Growing number of seniors receive property tax break

The number of senior citizens receiving a state-mandated property tax break on their homes continues to climb in Wrangell, totaling 280 homes this year and costing the borough $400,000 in lost tax revenues.

Wrangell is not alone in the rising number, as several Alaska communities are seeing consistent growth in their senior citizen population. More than one in five Wrangell residents is age 65 or older, according to state statistics.

About 15% of the assessed property value in Wrangell is exempt from borough taxes under the state-required partial exemption for homes owned by seniors and disabl...