North Pole, AK

Alaska · Metropolitan Area

North Pole is a small town in Alaska with a population of 2,663. Residents earn $93,355 per year, which is 24% above the national average.

3.4 /5.0
B Good
2,663 Population 651/sq mi density
$93,355 Median Income $38,377 per capita
$272,000 Home Value $317,494 Zillow
$1,281 Median Rent
27°F Avg Temperature
492 Violent Crime/100K 3,087 property/100K
B
Overall
3.4 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.6 / 5.0
$93,355 median income, 3.6% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$272,000 home value, $1,281/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
492 violent crimes/100K (30% above avg)
B
Education
3.2 / 5.0
27.1% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $93,355
24% higher than US avg
Home Value $272,000
4% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 492/100K
30% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 27.1%
20% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,281
10% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 35.3%
10% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.6%
0% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 3.5%
72% lower than US avg

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

People

Population2,663
Median Age29.2 yrs
Density651/mi²
Male / Female58% / 42%
Largest GroupWhite 66%

Economy

A+
Median Income$93,355
Per Capita$38,377
Unemployment3.6%
Poverty3.5%
County GDP$7,891M
Commute24 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$272,000
Rent$1,281
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$317,494

Crime

F
Violent492/100K
Property3,087/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault358/100K
Burglary850/100K

Health

Obesity35.3%
UninsuredN/A
Depression20.7%
Heart Disease4.9%

Climate

Avg Temp27°F
AQI21 (Good)
Rain13.5 in/yr
Elevation492 ft

Education

B
Bachelor's+27.1%
High School+97.8%
School Score4.86

Community

2024 VoteR 56% / D 44%
Commute24 min
Libraries3

Is North Pole a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, North Pole receives an overall livability score of 3.4 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. North Pole offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in North Pole is $93,355, 24% above the national average of $75,149. Residents generally enjoy above-average earning potential. Unemployment stands at 3.6%, indicating a healthy job market. Only 3.5% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in North Pole is $272,000, roughly aligned with the national median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,281 per month. At just 2.9x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

The violent crime rate of 492 per 100,000 is above the national average of 380 — something for prospective residents to consider. Property crime occurs at a rate of 3,087 per 100,000, 58% above the national average.

Education

27.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 97.8% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.9/10.

Climate & Weather

North Pole has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 27°F. Winters average -10°F in January while summers reach 61°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 13.5 inches, including 53.1 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 21.

North Pole has a population of 2,663 with a density of 651 people per square mile. The median age is 29.2 years, 25% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (66.1%), with 15.5% Hispanic, 3.2% Black.

Population

2,663
Total Population
651
People / sq mi
29.2yrs
Median Age
25% below US avg
4.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 58.2%
Female 41.8%

Race & Ethnicity

North Pole vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only94.5%
20% above US avg
Spanish5.5%
59% below US avg

Social Characteristics

North Pole vs U.S. Average

The median household income in North Pole is $93,355, which is 24% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.6% (below the 3.6% US average). 3.5% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Income: North Pole vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$93,355
24% above US avg
Per Capita Income$38,377
Avg Weekly Wage$1,340
IRS Avg AGI$83,952

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.6%
0% below US avg
Poverty Rate3.5%
72% below US avg
Establishments (County)2,441
County GDP$7,891M

Business (County)

Restaurants247
Healthcare325
Retail270
Manufacturing66

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$6,621
89% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.43%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time23.7 min
Work from Home0.0%

Walkability

The median home value in North Pole is $272,000, 4% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,281 (10% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $317,494.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$272,000
4% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$317,494
Median List Price$309,450

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$309,450
$/Sq Ft$153
Homes Sold4
Sale-to-List Ratio100.0%
Price Drops26.7%
Inventory15

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,281
10% above US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$1,994

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-Occupied57.0%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$6,621
89% above US avg
Effective Rate2.43%
In North Pole, 35.3% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 20.7% report depression. 22.1% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: North Pole vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity35.3%
10% above US avg
Diabetes8.3%
Heart Disease4.9%
High Blood Pressure31.4%
Asthma10.4%
COPD5.2%
Stroke2.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking17.5%
Physical Inactivity22.1%
Depression20.7%
Mental Distress16.0%
Physical Distress12.4%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate93.6%
Checkup Rate66.7%
Premature Death8,713/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.3/10
Exercise Access74.0%
Healthcare Facilities325
North Pole has a violent crime rate of 492 per 100,000 residents, 30% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 3,087 per 100,000 (58% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent492.2/100K
30% above US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery134.2/100K
Assault357.9/100K

Property Crime

Total Property3,087.3/100K
58% above US avg
Burglary850.1/100K
Theft2,102.9/100K
Vehicle Theft134.2/100K
Arson44.7/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)9
FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
North Pole has an average annual temperature of 27°F (-3°C). Winters average -10°F in January while summers reach 61°F in July. Annual precipitation is 13.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 21.

Temperature

-10°F Jan (-23°C) 61°F Jul (16°C)
Annual Average26.5°F
51% below US avg
January Average-10°F (-23°C)
July Average61°F (16°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall13.5 inches
64% below US avg
Snowfall53.1 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median21.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation492 ft (150 m)
Area4.1 sq mi (10.6 km²)
Population Density651/sq mi
Coordinates64.7527°N, 147.3627°W
County FIPS02090
It is classified as Metro — under 250K. 27.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (20% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 11.6-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 55.8%
D 44.2%

Winner: Republican by 11.6 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+27.1%
20% below US avg
High School+97.8%
School Test Score4.86
B Education Grade (3.2/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 3Metro — under 250K
Population Density651/sq mi
Total Area4.1 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries3
Healthcare Facilities325
Restaurants247
Retail Stores270

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)9
FEMA Disaster Declarations91
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute23.7 min
Work from Home0.0%

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