Matanuska-Susitna County
AK · Pop. 110,677 · Rural County
Matanuska-Susitna Borough is a rural county in Alaska, spanning 24,707 square miles with 110,677 residents at a density of 4.5 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. A median home price of $319,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.1% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 4b with a 123-day growing season, average summer highs of 66.9°F and average winter lows of 7.7°F. Annual rainfall averages 28 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Mat - Su Regional Outpatient Center is 47 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 66% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, wildfire risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- At 4.5 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
- A low poverty rate of 10.3% signals a relatively stable local economy.
- A median household income of $90,625 anchors the local economy.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- A 123-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Broadband reaches only 66% of homes, a real gap for remote work or online sales.
- The nearest hospital, Mat - Su Regional Outpatient Center, is 47 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
- Average winter lows of 7.7°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Matanuska-Susitna County, AK is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 23/100
- Median home price
- $319k
- Property tax
- 1.1%
- Growing season
- 123 days (zone 4b)
- Annual rainfall
- 28"
- Broadband
- 66%
- Nearest hospital
- Mat - Su Regional Outpatient Center, 47 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Matanuska-Susitna County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Matanuska-Susitna Borough?
- Matanuska-Susitna Borough is in USDA hardiness zone 4b with a 123-day growing season, average summer highs of 66.9°F, and average winter lows of 7.7°F.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $319,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.1%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 66% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Mat - Su Regional Outpatient Center is 47 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 2 hospitals in the county.
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Data sources
Verified
Figures are sourced from public datasets: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-year & Gazetteer, USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), FEMA National Risk Index, FCC Broadband Data Collection, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, HIFLD Hospitals. Always confirm specifics locally before relying on them. See our methodology for how the homestead score is calculated.
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