The northernmost city in the U.S. at the Interior of Alaska, Fairbanks is just 125 miles south of the Arctic Circle. It's estimated 31,324 people live in the city. When you include the Fairbanks North Star Borough, 82,840 people inhabit the area. About 17,000 military personnel make up 20 percent of the borough population. The University of Alaska Fairbanks alone accounts for 10,400 students each year. Population growth has steadily risen since the 1960s. The discovery of oil and construction of the Alaskan pipeline have been the primary reason. U.S. Census statistics show that in the two decades since 1960 the total number of residents grew 31.4%. But from 1980 to 2000 it had more than doubled. White non-hispanic residents account for 74.4% of the population, 7.8% are native American, 5.5% hispanic and 5.3% black. At 31, the average age per resident is more than five years below the state.



When determining if you should be relocating to Fairbanks, cost should be an issue. Fairbanks' cost of living could be considered high when compared with the national average. However, it is lower than most other Alaskan communities and compares favorably with many other North American cities. Residents enjoy a very low tax burden with no state, local or sales taxes. According to estimates in 2005, home values on average had risen to $171,700 for an owner-occupied dwelling. Prices can vary greatly. A three-bedroom home is estimated to cost $1,400 per month to lease. The median rent paid by residents is $789 monthly. A lot of the housing in the area is relatively new or updated. After a massive flood in 1967, 95% of homes and businesses in Fairbanks were under eight feet of water. Federal funding more than compensated to help rebuild or replace the damaged structures.

Home of one the most notable Alaskan gold expeditions, more than $200 million in gold has been extracted from the mining district. There are still gold mines in operation today. The Trans-Alaska Pipeline annually produces 20 percent of the nation's oil production. The military has also played a significant role in Fairbanks? development with an economic impact of $350 million annually. Since World War II, airfields, roads and communication systems were constructed.

Tourism is heating up in one of the coldest North American cities. Each summer, roughly 325,000 visitors find their way to Fairbanks. The historic city has managed to keep much of its frontier charm. Mining camps, swinging-door saloons and unpaved roads can still be found amid an ever evolving landscape. Competitive sled dog racing is just one of many outdoor activities that favor tourism and have people relocating to Fairbanks. The most common approach for travelers to the city is through Fairbanks International Airport. The Alaska Highway also connects the area to the lower 48 states, while the Alaska Railroad makes Fairbanks its northernmost destination.

If you are considering relocating to Fairbanks, there are issues related to daylight and weather you need to contemplate. Fairbanks is one of only a few communities in the world that has a concentration of people living so far north. They experience long days in summer, dark winters and significant changes in weather. In June and July, Fairbanks can get anywhere from 18 to 20 hours of sunlight daily. Temperatures can reach the high 80s. Daylight dwindles to four hours during the winter. Temperatures will drop drastically to as low as 60 degrees below zero. Average temperatures in January are 10.2 below and 55.4 in August. And it wouldn't be Alaska without snow. Annually, about 68 inches of the white stuff falls each year.