North Slope County
AK · Pop. 10,891 · Rural County
North Slope Borough is a rural county in Alaska, spanning 88,824 square miles with 10,891 residents at a density of 0.1 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The median home price is $220,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.95%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 2a with a 58-day growing season, average summer highs of 53.6°F and average winter lows of -20.6°F. Annual rainfall averages 4.9 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Samuel Simmonds Memorial Hospital is 148.3 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 71.6% of homes.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.95% holds annual carrying costs down.
- At 0.1 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.2% reflects a stable local job base.
- A low poverty rate of 8.3% signals a relatively stable local economy.
Cons
- A 58-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Annual rainfall of just 4.9 inches means irrigation and water storage are core requirements.
- Broadband reaches only 71.6% of homes, a real gap for remote work or online sales.
- The nearest hospital, Samuel Simmonds Memorial Hospital, is 148.3 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
- Average winter lows of -20.6°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
North Slope County, AK is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 31/100
- Median home price
- $220k
- Property tax
- 0.95%
- Growing season
- 58 days (zone 2a)
- Annual rainfall
- 4.9"
- Broadband
- 71.6%
- Nearest hospital
- Samuel Simmonds Memorial Hospital, 148.3 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in North Slope County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in North Slope Borough?
- North Slope Borough is in USDA hardiness zone 2a with a 58-day growing season, average summer highs of 53.6°F, and average winter lows of -20.6°F.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $220,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.95%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 71.6% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Samuel Simmonds Memorial Hospital is 148.3 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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