Anchorage
RANK #469 / 996 NAT · POP 290,674
1YR FORECAST: +1.3%
5YR OUTLOOK: +24%
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
Above national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 4.2x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
| 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 scores 52/100 on the Boom Town Index, landing in the middle of the pack among 996 U.S. counties (#469). Median household income is $95,731 and job growth is running at +1.7%. The data points to a county with mixed signals — some positive indicators alongside areas that lag faster-growing peers.
Housing in Anchorage Municipality is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $363,800 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.26, with rents averaging $1,405/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
It's a mixed picture in Anchorage Municipality. The population is declining (-0.6% YoY), but employers are actually hiring — job growth is at +1.7%. Home values moved +3.3% in the last year. That tension between shrinking population and expanding employment often signals a county in transition.
Not particularly — 1.73% of Anchorage Municipality's population moved in from another state, which is below the national average. Most residents are long-term locals rather than recent transplants.