The Town FilesValdez, Alaska
City in Chugach Census Area · population 3,985 (2020 Census)
- Median home
- $313,000
- Household income
- $99,271
- Jan low / Jul high
- 19° / 64°
- Snow a year
- 325 in
- Tornadoes ≤10 mi since 1950
- 0
- Median age
- 38.4
Valdez is a city of 3,985 people in Chugach Census Area, Alaska. The median home is worth $313,000, above the typical Alaska town ($289,500). It ranks better for first-time buyers than 98% of Alaska towns, better for young professionals than 95% of Alaska towns, more of a college town than 94% of Alaska towns.
- #1 in The 50 Snowiest Small Towns in America
- #1 in The 50 Snowiest Places in America
- #2 in The 14 Best Small Towns for First-Time Home Buyers in Alaska
- #7 in The 15 Best Small Towns to Retire in Alaska
- #9 in 11 Small Towns in Alaska With the Mildest Winters
- #22 in 50 Small Towns in America With the Coolest Summers
How Valdez ranks
Percentile among Alaska towns with at least 500 people on The Town Files lifestyle rankings. 50 is typical for the state; 90 means better than 90% of Alaska towns.
Homes and cost of living
The median home in Valdez is worth $313,000, above the typical Alaska town ($289,500). Homes cost about 3.2 times the median household income of $99,271, which is more affordable than 55% of Alaska towns. Median rent is $1,481 a month. 65.3% of households own their home.
| Housing | Valdez | Typical Alaska town |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value | $313,000 | $289,500 |
| Median rent | $1,481 | $1,146 |
| Median household income | $99,271 | $78,155 |
| Home value ÷ income | 3.2× | 3.3× |
| Homeownership | 65.3% | 72.6% |
| Median year built | 1980 | 1989 |
| Seasonal / vacation homes | 3.2% | — |
Who lives in Valdez
| People | Valdez | Typical Alaska town |
|---|---|---|
| Median age | 38.4 | 37.2 |
| Age 65 and over | 9.9% | 13.2% |
| Under 18 | 21.8% | — |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.9% | 22.4% |
| Below the poverty line | 5.8% | 11.9% |
| Veterans | 7.9% | — |
| Born outside the U.S. | 2.9% | — |
| Work from home | 3.5% | 7.4% |
| Average commute | 10.5 min | 12.5 min |
| Homes with broadband | 98.3% | 88.6% |
Weather in Valdez
July highs average 64.1°F and January lows 19.1°F. About 67.9 inches of rain and melted snow fall a year, with 325.3 inches of snow (typical Alaska town: 64.0 in). Expect about 0 days a year at 90°F or hotter and 173 nights at or below freezing.
Tornadoes, storms and disasters
NOAA's Storm Events Database has no tornado within 10 miles of Valdez since 1950.
Severe weather in Chugach Census Area since 1996
Jobs and pay in Chugach Census Area
Chugach Census Area had 3,593 jobs in 2024, paying an average of $74,978 a year. Unemployment was 4.7% in 2023; in Valdez itself the ACS puts it at 10.1%.
Public schools in Valdez
3 public schools with 573 students, about 11.9 students per teacher.
| School | Grades | Students | Per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hermon Hutchens Elementary | PK-5 | 267 | 10.3 |
| Valdez High School | 9-12 | 166 | 12.8 |
| George H. Gilson Middle School | 6-8 | 140 | 15.6 |
Valdez questions
Is Valdez, Alaska a good place to retire?
On The Town Files lifestyle rankings, Valdez scores better for retirees than 85% of Alaska towns and quieter than 29%. 9.9% of residents are 65 or older (median age 38.4).
How much does a house cost in Valdez?
The median owner-occupied home in Valdez is valued at $313,000 (Census ACS 2020–2024), against a median household income of $99,271, so homes cost about 3.2 times income. Median rent is $1,481 a month.
What is the weather like in Valdez?
July highs average 64.1°F and January lows 19.1°F (NOAA 1991–2020 normals). It gets about 67.9 inches of precipitation a year and 325.3 inches of snow.
Does Valdez get tornadoes?
No tornado has been recorded within 10 miles of Valdez in NOAA's Storm Events Database since 1950.
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates (2020–2024)
- U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census and 2025 Gazetteer (2020 / 2025)
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020)
- NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database (1950–2026)
- FEMA OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations (this product uses the FEMA OpenFEMA API but is not endorsed by FEMA) (1953–2026)
- NCES Common Core of Data (2023–24)
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages; USDA ERS county unemployment (BLS LAUS) (2000–2024)
- The Town Files lifestyle rankings, built from federal demographic, school, crime and housing data (2025)