Ketchikan, AK

Full City Profile · Alaska · Ketchikan Gateway Borough County

3.1 /5.0
B Good
8,151 Population 2,128/sq mi density
$76,835 Median Income $42,791 per capita
$340,300 Home Value $405,952 Zillow
$1,319 Median Rent 31.8% income on rent
46°F Avg Temperature
398 Violent Crime/100K 2,174 property/100K
B
Overall
3.1 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.1 / 5.0
$76,835 median income, 4.1% unemployment
A
Affordability
4.2 / 5.0
$340,300 home value, $1,319/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
398 violent crimes/100K (5% above avg)
C+
Education
2.9 / 5.0
24.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Ketchikan experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winters average 36°F in January while summers reach 59°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 149.5 inches. The area receives 34.8 inches of snow annually.

Temperature

36°F Jan (2°C) 59°F Jul (15°C)
Annual Average46.0°F
15% below US avg
January Average36°F (2°C)
July Average59°F (15°C)

Geography

Elevation515 ft (157 m)
Area4.9 sq mi (12.7 km²)
Population Density2,128/sq mi
Coordinates55.3571°N, 131.6746°W
TimezoneAmerica/Anchorage
CountyKetchikan Gateway Borough County
Nearest AirportKetchikan International (KTN)
1 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 149.5"
293% above US avg
Snowfall 34.8"
Wettest Month (Oct) 18.37"
Driest Month (Jun) 7.02"

Air Quality

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskVery Low
Risk Score1.7 / 100
Social Vulnerability28.1 / 100
Community Resilience68.6 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Very Low
Earthquake Very Low
Wildfire Very Low
Flood Very Low
Hail No Rating
Strong Wind No Rating
Winter Weather Relatively Low
Lightning Very Low
Ice Storm Very Low
Drought No Rating
Cold Wave No Rating
Landslide Relatively Low
Coastal Flood Very Low
Tsunami Very Low
Volcano Very Low
Avalanche Relatively Moderate
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

17 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M4.3. Most recent: M3.0 on Apr 12, 2019.

Apr 29, 2013 60 km ENE of Thoms Place, Alaska M4.3 116 km
Nov 8, 2009 29 km S of Hydaburg, Alaska M3.9 84 km
May 8, 2003 87 km W of Prince Rupert, Canada M3.5 127 km
Apr 6, 2010 34 km SW of Craig, Alaska M3.3 120 km
Nov 2, 1997 12 km SSE of Kasaan, Alaska M3.3 44 km
Nov 8, 2009 34 km SSE of Hydaburg, Alaska M3.2 80 km
Jan 18, 2008 17 km E of Hyder, Alaska M3.1 137 km
Apr 12, 2019 22 km WNW of Hyder, Alaska M3.0 108 km
Jan 18, 2008 11 km N of Hyder, Alaska M2.9 125 km
Jun 9, 2007 85 km SSW of Metlakatla, Alaska M2.8 106 km
May 7, 2004 48 km ENE of Wrangell, Alaska M2.8 142 km
May 12, 2016 20 km NW of Hyder, Alaska M2.8 119 km
Sep 11, 2015 5 km SE of Hyder, Alaska M2.8 123 km
Nov 9, 2009 25 km SSE of Hydaburg, Alaska M2.8 80 km
Apr 12, 1992 56 km SSE of Hydaburg, Alaska M2.7 82 km
Nov 8, 2009 29 km SSE of Hydaburg, Alaska M2.7 74 km
Nov 8, 2009 35 km SE of Hydaburg, Alaska M2.5 70 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990-2025)

Nearby Volcanoes

3 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Tlevak Strait-Suemez Is. (104 km).

Name Type Elevation Last Eruption Distance
Tlevak Strait-Suemez Is. Volcanic field 50 m (164 ft) Unknown 104 km
Iskut-Unuk River Cones Pyroclastic cone(s) 1,880 m (6,168 ft) 1800 153 km
Hoodoo Mountain Subglacial 1,850 m (6,070 ft) -7050 160 km
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP). Sorted by distance.

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 36°F (2°C) 16.2 in Coldest
February 36°F (2°C) 11.8 in
March 38°F (3°C) 11.0 in
April 44°F (6°C) 10.3 in
May 50°F (10°C) 8.7 in
June 55°F (13°C) 7.0 in Driest
July 59°F (15°C) 7.3 in
August 59°F (15°C) 11.3 in Warmest
September 54°F (12°C) 14.3 in
October 46°F (8°C) 18.4 in Wettest
November 40°F (4°C) 17.1 in
December 36°F (2°C) 16.3 in

Ketchikan has a seasonal temperature swing of 23°F / from 36°F in January to 59°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 149.5 inches, with October being the wettest month (18.4") and June the driest (7.0").

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