The 12 Best Small Towns for Families in Alaska

Ranked on The Town Files lifestyle rankings among 35 towns of 500–10,000 people in Alaska. #1 is Fishhook, AK.

1. 12Meadow Lakes, Alaska

   Better for families than 70% of Alaska towns

   Meadow Lakes is a community of 9,197 people in Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Alaska. It also ranks more vibrant than 83% of Alaska towns and easier by car than 82% of Alaska towns.

   9,197 people · Matanuska-Susitna Borough · median home $323,100 · income $81,699 · Jan low 11°F · 62 in snow

   Full Meadow Lakes, Alaska profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

2. 11Farmers Loop, Alaska

   Better for families than 72% of Alaska towns

   Farmers Loop is a community of 4,704 people in Fairbanks North Star Borough, Alaska. It also ranks more of a college town than 98% of Alaska towns and more upscale than 93% of Alaska towns.

   4,704 people · Fairbanks North Star Borough · median home $279,800 · income $109,950 · Jan low -15°F · 58 in snow

   Full Farmers Loop, Alaska profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

3. 10Sterling, Alaska

   Better for families than 72% of Alaska towns

   Sterling is a community of 5,918 people in Kenai Peninsula Borough, Alaska. It also ranks quieter than 91% of Alaska towns and better for retirees than 86% of Alaska towns.

   5,918 people · Kenai Peninsula Borough · median home $353,400 · income $102,415 · Jan low 8°F

   Full Sterling, Alaska profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

4. 9North Lakes, Alaska

   Better for families than 77% of Alaska towns

   North Lakes is a community of 9,450 people in Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Alaska. It also ranks easier by car than 92% of Alaska towns and better for first-time buyers than 91% of Alaska towns.

   9,450 people · Matanuska-Susitna Borough · median home $357,600 · income $101,679 · Jan low 11°F · 62 in snow

   Full North Lakes, Alaska profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

5. 8Kalifornsky, Alaska

   Better for families than 78% of Alaska towns

   Kalifornsky is a community of 8,487 people in Kenai Peninsula Borough, Alaska. It also ranks more upscale than 89% of Alaska towns and better for a vacation home than 85% of Alaska towns.

   8,487 people · Kenai Peninsula Borough · median home $336,800 · income $93,508 · Jan low 5°F

   Full Kalifornsky, Alaska profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

6. 7Tanaina, Alaska

   Better for families than 81% of Alaska towns

   Tanaina is a community of 8,817 people in Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Alaska. It also ranks better for first-time buyers than 93% of Alaska towns and easier by car than 85% of Alaska towns.

   8,817 people · Matanuska-Susitna Borough · median home $328,500 · income $105,536 · Jan low 11°F · 62 in snow

   Full Tanaina, Alaska profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

7. 6Steele Creek, Alaska

   Better for families than 82% of Alaska towns

   Steele Creek is a community of 6,437 people in Fairbanks North Star Borough, Alaska. It also ranks more of a college town than 88% of Alaska towns and easier by car than 76% of Alaska towns.

   6,437 people · Fairbanks North Star Borough · median home $348,400 · income $121,364 · Jan low -2°F · 53 in snow

   Full Steele Creek, Alaska profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

8. 5Chena Ridge, Alaska

   Better for families than 83% of Alaska towns

   Chena Ridge is a community of 6,015 people in Fairbanks North Star Borough, Alaska. It also ranks more of a college town than 100% of Alaska towns and more upscale than 100% of Alaska towns.

   6,015 people · Fairbanks North Star Borough · median home $395,500 · income $133,775 · Jan low -15°F · 65 in snow

   Full Chena Ridge, Alaska profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

9. 4Butte, Alaska

   Better for families than 91% of Alaska towns

   Butte is a community of 3,589 people in Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Alaska. It also ranks more of a college town than 91% of Alaska towns and easier by car than 87% of Alaska towns.

   3,589 people · Matanuska-Susitna Borough · median home $374,600 · income $101,042 · Jan low 12°F · 83 in snow

   Full Butte, Alaska profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

10. 3Gateway, Alaska

    Better for families than 93% of Alaska towns

    Gateway is a community of 5,748 people in Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Alaska. It also ranks more upscale than 98% of Alaska towns and easier by car than 98% of Alaska towns.

    5,748 people · Matanuska-Susitna Borough · median home $446,200 · income $137,772 · Jan low 7°F · 50 in snow

    Full Gateway, Alaska profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

11. 2Farm Loop, Alaska

    Better for families than 95% of Alaska towns

    Farm Loop is a community of 2,747 people in Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Alaska. It also ranks more upscale than 95% of Alaska towns and easier by car than 93% of Alaska towns.

    2,747 people · Matanuska-Susitna Borough · median home $431,300 · income $119,375 · Jan low 8°F · 83 in snow

    Full Farm Loop, Alaska profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

12. 1Fishhook, Alaska

    Better for families than 98% of Alaska towns

    Fishhook is a community of 5,048 people in Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Alaska. It also ranks easier by car than 90% of Alaska towns and more upscale than 87% of Alaska towns.

    5,048 people · Matanuska-Susitna Borough · median home $416,300 · income $111,375 · Jan low 11°F · 62 in snow

    Full Fishhook, Alaska profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

Price vs ranking

More Alaska rankings

• The 15 Best Small Towns to Retire in Alaska
• 11 Small Towns in Alaska With the Mildest Winters
• The 24 Most Walkable Small Towns in Alaska
• The 14 Best Small Towns for First-Time Home Buyers in Alaska

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