The story of this market
The typical home in ZIP 99686 sells for about $252,300, or $155 per square foot.
Prices are up +2.4% from a year ago, so sellers still have some momentum. Homes take about 112 days to sell, which is slow. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $1,408 a month.
ZIP 99686 — Valdez
The housing market in 99686 is characterized by low inventory and steady demand driven by the local energy sector. Prices have seen modest year-over-year growth, though the market remains constrained by geographic isolation and limited new construction. Most metrics, including days on market and sale-to-list ratios, indicate a balanced market with little volatility.
This ZIP is best suited for outdoor enthusiasts, industry professionals working at the pipeline terminal, and families seeking a small-town, remote Alaskan lifestyle.
Median prices moved up 2.4% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 112 days on market with 9.6 months of supply — a slower-moving market.
12% of listings have cut prices · homes sell at 97.5% of asking — demand is running ahead of supply.
no recorded foreclosure-ledger notices (0.0 per 10,000 residents) · unemployment 7.7% · poverty 5.2% — a stable, low-distress profile.
Researched annual trajectory for this ZIP, from published historical series
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 1.8%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
Median annual property tax paid on this ZIP's residential parcels
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 2.0%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
versus the prior ACS vintage
net outflow — more people moved out than in
ZCTA 99686, Chugach Borough AK
Valdez generally reports low violent crime rates compared to national averages, though property crime remains the primary concern for local law enforcement.
The Valdez City School District serves the area with schools generally rated as meeting state proficiency standards.
The area faces significant risks from seismic activity and heavy winter snowfall, which influence local building codes and insurance premiums.
The local economy is heavily anchored by the oil industry, specifically the terminus of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, and seasonal tourism.
Composed from the ARED governance burden registry — tier-native tax structure (state + county + city + special districts), never averaged. State (Alaska) — Municipal Property Tax: 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. State (Alaska) — Mandatory Property Tax Exemptions: Exemption of the first $150,000 of assessed value from municipal property taxation. State (Alaska) — Municipal 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). 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).
Commutes are primarily local within the city of Valdez, as the geography is geographically isolated by mountainous terrain.
The area is a premier destination for outdoor recreation, including world-class fishing, glacier tours, and winter sports like heli-skiing.
The rental market is tight due to limited housing stock and high demand from seasonal industry workers and transient professionals.
The economy is dominated by the oil and gas sector, specifically the Alyeska Pipeline Service Company, supplemented by commercial fishing and tourism.
Transportation is heavily reliant on the Richardson Highway, the sole road connection to the rest of Alaska, and the local port.
Development is constrained by geography, with most planning focused on infrastructure resilience and harbor improvements.
The Chugach Borough assessor manages property valuations with a focus on market-based assessments adjusted for local environmental factors.
Parcels are subject to borough-wide levies and specific service area charges for utilities and emergency services.
Insurance premiums are elevated due to high seismic risk and the logistical challenges of remote property repair.
Net domestic migration is generally stable, with fluctuations tied to the cyclical nature of the oil industry.
Alaska follows a non-judicial foreclosure process for deeds of trust, allowing for a relatively streamlined recovery process for lenders.
Sellers are required to provide a comprehensive property disclosure statement covering known material defects.
Data retrieved from ZCTA 99686 profile via data.census.gov and ZipDataPortal.
Public schools whose reported address is in this area (NCES). Not attendance boundaries — schools that serve residents may sit outside it. Check the district's address locator for assignment.
The primary hub for commercial fishing and recreational boating.
World-renowned for glacier viewing and marine wildlife.
Preserves the history of the city and the 1964 earthquake.
Key-figure check: no independent anchor retained yet — first-researched cycles establish the anchor baseline this pass.