Top Alaska Counties to Buy Land in 2026

Alaska still offers one of North America’s biggest frontiers for private land ownership—whether you want a buildable homesite near a job center, a recreational retreat, or a long-term land investment. But “where” matters more than ever. Today’s best boroughs and census areas stand out based on population movement, construction activity, access to roads and utilities, and local plans that shape what can (and can’t) happen on your parcel.

Statewide demand is evolving in real time. Alaska’s population grew by 1,649 people (0.2%) from 2024 to 2025, reaching 738,737 on July 1, 2025, according to the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development. That modest gain matters because it happened while Alaska experienced a net migration loss of 1,740 people from 2024 to 2025—its 13th straight year of net out-migration—also reported by the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development. In other words: Alaska’s growth increasingly depends on in-state dynamics and demographics, not a flood of newcomers.

Those demographics are shifting too. From 2024 to 2025, Alaska’s natural increase (births minus deaths) totaled 3,389 people, per the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Over the same period, the number of Alaskans aged 65 and older increased 3.2%, according to the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development. For land buyers, that mix can influence everything from school capacity and healthcare access to housing starts and service expansion—especially in growth corridors near Anchorage.

At the local level, the strongest “signal” for land buyers is where people are concentrating. Matanuska-Susitna Borough posted the largest increase in the state—up 1,696 residents from 2024 to 2025—according to the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Kenai Peninsula Borough also grew, adding 287 residents from 2024 to 2025, per the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Meanwhile, not every area is winning the population race: the Chugach Census Area recorded the biggest decline at -138 from 2024 to 2025, according to the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development.

Below, you’ll find a practical, up-to-date guide to the best counties/boroughs (and what to consider before you buy) using five decision factors:

1. Development potential
2. Scenic beauty and wildlife
3. Access to amenities
4. Affordability
5. Borough plans and demographics

Regional Comparison for Buying Land in Alaska

Alaska’s land market is easiest to understand by region. Each region has a different mix of buildability, access, climate, and long-term resale demand.

• Southcentral Alaska (Anchorage, Mat-Su, Kenai): best all-around access to roads, jobs, healthcare, building supplies, and year-round services.
• Southeast Alaska (Inside Passage, Juneau region): dramatic coastal scenery and maritime climate; many communities rely on boat/air access.
• Interior Alaska (Fairbanks region): strong city infrastructure around Fairbanks, with colder temperatures and big seasonal swings.
• Southwest Alaska (Kodiak, Bristol Bay, Aleutians): world-class fishing and wilderness; remote logistics and storm exposure are common constraints.
• Arctic/North Slope: minimal development outside energy and essential services; extreme climate and higher build costs.

For most buyers who want a mix of usability and future liquidity, Southcentral and parts of the Interior consistently provide the strongest combination of infrastructure plus demand.

Top Factors for Buying Land in Alaska (What Actually Moves Value)

1) Development Potential

Development potential rises when you can reliably solve access, utilities, and construction logistics. In Alaska, that often means staying within reach of established road systems, year-round services, and power/communications infrastructure.

Southcentral leads for buildable demand because it sits near Anchorage’s economy while offering more space and (often) lower land prices outside the city core. Interior Alaska can also work well, especially near Fairbanks, but cold-weather engineering, heating needs, and seasonal constraints can raise total build cost.

2) Scenic Beauty and Wildlife

Every region delivers Alaska’s signature landscapes—mountain ranges, rivers, tundra, and coastal wilderness—with abundant wildlife. Your best choice depends on how you plan to use the land:

• Recreation-first parcels (hunting, fishing, cabin use) often shine in coastal areas of Southcentral, Southeast, and Southwest.
• Year-round residences usually perform best near established communities with maintained access and reliable services.

3) Access to Amenities

Access drives both day-to-day livability and resale. Roads, clinics, schools, building suppliers, and air transport hubs matter more than the view when you need to bring in materials, manage a build, or use the property year-round.

Southcentral communities along the highway network—especially in Mat-Su and on the Kenai Peninsula—offer the most practical mix of accessibility and outdoor lifestyle. Fairbanks also provides strong services as a regional hub in the Interior.

4) Affordability

In Alaska, affordability often comes with trade-offs. The more remote the parcel, the more you may save upfront—yet the more you can spend on access, site prep, power solutions, and hauling materials. Many buyers find the “sweet spot” in areas that remain connected to the road system while still offering larger acreage and lower entry prices than major hubs.

5) Borough Plans and Demographics

Population trends and age distribution can signal where services, housing, and infrastructure expand next. Statewide, Alaska gained population even while losing residents to net out-migration, and its senior population is rising. That combination can increase demand for healthcare access, reliable roads, and nearby services—features that typically support land values near growth centers.

For example, Mat-Su’s growth momentum stands out not only in state estimates, but also in local profile data. Matanuska-Susitna Borough reports a population of over 117,000, with nearly 25% under age 18, according to the Matanuska-Susitna Borough. Another dataset places Mat-Su Borough’s population at 107,081, per Negative Population Growth (NPG). Differences like these are common across sources and update cycles—so use them as directional indicators, then confirm current figures when you narrow to a specific community and parcel.

Best Counties (Boroughs) to Buy Land in Alaska

Based on buildability, access, amenities, affordability dynamics, and population momentum, these boroughs consistently rank as top choices for many land buyers.

1) Matanuska-Susitna Borough (Mat-Su)

Mat-Su remains Alaska’s most compelling “growth-meets-space” land market. It combines road access to Anchorage with a wide range of parcel types—subdivision lots near town services, larger tracts for hobby farming, and recreational properties with mountain and lake views.

Recent growth data reinforces why land buyers keep focusing here. Matanuska-Susitna Borough grew the most in Alaska from 2024 to 2025, adding 1,696 residents, according to the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Local demographic context also supports long-term housing demand: the borough has a population of over 117,000, with nearly 25% under age 18, per the Matanuska-Susitna Borough. For additional reference, Mat-Su Borough’s population is listed as 107,081 in the latest county dataset from Negative Population Growth (NPG).

Why buyers like it: strong growth signal, proximity to Anchorage, broad parcel selection, and a practical balance of value and access.

Best-fit uses: primary homesites, small-acreage development, homesteading-style living, and reachable recreational land.

2) Kenai Peninsula Borough

The Kenai Peninsula is a classic Alaska lifestyle market: dramatic coastlines, world-class fishing, and year-round recreation, with many communities connected to the road system. It works well for buyers who want scenery and amenities without giving up access.

Population change can help you gauge stability and service demand. Kenai Peninsula Borough’s population increased by 287 from 2024 to 2025, according to the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development. While that growth is smaller than Mat-Su’s, it still points to sustained interest—especially in communities that blend tourism, fishing, and livable infrastructure.

Why buyers like it: coastal beauty, recreation economy, and highway access to many towns.

Best-fit uses: vacation cabins, retirement-focused builds that still need services, and long-term holds in established communities.

3) Fairbanks North Star Borough (Interior Hub)

For buyers who want city services without coastal pricing and congestion, Fairbanks North Star Borough remains the Interior’s anchor market. Fairbanks supports year-round living with healthcare, education, and major employment drivers, while still putting vast wilderness within reach.

This region can be an excellent fit if you can plan for the realities of Interior building—cold-weather construction, heating systems, and seasonal daylight extremes. In return, buyers often gain access to larger parcels and a strong “hub” economy that supports resale and long-term usability.

Areas to Watch Carefully (Declining Population Signal)

Declining population does not automatically make an area a bad buy—many buyers want remoteness. But it does change the risk profile, especially for resale, year-round services, and long-term infrastructure investment.

From 2024 to 2025, the Chugach Census Area had the biggest population decline at -138, according to the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development. If you’re shopping in areas with shrinking population, tighten your due diligence around access, emergency services, maintenance realities, and future market depth.

Work With Local Experts Before You Close

Alaska land transactions reward buyers who verify details on the ground. Before you commit, confirm year-round access, easements, soils and drainage, wetlands constraints, flood history, utility options, and borough rules (zoning, platting, and building requirements). A local real estate professional, surveyor, and borough planning office can help you avoid expensive surprises—especially on remote parcels.

Finally, keep the statewide context in mind as you time your purchase. Alaska added population from 2024 to 2025 even while logging a 13th straight year of net migration loss, and the 65+ population is rising. Those trends increase the premium on buildable land near dependable roads, healthcare, and services—exactly where Mat-Su and parts of the Kenai Peninsula tend to stand out.

Final Thoughts

Alaska’s best land opportunities don’t come from a postcard view alone—they come from alignment between your goals and local realities: access, development feasibility, demographics, and long-term demand. Today, Matanuska-Susitna Borough leads the state in population growth, Kenai Peninsula Borough continues to add residents, and established hubs like Fairbanks remain strong options for buyers who want infrastructure in the Interior. Choose the region that matches your intended use, validate the parcel with local experts, and buy with a clear plan for access and utilities. That’s how you turn Alaska’s vastness into a land purchase you can actually use—and confidently hold.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are the best areas of Alaska to buy affordable land?

Many buyers find the best balance of price and usability in Southcentral—especially in the Mat-Su area—because it offers road access and proximity to Anchorage without Anchorage pricing. More remote parcels can be cheaper upfront, but they can cost significantly more to develop once you factor in access, power, and hauling.

What type of land is best for building my Alaska home?

Look for parcels with dependable legal access, feasible building sites (soil, drainage, slope), and realistic utility plans (grid power or engineered off-grid systems). Boroughs with established services—such as Mat-Su, Kenai Peninsula, and Fairbanks North Star—typically simplify both construction and long-term living.

Should I buy land in Alaska sight unseen?

It’s risky. Always verify access, easements, site conditions, wetlands, and local regulations. If you can’t visit, hire qualified local professionals to inspect the property and confirm buildability and legal access before you close.

What permits and regulations govern land development projects in Alaska?

Rules vary by borough and can include zoning, setbacks, driveway permits, septic/well requirements, floodplain restrictions, and wetlands considerations. Start with the local planning department, then confirm state and federal requirements that apply to your parcel.

Should I lease or buy Alaska land?

Leasing can reduce upfront cost and may fit seasonal or limited-use goals, but buying gives you full control and long-term equity. Your best choice depends on intended use, timeline, financing, and whether you need permanent rights to build and improve the property.