Anchorage, AK Metro Area

Anchorage, AK · Metro Area

401,964Population

A metropolitan statistical area of 2 counties (1 central, 1 outlying). The counties are tied together by commuting: people live in one and work in another.

Median household income: $100,505
Median home value: $379,100
Land area: 26,387 sq mi

Market now

Counties in this metro area

Central counties hold the urban core; outlying counties are linked to it by commuting.

County	Role	Population	Median income	Median home value
Anchorage Borough, AK	Central	288,976	$103,284	$395,900
Matanuska-Susitna Borough, AK	Outlying	112,988	$94,031	$346,600

Largest cities and towns

30 places in our city pages lie in this area; the 25 largest are shown.

Place	Type	Population	Median income
Anchorage, AK	Municipality	288,976	$103,284
Knik-Fairview, AK	CDP	19,972	$96,437
Wasilla, AK	City	9,720	$67,234
Tanaina, AK	CDP	9,646	$105,536
Lakes, AK	CDP	8,944	$84,821
Meadow Lakes, AK	CDP	8,689	$81,699
Gateway, AK	CDP	6,845	$137,772
Palmer, AK	City	6,268	$72,201
Fishhook, AK	CDP	5,819	$111,375
Butte, AK	CDP	4,085	$101,042
Big Lake, AK	CDP	3,585	$81,406
Farm Loop, AK	CDP	2,894	$119,375
Houston, AK	City	1,834	$73,015
Willow, AK	CDP	1,815	$89,000
Point MacKenzie, AK	CDP	1,668	$92,125
Sutton-Alpine, AK	CDP	1,598	$75,119
Susitna North, AK	CDP	1,566	$55,357
Lazy Mountain, AK	CDP	1,459	$101,667
Talkeetna, AK	CDP	944	$69,167
Knik River, AK	CDP	883	$109,464
Buffalo Soapstone, AK	CDP	739	$68,750
Trapper Creek, AK	CDP	491	$73,207
Chickaloon, AK	CDP	333	$54,063
Glacier View, AK	CDP	308	$46,458
Skwentna, AK	CDP	97	$46,667

Demographic Rates

Poverty Rate

9.3%

Unemployment

4.9%

College Educated

34.7%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1701, S2301, S1501

Race & Ethnicity

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B02001, B03003

Income Profile

Median Household Income

$100,505

Mean Household Income

$127,837

Income Distribution

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1901, S1902, S1903, B19013, B19113

Sex Distribution

Male

51.5%

Female

48.5%

Population Split

Male51.5%

Female48.5%

The sex distribution of a population provides insight into the demographic balance of a community. Significant skews in this ratio can be influenced by local industries (e.g., military bases, mining, or tech hubs), educational institutions, or migration patterns. Understanding this balance is essential for planning public health initiatives and social services.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0101

Ancestry

German15.2%

English10.7%

Irish10.1%

Mexican4.2%

Italian2.8%

Scottish2.1%

Polish2.0%

French1.7%

African0.7%

Reported ancestry groups representing the cultural heritage of the population. Percentages may not sum to 100% as residents may report multiple ancestries or none.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B04006

Immigration & Nativity

Nativity Status

8.6%Foreign Born

91.4%Native Born

Citizenship Status

Naturalized65.7%

Non-Citizen34.3%

Period of Entry

2010 or Later31.6%

Before 201068.4%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B05001, B05002

Housing Characteristics

Total Housing Units

171,518

Median Rent

$1,458/mo

Median Home Value

$379,100

Median Year Built

1986

Housing Tenure

Housing Types

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table DP04

Education Enrollment

Total Enrolled

94,030

College Enrollment

16.8%

High School

22.7%

College Educated

34.7%

K-12 Enrollment

Higher Education

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1401, S1501

Transportation & Commute

Mean Commute Time

22.7 min

Drive Alone Rate

70.2%

Public Transit

1.2%

Work From Home

11.1%

Commute Mode

Vehicle Ownership

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0801, B08141

Age Distribution

Under 18

24.1%

18-34 Years

25.1%

35-64 Years

37.7%

65+ Years

13.1%

Population Composition

Under 1824.1%

18-3425.1%

35-6437.7%

65+13.1%

The age distribution of a community impacts local services, school requirements, and the labor market. A higher percentage of youth suggests a need for schools and family services, while a larger senior population may indicate a retirement destination or a need for healthcare services.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0101

Household Composition

Married Couples

48.9%

Single Parent

5.9%

Living Alone

27.3%

Avg Size

2.64

Household Types

Married Couples48.9%

Single Parent5.9%

Living Alone27.3%

Household composition offers insights into the social fabric of a community. A high percentage of married couples often correlates with stability and higher household incomes, while a significant number of single-person households may indicate a younger transient population or an aging community.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1101

Economic Profile

Per Capita Income

$48,682

SNAP Usage

8.9%

Health Insurance

89.6%

Household Income Breakdown

Under $25k10.2%

$25k - $50k12.8%

$50k - $100k26.8%

$100k+50.2%

Key Industries

Manufacturing

2.6%

Retail Trade

10.4%

Education & Health Care

24.9%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1901, S2201, DP03

Health & Disability

Disability Rate

13.0%With Disability

Percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population with a disability.

Health Insurance Coverage

89.6%With Coverage

Percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population with health insurance coverage.

Why this matters: High disability rates may indicate a need for accessible infrastructure and specialized healthcare services. Health insurance coverage is a key indicator of a community's access to preventative care and financial resilience against medical emergencies.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1810, S2701

Technology Access

Broadband Internet

94.2%vs ~90% National Avg

Computer Ownership

97.8%vs ~95% National Avg

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S2801

Cost of Living & Housing

Cost of Living Scale

Lower is better

105.4

0130

Below average< 97

Near average97 - 103

Above average> 103

Prices compared with the US average (100). 105 means about 5% more expensive than average.

Housing Affordability

Higher is better

127.7

0200

Hard to Afford< 80

Moderate80 - 100

Affordable> 100

100 means a family earning the median family income just qualifies to buy the median-value home (20% down, 30-year loan at 6.72%).

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities · NAR affordability formula with Census ACS 2020–2024 incomes and home values and the Freddie Mac 30-year rate (2024)

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