St. Michael: Economy & Jobs
Households in St. Michael earn a median $53,750 (1.5× below Nome Census Area median $78,681; 1.7× below Alaska median $93,272), with homes at a median value of $-666,666,666. The surrounding county supports 3,893 jobs (avg $75,229).
- $67,367 avg taxable income per return — higher than the median household income.
Income & Affordability
Median household income $53,750 — below the Alaska median ($93,271). Poverty rate 20.0% (U.S. average ~12.5%). 57% of renters spend more than half their income on rent ("severely cost-burdened" by HUD definition; U.S. ~24%).
| Affordability · Pct Severely Rent Burdened | 57.1% |
|---|---|
| Affordability · Poverty Rate | 20.0% |
| Irs Income · IRS tax returns filed | $3,640 |
| Irs Income · Total Adjusted Gross Income (thousands) | $245,215 |
| Irs Income · Average AGI per return | $67,367 |
| Irs Income · Year | 2022 |
| Income Estimate | $64,097 |
| Median Household Income | $53,750 (vs Alaska $93,272) |
| Poverty Rate | 20.0% |
Sources: IRS SOI 2022 · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Economic Character
Qualitative classification derived from Census occupation, industry, and income data — workforce composition (white-collar/blue-collar), top employing sector, and income tier.
| Economic Character · Workforce | mixed |
|---|---|
| Economic Character · Top Industry | Public Admin |
| Economic Character · Income Level | middle-class |
| Economic Character · Median Income | $53,750 |
Employment & Workforce
Employment + workforce stats. The county-level employment count covers all jobs within the county, not just town residents. Unemployment rate 14.3% — above the U.S. average of ~4%. 9% work from home (U.S. average ~15%).
| Commuter Profile · Work From Home Pct | 8.6% |
|---|---|
| Commuter Profile · Primary Mode | walked |
| Commuter Profile · Mean Commute Min | 5.60 |
| Commuter Profile · Profile | short commute |
| Employment · Avg annual employment (county) | 3,893 |
| Employment · Total annual wages (county) | $292,897,331 |
| Employment · Average annual pay | $75,229 |
| Employment · Year | 2024 |
| State Occupation Wages · Year | 2023 |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Soc Code | 00-0000 |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Title | All Occupations |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Employment | 311,610 |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.3% (vs Alaska 6.2%) |
Sources: BLS QCEW 2023 · BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Industry Sectors
Major industries by establishment count from Census County Business Patterns (2022). Sectors are NAICS-coded; counts are county-wide employer establishments.
| Business Patterns · Establishments (employer count) | 176 |
|---|---|
| Business Patterns · Total Employees | 2,397 |
| Business Patterns · Annual Payroll Thousands | 176,849 |
| Business Patterns · Year | 2022 |
Sources: Census CBP API — county FIPS match
Local Business Mix
Retail and service businesses by category (Census CBP NAICS-coded). Counts cover the surrounding county, not just the town. Reflects the everyday commercial mix residents can access.
| Local Businesses · Grocery Stores | 18 |
|---|---|
| Local Businesses · Auto Repair | 5 |
| Local Businesses · Hotels Motels | 3 |
| Local Businesses · Full Service Restaurants | 7 |
| Local Businesses · Bars | 3 |
Sources: Census CBP — NAICS detail codes
Dining Scene
Eating + drinking establishments by NAICS category (Census CBP 2022) — full-service restaurants, fast-food, bars, coffee shops. County-level counts.
| Dining Scene · Full Service Restaurants | 7 |
|---|---|
| Dining Scene · Bars | 3 |
Sources: Census CBP NAICS 722
Banking
FDIC-insured bank branches with addresses. Branch density correlates with population — fewer branches per resident in lower-density areas.
Branches (2)
SNAP & Food Access
USDA-authorized SNAP retailers — supermarkets, super stores, convenience stores, and other locations where SNAP benefits can be redeemed. Per-1K density tracks food access.
Sample (1)
| Nearest Snap · Name | Alaska Commercial Company 255 |
|---|---|
| Nearest Snap · Distance | 7.2 mi |
Sources: USDA SNAP — nearest by coordinates
Chamber of Commerce
IRS-registered chamber of commerce organizations matched to this town. Reflects the IRS Exempt Organizations BMF; some chambers operate informally and may not appear here.
| Chamber Of Commerce · Name | GREATER FAIRBANKS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE |
|---|
Sources: IRS EO BMF · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Spending & Tax
Federal spending flowing to the surrounding county — direct payments, grants, contracts, loans (USAspending.gov).
| Federal Spending · Federal Spending Fy2024 | $272,926,007 |
|---|---|
| Federal Spending · Per Capita | 27,167.63 |
| Federal Spending · Population | 10,046 people |
Sources: USAspending API
Other
| Pct Public Transit | 20.0% |
|---|---|
| Pct Walked | 8.6% |
| Retirement Score · Median age | 19.4 years (vs Alaska 35.9y) |
| Retirement Score · Ss Household Pct | 10.5% |
| Retirement Score · Rating | limited |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12