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Chugiak

Chugiak

$431,068 Average Value
$247 Average Price per Sq Ft
7 Homes For Sale

Chugiak blends a natural setting with access to the city

Chugiak is a mountainside community where homebuyers can experience the Alaskan countryside without leaving Anchorage. The community butts up against the Chugach Mountains and is full of dense forest, making it easy to enjoy outdoor recreation in the area. Winding residential streets climb the hillside and are lined with towering trees, adding to the natural feel of the neighborhood. Despite being over 20 miles from Downtown Anchorage, Chugiak has everything you need for daily life, including highly rated schools, supermarkets and locally owned restaurants.

A rustic cabin-style home sits among the trees on the forested hillside.
A rustic cabin-style home sits among the trees on the forested hillside.
Lower Fire Lake offers shoreline homes with amazing views.
Lower Fire Lake offers shoreline homes with amazing views.
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Home styles and what to pay in Chugiak

Ranch-style, cabins and Craftsman homes make up most of the housing in Chugiak. They’re often on spacious, tree-filled lots that range from a half-acre to 5 acres. Private wells and septic tanks are common due to the rural setting. Homes under 1,500 square feet typically range from the low $200,000s to the low $500,000s. For houses over 1,500 square feet, you can expect to pay between the low $400,000s and upper $800,000s. The property tax rate in Chugiak is about in line with the rest of Anchorage.

Split level homes are a common sight on the tree-lined streets.
Split level homes are a common sight on the tree-lined streets.
Spacious three-level homes dot the woods and hillsides of Chugiak.
Spacious three-level homes dot the woods and hillsides of Chugiak.
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Popular hikes, lakes and parks for outdoor fun

Chugiak’s location offers year-round recreation for the whole family, with popular activities including:

  • Cross-country skiing on the Coyote Trails near Mirror Lake Middle School
  • Kayaking, canoeing or fishing for rainbow trout at Mirror Lake
  • Hiking the Chugach Mountains from the Peter’s Creek or Mt. Baldy trailheads
  • Target shooting at Birchwood Recreation & Shooting Park
  • Playing sports or enjoying the playground at Loretta French Sports Complex

Baseball fields are one of the top attractions at Loretta French Sports Complex.
Baseball fields are one of the top attractions at Loretta French Sports Complex.
The trails are endless in the Chugach Forest.
The trails are endless in the Chugach Forest.
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Chugiak High School is conveniently located just off Glenn Highway.
Chugiak High School is conveniently located just off Glenn Highway.

Highly rated educational options for local students

The highly rated Mirror Lake Middle School and Chugiak High School are both part of the Anchorage School District and serve the neighborhood. High school students can study a wide range of academic programs, including biotechnology, culinary arts and hospitality and Spanish immersion. Chugiak High also has a Navy JROTC chapter.

Easy commutes into the city

Chugiak’s location offers a mix of seclusion and convenient access to Downtown Anchorage. “There are a lot of people that live in Wasilla or Palmer, but commute to Anchorage, and it’s about an hour drive for most people. If you live in Chugiak, that cuts it in half,” says Christopher Scott, an associate broker at Jack White Real Estate with seven years of experience. The drive into Downtown is approximately 21 miles along Alaska Route 1 and typically takes less than 30 minutes. Alaska Regional Hospital is the nearest medical center, about 19 miles away. The closest bus stop is in the nearby Eagle River community, so most people in Chugiak rely on their own cars for transportation.

Essentials and popular dining spots are clustered near Birchwood Loop

You won’t have far to go for shopping or dining while living in Chugiak. “Three Bears is kind of like a miniature Costco. And Fred Meyer down the road is also good,” Scott says. As for dining out, Scott recommends Bella Vista Pizzeria on Glenway Drive, which has been serving Italian food in the neighborhood since 1977. Other restaurants include breakfast spots like Bobby’s Café and Luci Mae’s, as well as the local watering hole, Birchwood Saloon.

Saddle up to the bar for a cold one at the Birchwood Saloon.
Saddle up to the bar for a cold one at the Birchwood Saloon.
Find all your groceries and more at the Fred Meyer in nearby Eagle River.
Find all your groceries and more at the Fred Meyer in nearby Eagle River.
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How to deal with heavy snow in Chugiak

The Chugiak area can receive over 70 inches of snow annually, so road maintenance is a big concern in the winter. The Chugiak/Birchwood/Eagle River Rural Road Service Area is responsible for plowing the streets. Main collector roads are plowed once 2 inches of snow has accumulated, and plowing continues until the snow has stopped. Side streets are plowed after accumulating 4 inches, and the work is completed within 24 hours of the plows being dispatched.

Matthew Atkins
Written By
Matthew Atkins
Chad Jackson
Photography Contributed By
Chad Jackson
Taylor Noll
Video By
Taylor Noll

Agents Specializing in this Area

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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

Transit

Airport

Merrill Field

31 min drive

Reviews

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Crime and Safety

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

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Chugiak Demographics and Home Trends

Housing Trends

Median List Price
$525,000
Median Sale Price
$515,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$527,500
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$558,000
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$158,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
1%
Last 12 months Home Sales
79
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
2%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$247

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes
2,362
Number of Homes for Sale
7
Median Year Built
1983
Months of Supply
1.10
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
2,136
Above the national average
1,930
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
2,775
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
945
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
642
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
39,421

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
6,087
Median Age
40
Population Density
1 person/acre
Population under 18
25.6%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
16.3%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$138,683
Significantly above the national average
$79,601
Average Household Income
$155,990

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
97.7%
Above the national average
89%
College Graduates
40.9%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
18.6%
% Population in Labor Force
66.1%

Area Factors

Somewhat Bikeable

Bike Score®

12 / 100

Car-Dependent

Walk Score®

8 / 100

Minimal Transit

Transit Score®

0 / 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.

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
Chugiak