Everything You Should Know Before Moving to Selawik, AK
Thinking of moving to Selawik, AK? With a close-knit population of 820 and affordable median home prices around $102,000, Selawik offers a unique Alaskan cultural experience in a remote setting. While the cost of living is higher due to groceries and utilities, housing remains accessible. Residents enjoy short commute times and strong local traditions, though crime rates and unemployment are above national averages. The climate is Arctic, with long, cold winters; education and healthcare are available locally, with more comprehensive services in nearby Kotzebue.
Demographics - Selawik, AK
Demographics - Selawik, AK
Selawik is a small, close-knit community of 820 residents, with a notably young median age of 24.6 and a strong Alaska Native/Inuit presence making up most of the population. The city features a slightly higher number of males than females, and more than half of residents speak a language other than English at home, reflecting its rich cultural heritage.
Population:
820
Density:
110 per sq mi
Median Age:
24.6
Gender Ratio:
108 males per 100 females
Non-English Speakers Percentage:
58%

Ethnic Composition
White:
2.1%
Black:
0.2%
Asian:
0.2%
Others:
97.5% (predominantly Alaska Native/Inuit)
Cost Of Living
What is the average cost of living in Selawik, AK?
While Selawik's median home price of $102,000 keeps housing affordable, the overall cost of living is elevated, especially for groceries and utilities. Residents benefit from Alaska's zero state income tax, but higher transportation and energy costs contribute to a cost of living index of 126.
Median House Value:
$102,000
Gross Rent:
$780
Monthly Electricity Charges:
$230
Auto Insurance:
$1,450
House Owner Cost With Mortgage:
$1,020
House Owner Cost Without Mortgage:
$380
State Taxes:
Low:
0%
|
High:
0%
Cost Of Living Index:
126.0
Grocery:
185.0
Housing:
61.0
Utilities:
170.0
Transportation:
200.0
Health Care:
145.0
Miscellaneous:
120.0
Crime
Is Selawik, AK a safe place to live?
Selawik experiences higher-than-average crime rates, with a violent crime rate of 1,230 per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 2,750 per 100,000. Prospective residents should be aware that the chance of experiencing property or violent crime is considerably greater than national averages.
Violent Crimes Per 100k:
1,230
Property Crimes Per 100k:
2,750
Crime Index:
3,980
Chance Of Violent Crime:
1 in 81
Chance Of Property Crime:
1 in 36
Weather
What is the weather like in Selawik, AK year-round?
Selawik has an Arctic climate with long, frigid winters often ranging from -25°F to -5°F, and brief, mild summers peaking at 68°F. Annual rainfall is modest at 13.5 inches, and only 42% of days are sunny, making for a cold and often overcast environment.

Winter
Min:
-25°F
Max:
-5°F

Spring
Min:
5°F
Max:
32°F

Summer
Min:
43°F
Max:
68°F

Fall
Min:
14°F
Max:
35°F
Average Rainfall Inches:
13.5 inches
Sunny Days Percentage:
42%
Neighbors
Local households have a median income of $42,200, but the area faces a high poverty rate of 33.5% and an unemployment rate nearing 14%. Most commutes are under 8 minutes, and while 62% of adults have at least a high school diploma, college attainment is low at just over 5%.
Median Income:
$29,850
Household Income:
$42,200
Family Income:
$44,800
Per Capita Income:
$10,850
Income Male:
$26,000
Income Female:
$21,500
Poverty Rate:
33.5%
Non English Speakers:
58%
Rent:
$780
Unemployment Rate:
13.9%
Public Transport Usage:
0%
Commute Time:
7.5 minutes

Education
High School or Higher:
62.0%
Bachelors or More:
5.1%
Education
How are the schools in Selawik, AK?
Selawik is served by Davis-Ramoth Memorial School, a public K-12 institution with around 310 students and a student-teacher ratio of 14:1. While there are no local colleges, higher education opportunities are accessible through the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Northwest Campus in Nome, about 225 miles away.

Public Schools
Name:
Davis-Ramoth Memorial School
Street:
Selawik, AK 99770
Phone:
(907) 484-2152
Students:
310
Student Teacher Ratio:
14.2

Colleges
Name:
Northwest Campus – University of Alaska Fairbanks
City:
Nome
State:
AK
Distance:
225 miles
Students:
700
Healthcare
Healthcare in Selawik is anchored by a local health clinic offering primary and urgent care, while more advanced services are available 70 miles away in Kotzebue. Most residents (89%) have health insurance, but physician availability is limited, with just 0.4 doctors per 1,000 people.

Major Hospitals
Name:
Selawik Health Clinic
Address:
Selawik, AK 99770
Phone:
(907) 484-2199
Type:
Primary & Urgent Care
Emergency Services:
Yes
Name:
Maniilaq Health Center
Address:
Kotzebue, AK 99752 (70 miles by air)
Phone:
(907) 442-3321
Type:
General & Surgical
Emergency Services:
Yes
Physicians Per 1000:
0.4
Health Insurance Coverage:
89.2%
Health Care Index:
62.0
Housing Market
What is the housing market like in Selawik, AK?
The housing market in Selawik is stable, with a median home price of $102,000 and average rent for a two-bedroom at $780. Nearly 60% of homes are owner-occupied, and the market sees low vacancy and foreclosure rates.
Median Home Price:
$102,000
Average Rent For 2 Bedroom:
$780
Owner Occupied Rate:
60.2%
Rental Vacancy Rate:
7.6%
Home Appreciation Rate (1yr):
2.2%
New Construction Rate:
0.5%
Foreclosure Rate:
0.3%
DMV Information
Selawik residents are served by the Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles, with the nearest main office located in Anchorage. Vehicle registration and licensing services can be accessed online or via phone for convenience in this remote region.
State:
Alaska
Department:
Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles
Address:
1300 W. Benson Blvd, Suite 900, Anchorage, AK 99503
Phone:
855-269-5551
Website:
Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is based on publicly available sources including AccuWeather, U.S. Census Bureau, local government data, and third-party partners such as Neustar. While we strive to ensure accuracy, all data is provided “as is” and should be independently verified before making any decisions. Movers.com makes no guarantees regarding the completeness or reliability of the information.