The Town FilesGustavus, Alaska
City in Hoonah-Angoon Census Area · population 655 (2020 Census)
- Median home
- $330,600
- Household income
- $63,558
- Jan low / Jul high
- 22° / 63°
- Snow a year
- 72 in
- Tornadoes ≤10 mi since 1950
- 0
- Median age
- 50.9
Gustavus is a city of 655 people in Hoonah-Angoon Census Area, Alaska. The median home is worth $330,600, above the typical Alaska town ($289,500). It ranks hipper than 99% of Alaska towns, quieter than 98% of Alaska towns, better for retirees than 95% of Alaska towns.
How Gustavus 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 Gustavus is worth $330,600, above the typical Alaska town ($289,500). Homes cost about 5.2 times the median household income of $63,558, which is more affordable than 5% of Alaska towns. Median rent is $900 a month. 81.7% of households own their home.
| Housing | Gustavus | Typical Alaska town |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value | $330,600 | $289,500 |
| Median rent | $900 | $1,146 |
| Median household income | $63,558 | $78,155 |
| Home value ÷ income | 5.2× | 3.3× |
| Homeownership | 81.7% | 72.6% |
| Median year built | 1995 | 1989 |
| Seasonal / vacation homes | 36.5% | — |
Who lives in Gustavus
| People | Gustavus | Typical Alaska town |
|---|---|---|
| Median age | 50.9 | 37.2 |
| Age 65 and over | 31.0% | 13.2% |
| Under 18 | 20.0% | — |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 34.4% | 22.4% |
| Below the poverty line | 10.5% | 11.9% |
| Veterans | 18.9% | — |
| Born outside the U.S. | 2.9% | — |
| Work from home | 10.6% | 7.4% |
| Average commute | 25.3 min | 12.5 min |
| Homes with broadband | 84.5% | 88.6% |
Weather in Gustavus
July highs average 62.7°F and January lows 21.9°F. About 58.7 inches of rain and melted snow fall a year, with 72.3 inches of snow (typical Alaska town: 64.0 in). Expect about 0 days a year at 90°F or hotter and 163 nights at or below freezing.
Tornadoes, storms and disasters
NOAA's Storm Events Database has no tornado within 10 miles of Gustavus since 1950.
Severe weather in Hoonah-Angoon Census Area since 1996
Hoonah-Angoon Census Area has been included in 1 federal disaster or emergency declarations since 1953, most often for biological.
| Declared | Incident | Declaration |
|---|---|---|
| April 9, 2020 | Biological | DR-4533: Covid-19 Pandemic |
Jobs and pay in Hoonah-Angoon Census Area
Hoonah-Angoon Census Area had 1,026 jobs in 2024, paying an average of $51,184 a year. Unemployment was 5.6% in 2023; in Gustavus itself the ACS puts it at 8.6%.
Public schools in Gustavus
1 public school with 61 students, about 8.7 students per teacher.
| School | Grades | Students | Per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gustavus School | PK-12 | 61 | 8.7 |
Towns near Gustavus
- Hoonah, AK24.1 mi · 931 people · home $329,400
Gustavus questions
Is Gustavus, Alaska a good place to retire?
On The Town Files lifestyle rankings, Gustavus scores better for retirees than 95% of Alaska towns and quieter than 98%. 31.0% of residents are 65 or older (median age 50.9).
How much does a house cost in Gustavus?
The median owner-occupied home in Gustavus is valued at $330,600 (Census ACS 2020–2024), against a median household income of $63,558, so homes cost about 5.2 times income. Median rent is $900 a month.
What is the weather like in Gustavus?
July highs average 62.7°F and January lows 21.9°F (NOAA 1991–2020 normals). It gets about 58.7 inches of precipitation a year and 72.3 inches of snow.
Does Gustavus get tornadoes?
No tornado has been recorded within 10 miles of Gustavus 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)