.

3.7 /5.0
B+ Good
799 Population 36/sq mi density
$68,750 Median Income $37,281 per capita
$278,600 Home Value
N/A Median Rent
36°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.7 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.4 / 5.0
$68,750 median income, 6.0% unemployment
A
Affordability
4.4 / 5.0
$278,600 home value
B
Education
3.3 / 5.0
28.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $68,750
9% lower than US avg
Home Value $278,600
1% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 28.7%
15% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 35.4%
10% higher than US avg
Unemployment 6.0%
67% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 11.9%
4% lower than US avg

How Buffalo Soapstone Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population799
Median Age48.2 yrs
Density36/mi²
Male / Female52% / 48%
Largest GroupWhite 75%

Economy

B
Median Income$68,750
Per Capita$37,281
Unemployment6.0%
Poverty11.9%
County GDP$32,113M
Commute29 min

Housing

A
Home Value$278,600
RentN/A
OwnershipN/A

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity35.4%
UninsuredN/A
Depression22.5%
Heart Disease5.3%

Climate

Avg Temp36°F
AQI21 (Good)
Elevation829 ft

Education

B
Bachelor's+28.7%
High School+91.9%
School Score4.86

Community

2024 VoteR 44% / D 56%
Commute29 min
Libraries5

Is Buffalo Soapstone a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Buffalo Soapstone receives an overall livability score of 3.7 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment. Buffalo Soapstone offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Buffalo Soapstone is $68,750, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 6.0% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. 11.9% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 29 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Buffalo Soapstone is $278,600, roughly aligned with the national median of $281,900. A price-to-income ratio of 4.1x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Education

28.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 91.9% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.9/10.

Climate & Weather

Buffalo Soapstone has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 36°F. Winters average 16°F in January while summers reach 57°F in July. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 21.

Buffalo Soapstone has a population of 799 with a density of 36 people per square mile. The median age is 48.2 years, 24% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (74.8%), with 18.6% Hispanic.

Population

799
Total Population
36
People / sq mi
48.2yrs
Median Age
24% above US avg
22.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 51.6%
Female 48.4%

Race & Ethnicity

Buffalo Soapstone vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only97.2%
24% above US avg
Spanish2.8%
79% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Buffalo Soapstone vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Buffalo Soapstone is $68,750, which is 9% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 6.0% (above the 3.6% US average). 11.9% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 29 minutes.

Income: Buffalo Soapstone vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$68,750
9% below US avg
Per Capita Income$37,281
Avg Weekly Wage$1,436
IRS Avg AGI$94,616

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment6.0%
67% above US avg
Poverty Rate11.9%
4% below US avg
Establishments (County)8,829
County GDP$32,113M

Business (County)

Restaurants785
Healthcare1,392
Retail819
Manufacturing180

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$8,419
141% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.02%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time28.7 min
Work from Home10.5%

Walkability

The median home value in Buffalo Soapstone is $278,600, 1% below the national average.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$278,600
1% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,061
1 Bedroom$1,194
2 Bedrooms$1,467
3 Bedrooms$1,941
4 Bedrooms$2,304

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied91.4%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$8,419
141% above US avg
Effective Rate3.02%
In Buffalo Soapstone, 35.4% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 22.5% report depression. 19.8% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Buffalo Soapstone vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity35.4%
10% above US avg
Diabetes7.5%
Heart Disease5.3%
High Blood Pressure28.8%
Asthma10.8%
COPD5.6%
Stroke2.7%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking17.2%
Physical Inactivity19.8%
Depression22.5%
Mental Distress16.2%
Physical Distress12.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate87.0%
Checkup Rate70.3%
Premature Death9,853/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.6/10
Exercise Access93.9%
Healthcare Facilities1,392

Crime Rates: Buffalo Soapstone vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)20

Safety Score

Buffalo Soapstone has an average annual temperature of 36°F (2°C). Winters average 16°F in January while summers reach 57°F in July. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 21.

Temperature

16°F Jan (-9°C) 57°F Jul (14°C)
Annual Average35.6°F
34% below US avg
January Average16°F (-9°C)
July Average57°F (14°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Air Quality

AQI Median21.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation829 ft (253 m)
Area22.1 sq mi (57.3 km²)
Population Density36/sq mi
Coordinates61.6844°N, 149.1212°W
County FIPS02020
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 28.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (15% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 12.7-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 43.7%
D 56.3%

Winner: Democrat by 12.7 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+28.7%
15% below US avg
High School+91.9%
School Test Score4.86
B Education Grade (3.3/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density36/sq mi
Total Area22.1 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries5
Healthcare Facilities1,392
Restaurants785
Retail Stores819

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)20

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute28.7 min
Work from Home10.5%

Nearby Cities

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