$419,669Average Value$230Average Price per Sq Ft0Homes For Sale
Birchwood offers outdoor recreation and easy access to local amenities
The heavily forested Birchwood community offers a secluded home within the Municipality of Anchorage. Set on the west side of Glenn Highway, Birchwood is on a plateau, making it flatter than the nearby neighborhoods of Chugiak, Eagle River Valley and South Fork. But the landscape is still full of outdoor recreation, including cross-country skiing, fishing and paddling. The spacious lots and thick trees make it feel like you’re homesteading in the Alaskan frontier, but amenities like supermarkets, restaurants and highly rated schools are a short drive away.
There are scenic views at every turn in the area.
South Fork is a quiet mountain community located a few miles from the Glenn Highway.
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What to pay for a home in Birchwood
Log cabins, small cottages and ranch-style homes make up much of the neighborhood. Lots typically range from about an acre to 2.5 acres, and private wells and septic systems are common. The rural location gives homeowners more freedom than other parts of Anchorage. “It’s an unrestricted area with a few exceptions on subdivided developments,” says Terry Beal, a Realtor at Re/Max Dynamic Properties with over 50 years of experience. “Although there are restrictions with the municipal rules, they don’t have subdivision covenants.” This freedom allows you to use your property however you want for the most part, including owning livestock and adding outbuildings like a shed or garage. Homes under 2,500 square feet typically cost between the upper $200,000s and the low $600,000s. Larger houses range from the mid-$500,000s to around $1.1 million.
In Birchwood, Anchorage, Alaska, new two‑story homes on forested lots offer privacy.
Large homes on Birchwood Loop Road in Anchorage’s Birchwood neighborhood are surrounded by trees.
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Paddling, skiing and fishing at local parks
Birchwood offers year-round recreation throughout the community. “There’s Beach Lake Park that has the skiing trails and running trails. It’s a fairly good-sized and well-used park close to the high school,” Beal says. The park has 15 kilometers of groomed ski trails covering a variety of terrain. Head farther north on Beach Lake Drive, and you’ll come across the park’s namesake lake. Here, you can take a kayak out into the water or cast a line from the shore. The lake is stocked with rainbow trout, arctic grayling and Chinook salmon. Birchwood Recreation and Shooting Park is a popular spot for target shooting, offering classes and competitive leagues. Other recreation nearby includes hiking in Chugach State Park and youth sports at Loretta French Sports Complex.
Hikers will love the abundance of exciting trails throughout Birchwood.
The Loretta French Sports Complex features a skate park.
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Highly rated education options in Birchwood
The Anchorage School District serves the neighborhood, including the highly rated Mirror Lake Middle School and Chugiak High School. The high school offers:
Career-focused programs in biotechnology, culinary arts and hospitality
A Navy JROTC unit that has been part of the school since 1973
A Spanish immersion program that lets students earn college credit
The World Discovery Seminar, which focuses on in-depth study of classic historical and literary documents
Younger students attend Birchwood ABC Elementary.
Middle school students can attend Mirror Lake Middle School .
Chugiak High School is located just off Glenn Highway.
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Dining and shopping options from Birchwood to Eagle River
Despite its rural location, Birchwood makes it easy to find shopping and dining. Three Bears Alaska is a large supermarket that locals describe as a miniature Costco. About 6 miles south, Eagle River has more options, including a Fred Meyer, Carrs and Walmart. If you're in the mood for a casual meal, head to Birchwood Saloon for cheesesteaks and a round of pool. In the neighboring community of Chugiak, the family-owned Bella Vista Restaurante has been serving the area since 1977.
Three Bears Alaska in nearby Chugiak keeps residents stocked up on groceries and home goods.
Groceries can be bought at Fred Meyer in nearby Eagle River.
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Commuting in southcentral Alaska
Glenn Highway borders the neighborhood and provides a straight shot to larger cities in the area.
Downtown Anchorage is about 22 miles southwest, a drive that typically takes around 25 minutes
Palmer is roughly 21 miles northeast and can be reached in about 25 minutes
Wasilla is approximately 22 miles north, which takes about 30 minutes
Because Glenn Highway is the only route to these cities, traffic and weather conditions can cause significant delays
Birchwood is just a short drive south down Glenn Highway to bustling Eagle River.
Downtown Anchorage offers shopping, dining and cultural attractions year-round.
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Driving in winter weather in rural Anchorage
The Anchorage area receives significant snow, and Birchwood is no exception. Because of its more isolated setting, winter road maintenance is an important issue in the neighborhood, which is part of the Chugiak/Birchwood/Eagle River Rural Road Service Area. The area’s board of supervisors contracts with snowplow crews to clear the roads. Main and collector routes are plowed after 2 inches of snow, while side streets are plowed after an accumulation of 4 inches. Most streets are completed within 24 hours of the plows being dispatched.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Are you familiar with the Birchwood neighborhood?
to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Birchwood
US
Homicide
4
4
Sexual Assault
2
4
Assault with Weapon
4
4
Robbery
4
4
Burglary
4
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
3
4
Larceny
3
4
Crime Score
3
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Birchwood Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Birchwood, Anchorage sell after 34 days on the market compared to the national average of 55 days. The median sale price for homes in Birchwood, Anchorage over the last 12 months is $529,500, up 5% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Median List Price
$535,000
Median Sale Price
$529,500
Median Single Family Sale Price
$529,500
Median Change From 1st List Price
0%
Last 12 months Home Sales
25
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
5%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$230
Neighborhood Facts
Number of Homes
604
Number of Homes for Sale
0
Median Year Built
1979
Months of Supply
0.00
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
2,082
Above the national average
1,931
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
2,517
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
45,302
Distribution of Home Values
Source: Public Records
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
1,859
Median Age
40
Population Density
1 person/acre
Population under 18
25%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
18.2%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$63,409
Significantly below the national average
$79,601
Average Household Income
$98,748
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
92.1%
College Graduates
37.3%
Advanced Degrees
23.9%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
73.9%
Above the national average
64.9%
Area Factors
Fairly friendly
Bike Score®
40/ 100
Not friendly
Walk Score®
10/ 100
Source: Local Logic
Sources: Local Logic
Local Logic measures the walkability, access to public transit and bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
