The story of this market
The typical home in ZIP 99685 sells for about $425,000, or $235 per square foot.
Prices are up +2.5% from a year ago, so sellers still have some momentum. Homes take about 145 days to sell, which is slow. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $1,850 a month.
ZIP 99685 — Unalaska
The housing market in 99685 remains stable, characterized by low inventory and consistent demand driven by the local fishing industry. Prices have seen modest year-over-year growth, reflecting the isolated nature of the market and limited new construction. Current conditions are balanced, with few price cuts and a steady, albeit small, volume of sales.
This ZIP is best suited for industry professionals, long-term residents, and those seeking a remote, nature-focused lifestyle, as it is not a typical commuter or investor market.
Median prices moved up 2.5% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 145 days on market with 8.5 months of supply — a slower-moving market.
10% of listings have cut prices · homes sell at 98% of asking — demand is running ahead of supply.
no recorded foreclosure-ledger notices (0.0 per 10,000 residents) · unemployment 4.2% · poverty 7.0% — a stable, low-distress profile.
Researched annual trajectory for this ZIP, from published historical series
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 3.6%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
Median annual property tax paid on this ZIP's residential parcels
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 3.8%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
versus the prior ACS vintage
ZCTA 99685, Aleutians West Census Area, AK
Unalaska generally reports low violent crime rates, consistent with its remote island geography and small, tight-knit community.
The Unalaska City School District serves the area and is generally regarded as providing stable, community-focused education for the local population.
The area faces significant risks from extreme weather, including high winds, heavy precipitation, and seismic activity, which influence insurance availability and costs.
The economy is heavily anchored by the commercial fishing and seafood processing industry, which drives local infrastructure and employment stability.
Composed from the ARED governance burden registry — tier-native tax structure (state + county + city + special districts), never averaged. State (Alaska) — Municipal Property Tax: Tax is calculated as (Assessed Value - Exemptions) * Mill Rate. Municipalities are authorized to levy taxes and impose liens for enforcement. Exemptions include mandatory state-required exemptions (e.g., for certain residents) and optional local exemptions. State (Alaska) — Mandatory Property Tax Exemptions: Exemption of the first $150,000 of assessed value from municipal property taxation. State (Alaska) — Municipal Property Tax: Tax is calculated by multiplying the assessed value of the property by the local mill rate. State law mandates a mandatory exemption of the first $150,000 of assessed value for senior citizens (65+) and disabled veterans (50%+ service-connected disability). State (Alaska) — Optional Municipal Residential / Homestead Exemption Authorization: Allows municipal taxing bodies to exempt a percentage of the assessed value (commonly up to 20%, often capped at $50,000, as implemented in jurisdictions like Anchorage) for owner-occupied primary residences. State (Alaska) — Statewide Senior Citizen and Disabled Veteran Property Tax Exemption: Mandates that municipalities exempt the first $150,000 of assessed property value from ad valorem taxation. Formula: Taxable Value = Max(0, Assessed Value - $150,000).
Commuting is primarily local within the island, as the geography is isolated from major mainland employment centers.
The area offers extensive outdoor recreation including hiking, fishing, and wildlife viewing, with limited commercial shopping and dining options.
The rental market is tight due to limited housing stock and high demand from seasonal industry workers, leading to low vacancy rates.
The economy is dominated by the seafood processing industry, with major employers including large-scale fishing and logistics companies.
Transportation is primarily via air and sea, with the Unalaska Airport serving as the critical link to the mainland.
Development is constrained by geography and infrastructure requirements, with limited new residential construction projects currently active.
The area is served by the Unalaska City School District and local municipal utility services.
Property insurance premiums are high due to the remote location and exposure to severe weather events.
Data retrieved from data.census.gov ZCTA-level tables.
Public schools whose reported address is in this area (NCES). Not attendance boundaries — schools that serve residents may sit outside it. Check the district's address locator for assignment.
Significant historical site preserving the legacy of the Aleutian Campaign.
Central hub for community resources and local information.
Key-figure check: no independent anchor retained yet — first-researched cycles establish the anchor baseline this pass.