2nd most populous of 30
With 117,613 residents in 2024, Matanuska-Susitna Borough ranks 2nd by population among Alaska's 30 boroughs and census areas and is home to 15.9% of the state's residents.
Matanuska-Susitna Borough is home to 117,613 people (2024 estimate) on 24,707 square miles of land. This page brings together official U.S. Census Bureau population estimates since 2000, the components of change—births, deaths and migration—American Community Survey indicators on income, housing, poverty and education, BEA economic accounts and BLS unemployment.
Key indicators
Population
117,613
July 1, 2024 estimate
2020 Census base
107,078
April 1, 2020
Change since 2020
+9.8%
2020–2024
Land area
24,707 mi²
63,992 km²
Population density
4.8 /mi²
2024 estimate ÷ land area
Births
1,367
Year to July 1, 2024
Deaths
876
Year to July 1, 2024
Natural change
+491
Births minus deaths, 2024
Net migration
+1,839
Domestic + international, 2024
Per capita personal income
$63,994
BEA, 2024
Gross domestic product
$4.5 billion
BEA, current dollars, 2024
Median household income
$94,031
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Poverty rate
10.0%
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Bachelor’s degree or higher
24.4%
Age 25+, ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Foreign-born residents
2.9%
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Median home value
$346,600
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Unemployment rate
4.9%
BLS annual average, 2024
Historical data
Pick an indicator to see its long-run evolution.
Population
2000–2024117,613▲ 97%
U.S. Census Bureau: intercensal estimates 2000–2009, Vintage 2020 (2010–2019) and Vintage 2024 (2020–2024), July 1.
Data summary
| Indicator | Value | Year and source |
|---|---|---|
| Population estimate | 117,613 | 2024 · U.S. Census Bureau |
| Population, 2010 Census | 88,995 | 2010 · U.S. Census Bureau |
| Population, 2000 | 59,802 | July 1, 2000 · Census intercensal |
| Change since 2000 | +96.7% | 2000–2024 · Census |
| International migration | +84 | 2024 · Census Vintage 2024 |
| Domestic migration | +1,755 | 2024 · Census Vintage 2024 |
| Birth rate | 11.6 per 1,000 | 2024 · calculated |
| Death rate | 7.4 per 1,000 | 2024 · calculated |
| Population rank in Alaska | 2nd of 30 | 2024 · calculated |
| Per capita personal income | $63,994 | BEA, 2024 · official |
| Gross domestic product | $4.5 billion | BEA, current dollars, 2024 · official |
| Median household income | $94,031 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Poverty rate | 10.0% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Bachelor’s degree or higher | 24.4% | Age 25+, ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Foreign-born residents | 2.9% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Median home value | $346,600 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Median gross rent | $1,299/month | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Median age | 36.7 years | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Households | 39,869 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Owner-occupied homes | 77.2% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
Matanuska-Susitna Borough in context
Comparable indicators for Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Alaska and the United States.
| Indicator | County | Alaska | U.S. | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population change 2020–2024 | +9.8% | +0.9% | +2.6% | Census Vintage 2024 |
| Birth rate (per 1,000) | 11.6 | 12.2 | 10.6 | 2024 |
| Death rate (per 1,000) | 7.4 | 7.6 | 9.1 | 2024 |
| Net migration rate (per 1,000) | 15.6 | 0.3 | 8.2 | 2024 |
| Population density (/mi²) | 4.8 | 1.3 | 96.3 | 2024 |
| Per capita personal income | $63,994 | $76,234 | $73,204 | BEA, 2024 |
| Median household income | $94,031 | $92,788 | $80,734 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Poverty rate | 10.0% | 10.1% | 12.5% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Bachelor’s degree or higher | 24.4% | 31.7% | 35.7% | Age 25+, ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Foreign-born residents | 2.9% | 7.7% | 14.1% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Median home value | $346,600 | $352,900 | $332,700 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Median gross rent | $1,299/month | $1,419/month | $1,413/month | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Median age | 36.7 years | 35.8 years | 38.9 years | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Owner-occupied homes | 77.2% | 66.8% | 65.2% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
Cities & towns
2 cities · choose how to order them
Wasilla
9,300 residents
Palmer
6,000 residents
Did you know? Matanuska-Susitna Borough
A quarter century of change
Its population went from 59,802 in 2000 to 117,613 in 2024, a change of +96.7%, compared with +17.9% for Alaska as a whole.
Births and deaths
In the year to July 2024 the county recorded 1,367 births and 876 deaths, so births outnumbered deaths by 491.
Record population
Annual Census estimates since 2000 put the county's highest population in 2024, at 117,613.
4th in density
Matanuska-Susitna Borough has about 4.8 residents per square mile of land, ranking 4th of 30 boroughs and census areas; Alaska averages 1.3.
Household income rank
With a median household income of $94,031 (ACS 2020–2024 5-year), the county ranks 7th of 30 Alaska boroughs and census areas; the state median is $92,788.
Size of the economy
Its economy produced $4.5 billion of GDP in 2024 (BEA), 4th largest among 30 Alaska boroughs and census areas.
Latest economic growth
Real GDP grew 3.8% in 2024, adjusted for inflation (BEA, chained 2017 dollars).
Sources and methodology
- U.S. Census Bureau — County population totals and components, Vintage 2024
- U.S. Census Bureau — County estimates 2010–2020
- U.S. Census Bureau — Intercensal estimates 2000–2010
- U.S. Census Bureau — Gazetteer files (land area)
- U.S. Census Bureau — American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis — Regional economic accounts
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — LAUS