The story of this market
The typical home in Wrangell City and Borough, Alaska sells for about $260,000, or $204 per square foot.
Prices are down 13.3% from a year ago, which gives buyers more room to negotiate. Homes take about 199 days to sell, which is slow. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $1,295 a month.
HUD sets the fair market rent for a 2-bedroom at $1,295 a month. FEMA's National Risk Index rates overall hazard risk here as Very Low.
Monthly price momentum
Home values since 2015
+6.3%
AK · past 12 months
Freddie Mac House Price Index, single-family homes, monthly through 2026-08. Each line starts at 100 in January 2015, so a reading of 180 means prices are up 80% since then.
Rent benchmark
Fair market rent by size
$1,793
3-bed / month
HUD Fair Market Rents, fiscal 2027, for this county. A typical rent for a modest unit, used to set housing-voucher payments.
Natural hazard exposure
The area's risk shape
1
Very Low
FEMA National Risk Index. Each spoke is a hazard ranked nationally, where 100 is the most exposed. Expected annual loss: $171,718.
Mortgage activity
Home lending in this county
70.8%
2018 approval rate
| Year | Applications | Loans made | Approval | Investor share | Median home value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 37 | 16 | 70.8% | 10% | $235,000 |
CFPB Home Mortgage Disclosure Act records: every mortgage application reported by lenders for homes in this county. Approval rate is approved ÷ decided (withdrawn and incomplete files excluded). Investor share and home value are the median census tract.
Wrangell City and Borough, Alaska
Wrangell's residential real estate market remains quiet, characterized by modest transaction velocity, elevated marketing timelines, and a limited pool of active inventory. While sustained healthcare sector payrolls and growing cruise tourism provide economic stability, ongoing demographic decline and seafood industry headwinds temper homebuyer demand.
No ARED distress-ledger coverage for this county yet — the foreclosure ingest rotates the national county directory, and filings appear here once the county's posted notices are read. Key-figure check: no independent anchor retained yet — first-researched cycles establish the anchor baseline this pass.
Select a city to expand its ZIP intel reports beneath · 1 city · 1 ZIP report
Median prices moved sideways 0.0% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 199 days on market with 0.0 months of supply — a slower-moving market.
0% of listings have cut prices · homes sell at 0% of asking — demand is holding steady.
no recorded foreclosure-ledger notices (0.0 per 10,000 residents) · unemployment 6.8% · poverty 10.4% — a stable, low-distress profile.
Deterministic aggregate of 1 researched ZIP reports — sales_count-weighted (population fallback); per point, children lacking the value or its weight are excluded. Tax rates, sentiment and context notes are tier-native and never roll.
Wrangell City and Borough, Alaska — researched county-level history with a deterministic 1 / 3 / 5-year projection
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 4.0%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
No researched properties in this county yet — the property base layer populates as property research runs, and each property feeds its ZIP's roll-up.
researched Sep 29
| 99929 | Wrangell | $435,000 | $226 | — | 199 | — | — | — | 43 | $993 | researched Sep 29 |
Figures are each ZIP report's own latest research — the county roll-up aggregates them sales_count-weighted (population fallback); ZIPs cycle quarterly.
Reported crime rates in Wrangell remain well below both Alaska statewide benchmarks and national averages. The borough primarily records isolated property offenses and minor infractions, consistent with Southeast Alaska island communities.
Public education is administered by the Wrangell Public School District, which operates Evergreen Elementary, Stikine Middle School, and Wrangell High School. The district generally performs near statewide averages on standardized assessments.
Wrangell carries severe landslide and steep-slope debris-flow hazards, exemplified by catastrophic slide events along Zimovia Strait. The region also contends with heavy maritime rain, gale-force windstorms, and limited regional property insurer capacity.
The local economy is anchored by healthcare via SEARHC Wrangell Medical Center, commercial fishing and processing, and expanding cruise tourism. Long-term demographic contraction remains an ongoing headwind despite infrastructure improvements.
Composed from the ARED governance burden registry — tier-native tax structure (state + county + city + special districts), never averaged. State (Alaska) — Optional Municipal Residential / Homestead Exemption Authorization: Allows municipal taxing bodies to exempt a percentage of the assessed value (commonly up to 20%, often capped at $50,000, as implemented in jurisdictions like Anchorage) for owner-occupied primary residences. State (Alaska) — Statewide Senior Citizen and Disabled Veteran Property Tax Exemption: Mandates that municipalities exempt the first $150,000 of assessed property value from ad valorem taxation. Formula: Taxable Value = Max(0, Assessed Value - $150,000). State (Alaska) — Alaska Statutory Real Property Assessment Ratio and Municipal Levy Authority: Imposes an ad valorem property tax assessed at 100% full and true value (fair market value assessment ratio of 1.0) under AS 29.45.110.
Outdoor access includes the Tongass National Forest, Petroglyph Beach State Historical Park, Mount Dewey Trail, and boat access to the Stikine River and Anan Creek Bear Observatory.
Wrangell maintains a very tight rental housing supply dominated by single-family and duplex residences. Seasonal demand swings from commercial fisheries and summer tourism frequently reduce year-round workforce availability.
Healthcare has become Wrangell's largest industry by payroll, anchored by SEARHC Wrangell Medical Center. The local economy is complemented by commercial fishing, seafood processing, government services, and steady cruise tourism growth.
Wrangell is an island community with no road connections to the mainland. Regional travel and shipping rely on Alaska Airlines flights via Wrangell Airport (WRG), the Alaska Marine Highway ferry system, and marine freight barges.
Municipal planning centers on waterfront re-alignment, including expanding cruise berthing docks and opening new residential tracts at Alder Top Village to relieve housing constraints.
Assessment administration is conducted directly by the City and Borough of Wrangell Assessor's Department, which evaluates real and personal property at full and true market value annually.
Wrangell operates as a unified home-rule borough where service area boundaries determine differential taxation for utility, street, and fire protection services.
Property insurance is constrained by remote geography, coastal wind-driven storm risks, and catastrophic landslide potential along mountain ridges, leading to elevated homeowner premiums.
Theme parks, venues, golf, airports, museums, water and shopping across the area from Google Maps, ranked by popularity within the radius shown.
The amenity base that shapes daily life and property demand in this county — what residents actually live with, and what the pipeline is adding.
Shoreline preserve featuring prehistoric Native rock carvings dating back thousands of years.
Historic Tlingit cultural site and clan house located in Wrangell Harbor.
Key commercial marine facility offering a 300-ton haulout travelift serving Southeast Alaska fleets.
Forested boardwalk trail ascending to an overlook of downtown Wrangell and Zimovia Strait.
Data retrieved from U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts, PEP county series, and ACS 5-year tables for Wrangell City and Borough (FIPS 02275).
applies when — Property located within a common interest community created on or after January 1, 1986.
The association holds a statutory lien on the unit for unpaid assessments or fines. The lien has a six-month super-priority for regular budgeted assessments over most encumbrances, excluding first security interests recorded before delinquency and real estate tax liens.
Alaska Common Interest Ownership Act (ACIOA), Alaska Stat. § 34.08.470.
applies when — Property located within a municipality that levies a property tax under Title 29 of the Alaska Statutes.
Tax is calculated as (Assessed Value - Exemptions) * Mill Rate. Municipalities are authorized to levy taxes and impose liens for enforcement. Exemptions include mandatory state-required exemptions (e.g., for certain residents) and optional local exemptions.
Governed by Alaska Statutes Title 29, Chapter 45.
applies when — Property owned by senior citizens (65+) or disabled veterans (50%+ service-connected disability).
Exemption of the first $150,000 of assessed value from municipal property taxation.
Statutory requirement under Alaska law for local taxing authorities.
applies when — Property located within an incorporated municipality that levies a property tax.
Tax is calculated by multiplying the assessed value of the property by the local mill rate. State law mandates a mandatory exemption of the first $150,000 of assessed value for senior citizens (65+) and disabled veterans (50%+ service-connected disability).
Governed by Alaska Statutes Title 29, Chapter 45, Article 1.
applies when — Parcels situated within mapped special flood hazard areas (SFHA) participating in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or regulated coastal zones
Restricts parcel development and building erection through statutory elevation requirements and building code compliance under AS 46.115 and local implementing ordinances. Imposes minimum base flood elevation (BFE) standards, specialized foundation anchoring to resist flood forces, permafrost insulation protection, and strict limits on fill placement in designated regulatory floodways.
Alaska Statutes Title 46 and AS 29.40; coordinated with federal NFIP criteria under 44 CFR Part 60.
applies when — Parcels located within organized boroughs or unified home-rule municipalities possessing statutory land-use powers
Mandates that parcels comply with municipal master comprehensive plans, zoning classifications, and platting ordinances under AS 29.40. No parcel may be subdivided, partitioned, or legally transferred without prior review and plat approval by the local platting board or municipal authority. Imposes land-use covenants running with the land, setback controls, building density caps, and road dedication requirements.
Alaska Statutes Title 29, Chapter 40 (AS 29.40.010 - AS 29.40.200); delegates comprehensive planning, platting, and zoning powers to first and second class boroughs and home rule municipalities.
applies when — Residential parcels established as part of a common interest community (condominiums, planned unit developments, or homeowners associations) created after January 1, 1986
Statutorily binds parcels to association governing documents, recorded covenants, bylaws, and mandatory assessment dues under AS 34.08.470. Creates an automatic statutory lien on the parcel for unpaid assessments, fines, and late charges without requiring court recordation. Confers a limited 'super-priority' lien status over prior recorded mortgages for up to six months of regular periodic common expense assessments preceding an action to enforce the lien.
Alaska Statutes Title 34, Chapter 08 (AS 34.08.010 - AS 34.08.995); codified under Uniform Common Interest Ownership Act, effective January 1, 1986.
applies when — Parcels subject to natural hazard zones, FEMA Special Flood Hazard Areas, permafrost conditions, contaminated soil/water sites, or historical erosion
Under the mandatory seller property disclosure statutory framework (AS 34.70.050) and state administrative regulations, transferors must disclose whether the parcel is situated in a designated flood zone or erosion boundary, whether flood insurance is required, presence of permafrost or soil subsidence issues, radon, freeze damage vulnerability, or registered environmental contamination. Omission of known latent environmental hazards subjects the transferor to statutory damages and rescission risk.
AS 34.70.010 et seq.; enforced via statutory disclosure schedules mandated by the Alaska Real Estate Commission.
applies when — Parcels encumbered by a mortgage without a power of sale or deeds of trust where the beneficiary elects judicial foreclosure through the superior court
Requires the lender to file a civil lawsuit in superior court to obtain a judgment and decree of foreclosure under AS 09.45.170. If a judicial foreclosure decree and sheriff's sale occur, the mortgagor holds a statutory right of redemption for up to 12 months after the date of confirmation of the sale under AS 09.35.250 by paying the sale price plus interest, taxes, and allowed costs.
Alaska Statutes AS 09.45.170 - 09.45.220 and AS 09.35.210 - AS 09.35.250.
Governs the standard nonjudicial foreclosure mechanism in Alaska. Requires the trustee to record a Notice of Default not less than 30 days after default and at least 90 days before the scheduled foreclosure sale date under AS 34.20.070. The notice must be served via certified mail within 10 days of recording (or personal delivery within 20 days). Public notice of sale must be posted in three public places within 5 miles at least 30 days prior, published in a newspaper once weekly for 4 consecutive weeks, and published online for at least 45 days. Borrowers retain a statutory right of reinstatement by curing defaults prior to the sale (unless two prior notices of default were cured). Under AS 34.20.090, there is no post-sale statutory right of redemption following a nonjudicial foreclosure sale unless specifically provided for in the deed of trust.
AS 34.20.070 - AS 34.20.090 and AS 09.35.140; standard real property security enforcement mechanism in Alaska.
Obligates transferors/sellers to deliver a written disclosure statement in the state-mandated format detailing parcel conditions, structural integrity, operating systems, and material defects before a prospective buyer executes a purchase agreement. Failure to comply affords buyers a statutory right to terminate the contract within a specified statutory window without penalty, and exposes the transferor to civil liability for actual damages caused by willful or negligent misrepresentation.
Alaska Statutes Title 34, Chapter 70 (AS 34.70.010 - AS 34.70.200); governs residential real estate transaction disclosures statewide.
applies when — Residential parcels located within a taxing municipality that has enacted an optional local homestead/residential exemption ordinance pursuant to AS 29.45.050(a)
Allows municipal taxing bodies to exempt a percentage of the assessed value (commonly up to 20%, often capped at $50,000, as implemented in jurisdictions like Anchorage) for owner-occupied primary residences. Formula: Taxable Value = Assessed Value - Min(Cap, Assessed Value * Exemption Rate). Reduces net taxable assessment before the mill rate is applied.
AS 29.45.050(a); local adoption required under state authorizing statute.
applies when — Parcels owned and occupied as a primary residence and permanent place of abode by a resident who is 65 years of age or older, a disabled veteran with a 50% or greater service-connected disability, or a qualifying surviving spouse aged 60 or older
Mandates that municipalities exempt the first $150,000 of assessed property value from ad valorem taxation. Formula: Taxable Value = Max(0, Assessed Value - $150,000). Municipalities may elect by local ordinance to increase the exemption threshold above the $150,000 state minimum. The exemption attaches to the parcel as long as the claimant remains eligible and resides on the property.
AS 29.45.030(e); statewide statutory mandate binding all property-taxing municipal governments.
applies when — Parcels situated within organized boroughs or cities that exercise the authority to levy general property taxes pursuant to AS 29.45
Imposes an ad valorem property tax assessed at 100% full and true value (fair market value assessment ratio of 1.0) under AS 29.45.110. The state does not levy a statewide residential property tax, delegating taxing authority strictly to local municipal governments under Article X, Section 2 of the Alaska Constitution. Tax liability formula: Tax Due = (Assessed Market Value - Applicable Statutory Exemptions) * (Municipal Millage Rate / 1,000). Millage rates are established annually by local borough and city governing assemblies under AS 29.45.240.
Alaska Statutes Title 29, Chapter 45 (AS 29.45.010 - AS 29.45.240); codifies local taxation authority, full-market-value assessment standards, and billing procedures.
Governance registry — every jurisdiction re-researches on a rolling 90-day cycle. Property reports compose these inherited burdens into a per-parcel ledger with conditional determinations. Informational only — not legal advice.