Meadow Lakes, AK

Alaska · Metropolitan Area

Meadow Lakes is a small city in Alaska with a population of 8,994. Residents earn $81,250 per year, which is 8% above the national average.

3.8 /5.0
B+ Good
8,994 Population 119/sq mi density
$81,250 Median Income $34,498 per capita
$305,100 Home Value $375,242 Zillow
$1,308 Median Rent
33°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.8 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.3 / 5.0
$81,250 median income, 2.8% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.6 / 5.0
$305,100 home value, $1,308/mo rent
C
Education
2.4 / 5.0
17.6% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $81,250
8% higher than US avg
Home Value $305,100
8% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 17.6%
48% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,308
12% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 37.8%
18% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.8%
22% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 8.3%
33% lower than US avg

How Meadow Lakes Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population8,994
Median Age37.9 yrs
Density119/mi²
Male / Female54% / 46%
Largest GroupWhite 82%

Economy

A
Median Income$81,250
Per Capita$34,498
Unemployment2.8%
Poverty8.3%
County GDP$32,113M
Commute38 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$305,100
Rent$1,308
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$375,242

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity37.8%
UninsuredN/A
Depression22.8%
Heart Disease6.0%

Climate

Avg Temp33°F
AQI21 (Good)
Elevation372 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+17.6%
High School+92.9%
School Score4.86

Community

2024 VoteR 44% / D 56%
Commute38 min
Libraries5

Is Meadow Lakes a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Meadow Lakes receives an overall livability score of 3.8 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include long commute times. Meadow Lakes offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Meadow Lakes is $81,250, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.8%. 8.3% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 38 minutes, longer than the typical American commute of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Meadow Lakes is $305,100, roughly aligned with the national median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,308 per month. A price-to-income ratio of 3.8x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Education

17.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 92.9% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.9/10.

Climate & Weather

Meadow Lakes has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 33°F. Winters average 7°F in January while summers reach 60°F in July. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 21.

Meadow Lakes has a population of 8,994 with a density of 119 people per square mile. The median age is 37.9 years, 3% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (81.5%), with 10.9% Hispanic.

Population

8,994
Total Population
119
People / sq mi
37.9yrs
Median Age
3% below US avg
75.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 54%
Female 46%

Race & Ethnicity

Meadow Lakes vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only95.9%
22% above US avg
Spanish4.1%
69% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Meadow Lakes vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Meadow Lakes is $81,250, which is 8% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.8% (below the 3.6% US average). 8.3% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 38 minutes.

Income: Meadow Lakes vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$81,250
8% above US avg
Per Capita Income$34,498
Avg Weekly Wage$1,436
IRS Avg AGI$94,616

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.8%
22% below US avg
Poverty Rate8.3%
33% below US avg
Establishments (County)8,829
County GDP$32,113M

Business (County)

Restaurants785
Healthcare1,392
Retail819
Manufacturing180

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$8,419
141% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.76%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time37.5 min
Work from Home10.6%

Walkability

The median home value in Meadow Lakes is $305,100, 8% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,308 (12% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $375,242.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$305,100
8% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$375,242
Median List Price$490,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$490,000
$/Sq Ft$215
Homes Sold8
Sale-to-List Ratio98.8%
Price Drops24.1%
Inventory29

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,308
12% above US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,061
1 Bedroom$1,194
2 Bedrooms$1,467
3 Bedrooms$1,941
4 Bedrooms$2,304

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied78.6%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$8,419
141% above US avg
Effective Rate2.76%
In Meadow Lakes, 37.8% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 22.8% report depression. 24.0% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Meadow Lakes vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity37.8%
18% above US avg
Diabetes8.7%
Heart Disease6.0%
High Blood Pressure31.1%
Asthma11.0%
COPD6.9%
Stroke3.2%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking16.5%
Physical Inactivity24.0%
Depression22.8%
Mental Distress17.5%
Physical Distress14.0%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate84.9%
Checkup Rate69.6%
Premature Death9,853/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.6/10
Exercise Access93.9%
Healthcare Facilities1,392

Crime Rates: Meadow Lakes vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)20

Safety Score

Meadow Lakes has an average annual temperature of 33°F (1°C). Winters average 7°F in January while summers reach 60°F in July. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 21.

Temperature

7°F Jan (-14°C) 60°F Jul (16°C)
Annual Average33.4°F
38% below US avg
January Average7°F (-14°C)
July Average60°F (16°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Air Quality

AQI Median21.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation372 ft (113 m)
Area75.6 sq mi (195.7 km²)
Population Density119/sq mi
Coordinates61.6380°N, 149.6096°W
County FIPS02020
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 17.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (48% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 12.7-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 43.7%
D 56.3%

Winner: Democrat by 12.7 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+17.6%
48% below US avg
High School+92.9%
School Test Score4.86
C Education Grade (2.4/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density119/sq mi
Total Area75.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries5
Healthcare Facilities1,392
Restaurants785
Retail Stores819

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)20

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute37.5 min
Work from Home10.6%

Nearby Cities

Compare Meadow Lakes with another city: