Ketchikan Gateway County
AK · Pop. 13,870 · Rural County
Ketchikan Gateway Borough, Alaska covers 4,857 square miles with a population of 13,870 and a density of 2.9 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The median home price is $379,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.68%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7b with a 171-day growing season, average summer highs of 64.9°F and average winter lows of 30.9°F. Annual rainfall averages 161.1 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Ketchikan Medical Center is 23.7 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 98.2% of homes.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.68% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Broadband reaches 98.2% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- At 2.9 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
- Annual rainfall of 161.1 inches supports rain-fed gardens and pasture in most years.
- A low poverty rate of 9.5% signals a relatively stable local economy.
Cons
- A median home price of $379,000 raises the cost of entry relative to more affordable rural markets.
- The nearest hospital, Ketchikan Medical Center, is 23.7 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
- At 2.9 people per square mile, services, labor, and suppliers are spread thin.
At a glance
Ketchikan Gateway County, AK is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 73/100
- Median home price
- $379k
- Property tax
- 0.68%
- Growing season
- 171 days (zone 7b)
- Annual rainfall
- 161.1"
- Broadband
- 98.2%
- Nearest hospital
- Ketchikan Medical Center, 23.7 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Ketchikan Gateway County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Ketchikan Gateway Borough?
- Ketchikan Gateway Borough is in USDA hardiness zone 7b with a 171-day growing season, average summer highs of 64.9°F, and average winter lows of 30.9°F.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $379,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.68%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 98.2% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Ketchikan Medical Center is 23.7 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
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Data sources
Verified
Figures are sourced from public datasets: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-year & Gazetteer, USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), FEMA National Risk Index, FCC Broadband Data Collection, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, HIFLD Hospitals. Always confirm specifics locally before relying on them. See our methodology for how the homestead score is calculated.
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