Matanuska-Susitna Borough
Alaska

What stands out

If you had to describe Matanuska-Susitna Borough in numbers, start here: the overdose death rate is in the top 3% of American counties (50 per 100,000), the median household income is in the top 8% of American counties ($86,435), and high-school completion is in the top 11% of American counties (94%). Within Alaska it ranks 3rd of 30 counties for the overdose death rate.

Where you are

You live in Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Alaska. 108,661 people live here with you. The population grew 1.6% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +1,198).

Alaska has no state income tax and no state sales tax, and it pays residents an annual Permanent Fund Dividend from oil revenue. Most goods arrive by barge or air, so groceries, fuel and building materials cost well above the national average, and winter heating is a major line item. Roughly half the population lives in the Anchorage area; much of the rest is reachable only by plane or ferry.

Money

The typical household here brings in $86,435 a year, higher than 92% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $58,329. Unemployment runs 4.6%, higher than 83% of American counties. 10% of workers work from home.

Alaska has no state income tax, so none of that goes to the state.

Home

The median home costs $407K, pricier than 87% of American counties, about 3.0 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $1,189 a month. Property tax is 1.15% of home value, roughly $3,402 a year on that median home, higher than 70% of American counties. 76% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 4.1 per 1,000 residents, higher than 65% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 50 people per 100,000 in 2024, one of the harder-hit counties in the country.

A child born here can expect to live 77.0 years, longer than 64% of American counties. There are 151 active physicians in the county, about 13.9 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 3.0 of 5 stars. 12.7% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

94% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

Under Alaska law you can carry a concealed handgun without a permit, abortion is protected by state law, and marijuana is legal for adults.

Weather and risk

FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 89 out of 100, riskier than 89% of American counties; the county has had 20 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 161 Mbps down, slower than 67% of American counties. There are 149 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.5 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 7 breweries, 4 museums.