RANK #840 / 1001 NAT · POP 112,988
1YR FORECAST: +1.7%
5YR OUTLOOK: +13%
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 +7.8% YoY, population +2.1%, wages +4.9%). About 414 U.S. counties show this kind of mixed-signal pattern.
See all 414 Idiosyncratic Markets counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Below 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: Homicide rates from CDC/NCHS vital-statistics mortality data — a multi-year average that stabilizes counts in smaller counties — compiled in the County Health Rankings 2025 release. Rates per 100,000 population; U.S. average ≈ 6.5. Grade reflects homicide rate relative to the national average. Learn more →
See where Matanuska-Susitna Borough stands nationally: safest large counties in America · highest homicide-rate counties.
| 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.
The data is not encouraging — Matanuska-Susitna Borough scores just 15/100 on the Boom Town Index, ranking #840 of 1001 counties. Job growth at +1.6% and median household income of $94,031 reflect an economy that has been contracting or stagnating relative to the rest of the country.
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 +1.6% clip — and home values reflect that momentum, rising +7.8% 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 +7.8% 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.