The Town FilesSouth Lakes, Alaska
Community in Matanuska-Susitna Borough · population 5,229 (2020 Census)
- Median home
- $377,500
- Household income
- $98,141
- Jan low / Jul high
- 7° / 68°
- Snow a year
- 50 in
- Tornadoes ≤10 mi since 1950
- 0
- Median age
- 34.2
South Lakes is a community of 5,229 people in Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Alaska. The median home is worth $377,500, above the typical Alaska town ($289,500). It ranks more vibrant than 94% of Alaska towns, easier by car than 93% of Alaska towns, better transit than 89% of Alaska towns.
How South Lakes ranks
Percentile among Alaska towns with at least 500 people on The Town Files lifestyle rankings. 50 is typical for the state; 90 means better than 90% of Alaska towns.
Homes and cost of living
The median home in South Lakes is worth $377,500, above the typical Alaska town ($289,500). Homes cost about 3.8 times the median household income of $98,141, which is more affordable than 34% of Alaska towns. Median rent is $1,178 a month. 71.0% of households own their home.
| Housing | South Lakes | Typical Alaska town |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value | $377,500 | $289,500 |
| Median rent | $1,178 | $1,146 |
| Median household income | $98,141 | $78,155 |
| Home value ÷ income | 3.8× | 3.3× |
| Homeownership | 71.0% | 72.6% |
| Median year built | 1990 | 1989 |
| Seasonal / vacation homes | 2.0% | — |
Who lives in South Lakes
| People | South Lakes | Typical Alaska town |
|---|---|---|
| Median age | 34.2 | 37.2 |
| Age 65 and over | 11.8% | 13.2% |
| Under 18 | 24.6% | — |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.1% | 22.4% |
| Below the poverty line | 7.6% | 11.9% |
| Veterans | 12.6% | — |
| Born outside the U.S. | 2.3% | — |
| Work from home | 7.4% | 7.4% |
| Average commute | 27.8 min | 12.5 min |
| Homes with broadband | 96.3% | 88.6% |
Weather in South Lakes
July highs average 67.9°F and January lows 6.7°F. About 14.4 inches of rain and melted snow fall a year, with 49.5 inches of snow (typical Alaska town: 64.0 in). Expect about 0 days a year at 90°F or hotter and 194 nights at or below freezing.
Tornadoes, storms and disasters
NOAA's Storm Events Database has no tornado within 10 miles of South Lakes since 1950.
Hail of 1 inch or larger has been reported within 10 miles 1 times; the largest was 1.00 inches on August 18, 2015.
Severe weather in Matanuska-Susitna Borough since 1996
Matanuska-Susitna Borough has been included in 20 federal disaster or emergency declarations since 1953, most often for fire, flood, biological.
| Declared | Incident | Declaration |
|---|---|---|
| April 7, 2026 | Winter Storm | DR-4904: Severe Storm |
| March 14, 2022 | Severe Storm | DR-4646: Severe Winter Storm And Straight-Line Winds |
| April 9, 2020 | Biological | DR-4533: Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 13, 2020 | Biological | EM-3446: Covid-19 |
| August 22, 2019 | Fire | FM-5290: Deshka Landing Fire |
Jobs and pay in Matanuska-Susitna Borough
Matanuska-Susitna Borough had 29,515 jobs in 2024, paying an average of $58,329 a year. Unemployment was 4.8% in 2023; in South Lakes itself the ACS puts it at 5.2%.
Towns near South Lakes
- North Lakes, AK2.1 mi · 9,450 people · home $357,600
- Gateway, AK3.4 mi · 5,748 people · home $446,200
- Wasilla, AK4.8 mi · 9,054 people · home $358,400
- Tanaina, AK6.1 mi · 8,817 people · home $328,500
- Farm Loop, AK6.2 mi · 2,747 people · home $431,300
- Palmer, AK6.6 mi · 5,888 people · home $294,900
- Fishhook, AK10.0 mi · 5,048 people · home $416,300
- Meadow Lakes, AK10.3 mi · 9,197 people · home $323,100
South Lakes questions
Is South Lakes, Alaska a good place to retire?
On The Town Files lifestyle rankings, South Lakes scores better for retirees than 29% of Alaska towns and quieter than 6%. 11.8% of residents are 65 or older (median age 34.2).
How much does a house cost in South Lakes?
The median owner-occupied home in South Lakes is valued at $377,500 (Census ACS 2020–2024), against a median household income of $98,141, so homes cost about 3.8 times income. Median rent is $1,178 a month.
What is the weather like in South Lakes?
July highs average 67.9°F and January lows 6.7°F (NOAA 1991–2020 normals). It gets about 14.4 inches of precipitation a year and 49.5 inches of snow.
Does South Lakes get tornadoes?
No tornado has been recorded within 10 miles of South Lakes in NOAA's Storm Events Database since 1950.
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates (2020–2024)
- U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census and 2025 Gazetteer (2020 / 2025)
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020)
- NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database (1950–2026)
- FEMA OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations (this product uses the FEMA OpenFEMA API but is not endorsed by FEMA) (1953–2026)
- NCES Common Core of Data (2023–24)
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages; USDA ERS county unemployment (BLS LAUS) (2000–2024)
- The Town Files lifestyle rankings, built from federal demographic, school, crime and housing data (2025)