City profile · Alaska · Census ACS 2023

Valdez, AK

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Valdez - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

3,911
Residents
$97,067
Median income
$312,400
Median home
$1,506
Median rent (state)

Valdez - the verdict

Nationally, Valdez sits in the 76th percentile for household income and the 87th percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

76th
percentile, household income
67th
percentile, home value
60th
percentile, median rent
87th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Valdez, AK

Valdez is a small town in Alaska, home to 3,911 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Valdez households earn a median of $97,067 annually, placing it in the top quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 3.3%. Home values in Valdez run a median of $312,400, and the median resident age is 39.3 years. About 31.0% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 63.5% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 13 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Rapid Growth), up 30% from five years earlier. Valdez reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR figures show 466.5 crimes per 100,000 residents, below the national average (reporting is voluntary across agencies, so treat this as reporting activity rather than a definitive danger score). The annual average temperature per NOAA climate normals runs 36.8°F with 82.1 inches of precipitation per year.

Alaska tracks close to the national cost-of-living baseline: the state registers 102.4 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Near Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $1,506 per month statewide. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Alaska's average monthly utility costs around $271 (state average). Commute times here average 11.1 minutes, with 75.7% driving alone and 3.5% working from home, per Census ACS commuting data. Natural-hazard exposure scores 19.6 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very Low).

Population

3,911 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Alaska

Median Household Income

$97,067 /yr

Poverty 3.3%

Cost of Living Index (state)

102.4 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Alaska average

How does Valdez compare to other US cities?

Here's how Valdez stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 76% higher than other cities
Home value 67% pricier than other cities
Median rent 60% pricier than other cities
Safety 87% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

A national percentile can hide a lot of local variation: narrowed to Alaska alone, Valdez ranks #4 of 20 Alaska cities by lowest crime rate - a different, more locally useful comparison than stacking it against the entire country.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Valdez against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Alaska only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Alaska-relative analysis

Bachelor's Degree or Higher places Valdez toward the top of Alaska's cities

Among the 228 Alaska cities PlainCities tracks with reported bachelor's degree or higher data, Valdez ranks #43 - the 81st percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Valdez only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#32 of 215
85th percentile in Alaska
Median Gross Rent
#118 of 228
47th percentile in Alaska
Median Home Value
#41 of 200
80th percentile in Alaska
Poverty Rate
#175 of 225
22nd percentile in Alaska
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#43 of 228
81st percentile in Alaska

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Alaska only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

76thIncome percentile
87thSafety percentile

76th percentile nationally for median household income · 87th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Valdez's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Valdez's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 67 Avg. percentile National median
Valdez's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Valdez's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$312,400 33rd percentile more affordable than 33% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). This entry sits in this band. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Valdez $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Valdez, AK Valdez, AK's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Valdez, AK-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Valdez, AK median $97,067/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Valdez, AK's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Valdez, AK. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 31.0%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 3.3%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 63.5%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
3,911
Median Income
$97,067
Median Home Value
$312,400
Median Age
39.3
Poverty Rate
3.3%
Labor force participation
63.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
31.0%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
466.5
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
129.6
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
336.9
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Climate

Avg Temperature
36.8°F
Annual Precipitation
82.1"
Annual Snowfall
N/A

Schools

Total Schools
4
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
3,600 residents3,700 residents3,800 residents3,900 residents4,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 3,963 residents 3,681 residents ▼ -7.1%
Valdez's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📈 Rapid Growth
Total Permits (2024)
13
housing units authorized
Single-Family
8
detached homes
Multifamily
5
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
3.3
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 10
2020 12
2021 9
2022 8
2023 6
2024 13

Permit volume increased 30% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
11.1 minutes
Drive Alone
75.7%
Carpool
9.2%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
8.2%
Work from Home
3.5%
Other
3.4%

Based on 2,058 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Alaska - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$131
avg/month
Natural Gas
$95
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$45
avg/month
Total Utilities
$271
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Alaska state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Alaska state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Valdez sits in

Cost of Living Index
102.4
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,506/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
19.6 / 100
Very Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Alaska

Butte
3,905 people
Nome
3,668 people
Mill Bay
3,541 people
Unalaska
4,430 people
Soldotna
4,448 people
Petersburg
3,346 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Valdez's 3,911 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Kittanning, PA
3,910 people
Oronoque, CT
3,908 people
Dupo, IL
3,914 people
Morongo Valley, CA
3,907 people
Centerville, MN
3,915 people
Emerald Isle, NC
3,915 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Valdez's $97,067 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Margaret, AL
$97,075 median income
Monrovia, CA
$97,083 median income
Suisun City, CA
$97,083 median income
Palm Springs North, FL
$97,083 median income
Heritage Hills, NY
$97,083 median income
Ransomville, NY
$97,083 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Valdez, AK Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Valdez, AK - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 76.5% 6.6% 9.8% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 6.9% White 76.5% Black or African American 2.4% Asian 0.3% American Indian 4.0% Native Hawaiian 0.4% Some other race 6.6% Two or more races 9.8% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Valdez compares to nearby Alaska cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Valdez (this city) 3,911 $97,067
Butte 3,905 $105,625
Nome 3,668 $113,561
Mill Bay 3,541 $94,359
Census ACS 5-year FIPS AK FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Valdez, AK?

What is the population of Valdez, AK? +

Valdez, AK has a population of 3,911 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Valdez, AK? +

Median annual household income in Valdez runs $97,067, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Valdez? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Valdez; the closest available measure is the Alaska state average, a cost of living index of 102.4 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Near Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Alaska vary by metro area.

Is Valdez, AK safe? +

Valdez has a total crime rate of 466.5 per 100,000 residents, which is below the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Valdez, AK? +

A typical home in Valdez is worth $312,400, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Valdez? +

Valdez has an average annual temperature of 36.8°F, 82.1 inches of precipitation. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.