This comprehensive analysis explores six key criteria that contribute to a community’s overall vibrancy: Overall Vibrancy, Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities), Hip & Trendy, Young Singles, Car Friendly, and Walkability. The Overall Vibrancy Score encompasses numerous factors beyond these individual metrics, providing a holistic assessment of each town’s livability and energy. Each score is rated on a scale from 0 to 100, with higher numbers indicating better performance.
Every score presented in this ranking is based on extensive real-world data collection and surveys from residents who experience these communities daily. This is not subjective opinion but data-driven analysis of Alaska’s least vibrant towns.
Here’s the list.
25. Valdez – Whittier
- Overall Vibrancy: 4.13
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 41.42
- Hip & Trendy: N/A
- Young Singles: 64.44
- Car Friendly: 70.43
- Walkability: 1.72
Valdez-Whittier scores relatively low in overall vibrancy at just 4.13 out of 100, though it maintains moderate urban sophistication with a score of 41.42. The area attracts a significant young single population (64.44) and is quite car-friendly (70.43). However, its walkability score is extremely low at 1.72, which significantly impacts its overall vibrancy. The median home price in this area reflects its unique status as both a port town and tourist destination.
24. Cordova
- Overall Vibrancy: 4.10
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 46.58
- Hip & Trendy: 25.20
- Young Singles: 50.55
- Car Friendly: 66.67
- Walkability: 4.21
Cordova scores just 4.10 in overall vibrancy despite having moderate urban sophistication (46.58) and a decent young singles population (50.55). While the town is car-friendly (66.67), it scores low in the hip & trendy category (25.20) and has poor walkability (4.21). These factors contribute to its placement as the 24th worst vibrant town in Alaska.
23. Cooper Landing – Hope
- Overall Vibrancy: 4.00
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 71.45
- Hip & Trendy: N/A
- Young Singles: 61.87
- Car Friendly: 51.66
- Walkability: 2.39
Cooper Landing-Hope has a surprisingly high urban sophistication score (71.45) and attracts many young singles (61.87), yet its overall vibrancy remains low at just 4.00. The area has average car-friendliness (51.66) but extremely poor walkability (2.39), which significantly impacts its vibrancy rating.
22. Prudhoe Bay
- Overall Vibrancy: 3.68
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 0.87
- Hip & Trendy: N/A
- Young Singles: 24.78
- Car Friendly: 14.22
- Walkability: 0.40
Prudhoe Bay, primarily an industrial area serving the oil fields, ranks very low across most metrics. With nearly non-existent urban sophistication (0.87), few young singles (24.78), poor car-friendliness (14.22), and almost no walkability (0.40), its overall vibrancy score of 3.68 reflects its function as a work site rather than a traditional community.
21. Tok
- Overall Vibrancy: 3.52
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 5.27
- Hip & Trendy: 7.26
- Young Singles: 31.61
- Car Friendly: 69.54
- Walkability: 1.62
Tok serves primarily as a junction town with very low urban sophistication (5.27) and hip & trendy scores (7.26). While it’s quite car-friendly (69.54), reflecting its role as a transportation hub, it has poor walkability (1.62) and a moderate young singles population (31.61), resulting in an overall vibrancy score of just 3.52.
20. Nenana – Tanana
- Overall Vibrancy: 3.37
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 8.99
- Hip & Trendy: N/A
- Young Singles: 46.95
- Car Friendly: 27.14
- Walkability: 3.41
Nenana-Tanana scores just 3.37 in overall vibrancy, with very low urban sophistication (8.99). Despite having a moderate young singles population (46.95), the area’s low car-friendliness (27.14) and poor walkability (3.41) contribute to its low ranking.
19. Gustavus – Hoonah
- Overall Vibrancy: 3.15
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 38.08
- Hip & Trendy: 44.37
- Young Singles: 56.65
- Car Friendly: 35.76
- Walkability: 5.23
Gustavus-Hoonah has relatively balanced scores across most metrics, with moderate urban sophistication (38.08), hip & trendy rating (44.37), and a good young singles population (56.65). However, its lower car-friendliness (35.76) and poor walkability (5.23) contribute to its low overall vibrancy score of 3.15.
18. Sterling
- Overall Vibrancy: 2.77
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 42.41
- Hip & Trendy: N/A
- Young Singles: 46.34
- Car Friendly: 64.67
- Walkability: 0.51
Sterling has moderate urban sophistication (42.41) and a decent young singles population (46.34). While it’s quite car-friendly (64.67), its extremely low walkability score (0.51) heavily impacts its overall vibrancy, which stands at just 2.77.
17. Aniak – Lower Kalskag
- Overall Vibrancy: 2.30
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 1.64
- Hip & Trendy: N/A
- Young Singles: 44.58
- Car Friendly: 43.88
- Walkability: 0.32
Aniak-Lower Kalskag has extremely low urban sophistication (1.64) and almost non-existent walkability (0.32). Despite having a moderate young singles population (44.58) and average car-friendliness (43.88), these factors contribute to a very low overall vibrancy score of 2.30.
16. McGrath – Holy Cross
- Overall Vibrancy: 2.07
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 3.30
- Hip & Trendy: 14.74
- Young Singles: 39.53
- Car Friendly: 13.80
- Walkability: 1.39
McGrath-Holy Cross scores very low across most metrics, with minimal urban sophistication (3.30), poor hip & trendy rating (14.74), low car-friendliness (13.80), and very poor walkability (1.39). Combined with a moderate young singles population (39.53), these factors result in an overall vibrancy score of just 2.07.
15. Delta Junction
- Overall Vibrancy: 1.62
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 35.81
- Hip & Trendy: N/A
- Young Singles: 43.10
- Car Friendly: 64.73
- Walkability: 0.38
Delta Junction has moderate urban sophistication (35.81) and a decent young singles population (43.10). It’s quite car-friendly (64.73) but has almost non-existent walkability (0.38), contributing to a very low overall vibrancy score of 1.62.
14. Old Harbor
- Overall Vibrancy: 1.61
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 48.53
- Hip & Trendy: N/A
- Young Singles: 36.53
- Car Friendly: 48.43
- Walkability: 1.39
Old Harbor has moderate urban sophistication (48.53) and average car-friendliness (48.43). However, its lower young singles population (36.53) and very poor walkability (1.39) contribute to a low overall vibrancy score of 1.61.
13. Seward
- Overall Vibrancy: 1.61
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 50.56
- Hip & Trendy: 65.85
- Young Singles: 55.04
- Car Friendly: 65.24
- Walkability: 6.34
Seward presents an interesting case with relatively high scores in urban sophistication (50.56), hip & trendy (65.85), young singles (55.04), and car-friendliness (65.24). Despite these positive factors, its low walkability (6.34) and other unmentioned factors contribute to a surprisingly low overall vibrancy score of just 1.61.
12. Fort Yukon – Central
- Overall Vibrancy: 1.40
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 4.71
- Hip & Trendy: N/A
- Young Singles: 45.71
- Car Friendly: 24.59
- Walkability: 1.89
Fort Yukon-Central has extremely low urban sophistication (4.71) and very poor walkability (1.89). With low car-friendliness (24.59) but a moderate young singles population (45.71), the town’s overall vibrancy score stands at just 1.40.
11. Ester
- Overall Vibrancy: 1.38
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 36.53
- Hip & Trendy: N/A
- Young Singles: 66.91
- Car Friendly: 76.29
- Walkability: 0.61
Ester has moderate urban sophistication (36.53) and scores very well for young singles (66.91) and car-friendliness (76.29). However, its extremely low walkability (0.61) contributes significantly to its poor overall vibrancy score of 1.38.
10. Talkeetna
- Overall Vibrancy: 1.23
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 18.72
- Hip & Trendy: 73.32
- Young Singles: 49.48
- Car Friendly: 57.03
- Walkability: 0.37
Talkeetna presents a contrast of scores with a surprisingly high hip & trendy rating (73.32), moderate young singles population (49.48), and decent car-friendliness (57.03). However, its low urban sophistication (18.72) and almost non-existent walkability (0.37) contribute to a very low overall vibrancy score of 1.23.
9. Anchor Point – Ninilchik
- Overall Vibrancy: 1.18
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 22.23
- Hip & Trendy: N/A
- Young Singles: 26.04
- Car Friendly: 73.24
- Walkability: 1.32
Anchor Point-Ninilchik has low urban sophistication (22.23) and a small young singles population (26.04). While it’s very car-friendly (73.24), its poor walkability (1.32) contributes to a low overall vibrancy score of 1.18.
8. Healy – Cantwell
- Overall Vibrancy: 1.08
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 31.74
- Hip & Trendy: N/A
- Young Singles: 40.54
- Car Friendly: 71.51
- Walkability: 1.88
Healy-Cantwell has moderate urban sophistication (31.74) and a reasonable young singles population (40.54). It’s very car-friendly (71.51) but has poor walkability (1.88), contributing to a low overall vibrancy score of 1.08.
7. Seldovia
- Overall Vibrancy: 1.06
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 46.65
- Hip & Trendy: N/A
- Young Singles: 41.10
- Car Friendly: 43.01
- Walkability: 2.96
Seldovia has relatively good urban sophistication (46.65) and a moderate young singles population (41.10). With average car-friendliness (43.01) but poor walkability (2.96), its overall vibrancy score is just 1.06.
6. Thorne Bay – Kake
- Overall Vibrancy: 0.61
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 21.97
- Hip & Trendy: 2.22
- Young Singles: 43.69
- Car Friendly: 51.44
- Walkability: 1.55
Thorne Bay-Kake has low urban sophistication (21.97) and an extremely low hip & trendy rating (2.22). Despite a moderate young singles population (43.69) and average car-friendliness (51.44), its poor walkability (1.55) contributes to a very low overall vibrancy score of 0.61.
5. Haines
- Overall Vibrancy: 0.42
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 47.78
- Hip & Trendy: 7.59
- Young Singles: 47.44
- Car Friendly: 52.72
- Walkability: 4.05
Haines presents an interesting contrast with relatively good urban sophistication (47.78) and a moderate young singles population (47.44). It has average car-friendliness (52.72) but very low hip & trendy rating (7.59) and poor walkability (4.05), resulting in an extremely low overall vibrancy score of 0.42.
4. Trapper Creek – Skwentna
- Overall Vibrancy: 0.32
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 24.38
- Hip & Trendy: N/A
- Young Singles: 27.28
- Car Friendly: 56.86
- Walkability: 2.05
Trapper Creek-Skwentna has low urban sophistication (24.38) and a small young singles population (27.28). While it has moderate car-friendliness (56.86), its poor walkability (2.05) contributes to an extremely low overall vibrancy score of just 0.32.
3. Salcha
- Overall Vibrancy: 0.30
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 57.08
- Hip & Trendy: N/A
- Young Singles: 25.22
- Car Friendly: 90.16
- Walkability: 1.85
Salcha presents a stark contrast with good urban sophistication (57.08) and excellent car-friendliness (90.16). However, its small young singles population (25.22) and very poor walkability (1.85) contribute to an extremely low overall vibrancy score of 0.30.
2. Glennallen
- Overall Vibrancy: 0.24
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 41.20
- Hip & Trendy: 41.44
- Young Singles: 48.80
- Car Friendly: 80.64
- Walkability: 3.36
Glennallen has moderate urban sophistication (41.20), hip & trendy rating (41.44), and young singles population (48.80). It’s very car-friendly (80.64) but has poor walkability (3.36). Despite relatively balanced metrics in other areas, its overall vibrancy score is extremely low at just 0.24.
1. Hyder
- Overall Vibrancy: 0.19
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 56.15
- Hip & Trendy: N/A
- Young Singles: 22.64
- Car Friendly: 13.14
- Walkability: 5.60
Hyder ranks as Alaska’s least vibrant town with an overall vibrancy score of just 0.19, despite having good urban sophistication (56.15). Its small young singles population (22.64), very poor car-friendliness (13.14), and low walkability (5.60) contribute to its bottom ranking.
Definition of terms:
- Overall Vibrancy: A comprehensive measure that evaluates a town’s energy, livability, and community engagement. This score incorporates numerous factors beyond the five individual metrics listed below.
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): Measures the availability and quality of cultural attractions, dining options, arts venues, and educational institutions. This metric helps assess a town’s intellectual and cultural capital, which contributes significantly to community vibrancy.
- Hip & Trendy: Assesses the presence of contemporary businesses, innovative startups, modern amenities, and stylish establishments. This metric reflects a town’s appeal to younger populations and its currency with modern trends and lifestyles.
- Young Singles: Evaluates the proportion of young, unmarried residents, which often correlates with social activity, nightlife, and economic dynamism. Communities with higher percentages of young singles tend to have more vibrant social scenes.
- Car Friendly: Measures the quality of road infrastructure, parking availability, and overall accessibility for automobile transport. In Alaska’s remote geography, car-friendliness can be essential for connectivity and resource access.
- Walkability: Evaluates how feasible it is to navigate the town on foot, considering sidewalk infrastructure, proximity of amenities, and pedestrian safety. Walkable communities often foster stronger social connections and community engagement, contributing significantly to overall vibrancy.
References:
In addition to our proprietary data, we used the following for the median home price information:
