1st Advantage MortgageAbout 62% of Fairbanks North Star Borough homes are owner-occupied, and the median household income is $88,267. Your income, debts and credit decide what you qualify for. Get offers in writing, compare the total repaid, and never pay a fee up front.
On this page
- Fairbanks North Star Borough at a glance
- How much Fairbanks North Star Borough households make
- Rent, home values and ownership in Fairbanks North Star Borough
- The Fairbanks North Star Borough job picture
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Fairbanks North Star Borough
- How Fairbanks North Star Borough compares with nearby counties
- People and households in Fairbanks North Star Borough
- Reading the Fairbanks North Star Borough data as a borrower
- A Fairbanks North Star Borough household budget, worked through
- Before you sign
- Alaska rules that apply in Fairbanks North Star Borough
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Fairbanks North Star Borough at a glance
Roughly 95,460 residents live in Fairbanks North Star Borough, Alaska, 3rd by population among the state's 30 counties and county equivalents. Land area is 7,335 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 13 per square mile. For statistical purposes it belongs to the Fairbanks-College, AK metro area, as delineated by the Office of Management and Budget in July 2023. The Census Bureau counts 17 places in the county (2 incorporated, 15 census-designated); the largest is Fairbanks, with about 32,083 residents, or 34% of the county.
How much Fairbanks North Star Borough households make
At $88,267, the typical Fairbanks North Star Borough household income is 34% above the median U.S. county ($65,681). In the state ranking that is 10th of 30.
| Household income | Fairbanks North Star Borough | vs Alaska |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 13.2% | -2.9 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 43.1% | +5.9 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 31.0% | -0.9 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 12.6% | -2.0 pts |
The spread is wide: 44% of Fairbanks North Star Borough households make $100,000 or more, and 13% make less than $35,000. 6.1% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 10.1%). The Gini index of income inequality is 0.412 (0 is perfect equality). A household earning below the $88,267 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
Rent, home values and ownership in Fairbanks North Star Borough
Renters in Fairbanks North Star Borough pay a median of $1,459 a month, 3% above the Alaska figure of $1,419. By the Census definition, 46% of Fairbanks North Star Borough renters are cost-burdened. With a median value of $298,200, a typical Fairbanks North Star Borough house costs 3.4 times what the median household earns in a year. 62% of Fairbanks North Star Borough households own their home and 38% rent. The median year built is 1985.
| Cost | Fairbanks North Star Borough | Alaska figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,459/mo | $1,419/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $298,200 | $352,900 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 62% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 46% | 45% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 29% | 29% | n/a |
The Fairbanks North Star Borough job picture
Education and health care employs 25% of working residents, the largest share; retail trade is next with 11%. The survey's unemployment rate for Fairbanks North Star Borough averages 5.3% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 5.9%). About 71% drive to work alone and 5% have trips of 45 minutes or more. Only 4.6% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Sector | Fairbanks North Star Borough | Compared with Alaska |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 25.4% | +0.8 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.0% | +1.1 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 10.3% | +2.0 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 9.4% | +0.9 pts |
| Public administration | 9.2% | -2.7 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 8.1% | -1.0 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Cities, towns and CDPs in Fairbanks North Star Borough
Here are the 14 most populous of the county's 17 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 99% of Fairbanks North Star Borough residents live in one of the 17. Incomes vary by place: $218,389 at the median in Pleasant Valley, $53,272 in Ester. No Fairbanks North Star Borough place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 17.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fairbanks | city | 32,083 | $73,534 | $1,496 | 36 mi |
| Badger | CDP | 18,677 | $97,183 | $1,629 | 28 mi |
| College | CDP | 11,924 | $83,895 | $1,454 | 41 mi |
| Steele Creek | CDP | 5,928 | $121,364 | $1,223 | 33 mi |
| Chena Ridge | CDP | 5,881 | $133,775 | $1,110 | 46 mi |
| Farmers Loop | CDP | 4,954 | $109,950 | $1,406 | 39 mi |
| Goldstream | CDP | 3,294 | $103,589 | $847 | 49 mi |
| Eielson AFB | CDP | 3,155 | $68,199 | $2,103 | 17 mi |
| Ester | CDP | 2,752 | $53,272 | $1,208 | 48 mi |
| North Pole | city | 2,370 | $92,273 | $1,304 | 26 mi |
| Salcha | CDP | 829 | $87,803 | n/a | 15 mi |
| Pleasant Valley | CDP | 790 | $218,389 | n/a | 19 mi |
| South Van Horn | CDP | 572 | $73,214 | n/a | 39 mi |
| Moose Creek | CDP | 507 | $91,250 | $1,487 | 20 mi |
A CDP is a named community without its own municipal government.
How Fairbanks North Star Borough compares with nearby counties
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Fairbanks North Star Borough's, from 113 to 257 miles away. Anchorage Municipality leads the group on income ($103,284), Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area trails ($55,741), and Fairbanks North Star Borough out-earns 4 of the six.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fairbanks North Star Borough | - | $88,267 | $1,459/mo | 62% |
| Southeast Fairbanks Census Area, AK | 113 mi | $73,882 | $1,351/mo | 75% |
| Denali Borough, AK | 126 mi | $80,781 | $825/mo | 65% |
| Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area, AK | 156 mi | $55,741 | $1,084/mo | 70% |
| Matanuska-Susitna Borough, AK | 190 mi | $94,031 | $1,299/mo | 77% |
| Copper River Census Area, AK | 199 mi | $79,250 | $1,089/mo | 69% |
| Anchorage Municipality, AK | 257 mi | $103,284 | $1,489/mo | 64% |
People and households in Fairbanks North Star Borough
33% of Fairbanks North Star Borough adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. About 9% go without health insurance.
| Fairbanks North Star Borough | Alaska | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 32.5 | 35.8 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 33.1% | 31.7% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 5.3% | 6.4% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 9.3% | 11.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 4.6% | 9.0% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 6.6% | 9.7% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 6.1% | 10.1% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.3% | 5.9% | 4.4% |
| One-way commute | Share of Fairbanks North Star Borough workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 37.7% |
| 15 to 29 min | 44.9% |
| 30 to 44 min | 12.1% |
| 45 to 59 min | 1.9% |
| 60+ min | 3.4% |
Reading the Fairbanks North Star Borough data as a borrower
What the Fairbanks North Star Borough figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Consolidation math. With 44% at six figures, card consolidation is common; it pays only if total cost falls (guide).
- Tight rental budgets. With 46% of Fairbanks North Star Borough renters cost-burdened, test a new payment against a lean month.
- Know your credit. Review all three bureau reports for free (AnnualCreditReport.com).
A Fairbanks North Star Borough household budget, worked through
Fairbanks North Star Borough at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- $88,267 a year is $7,356 of gross monthly income
- 20% goes to median rent ($1,459)
- At 35%, room after rent is $1,115 a month
- 45% debt-to-income limit: $1,851 left for all other debt payments
If your rent is above $1,459, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
Before you sign
Steps that save money for Fairbanks North Star Borough residents:
- Price the Fairbanks North Star Borough expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- Look the lender up with the state regulator first.
- Lock paid-off cards after consolidating so balances stay at zero.
Alaska rules that apply in Fairbanks North Star Borough
Consumer lenders serving Fairbanks North Star Borough are licensed by the state, not the county; in Alaska that is the Alaska Division of Banking and Securities. A CFPB complaint gets forwarded to the company for a response. The Alaska guide covers state rules in more detail.
Related local guides
The Alaska guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Fairbanks North Star Borough earn?
The median is $88,267; 44% earn $100,000 or more and 13% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
How much is rent in Fairbanks North Star Borough?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $1,459 a month; 46% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
Which towns does the Fairbanks North Star Borough guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 17 Census places: Fairbanks, Badger, College, Steele Creek, Chena Ridge.
Is the fit check different in Fairbanks North Star Borough?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.
Where can someone in Fairbanks North Star Borough check a lender's license?
With the Alaska Division of Banking and Securities. If a lender is unlicensed or asks for a fee before funding, walk away.