The Town FilesNorth Pole, Alaska
City in Fairbanks North Star Borough · population 2,243 (2020 Census)
- Median home
- $289,400
- Household income
- $92,273
- Jan low / Jul high
- -17° / 71°
- Snow a year
- 53 in
- Tornadoes ≤10 mi since 1950
- 0
- Median age
- 28.2
North Pole is a city of 2,243 people in Fairbanks North Star Borough, Alaska. The median home is worth $289,400, close to the typical Alaska town ($289,500). It ranks easier by car than 98% of Alaska towns, more vibrant than 96% of Alaska towns, more walkable than 95% of Alaska towns.
How North Pole 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 North Pole is worth $289,400, close to the typical Alaska town ($289,500). Homes cost about 3.1 times the median household income of $92,273, which is more affordable than 59% of Alaska towns. Median rent is $1,304 a month. 55.9% of households own their home.
| Housing | North Pole | Typical Alaska town |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value | $289,400 | $289,500 |
| Median rent | $1,304 | $1,146 |
| Median household income | $92,273 | $78,155 |
| Home value ÷ income | 3.1× | 3.3× |
| Homeownership | 55.9% | 72.6% |
| Median year built | 1985 | 1989 |
| Seasonal / vacation homes | 0.0% | — |
Who lives in North Pole
| People | North Pole | Typical Alaska town |
|---|---|---|
| Median age | 28.2 | 37.2 |
| Age 65 and over | 7.8% | 13.2% |
| Under 18 | 37.4% | — |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.4% | 22.4% |
| Below the poverty line | 4.9% | 11.9% |
| Veterans | 22.5% | — |
| Born outside the U.S. | 4.8% | — |
| Work from home | 1.5% | 7.4% |
| Average commute | 23.5 min | 12.5 min |
| Homes with broadband | 97.6% | 88.6% |
Weather in North Pole
July highs average 70.9°F and January lows -17.5°F. About 13.5 inches of rain and melted snow fall a year, with 53.1 inches of snow (typical Alaska town: 64.0 in). Expect about 0 days a year at 90°F or hotter and 244 nights at or below freezing.
Tornadoes, storms and disasters
NOAA's Storm Events Database has no tornado within 10 miles of North Pole since 1950.
Severe weather in Fairbanks North Star Borough since 1996
Fairbanks North Star Borough has been included in 16 federal disaster or emergency declarations since 1953, most often for fire, flood, freezing.
| Declared | Incident | Declaration |
|---|---|---|
| July 6, 2025 | Fire | FM-5597: Nenana Ridge Complex |
| June 23, 2025 | Fire | FM-5596: Himalaya Road Fire |
| August 3, 2023 | Fire | FM-5473: Lost Horse Creek Fire |
| March 24, 2022 | Severe Storm | DR-4648: Severe Winter Storm And Straight-Line Winds |
| April 9, 2020 | Biological | DR-4533: Covid-19 Pandemic |
Jobs and pay in Fairbanks North Star Borough
Fairbanks North Star Borough had 37,015 jobs in 2024, paying an average of $69,700 a year. Unemployment was 3.8% in 2023; in North Pole itself the ACS puts it at 4.6%.
Public schools in North Pole
5 public schools with 1,912 students, about 17.5 students per teacher.
| School | Grades | Students | Per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Pole High School | 9-12 | 582 | 19.4 |
| North Pole Middle School | 6-8 | 478 | 15.9 |
| North Pole Elementary | PK-5 | 338 | 16.1 |
| Midnight Sun Elementary School | PK-5 | 320 | 17.8 |
| Discovery Peak Charter School (charter) | K-8 | 194 | 19.4 |
Towns near North Pole
- Badger, AK3.8 mi · 19,031 people · home $310,600
- Moose Creek, AK6.3 mi · 534 people · home —
- Fairbanks, AK10.3 mi · 32,515 people · home $268,400
- Eielson AFB, AK10.5 mi · 2,610 people · home —
- Steele Creek, AK12.1 mi · 6,437 people · home $348,400
- Two Rivers, AK12.5 mi · 650 people · home $315,600
- South Van Horn, AK13.1 mi · 503 people · home $41,500
- Farmers Loop, AK14.6 mi · 4,704 people · home $279,800
North Pole questions
Is North Pole, Alaska a good place to retire?
On The Town Files lifestyle rankings, North Pole scores better for retirees than 37% of Alaska towns and quieter than 4%. 7.8% of residents are 65 or older (median age 28.2).
How much does a house cost in North Pole?
The median owner-occupied home in North Pole is valued at $289,400 (Census ACS 2020–2024), against a median household income of $92,273, so homes cost about 3.1 times income. Median rent is $1,304 a month.
What is the weather like in North Pole?
July highs average 70.9°F and January lows -17.5°F (NOAA 1991–2020 normals). It gets about 13.5 inches of precipitation a year and 53.1 inches of snow.
Does North Pole get tornadoes?
No tornado has been recorded within 10 miles of North Pole 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)