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10 Safest Cities in Alaska (Updated in 2024)

the glacier in alaska

Note: This article’s statistics come from third-party sources and do not represent the opinions of this website.

Alaska is one of the most peaceful and beautiful states in America, with amazing parks, exotic wildlife, and northern lights displays occurring naturally at different times of the year. If you are planning a trip, you also likely want to know the safest places to visit so you can concentrate on the fun without worrying about the crime. Here, we dig into the statistics to find the safest cities in the state to help you be better informed.

divider 1 The 10 Safest Cities in Alaska: A Quick Look

1. Cordova, AK

Cordova, AK
Image By: Pixabay
Population: 2,609
Murder rate: 0 per 100,000 people
Average Household income: $107,771
Poverty rate: 4.75%
Violent crimes in 2021: 0 per 100,000 people

Cordova is a large city in size but not in population, and it has only 36 people per square mile, which likely plays a big part in it being the safest city in Alaska and one of the safest cities in the United States. It currently stands 86.85% below the rest of the nation in crime. There are no recently reported crimes involving murder, aggravated assault, or robbery, and it’s also much lower than average in other types of crime.


2. Wrangell, AK

Wrangell, AK
Image Credit: Pixabay
Population: 2,502
Murder rate: 0 per 100,000 people
Average Household income: $216,200
Poverty rate: 7.8%
Violent crimes in 2021: 80.4 per 100,000 people

Wrangell, Alaska, is a large but sparsely populated city. The average income is quite high in this area, while the rent remains fairly low. However, it can be hard to find jobs, and the cost of living is quite high. There are no recently reported murders, but there is some violent crime and theft in this area that you might want to watch out for if you visit. It currently stands at 78.91% below the national average in crime.


3. Haines, AK

Population: 1,657
Murder rate: 0 per 100,000 people
Average Household income: $69,735
Poverty rate: 6.08%
Violent crimes in 2021: 368.7 per 100,000 people

Haines is in the northern part of Alaska. It’s a small city with a population of less than 2,000 and currently stands at 63.61% below the national average in crime. Many people consider it the adventure capital of Alaska because there’s so much to do when you visit. It’s quite safe with no recent murders or robberies, and even property damage is not a big problem in this area.


4. Petersburg, AK

Petersburg Alaska
Image Credit: Florence-Joseph McGinn, Shutterstock
Population: 3,043
Murder rate: 0 per 100,000 people
Average Household income: $70,750
Poverty rate: 7.9%
Violent crimes in 2021: 314 per 100,000 people

Petersburg is a safe area in Alaska with no recent murder, rape, or robbery. However, property crime and theft are a little higher than the national average. It has the nickname of “Little Norway” because many of its founders in 1906 were of Scandinavian descent. It was a popular fishing village for the locals for many years before being established, and it currently sits about 62.25% lower than the national average in crime.


5. Unalaska, AK

Population: 4,254
Murder rate: 0 per 100,000 people
Average Household income: $94,750
Poverty rate: 5.73%
Violent crimes in 2021: 155.1 per 100,000 people

Unalaska is a growing city in Alaska focused on fishing and fish processing. Many residents do well for themselves, with an average household income of more than $90,000 per year. There are no recent murders, and violent crimes are also quite low. Theft and property crime are the biggest problems in this area, and they are both less than half the national average. The city currently stands at 58.85% below the national average in crime.


6. Craig, AK

Population: 1,036
Murder rate: 0 per 100,000 people
Average Household income: $77,884
Poverty rate: 15.08%
Violent crimes in 2021: 21.31 per 100,000 people

Craig is the largest community of indigenous Kaigan Haida people and sits on the fourth largest island in the United States, the Prince of Whales. Despite the low population, there is plenty to do in the area, with amazing historical sites and several fine dining restaurants. It’s currently rated 57.61% lower than the national average in crime, with no recent murders, rapes, or robbery. The biggest problem in this area is aggressive assault, and there is also a moderate risk of vehicle theft.


7. Valdez, AK

Valdez, AK
Image Credit: Pixabay
Population: 3,985
Murder rate: 0 per 100,000 people
Average Household income: $85,085
Poverty rate: 8.23%
Violent crimes in 2021: 131 per 100,000 people

Valdez, Alaska, is a magnificent coastal city that currently sits at 52.39% below the national average in crime. There are no recent murders or robberies, and violent crime and aggravated assault are also low. Property crime is the biggest problem in this area. However, with a population below 4,000 people, the homes are spread out, and there’s not much danger. There is plenty of jobs and housing, and it’s a great place to get close to nature with the ability to view icebergs, exotic wildlife, and more.


8. Sitka, AK

Sitka, AK
Image Credit: Pixabay
Population: 8,458
Murder rate: 0 per 100,000 people
Average Household income: $70,765
Poverty rate: 9.2%
Violent crimes in 2021: 188 per 100,000 people

Sitka is one of the larger Alaskan cities on this list, with close to 10,000 people. It was under Russian rule until 1867, so it’s a unique place to see an interesting mix of Native, Russian, and American history. There are no recent murders, and robbery and violent crime are also quite low. Stealing is the biggest problem in this area, and it exceeds the national average. However, Sitka still sits 12.72% below the national average in crime.


9. Homer, AK

Homer, AK
Image Credit: Pixabay
Population: 5,709
Murder rate: 0 per 100,000 people
Average Household income: $59,282
Poverty rate: 3.59%
Violent crimes in 2021: 202.9 per 100,000 people

Homer is on the Kenai Peninsula and is a great place for boating, fishing, and other water activities. Some call it the halibut fishing capital of the world, and it supplies most of the jobs to the people in the area. The larger concentration of people in a smaller area means there’s more to do, but it also increases the risk of crime, and Homer currently stands at 7.89% above the national average in crime. There is no murder or robbery, but property damage and car theft are greater than the national average.


10. Palmer, AK

Palmer, AK
Image Credit: Pixabay
Population: 5,888
Murder rate: 13.4 per 100,000 people
Average Household income: $62,339
Poverty rate: 12.5%
Violent crimes in 2021: 280.4 per 100,000 people

Palmer is an agricultural area in Alaska that started during the depression as a result of President Roosevelt’s New Deal. It’s the ninth largest city in the state and has a huge fair every summer. Unfortunately, it has a higher-than-average murder rate, almost three times the national average. Property crime and theft are also quite high, leaving the city at 21.29% above the national average for crime. It can also be challenging to find a job if you’re not skilled in farming.

Related Read: 9 Safest Cities in Pennsylvania

divider 4

Why Has Crime Been So Low in Alaska in These Cities?

Unfortunately, no one is quite sure why crime happens in one area and not in others. The population in many of these cities is quite low compared to most others, though. So, the small number of people and cold temperatures may make people more reliant on each other, creating a stronger sense of community, which drives down crime. The distance between homes also means criminals would need to cover a larger area to reach your home and other suitable locations, so there are fewer would-be criminals. That said, no scientific reports point to any clear evidence supporting these theories.

How to Stay Safe in Alaska

Fortunately, if you are visiting the cities on this list, you are more likely to need to stay safe from the freezing temperatures than from crime. While it doesn’t stay totally dark for 6 months, winter there is quite dark, and it can get extremely cold. A high-quality alarm system on your home and car can go a long way toward protecting your valuables. Plenty of video cameras also help deter criminals and can gather information, especially for the property crimes that often occur in Alaska, even in many of these safe cities. While many parts of Alaska still don’t have good internet service, a smartphone can be invaluable for contacting the authorities and collecting videos of wrongdoing.

Related Read: 10 Most Dangerous States in The US

divider 1 Conclusion

Alaska is an amazing place where you can see unbelievable sights and become one with nature. While there are a few dangerous places to avoid, this list should help you avoid crime by providing you with the safest places to stay. Cordova is the safest, with almost 87% less crime than the national average, but any of these cities should help you feel comfortable, with virtually no murder, robbery, or car theft to concern you.

You might also be interested in: 8 Safest Cities in Wisconsin


Featured Image Credit: cello5, Pixabay

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