RANK #798 / 996 · POP 96,299 · AK
PROJECTED GROWTH: -0.5%
North Pole, a town where it is Christmas every day, is one of the notable communities within the Fairbanks North Star Borough. This vast interior Alaska region, roughly the size of New Jersey, is centered around Fairbanks, often called the "Golden Heart of Alaska." The borough is located far from other major Alaskan cities, with Anchorage being a three-hour train ride away. Commutes within the borough are generally short, averaging 15 to 20 minutes, and a public bus system, MACS, serves the urban areas including Fairbanks and North Pole. The natural scenery includes the Chena River, and outdoor recreation opportunities like hiking, skiing, snowmobiling, and aurora viewing are popular.
Life in the Fairbanks North Star Borough is characterized by dramatic seasonal temperature shifts, from subzero winters to warm summers. The community values quality, affordable, and safe living conditions, and aims to protect its unique neighborhoods and lifestyles. Major institutions like the University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fort Wainwright, and Eielson Air Force Base are central to the region's economy and culture. The economy is also driven by sectors such as mining, transportation, and infrastructure, with recent investments in these areas. The Fairbanks North Star Borough School District serves over 12,000 students across 34 public schools.
Below national median (4.7x)
Prices declining
No data
Below national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 4.5x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
North Slope LNG Facility Expansion
Harvest Midstream / Interior Gas Utility (IGU)
|
$500M | Operating |
|
Multi-family Housing Tax Incentives
Fairbanks North Star Borough
|
$50M | Proposed |
|
North Star Community Recreation Center
Fairbanks North Star Borough
|
$50M | Planned |
|
Indoor Community Playground Project
Fairbanks North Star Borough
|
$50M | Planned |
|
Fairbanks North Star Borough School District Capital Improvements (Boilers, Track, Tennis Courts, Pioneer Park)
Fairbanks North Star Borough School District
|
$50M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Fairbanks North Star Borough has a Boom Town Index score of 20/100, ranking #798 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +2.4% and a median household income of $81,655, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Fairbanks North Star Borough is $276,800 with median rent at $1,360/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.295, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: -0.9% year-over-year. Job growth: +2.4%. Home values changed -0.7% in the past 12 months.