The Anchorage Metropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is an area consisting of the Municipality of Anchorage and the Matanuska-Susitna Borough in the south central region of Alaska.

As of the 2010 census, the metropolitan statistical area (MSA) had a population of 380,821. However, 2016 population estimates increase that number to more than 400,000. This is a census definition only, and many of the settlements considered within the metropolitan area are in fact quite distant from the city center and may be very small and isolated, for example Lake Louise is about from Anchorage proper and has fewer than 50 year-round residents.

Communities

Place with more than 100,000 inhabitants Anchorage (principal city)

Place with 10,000 to 25,000 inhabitants Eagle River Knik-Fairview

Places with 5,000 to 10,000 inhabitants Gateway Lakes Meadow Lakes Palmer Tanaina Wasilla

Places with 2,500 to 5,000 inhabitants Big Lake Butte Fishhook

Places with 1,000 to 2,500 inhabitants Farm Loop Houston Lazy Mountain Susitna North Sutton-Alpine Willow

Places with fewer than 1,000 inhabitants Buffalo Soapstone Chase Chickaloon Eureka Roadhouse Glacier View Knik River Lake Louise Petersville Point MacKenzie Skwentna Susitna (including Alexander Creek) Talkeetna Trapper Creek

Demographics As of the census of 2010, there were 380,821 people residing within the MSA. The racial makeup of the MSA was 75.08% White, 4.88% African American, 6.95% Native American (a category that also includes Alaska Natives), 4.65% Asian, 0.78% Pacific Islander, 1.94% from other races, and 5.72% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 5.10% of the population.

The median income for a household in the MSA was $53,384, and the median income for a family was $60,311. Males had a median income of $43,287 versus $30,573 for females. The per capita income for the MSA was $23,196.

Borough or equivalentSeat2025 Estimate2020 CensusChangeLand areaDensityAnchorage municipality — Matanuska-SusitnaPalmer Total

See also

Alaska census statistical areas

References