Kivalina, AK

Alaska

Kivalina is a small town in Alaska with a population of 813. Residents earn $70,278 per year, which is 6% below the national average.

2.9 /5.0
C+ Fair
813 Population 499/sq mi density
$70,278 Median Income $17,416 per capita
$119,600 Home Value
$1,028 Median Rent 21.1% income on rent
23°F Avg Temperature
C+
Overall
2.9 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.6 / 5.0
$70,278 median income, 12.8% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$119,600 home value, $1,028/mo rent
F
Education
1.2 / 5.0
2.3% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $70,278
6% lower than US avg
Home Value $119,600
58% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 2.3%
93% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,028
12% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 43.9%
37% higher than US avg
Unemployment 12.8%
256% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 18.4%
48% higher than US avg

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

People

Population813
Median Age20.7 yrs
Density499/mi²
Male / Female58% / 42%
Largest GroupWhite 1%
Veterans2.1%

Economy

C+
Median Income$70,278
Per Capita$17,416
Unemployment12.8%
Poverty18.4%
County GDP$603M
Commute4 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$119,600
Rent$1,028
OwnershipN/A
Rent Burden21.1%

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity43.9%
UninsuredN/A
Depression21.3%
Heart Disease9.3%

Climate

Avg Temp23°F
AQI21 (Good)
Rain9.7 in/yr
Elevation12 ft

Education

F
Bachelor's+2.3%
High School+77.7%
School Score4.86

Community

2024 VoteR 56% / D 44%
Commute4 min
Broadband89.6%
Libraries1

Is Kivalina a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Kivalina receives an overall livability score of 2.9 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, an elevated poverty rate, high obesity rates. Kivalina has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Kivalina is $70,278, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. At 12.8%, unemployment is notably high. The poverty rate of 18.4% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 4 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Kivalina is $119,600, 58% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $1,028 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.7x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

2.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 77.7% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.9/10.

Climate & Weather

Kivalina has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 23°F. Winters average -1°F in January while summers reach 51°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 9.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 21.

Kivalina has a population of 813 with a density of 499 people per square mile. The median age is 20.7 years, 47% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly Hispanic (98.8%), with 1.2% White.

Population

813
Total Population
499
People / sq mi
20.7yrs
Median Age
47% below US avg
1.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 58.3%
Female 41.7%

Race & Ethnicity

Kivalina vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only71.9%
8% below US avg
Spanish28.1%
110% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Kivalina vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Kivalina is $70,278, which is 6% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 12.8% (above the 3.6% US average). 18.4% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 4 minutes.

Income: Kivalina vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$70,278
6% below US avg
Per Capita Income$17,416
Avg Weekly Wage$1,447
IRS Avg AGI$67,367

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment12.8%
256% above US avg
Poverty Rate18.4%
48% above US avg
Establishments (County)290
County GDP$603M

Business (County)

Restaurants17
Healthcare31
Retail32
Manufacturing3

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,940
41% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate4.13%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time4.3 min
Drive Alone2.2%
Public Transit4.8%
Work from Home1.6%

Walkability

The median home value in Kivalina is $119,600, 58% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,028 (12% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$119,600
58% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,028
12% below US avg
Rent Burden21.1%

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-Occupied79.2%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,940
41% above US avg
Effective Rate4.13%
In Kivalina, 43.9% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 21.3% report depression. 35.6% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Kivalina vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity43.9%
37% above US avg
Diabetes17.2%
Heart Disease9.3%
High Blood Pressure40.6%
Asthma14.2%
COPD11.0%
Stroke5.7%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking15.9%
Physical Inactivity35.6%
Depression21.3%
Mental Distress22.4%
Physical Distress21.7%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate75.9%
Checkup Rate66.6%
Premature Death18,090/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment6.1/10
Exercise Access45.8%
Healthcare Facilities31

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

Kivalina has an average annual temperature of 23°F (-5°C). Winters average -1°F in January while summers reach 51°F in July. Annual precipitation is 9.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 21.

Temperature

-1°F Jan (-18°C) 51°F Jul (11°C)
Annual Average22.7°F
58% below US avg
January Average-1°F (-18°C)
July Average51°F (11°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall9.7 inches
75% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median21.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation12 ft (4 m)
Area1.6 sq mi (4.2 km²)
Population Density499/sq mi
Coordinates67.7269°N, 164.5356°W
County FIPS02180
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 2.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (93% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 11.6-point margin. 89.6% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 55.8%
D 44.2%

Winner: Republican by 11.6 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+2.3%
93% below US avg
High School+77.7%
School Test Score4.86
F Education Grade (1.2/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density499/sq mi
Total Area1.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access89.6%
Public Libraries1
Healthcare Facilities31
Restaurants17
Retail Stores32

Safety & Disasters

FEMA Disaster Declarations91

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute4.3 min
Drive Alone2.2%
Public Transit4.8%
Work from Home1.6%

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