Living in Happy Valley, Alaska
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Happy Valley · Census data 2020–2024
Happy Valley has 775 residents with a median age of 60.9. The median household income is $54,464 (41% lower than the Alaska median), the median home value is $253,600, the median rent is $820/month.
Happy Valley is a small town, so Census survey estimates have wide margins of error. Treat percentages as approximate.
Happy Valley at a glance
- Population
- 775
- Median age
- 60.9State: 35.8
- Median household income
- $54,464State: $92,788
- Median home value
- $253,600State: $352,900
- Median rent
- $820/moState: $1,419
- Homeowners
- 86.5%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 21%
- Average commute
- 27 min
Is Happy Valley a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 28% lower than the state median.
Cons: Median household income 41% lower than the Alaska median; an average commute of 27 minutes; unemployment of 7%; a poverty rate of 19.8%.
The weather is best in May to August.
Cost of living in Happy Valley
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Happy Valley the median home value is $253,600, 24% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $820 per month, which is 17.9% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,815 a month in housing costs.
Happy Valley median household income
The median household income in Happy Valley is $54,464 and the income per person is $39,488. 19.8% of residents live below the poverty line (Alaska: 10.1%).
Housing in Happy Valley: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 605
- Owner-occupied
- 86.5%
- Renter-occupied
- 13.5%
- Vacant
- 37.7%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1994
- Average household size
- 2.06
37.7% of homes are vacant most of the year, a sign that Happy Valley has many vacation and second homes.
Happy Valley demographics
- Population
- 775
- Median age
- 60.9
- Under 18
- 16.8%
- 65 and older
- 40.3%
- Households
- 377
- Foreign-born
- 1.4%
- Veterans
- 20.6%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Happy Valley ›
Education in Happy Valley
21% of adults 25 and older in Happy Valley have a bachelor's degree or higher (Alaska: 31.7%), and 9.6% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Happy Valley
- Unemployment rate
- 7%State: 5.9%
- Average commute
- 27 minState: 19 min
- Work from home
- 17.7%
- Drive alone
- 70.1%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 1.6%
- Homes with broadband
- 73.2%
Happy Valley vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Happy Valley | 775 | $54,464 | $253,600 | $820 |
| Nikolaevsk | 245 | $60,750 | $253,300 | — |
| Ninilchik | 965 | $55,179 | $254,400 | $1,000 |
| Anchor Point | 2,243 | $63,000 | $241,600 | $1,120 |
| Fritz Creek | 2,383 | $89,531 | $344,100 | $1,125 |
| Diamond Ridge | 1,329 | $87,500 | $344,400 | $1,273 |
| Kachemak | 805 | $76,750 | $450,000 | $1,185 |
| Fox River | 741 | $79,583 | $371,900 | — |
| Clam Gulch | 238 | $91,875 | $285,000 | — |
More for people moving to Happy Valley
Happy Valley ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Happy Valley: FAQ
What is the median household income in Happy Valley, AK?
The median household income in Happy Valley is $54,464, 41% lower than the Alaska median of $92,788 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Happy Valley?
The median home value in Happy Valley is $253,600, compared with $352,900 in Alaska.
How much is rent in Happy Valley?
The median gross rent in Happy Valley is $820 per month, about 17.9% of household income.
Is Happy Valley, AK a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 28% lower than the state median. Minuses: median household income 41% lower than the Alaska median; an average commute of 27 minutes; unemployment of 7%; a poverty rate of 19.8%.
What is the median age in Happy Valley?
The median age in Happy Valley is 60.9 years (Alaska: 35.8).
How long is the commute in Happy Valley?
The average commute to work in Happy Valley is 27 minutes; 17.7% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Happy Valley?
The unemployment rate in Happy Valley is 7% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Happy Valley?
21% of adults in Happy Valley have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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