RANK #324 / 1001 NAT · POP 112,988
1YR FORECAST: +2.0%
5YR OUTLOOK: +31%
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.
Matanuska-Susitna Borough's data profile doesn't fit any single market profile cleanly — its housing, labor, and demographic signals pull in different directions (home prices +7.9% YoY, population +2.1%, wages +5.0%). About 414 U.S. counties show this kind of mixed-signal pattern.
See all 414 Idiosyncratic Markets counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Above national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 21.3x — home prices are high 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.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
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 |
|---|---|---|
|
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 1001 counties.
With a Boom Town Index score of 67/100, Matanuska-Susitna Borough sits in the upper half of all 1001 ranked counties. Employment is expanding at +1.5%, and median household income stands at $94,031 — indicators that suggest solid fundamentals even if it's not among the fastest-growing counties in AK.
Housing in Matanuska-Susitna Borough is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $346,600 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.27, with rents averaging $1,299/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Matanuska-Susitna Borough is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +2.1% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +1.5% clip — and home values reflect that momentum, rising +7.9% over the past 12 months.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.92% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Matanuska-Susitna Borough has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.
Home values climbed +7.9% year-over-year, which is a solid pace of appreciation. The median home in Matanuska-Susitna Borough is now valued at $346,600. That kind of growth typically reflects sustained demand rather than speculative frenzy.