1st Advantage MortgageAleutians West Census Area households have a median income of $135,500 and median rent of $1,982 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). Those figures describe the county, not you: compare at least three written offers by APR and total cost, and confirm the lender's license before you apply.
On this page
- A quick profile of Aleutians West Census Area
- Renting and owning in Aleutians West Census Area
- What Aleutians West Census Area households earn
- The Aleutians West Census Area job picture
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Aleutians West Census Area
- Aleutians West Census Area and the counties next door
- Debt-to-income at Aleutians West Census Area's medians
- Local borrowing considerations for Aleutians West Census Area
- Aleutians West Census Area residents: age, schooling, coverage
- Lender oversight for Aleutians West Census Area
- Steps before you apply in Aleutians West Census Area
- More guides for Aleutians West Census Area
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Aleutians West Census Area
Roughly 5,235 residents live in Aleutians West Census Area, Alaska, 17th by population among the state's 30 counties and county equivalents. Spread over 4,393 square miles, that works out to roughly 1.2 residents per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Aleutians West Census Area in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. Unalaska is the biggest of its 8 Census places, at roughly 4,556 people (87% of the county total). Small populations mean wide margins of error, so read every Aleutians West Census Area figure on this page as a rough guide.
Renting and owning in Aleutians West Census Area
A typical Aleutians West Census Area rental runs $1,982 a month including utilities, which is 40% above Alaska. By the Census definition, 29% of Aleutians West Census Area renters are cost-burdened. With a median value of $434,700, a typical Aleutians West Census Area house costs 3.2 times what the median household earns in a year. 33% of Aleutians West Census Area households own their home and 67% rent. Half the housing stock was built before 1990.
| Home costs | Aleutians West Census Area | Alaska | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,982/mo | $1,419/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $434,700 | $352,900 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 33% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 29% | 45% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 49% | 29% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 3.2% | 3.9% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 29% | 18% | n/a |
For the many renters in Aleutians West Census Area, deposits, moving costs and card balances are typical reasons to borrow. Keep the amount small and the term short.
What Aleutians West Census Area households earn
At $135,500, the typical Aleutians West Census Area household income is 106% above the median U.S. county ($65,681). In the state ranking that is 1st of 30.
| Income band | Share in Aleutians West Census Area | Difference from Alaska |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 5.9% | -10.3 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 28.2% | -9.0 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 43.6% | +11.7 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 22.3% | +7.6 pts |
About 6% of households earn under $35,000, while 66% clear $100,000. The poverty rate is 11.3%, 1 point higher than the state's 10.1%. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.357 (0 is perfect equality). A household earning below the $135,500 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
The Aleutians West Census Area job picture
By the Census industry count, 35% of employed Aleutians West Census Area residents work in manufacturing and 16% in transportation, warehousing and utilities. Manufacturing stands out: 35% of workers here, versus 4% statewide. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 4.3% in Aleutians West Census Area. About 44% drive to work alone and 0% have trips of 45 minutes or more. Households without a car make up 5.3% of the total (9.0% statewide).
| Top industries | Aleutians West Census Area share | +/- vs Alaska |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 35.3% | +31.1 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 16.4% | +7.3 pts |
| Public administration | 13.1% | +1.1 pts |
| Wholesale trade | 8.1% | +6.5 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 6.6% | +2.6 pts |
| Retail trade | 6.5% | -3.5 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Cities, towns and CDPs in Aleutians West Census Area
8 Census places fall mainly inside Aleutians West Census Area; the 8 biggest are below. They account for 5,235 residents, leaving about 0% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. No Aleutians West Census Area place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 8.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unalaska | city | 4,556 | $131,964 | $2,034 | 591 mi |
| St. Paul | city | 378 | $158,438 | $971 | 540 mi |
| Eareckson Station | CDP | 129 | n/a | n/a | 239 mi |
| Adak | city | 73 | $250,001 | n/a | 161 mi |
| St. George | city | 70 | n/a | n/a | 537 mi |
| Atka | city | 15 | n/a | n/a | 262 mi |
| Attu Station | CDP | 13 | n/a | n/a | 276 mi |
| Nikolski | CDP | 1 | n/a | n/a | 496 mi |
Aleutians West Census Area and the counties next door
Aleutians East Borough is closest, 785 miles from center to center; the sixth, Lake and Peninsula Borough, is 1033 miles off. Bristol Bay Borough leads the group on income ($95,625), Kusilvak Census Area trails ($51,471), and Aleutians West Census Area out-earns 6 of the six.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aleutians West Census Area | - | $135,500 | $1,982/mo | 33% |
| Aleutians East Borough, AK | 785 mi | $65,365 | $979/mo | 64% |
| Kusilvak Census Area, AK | 956 mi | $51,471 | $833/mo | 70% |
| Bethel Census Area, AK | 984 mi | $73,996 | $1,474/mo | 62% |
| Dillingham Census Area, AK | 1000 mi | $78,533 | $1,105/mo | 61% |
| Bristol Bay Borough, AK | 1024 mi | $95,625 | $1,317/mo | 54% |
| Lake and Peninsula Borough, AK | 1033 mi | $65,625 | $936/mo | 65% |
Debt-to-income at Aleutians West Census Area's medians
Aleutians West Census Area at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- Monthly gross at the median, Aleutians West Census Area: $11,292
- 18% goes to median rent ($1,982)
- Under a 35% cap, $3,952 total minus rent leaves $1,970
- Under a 45% cap, $5,081 total minus rent leaves $3,099
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Aleutians West Census Area's.
Local borrowing considerations for Aleutians West Census Area
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Aleutians West Census Area borrowers.
- Uninsured care. 19% lack coverage here; nonprofit hospitals must publish an assistance policy, so ask for it first (guide).
- Consolidation math. With 66% at six figures, card consolidation is common; it pays only if total cost falls (guide).
- Fraud. Gift cards, wire transfers or fees to unlock a loan mean walk away (report it).
Aleutians West Census Area residents: age, schooling, coverage
Degree holders: 18% of adults over 25. The uninsured rate is 18.5%, against 11.0% for Alaska.
| Measure | Aleutians West Census Area | Alaska statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.1 | 35.8 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 17.9% | 31.7% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 9.4% | 6.4% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 18.5% | 11.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 5.3% | 9.0% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 8.3% | 9.7% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 11.3% | 10.1% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.3% | 5.9% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | Aleutians West Census Area |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 91.3% |
| 15 to 29 min | 7.9% |
| 30 to 44 min | 0.7% |
| 45 to 59 min | 0.1% |
| 60+ min | 0.0% |
Lender oversight for Aleutians West Census Area
Before sharing details with a lender, a Aleutians West Census Area resident can confirm its license with the Alaska Division of Banking and Securities. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. More on Alaska: Alaska personal loans.
Steps before you apply in Aleutians West Census Area
Quick steps for Aleutians West Census Area:
- Price the Aleutians West Census Area expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Alaska borrowers.
- Lock paid-off cards after consolidating so balances stay at zero.
More guides for Aleutians West Census Area
For statewide rules and data, see the Alaska guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Aleutians West Census Area?
$135,500 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $92,788 for Alaska. It ranks 1st of 30 in the state.
What do renters pay in Aleutians West Census Area?
$1,982 a month at the median, about 18% of median household income.
Does this page cover Unalaska?
Yes, along with the other 7 Census places in Aleutians West Census Area, such as St. Paul, Eareckson Station, Adak.
Does living in Aleutians West Census Area change what I qualify for?
Not in our fit check, which uses only the amount, credit range, income and payments you enter, the same for a Aleutians West Census Area resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.
Who regulates personal lenders for Aleutians West Census Area residents?
The Alaska Division of Banking and Securities licenses consumer lenders in Alaska; the CFPB takes complaints about any lender, and the FTC wants to hear about fee-first offers.