Sign In Register

Cantwell, AK

Full City Profile · Alaska · Matanuska-Susitna Borough County

2.8 /5.0
C+ Fair
121 Population 1/sq mi density
$41,000 Median Income $33,023 per capita
$221,400 Home Value $253,301 Zillow
$900 Median Rent 32.5% income on rent
27°F Avg Temperature 274 sunny days/yr
659 Violent Crime/100K 3,840 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.8 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.5 / 5.0
$41,000 median income, 3.6% unemployment
B+
Affordability
3.6 / 5.0
$221,400 home value, $900/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
659 violent crimes/100K (73% above avg)
C+
Education
2.9 / 5.0
24.1% bachelor's degree or higher
Cantwell has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 27°F (-3°C). Winters average 1°F in January while summers reach 55°F in July. The area gets 274 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 16.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 21.

Temperature

1°F Jan (-17°C) 55°F Jul (13°C)
Annual Average27.2°F
50% below US avg
January Average1°F (-17°C)
July Average55°F (13°C)
Sunny Days274 days/yr

Geography

Elevation3,823 ft (1,165 m)
Area117.6 sq mi (304.7 km²)
Population Density1/sq mi
Coordinates63.4114°N, 148.7496°W
TimezoneAmerica/Anchorage
CountyMatanuska-Susitna Borough County
Nearest AirportFairbanks International (FAI)
101 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 16.8"
56% below US avg
Wettest Month (Jul) 2.99"
Driest Month (Apr) 0.67"

Air Quality

AQI Median21.0
RatingGood

Air Pollutants (EPA 2023)

PM2.5 (Fine Particles)4.0 μg/m³

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Moderate
Risk Score93.3 / 100
Social Vulnerability17.2 / 100
Community Resilience3.7 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Very Low
Earthquake Relatively High
Wildfire Relatively Moderate
Flood Relatively Low
Hail Very Low
Strong Wind No Rating
Winter Weather Relatively High
Lightning Relatively Low
Ice Storm Very Low
Drought No Rating
Cold Wave Relatively Low
Landslide Relatively Moderate
Coastal Flood No Rating
Tsunami Very Low
Volcano Very Low
Avalanche Very High
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

7,135 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M7.9. Most recent: M2.9 on Aug 29, 2025.

Nov 3, 2002 2002 Denali Fault, Alaska Earthquake M7.9 65 km
Oct 23, 2002 53 km ENE of Cantwell, Alaska M6.6 43 km
May 31, 2021 73 km N of Chickaloon, Alaska M6.1 110 km
Nov 29, 2000 52 km WSW of Ferry, Alaska M5.8 82 km
Dec 30, 1995 66 km ESE of Denali National Park, Alaska M5.7 95 km
Apr 8, 2021 28 km SE of Cantwell, Alaska M5.5 25 km
Sep 25, 2010 54 km NE of Chase, Alaska M5.4 73 km
May 15, 2016 64 km SE of Denali National Park, Alaska M5.3 116 km
Sep 1, 2000 71 km SE of Denali National Park, Alaska M5.3 92 km
Dec 28, 1990 49 km S of Cantwell, Alaska M5.3 51 km
Jan 19, 2024 4 km SW of Salcha, Alaska M5.3 148 km
Feb 6, 2022 72 km S of Cantwell, Alaska M5.2 74 km
Jan 23, 2011 42 km E of Denali National Park, Alaska M5.2 106 km
Jan 31, 2017 64 km SE of Denali National Park, Alaska M5.2 116 km
Nov 4, 2002 78 km ESE of McKinley Park, Alaska M5.1 69 km
Nov 8, 2002 36 km ENE of Cantwell, Alaska M5.1 26 km
Apr 16, 2014 50 km N of Chase, Alaska M5.1 82 km
Jul 5, 2002 77 km E of Cantwell, Alaska M5.1 67 km
Mar 21, 1991 49 km NE of Chase, Alaska M5.1 78 km
Aug 27, 2013 67 km SE of Denali National Park, Alaska M5.0 95 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990–2025)

Wildfire History

13 wildfires (100+ acres) within 100 km. Largest: RAILBELT COMPLEX (REX CREEK) (87,861 ac, 2009).

Year Name Acres Distance
2009 RAILBELT COMPLEX (REX CREEK) 87,861 90 km
2013 TOKLAT RIVER EAST 34,216 81 km
2023 ROCK CREEK 33,852 96 km
2012 BEAR CREEK #4 9,644 87 km
2023 BIRCH CREEK 6,659 93 km
1990 CHITSIA 5,310 100 km
2011 CHITSIA MOUNTAIN 2,674 86 km
1987 SLATE CREK 2,429 62 km
2010 POPAVICH 2,169 59 km
2011 FRANCIS CREEK 2,063 59 km
1991 BIG REX 1,607 100 km
2023 BEAR CREEK 1,459 83 km
2003 REX BRIDGE 1,401 96 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 1°F (-17°C) 0.8 in Coldest
February 6°F (-14°C) 0.8 in
March 11°F (-11°C) 0.9 in
April 24°F (-4°C) 0.7 in Driest
May 39°F (4°C) 0.8 in
June 50°F (10°C) 2.4 in
July 55°F (13°C) 3.0 in Warmest, Wettest
August 50°F (10°C) 2.5 in
September 39°F (4°C) 1.9 in
October 22°F (-5°C) 1.2 in
November 9°F (-13°C) 1.1 in
December 6°F (-15°C) 0.9 in

Cantwell has a seasonal temperature swing of 55°F / from 1°F in January to 55°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 16.7 inches, with July being the wettest month (3.0") and April the driest (0.7").

View full weather details →