RANK #301 / 996 · POP 290,674 · AK
PROJECTED GROWTH: +1.5%
Anchorage, Alaska, often called "The City of Lights and Flowers," stands out as a major urban center deeply connected to the Alaskan wilderness. Located in Southcentral Alaska, it is the state's most populous city, home to nearly 40% of Alaska's residents. Despite its size, Anchorage maintains a community feel, with many residents noting its friendly and welcoming atmosphere. Commutes are generally short, even during peak hours. The city is bordered by the Chugach Mountains and Cook Inlet, offering views and immediate access to extensive outdoor recreation, including hundreds of miles of trails for hiking, biking, and skiing.
Life in Anchorage blends urban amenities with wilderness access, appealing to families and outdoor enthusiasts. The Anchorage School District serves the entire municipality, with over 100 schools, including charter options, and a student-to-teacher ratio of 17:1. The local economy is influenced by sectors such as transportation, military presence, and resource development. Recent efforts focus on expanding housing options and improving infrastructure, with ongoing investments in the Port of Alaska and the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport.
Below national median (4.7x)
Below national median
No data
Above national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 4.2x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Little Mount Susitna Wind Farm
Alaska Renewables (Longroad Energy)
|
$280M | Planned |
|
Shovel Creek Wind Farm
Alaska Renewables (Longroad Energy)
|
$210M | Planned |
|
FedEx Domestic Operations Center & Hub Modernization
FedEx Express
|
$200M | Under Construction |
|
Tesla Megapack Battery Energy Storage System (BESS)
Chugach Electric Association & Matanuska Electric Association (MEA)
|
$65M | Operating |
|
Alaska Cargo and Cold Storage Facility
Alaska Cargo and Cold Storage, LLC (ACCS)
|
$50M | Under Construction |
|
Amazon Delivery Station
Amazon
|
$26M | Operating |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Anchorage Municipality has a Boom Town Index score of 70/100, ranking #301 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +1.7% and a median household income of $95,731, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in Anchorage Municipality is $363,800 with median rent at $1,405/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.2631, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: -0.6% year-over-year. Job growth: +1.7%. Home values changed +3.3% in the past 12 months.