Out of 43 counties with earthquake data, these are the counties with the highest seismic risk.
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Counties ranked | 43 |
| Avg earthquake risk (top 100) | 6.5/50 |
Top 43 Counties
| Rank | County | State | Risk Score | Rating | Expected Annual Loss |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Anchorage | Alaska | 17.5/50 | Relatively Moderate | $70.6M |
| 2 | Kenai Peninsula | Alaska | 13.9/50 | Relatively Moderate | $12.6M |
| 3 | Kenai Peninsula Borough | Alaska | 13.9/50 | Relatively Moderate | $12.6M |
| 4 | Lake and Peninsula | Alaska | 11.8/50 | Relatively Moderate | $231K |
| 5 | Lake and Peninsula Borough | Alaska | 11.8/50 | Relatively Moderate | $231K |
| 6 | Yukon-Koyukuk | Alaska | 11.2/50 | Relatively Moderate | $224K |
| 7 | Anchorage Municipality | Alaska | 11.1/50 | Relatively Moderate | $18.3M |
| 8 | Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area | Alaska | 10.7/50 | Relatively Low | $224K |
| 9 | Kodiak Island | Alaska | 10.3/50 | Relatively Moderate | $3.6M |
| 10 | Matanuska-Susitna | Alaska | 10/50 | Relatively Moderate | $18.3M |
| 11 | Matanuska-Susitna Borough | Alaska | 10/50 | Relatively Moderate | $18.3M |
| 12 | Dillingham Census Area | Alaska | 8.8/50 | Relatively Low | $231K |
| 13 | Nome | Alaska | 8.6/50 | Relatively Low | $153K |
| 14 | Northwest Arctic | Alaska | 8.3/50 | Relatively Low | $115K |
| 15 | Ketchikan Gateway Borough | Alaska | 8/50 | Relatively Moderate | $70.6M |
| 16 | Bethel | Alaska | 7.9/50 | Relatively Low | $122K |
| 17 | Sitka City and | Alaska | 7.5/50 | Relatively Low | $1.2M |
| 18 | Dillingham | Alaska | 7.3/50 | Relatively Low | $115K |
| 19 | Fairbanks North Star | Alaska | 6.7/50 | Relatively Low | $7.5M |
| 20 | Bethel Census Area | Alaska | 6.7/50 | Relatively Low | $1.1M |
| 21 | Hoonah-Angoon | Alaska | 6.3/50 | Relatively Low | $166K |
| 22 | Kusilvak | Alaska | 6/50 | Relatively Low | $29K |
| 23 | Aleutians East | Alaska | 5/50 | Relatively Low | $427K |
| 24 | Juneau City and | Alaska | 4.2/50 | Relatively Low | $1.1M |
| 25 | Juneau City and Borough | Alaska | 4.2/50 | Relatively Low | $1.1M |
| 26 | Denali | Alaska | 4.2/50 | Relatively Low | $370K |
| 27 | Denali Borough | Alaska | 4.2/50 | Relatively Low | $370K |
| 28 | Valdez-Cordova Census Area | Alaska | 4/50 | No Data | $1.9M |
| 29 | Southeast Fairbanks Census Area | Alaska | 3.5/50 | Very Low | $312K |
| 30 | Southeast Fairbanks | Alaska | 3.5/50 | Very Low | $312K |
| 31 | Yakutat City and | Alaska | 3.3/50 | Very Low | $235K |
| 32 | Prince of Wales-Hyder | Alaska | 3.2/50 | Very Low | $44K |
| 33 | Aleutians West | Alaska | 3.1/50 | Very Low | $1.1M |
| 34 | Aleutians West Census Area | Alaska | 3.1/50 | Very Low | $1.1M |
| 35 | Bristol Bay | Alaska | 3.1/50 | Very Low | $158K |
| 36 | Bristol Bay Borough | Alaska | 3.1/50 | Very Low | $158K |
| 37 | Haines | Alaska | 2.5/50 | Very Low | $130K |
| 38 | Ketchikan Gateway | Alaska | 2.5/50 | Very Low | $71K |
| 39 | Wrangell City and | Alaska | 2.5/50 | Very Low | $15K |
| 40 | North Slope | Alaska | 2/50 | Very Low | $16K |
| 41 | North Slope Borough | Alaska | 2/50 | Very Low | $16K |
| 42 | Northwest Arctic Borough | Alaska | 2/50 | Very Low | $16K |
| 43 | Skagway | Alaska | 1.8/50 | Very Low | $63K |
* = New Madrid Seismic Zone
Methodology
County rankings for Alaska based on average FEMA earthquake risk score.
Data sources: FEMA National Risk Index, USGS Earthquake Hazards Program. Last updated: 2026-06-04.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is earthquake risk calculated?
Earthquake risk scores (0-50) are from the FEMA National Risk Index, which combines seismic hazard exposure, community vulnerability, and expected losses. Higher scores indicate greater earthquake risk to people and property.
What is the New Madrid Seismic Zone?
The New Madrid Seismic Zone spans parts of Missouri, Tennessee, Arkansas, Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, and Mississippi. The 1811-1812 New Madrid earthquakes (estimated M7.5-7.9) were among the strongest in U.S. history. This region remains seismically active, and most buildings were not designed to withstand major earthquakes.
Does earthquake risk affect home insurance?
Standard homeowners insurance does not cover earthquake damage. Separate earthquake insurance is required, and premiums vary significantly based on location, construction type, and proximity to fault lines.