1st Advantage MortgageSoutheast Fairbanks Census Area households have a median income of $73,882 and median rent of $1,351 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). A loan makes sense only if its total cost beats your alternatives and the payment fits your budget. Check the lender's Alaska license first.
On this page
- Getting oriented in Southeast Fairbanks Census Area
- What it costs to live in Southeast Fairbanks Census Area
- How much Southeast Fairbanks Census Area households make
- Work, industries and travel time in Southeast Fairbanks Census Area
- The counties around Southeast Fairbanks Census Area
- Southeast Fairbanks Census Area towns compared
- More Southeast Fairbanks Census Area figures
- What the numbers mean for Southeast Fairbanks Census Area borrowers
- A Southeast Fairbanks Census Area household budget, worked through
- Checking a lender's license in Alaska
- Checklist for Southeast Fairbanks Census Area applicants
- More guides for Southeast Fairbanks Census Area
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Southeast Fairbanks Census Area
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Southeast Fairbanks Census Area's population at 7,068; only 13 of Alaska's 30 county-level areas are larger. It covers 24,832 square miles of land, with fewer than one resident per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Southeast Fairbanks Census Area is not part of any metropolitan area. The Census Bureau counts 17 places in the county (2 incorporated, 15 census-designated); the largest is Deltana, with about 1,997 residents, or 28% of the county. Because Southeast Fairbanks Census Area is small, the survey's margins of error are wide; treat the numbers as approximate.
What it costs to live in Southeast Fairbanks Census Area
Renters in Southeast Fairbanks Census Area pay a median of $1,351 a month, 5% below the Alaska figure of $1,419. 39% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 12% spend half or more. Home values center on $282,000, or 3.8 years of median income. The ownership rate is 75%. The median year built is 1988.
| Home costs | Southeast Fairbanks Census Area | Alaska | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,351/mo | $1,419/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $282,000 | $352,900 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 75% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 39% | 45% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 42% | 29% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 2.2% | 3.9% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 29% | 18% | n/a |
Because most Southeast Fairbanks Census Area households own, home repairs are a frequent reason to borrow. An unsecured personal loan leaves the house out of the deal, while a HELOC uses it as collateral.
How much Southeast Fairbanks Census Area households make
At $73,882, the typical Southeast Fairbanks Census Area household income is 12% above the median U.S. county ($65,681). That places it 23rd among Alaska's 30 county-level areas.
| Income band | Share in Southeast Fairbanks Census Area | Difference from Alaska |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 23.9% | +7.7 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 42.8% | +5.5 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 27.0% | -4.9 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 6.2% | -8.4 pts |
Some 24% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 33% have six-figure incomes. 12.7% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 10.1%). The Gini index of income inequality is 0.436 (0 is perfect equality). Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
Work, industries and travel time in Southeast Fairbanks Census Area
By the Census industry count, 18% of employed Southeast Fairbanks Census Area residents work in public administration and 17% in agriculture, forestry and mining. Agriculture, forestry and mining stands out: 17% of workers here, versus 5% statewide. The survey's unemployment rate for Southeast Fairbanks Census Area averages 6.5% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 5.9%). 6% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 13% work from home. Only 6.6% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Sector | Southeast Fairbanks Census Area | Compared with Alaska |
|---|---|---|
| Public administration | 17.7% | +5.7 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 17.5% | +12.8 pts |
| Education and health care | 15.0% | -9.5 pts |
| Construction | 12.2% | +5.1 pts |
| Retail trade | 8.2% | -1.8 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 6.1% | -2.4 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Southeast Fairbanks Census Area should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
The counties around Southeast Fairbanks Census Area
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Southeast Fairbanks Census Area's, from 113 to 268 miles away. All of the six report a higher median household income than Southeast Fairbanks Census Area; Anchorage Municipality is highest at $103,284 and Copper River Census Area lowest at $79,250.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southeast Fairbanks Census Area | - | $73,882 | $1,351/mo | 75% |
| Fairbanks North Star Borough, AK | 113 mi | $88,267 | $1,459/mo | 62% |
| Copper River Census Area, AK | 128 mi | $79,250 | $1,089/mo | 69% |
| Denali Borough, AK | 208 mi | $80,781 | $825/mo | 65% |
| Matanuska-Susitna Borough, AK | 225 mi | $94,031 | $1,299/mo | 77% |
| Chugach Census Area, AK | 252 mi | $90,509 | $1,369/mo | 64% |
| Anchorage Municipality, AK | 268 mi | $103,284 | $1,489/mo | 64% |
Southeast Fairbanks Census Area towns compared
The table lists the 14 largest of 17 Census places in Southeast Fairbanks Census Area, by population. Together all 17 hold about 6,335 people, so roughly 10% of residents live outside any named place. Big Delta has the highest median household income on the list ($104,653) and Tok the lowest ($64,063), counting places with at least 500 residents. This guide covers each of the 17 places and the rural areas around them.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deltana | CDP | 1,997 | $91,923 | n/a | 65 mi |
| Tok | CDP | 1,649 | $64,063 | $1,177 | 37 mi |
| Delta Junction | city | 1,217 | $84,271 | $1,186 | 76 mi |
| Big Delta | CDP | 565 | $104,653 | n/a | 79 mi |
| Northway | CDP | 192 | $33,036 | n/a | 79 mi |
| Dry Creek | CDP | 162 | $50,368 | n/a | 46 mi |
| Tanacross | CDP | 155 | $53,125 | $528 | 38 mi |
| Tetlin | CDP | 123 | n/a | n/a | 52 mi |
| Fort Greely | CDP | 111 | $70,744 | $2,218 | 76 mi |
| Eagle | city | 95 | $41,750 | n/a | 88 mi |
| Eagle Village | CDP | 24 | $37,188 | n/a | 88 mi |
| Healy Lake | CDP | 24 | n/a | n/a | 46 mi |
| Whitestone | CDP | 18 | n/a | n/a | 84 mi |
| Alcan Border | CDP | 3 | n/a | n/a | 102 mi |
CDPs are unincorporated communities the Census Bureau defines for counting.
More Southeast Fairbanks Census Area figures
23% of Southeast Fairbanks Census Area adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. 14.8% of residents have no health coverage.
| Measure | Southeast Fairbanks Census Area | Alaska statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 38.1 | 35.8 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 23.2% | 31.7% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 6.8% | 6.4% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 14.8% | 11.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 6.6% | 9.0% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 13.0% | 9.7% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 12.7% | 10.1% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 6.5% | 5.9% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | Southeast Fairbanks Census Area |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 53.7% |
| 15 to 29 min | 33.2% |
| 30 to 44 min | 6.6% |
| 45 to 59 min | 1.6% |
| 60+ min | 4.8% |
What the numbers mean for Southeast Fairbanks Census Area borrowers
What the Southeast Fairbanks Census Area figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Medical bills. 15% of Southeast Fairbanks Census Area residents are uninsured. Before borrowing for care, ask the provider about financial assistance and payment plans.
- Getting ready. Gather pay stubs or benefit letters before you apply (checklist).
- Consolidating cards in Southeast Fairbanks Census Area. Compare the total repaid, not the monthly figure (how).
A Southeast Fairbanks Census Area household budget, worked through
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Southeast Fairbanks Census Area household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- Median income divided by twelve: $6,157 before taxes
- Rent at the median, $1,351, takes 22% of that
- Under a 36% cap, $2,216 total minus rent leaves $865
- $1,296: what a 43% ratio leaves once rent is paid
If your rent is above $1,351, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
Checking a lender's license in Alaska
Consumer lenders serving Southeast Fairbanks Census Area 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. See the Alaska state guide for the statewide picture.
Checklist for Southeast Fairbanks Census Area applicants
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- Look the lender up with the state regulator first.
- Never pay a fee up front to get a loan.
More guides for Southeast Fairbanks Census Area
The Alaska guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Southeast Fairbanks Census Area?
$73,882 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $92,788 for Alaska. It ranks 23rd of 30 in the state.
What do renters pay in Southeast Fairbanks Census Area?
$1,351 a month at the median, about 22% of median household income.
I live in a small Southeast Fairbanks Census Area town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Deltana, Tok, Delta Junction, Big Delta, Northway and 12 more.
Are Southeast Fairbanks Census Area applicants treated differently?
No. Everyone answers the same questions and is screened on the same objective points; lending partners set their own criteria under fair-lending laws.
Who do I complain to about a lender in Southeast Fairbanks Census Area?
Start with the Alaska Division of Banking and Securities, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.