Valdez, AK

Full City Profile · Alaska · Chugach Census Area County

3.4 /5.0
B Good
3,911 Population 18/sq mi density
$97,067 Median Income $49,754 per capita
$312,400 Home Value $351,711 Zillow
$1,463 Median Rent 30.1% income on rent
40°F Avg Temperature
130 Violent Crime/100K 337 property/100K
B
Overall
3.4 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.1 / 5.0
$97,067 median income, 7.6% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.9 / 5.0
$312,400 home value, $1,463/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
130 violent crimes/100K
B
Education
3.5 / 5.0
31.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Valdez has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 40°F (4°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 57°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 67.9 inches. The area receives 325.3 inches of snow annually.

Temperature

24°F Jan (-5°C) 57°F Jul (14°C)
Annual Average39.7°F
26% below US avg
January Average24°F (-5°C)
July Average57°F (14°C)

Geography

Area212.9 sq mi (551.4 km²)
Population Density18/sq mi
Coordinates61.0836°N, 146.3172°W
TimezoneAmerica/Anchorage
CountyChugach Census Area County
Nearest AirportTed Stevens Anchorage International (ANC)
123 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 67.9"
79% above US avg
Snowfall 325.3"
Wettest Month (Sep) 9.76"
Driest Month (Jun) 2.44"

Air Quality

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskVery Low
Risk Score19.6 / 100
Social Vulnerability10.6 / 100
Community Resilience24.1 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

Earthquake History

2,075 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M5.4. Most recent: M3.3 on Aug 30, 2025.

Mar 1, 2000 40 km S of Cordova, Alaska M5.4 102 km
Jun 6, 1995 48 km SW of Cordova, Alaska M5.3 92 km
May 13, 1993 9 km ESE of Eureka Roadhouse, Alaska M5.1 98 km
Aug 25, 2004 48 km SSE of Nelchina, Alaska M5.1 56 km
Feb 17, 1995 4 km N of Chickaloon, Alaska M5.0 141 km
Feb 27, 2000 39 km SSW of Cordova, Alaska M5.0 100 km
Jan 25, 2021 36 km SSW of Cordova, Alaska M4.9 97 km
Feb 25, 2002 42 km SW of Tatitlek, Alaska M4.9 73 km
Aug 9, 2012 41 km NE of Chenega, Alaska M4.8 105 km
Sep 24, 2022 Southern Alaska M4.8 60 km
Apr 6, 2005 37 km NNW of Valdez, Alaska M4.8 43 km
Jun 20, 2010 11 km SW of Tatitlek, Alaska M4.8 43 km
Jul 27, 1995 Southern Alaska M4.8 45 km
Jan 13, 2005 49 km NNE of Chenega, Alaska M4.7 97 km
Jan 10, 1998 55 km S of Glacier View, Alaska M4.7 77 km
Oct 18, 1996 47 km SSE of Nelchina, Alaska M4.7 59 km
Dec 25, 2012 Southern Alaska M4.7 65 km
Aug 18, 1998 35 km E of Knik River, Alaska M4.7 113 km
Sep 21, 1990 6 km NNW of Chickaloon, Alaska M4.6 144 km
Jun 25, 2010 10 km NNW of Glacier View, Alaska M4.6 117 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990-2025)

Tsunami History

2 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 51.8 m (170 ft).

Year Location Cause Max Wave Deaths Distance
1964 PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND, AK Eruption + Earthquake 51.8 m 139 58 km
1925 GULF OF ALASKA, AK Eruption + Earthquake 1.4 m - 122 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database. Sorted by wave height.

Nearby Volcanoes

1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Wrangell (159 km).

Name Type Elevation Last Eruption Distance
Wrangell Shield 4,278 m (14,035 ft) 1912 159 km
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP). Sorted by distance.

Wildfire History

1 wildfire (100+ acres) within 100 km. Largest: TOKAINA 2 (14,741 ac, 2019).

Year Name Acres Distance
2019 TOKAINA 2 14,741 88 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 24°F (-5°C) 6.6 in Coldest
February 27°F (-3°C) 5.9 in
March 30°F (-1°C) 4.1 in
April 39°F (4°C) 3.4 in
May 48°F (9°C) 3.0 in
June 54°F (12°C) 2.4 in Driest
July 57°F (14°C) 3.9 in Warmest
August 55°F (13°C) 7.0 in
September 48°F (9°C) 9.8 in Wettest
October 40°F (4°C) 8.0 in
November 29°F (-1°C) 6.1 in
December 26°F (-3°C) 7.7 in

Valdez has a seasonal temperature swing of 33°F / from 24°F in January to 57°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 67.9 inches, with September being the wettest month (9.8") and June the driest (2.4").

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