Section Image

Butte

Butte

$382,620 Average Value
$251 Average Price per Sq Ft
3 Homes For Sale

Butte blends a quiet atmosphere with natural beauty

Towering peaks surround the community of Butte, offering majestic views of the Alaskan mountains in all directions. Commonly referred to as “The Butte,” this rural area is known for its abundant outdoor recreation, small-town lifestyle and convenient commutes. The neighborhood is part of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough and is just west of the cities of Palmer and Wasilla. The larger city of Anchorage is a longer drive, but one that many people make for work each day. With its mix of established homes and new construction, Butte offers a wide range of options for homebuyers.

The community has homes of all sizes and offers a welcoming, small-town atmosphere.
The community has homes of all sizes and offers a welcoming, small-town atmosphere.
With Palmer west and Lazy Mountain north, Butte features endless outdoor adventures.
With Palmer west and Lazy Mountain north, Butte features endless outdoor adventures.
1/2

Outdoor activities include hiking, salmon fishing and glacier tours

The Bodenburg Butte is the main recreation site in the community. At just 874 feet of elevation, it doesn’t seem like much, but the small mountain has 360-degree views of the surrounding area. Climb the steep 1.5-mile trail from Mothershead Lane, and you’ll be rewarded with vistas of Pioneer Peak, the Knik Glacier and the Chugach Mountains. The Knik River Public Use Area includes over 260,000 acres of land for hiking, camping, boating, off-roading and other activities. You can cast a line in the Knik or Matanuska rivers for salmon each summer or set out on a hunting trip for moose or bears. The nearby Knik Glacier is a 25-mile-long ice sheet. Tour companies provide guided trips to the glacier, but more adventurous and experienced residents can bike, boat or take an ATV to the ice on their own.

Bodenburg Butte stands as a nearby landmark in the Matanuska Valley.
Bodenburg Butte stands as a nearby landmark in the Matanuska Valley.
Bodenburg Trail offers a challenging hike for adventurers.
Bodenburg Trail offers a challenging hike for adventurers.
1/2

Modern homes on spacious lots in rural Alaska

Butte's natural setting has sparked more interest in the community. “The Butte area has really grown in the last several years to where it is a lot of new construction homes,” says Rachel Cunha, a Realtor at Elite Real Estate Group who works in the area. “I think the biggest reason to live there is the amazing views you get.” Ranch-style, Craftsman and cabin homes are common, with a median build year of 2013. Most are on private wells and septic systems due to the rural location. Homes can sell for the low $300,000s to the mid-$600,000s.

Families enjoy spacious homes and scenic views throughout the community.
Families enjoy spacious homes and scenic views throughout the community.
Single-story Craftsman homes in Butte offer modern designs and mountain scenery.
Single-story Craftsman homes in Butte offer modern designs and mountain scenery.
1/2

Highly rated schools in and around the community

Students in Butte will likely be part of the Matanuska-Susitna School District, which includes the highly rated Butte Elementary School, Palmer Middle School and Palmer High School. The high school has specialized programs, including:

  • The only International Baccalaureate program in the district
  • Career and technical education courses in business, agriculture and welding
  • An ice fishing club that competes in local and state tournaments

Butte Elementary School serves younger students in southeastern Butte.
Butte Elementary School serves younger students in southeastern Butte.
Middle school students commute to Palmer Middle School.
Middle school students commute to Palmer Middle School.
Older students attend Palmer High School nearby.
Older students attend Palmer High School nearby.
1/3

A short drive to stores, restaurants and services

While Butte is mainly residential, the nearby communities offer some popular options for shopping and dining. “I recommend Turkey Red in Palmer, or the Raven’s Perch out near the Knik Glacier,” Cunha says. The Raven’s Perch is a seasonal restaurant in Alaska Glacier Lodge, known for its burgers and mac and cheese. Turkey Red is about 7 miles away and serves Mediterranean dishes made with local ingredients. Palmer also has a Fred Meyer and Carrs, while Wasilla has stores like Walmart and Target. For health care, Mat-Su Urgent Care is about 7 miles away, while Mat-Su Regional Medical Center is approximately 14 miles from home.

Convenient commutes on nearby highways

Old Glenn Highway is the main route through the neighborhood, connecting commuters to other roads nearby.

  • Palmer is a 7-mile drive via Old Glenn Highway and Arctic Avenue
  • Wasilla is about 19 miles west along Bogard Road
  • Anchorage is a 42-mile drive along Alaska Route 1 for commuters

What to expect when it snows in Butte

Butte can receive significant snowfall, making road maintenance and plowing a top concern for homebuyers. “They are really well-maintained. [Butte is] really only about 15 to 20 minutes from the heart of Palmer, and it’s treated just like the rest of town,” Cunha says. The Borough plows streets in the area, with school bus routes being the priority. Plowing typically begins once four inches of snow has fallen and takes up to 48 hours to complete after snowfall has stopped. The Alaska Department of Transportation is responsible for Old Glenn Highway, which is designated Priority Level 2 and may take up to 18 hours to clear.

Matthew Atkins
Written By
Matthew Atkins
Chad Jackson
Photography Contributed By
Chad Jackson
Jeffrey Knight
Video By
Jeffrey Knight

Agents Specializing in this Area

See All Agents

Schools

Source:
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

Parks in this Area

Reviews

Are you familiar with the Butte neighborhood? to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Butte US
Homicide 3 4
Sexual Assault 1 4
Assault with Weapon 2 4
Robbery 3 4
Burglary 3 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 3 4
Larceny 2 4
Crime Score 2 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Butte Demographics and Home Trends

Housing Trends

Median List Price
$479,000
Median Sale Price
$442,450
Median Single Family Sale Price
$461,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
1%
Last 12 months Home Sales
36
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-13%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$251

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes
584
Number of Homes for Sale
3
Median Year Built
2013
Months of Supply
1.00
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
2,114
Above the national average
1,930
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
41,817

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
3,804
Median Age
42
Population Density
1 person/acre
Population under 18
24.8%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
19.5%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$94,569
Above the national average
$79,601
Average Household Income
$116,106

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
94.1%
Above the national average
89%
College Graduates
28.6%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
8.7%
% Population in Labor Force
65.4%

Area Factors

Somewhat Bikeable

Bike Score®

24 / 100

Car-Dependent

Walk Score®

1 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score

Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.

Nearby Neighborhoods

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.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Butte
Matthew Steele
Elite Real Estate Group
Section Image