The Town FilesMetlakatla, Alaska
Community in Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area · population 1,454 (2020 Census)
- Median home
- $167,600
- Household income
- $72,279
- Jan low / Jul high
- 31° / 62°
- Snow a year
- 35 in
- Tornadoes ≤10 mi since 1950
- 0
- Median age
- 40.6
Metlakatla is a community of 1,454 people in Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area, Alaska. The median home is worth $167,600, below the typical Alaska town ($289,500). It ranks more seaside character than 98% of Alaska towns, more walkable than 91% of Alaska towns, more vibrant than 75% of Alaska towns.
How Metlakatla 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 Metlakatla is worth $167,600, below the typical Alaska town ($289,500). Homes cost about 2.3 times the median household income of $72,279, which is more affordable than 77% of Alaska towns. Median rent is $775 a month. 71.0% of households own their home.
| Housing | Metlakatla | Typical Alaska town |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value | $167,600 | $289,500 |
| Median rent | $775 | $1,146 |
| Median household income | $72,279 | $78,155 |
| Home value ÷ income | 2.3× | 3.3× |
| Homeownership | 71.0% | 72.6% |
| Median year built | 1983 | 1989 |
| Seasonal / vacation homes | 1.9% | — |
Who lives in Metlakatla
| People | Metlakatla | Typical Alaska town |
|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.6 | 37.2 |
| Age 65 and over | 18.2% | 13.2% |
| Under 18 | 23.2% | — |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 9.3% | 22.4% |
| Below the poverty line | 13.5% | 11.9% |
| Veterans | 8.5% | — |
| Born outside the U.S. | 2.0% | — |
| Work from home | 6.2% | 7.4% |
| Average commute | 6.1 min | 12.5 min |
| Homes with broadband | 85.1% | 88.6% |
Weather in Metlakatla
July highs average 62.3°F and January lows 30.9°F. About 105.2 inches of rain and melted snow fall a year, with 34.8 inches of snow (typical Alaska town: 64.0 in). Expect about 0 days a year at 90°F or hotter and 75 nights at or below freezing.
Tornadoes, storms and disasters
NOAA's Storm Events Database has no tornado within 10 miles of Metlakatla since 1950.
Severe weather in Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area since 1996
Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area has been included in 2 federal disaster or emergency declarations since 1953, most often for biological, mud/landslide.
| Declared | Incident | Declaration |
|---|---|---|
| April 6, 2024 | Mud/Landslide | DR-4767: Severe Storm, Flooding, And Landslides |
| April 9, 2020 | Biological | DR-4533: Covid-19 Pandemic |
Jobs and pay in Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area
Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area had 2,111 jobs in 2024, paying an average of $54,711 a year. Unemployment was 6.7% in 2023; in Metlakatla itself the ACS puts it at 7.6%.
Public schools in Metlakatla
3 public schools with 314 students, about 10.1 students per teacher.
| School | Grades | Students | Per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|
| Richard Johnson Elementary | PK-5 | 135 | 9.0 |
| Metlakatla High School | 9-12 | 102 | 11.3 |
| Charles R. Leask Sr. Middle School | 6-8 | 77 | 11.0 |
Towns near Metlakatla
- Ketchikan, AK17.4 mi · 8,192 people · home $352,400
Metlakatla questions
Is Metlakatla, Alaska a good place to retire?
On The Town Files lifestyle rankings, Metlakatla scores better for retirees than 39% of Alaska towns and quieter than 53%. 18.2% of residents are 65 or older (median age 40.6).
How much does a house cost in Metlakatla?
The median owner-occupied home in Metlakatla is valued at $167,600 (Census ACS 2020–2024), against a median household income of $72,279, so homes cost about 2.3 times income. Median rent is $775 a month.
What is the weather like in Metlakatla?
July highs average 62.3°F and January lows 30.9°F (NOAA 1991–2020 normals). It gets about 105.2 inches of precipitation a year and 34.8 inches of snow.
Does Metlakatla get tornadoes?
No tornado has been recorded within 10 miles of Metlakatla 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)