Fairbanks

Fairbanks, Alaska Overview

Fairbanks scores 48.5/100 overall (C), ranking #10 of 20 cities in Alaska — above the state composite of 42.1. Outdoor Access is the city’s relative strength at 100/100, while Education lags at 21/100.

Income & Employment in Fairbanks

The median household income in Fairbanks is $72,077, 14% below the statewide median of $84,143. The local unemployment rate of 4.4% is lower than the state’s 5.3%. Population declined 0.9%.

Safety in Fairbanks

Fairbanks reports 594.5 violent crimes per 100,000, roughly in line with the statewide rate of 724 per 100,000. The property crime rate is 4039.3 per 100,000.

Cost of Living in Fairbanks

Fairbanks has a cost of living index of 99.4 (where 100 equals the national average), slightly below the national benchmark. The median home value is $255,700. Median monthly rent is $1,470. Renters spend 24.5% of income on rent, well within the 30% affordability guideline.

Health & Wellness in Fairbanks

The adult obesity rate in Fairbanks is 35.5%, above the national average and a factor in the city’s health profile. The diabetes prevalence rate is 7.9%. Residents report an average of 17.7 poor mental health days per month, above the typical range. Alaska ranks #30 nationally for overall health.

Education & Schools in Fairbanks

The high school graduation rate in Fairbanks is 72.3%, below the national average and a challenge for the community. With a student-teacher ratio of 37.3:1, class sizes tend to be larger than the national median. Per-pupil spending is $12,590. The city has 25 public schools serving 19,589 students. School data is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data and EDFacts.

Climate & Commute in Fairbanks

Winters in Fairbanks are cold, averaging 3°F. Summers average 62°F. Winters average 3°F. Annual precipitation is 17.2 inches. The average commute of 13 minutes is notably short.

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