RANK #248 / 996 · POP 108,661 · AK
PROJECTED GROWTH: +1.8%
The Matanuska-Susitna Borough, often called the Mat-Su, is known for its agricultural heritage and the Alaska State Fair in Palmer, the borough seat. Located about 35 miles north of Anchorage, the Mat-Su Valley is framed by the Alaska Range, Talkeetna Mountains, and Chugach Mountains, offering a blend of wilderness and community. Commutes to Anchorage are common, with many residents making the drive for work. The area is a hub for outdoor recreation, including hiking, fishing, and glacier viewing, with the Matanuska Glacier being a notable landmark accessible by car.
Life in the Mat-Su Borough attracts families and individuals seeking a balance of Alaskan living and community amenities. The Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District serves a growing student population across 40 schools. The economy is experiencing growth, with new residential and commercial developments. Investment is flowing into various sectors, including energy and data centers, contributing to a diversifying economic landscape. The borough has seen consistent population growth, drawing residents from other parts of Alaska, including Anchorage, due to more affordable housing options.
Overvalued relative to economy
Above national median
No data
Above national median (13x)
Housing looks overvalued at 9.3x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Susitna River Hydroelectric Project Revival
Five Alaska utilities
|
$5,600M | Proposed |
|
Terra Energy Center Campus (Advanced Manufacturing & Compute Campus)
Terra Energy Center Corp. (in partnership with Matanuska-Susitna Borough)
|
$750M | Proposed |
|
New Residential Construction (Cumulative)
Various Developers/Homeowners
|
$384M | Under Construction |
|
Little Mount Susitna Wind Project
Alaska Renewables, LLC
|
$250M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Matanuska-Susitna Borough has a Boom Town Index score of 75/100, ranking #248 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +3.3% and a median household income of $86,435, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in Matanuska-Susitna Borough is $296,900 with median rent at $1,242/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.2911, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +1.7% year-over-year. Job growth: +3.3%. Home values changed +7.0% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 3.81% of Matanuska-Susitna Borough's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.