$365,922Average Value$214Average Price per Sq Ft17Homes For Sale
Abandoned town turned hillside neighborhood
Chena, a mining town right next to Fairbanks, disappeared. That’s what many people thought, at least. After its population decline and eventual collapse in the early 1900s, no ruins or concrete maps existed. It was as if the town had just gotten up and walked away. Written histories, though, detailed the port city’s use of the Tanana River, the construction of a railroad and the tough competition with Fairbanks’ operation. But no one knew exactly where it was. That was until 2013 when a mapping team found century-old notes from a surveyor. Using these notes and a diagram of Interior Alaska’s first railroad, they were able to measure where the town’s buildings and streets once were. Finally, Chena had its place.
Chena Ridge, a hillside neighborhood of roughly 6,000 residents, now surrounds this abandoned site. While the town is gone, its ruggedness remains in thick birch and aspen forests and gravel roads. These sloping routes, dotted with homes and long driveways, weave through the hills and reveal mountain views. “Depending on where you’re located on Chena Ridge, you could have 180 degrees of views of the Alaska Range to the south,” says Justin Heminger with Apex Realty Group, who lives in the neighborhood and has sold in Fairbanks since 2015. “Those views can be tough to get in other neighborhoods. Plus, on your way to work in the morning, you get to watch the sunrise. And on your way back, you get to see the sunset.” Chena Ridge is about 10 miles from town at its southernmost point; at its northernmost, it’s about a quarter mile.
The Chena River winds through Chena Ridge and residents have built their homes along the water.
Chena Ridge features a mixture of homes that offer the privacy with tall vibrant trees.
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Exploring the Alaskan wilderness
Dirt trails cover Chena Ridge’s hills, and they usually cater to advanced hikers. Isberg Recreation Area holds several of these trails in the neighborhood’s northern section. The East Side Upland Trail is one example, a two-mile wooded path with over 300 feet of elevation gain. While bears aren’t common in these forests, other wildlife sightings are frequent. “Moose will go anywhere and everywhere they want to,” says Heminger. “There is no stopping a moose, and even the babies aren’t afraid much of anything. They’re best to be avoided at all costs.” They’re likely down by the Chena and Tanana rivers, too, along the neighborhood’s east side. The Chena flows across Fairbanks and moves south, widening into the Tanana’s muddy water. Both waterways are frequented by kayakers and canoers, and Chena Pump Wayside is a popular spot to drop in. While this neighborhood doesn’t have any established parks, Ester Community Park is about 4 miles north. It has soccer fields and a playground, and the Ester Community Association hosts frequent events around the park’s amphitheater. Ester Fest brings music, food and vendors in August, and Independence Day brings a parade and pig roast.
The Chena River offers Chena Ridge residents serene views of the great outdoors.
Chena Ridge offers plenty of opportunities to view the Northern Lights.
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Driving to Fairbanks North Star Borough Schools
Woodriver Elementary is close to town near the end of Chena Pump Road. It’s walkable from nearby homes and gets a B-minus from Niche. This school is roughly 6 miles west of Ryan Middle, which gets a C-plus. West Valley High is on the north side of town and gets an A-minus. Its career technical education courses include digital photography and engineering design.
Woodriver Elementary School in Fairbanks is home to the Wolf Pups.
Safety is a top priority at West Valley High School in Fairbanks.
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Hillside homes on the outskirts of Fairbanks
Most homes are on sizeable lots with large gravel driveways, tucked away from the main road. They’re surrounded by trees, so neighbors have some forest in between them. Small cabins are usually on the neighborhood’s south side, farther from town. They might need renovations, and their septic systems might require more maintenance. Rare listings, though, have views of the Alaska Range. They sell between $100,000 and $300,000. On the neighborhood’s north side and closer to Fairbanks, traditional two-stories have more room, and mountain views are more common. They range from $350,000 and $800,000. Homes at the top of this range are usually at the top of the hills; a property’s particular view, Heminger says, is the main determinant for its price. Energy efficiency and lot size are other factors. With one to five acres, lots are priced between $35,000 and $225,000. The average property sells after 56 days on the market, slower than the national average of 44 days.
Some homes high in the hills of Chena Ridge offer views of the vast openness of Fairbanks.
You'll find large cabins in Chena Ridge built along the Chena River with access to the water.
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Dirt roads and snow in Chena Ridge
Chena Ridge lies on the outskirts of Fairbanks, separate from the city’s bus system and all-paved roads. Four-wheel-drive vehicles are the most common way to the navigate the neighborhood's dirt and gravel routes, but major thoroughfares are paved. Chena Pump Road leads north into town and runs along the Chena River. To the north, Chena Ridge Road runs along the crest of the hills. This latter eventually connects to state Route 3, which goes roughly 3 miles north to Ester. However, winter snow can make it difficult to drive. “The snowplows will be out here as soon as they can,” says Heminger. “But one winter we had 10 inches of snow per day, and the trucks couldn’t keep up. That’s when you see a lot of neighbors taking care of neighbors. You'll see all over Facebook, ‘My friend so-and-so is on XYZ road and needs fuel,’ and soon you’ll have half a dozen people volunteer to help them out.” For flights to the states or abroad, Fairbanks International Airport is just east of the neighborhood.
The Pump House and other spots near Fairbanks
The Pump House Restaurant & Saloon is the only restaurant in Chena Ridge, but it’s one of the city’s most popular. With mining décor and Victorian antiques, this place pays homage to the area’s history; the original pump house transported water up the ridge into Ester, but this one transports steaks to tables. Its outdoor patio has frequent live music, and with views of the Chena River, riverboats sometimes pass by full of tourists. “We’ll drop the kayaks at Pioneer Park in Downtown Fairbanks and get off at the pump house to have dinner,” says Heminger. “It’s a great time, especially in summer when it’s 80 or 90 degrees with no humidity.” Closer to town, Lemongrass Thai Restaurant serves big portions of curries, noodles and stir-fries, and it’s next to the pool tables at Red Fox Bar & Grill. Fred Meyer and Safeway are about 2 miles south, and they’re the nearest grocery stores to Chena Ridge. Department stores are on the north side of Fairbanks, toward the Bentley Mall.
Just outside of Chena Ridge is Red Fox Bar & Grill has pool and has a classic American menu.
Lemongrass Thai Restaurant is just outside of Chena Ridge and is a local favorite of Fairbanks.
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
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Bobby Desrochers,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Ester Community Park
Tanana Lakes Recreation Area
South Davis Park
Transit
Airport
Fairbanks International
32 min drive
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Chena Ridge
US
Homicide
2
4
Sexual Assault
2
4
Assault with Weapon
2
4
Robbery
2
4
Burglary
3
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
2
4
Larceny
2
4
Crime Score
2
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Chena Ridge Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Chena Ridge, Ester sell after 54 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Chena Ridge, Ester over the last 12 months is $350,000, down 7% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
This beautifully wooded land parcel is located on Chena Ridge in Fairbanks, Alaska. With stunning views of the surrounding mountains and the nearby Chena River, this is the perfect spot to build your dream home or cabin. The property is accessed by a well-maintained gravel road, and there is plenty of room to roam on the 2.9 acres of land. The property is located just a short drive from downtown
This beautifully wooded land parcel is located on Chena Ridge in Fairbanks, Alaska. With stunning views of the surrounding mountains and the nearby Chena River, this is the perfect spot to build your dream home or cabin. The property is accessed by a well-maintained gravel road, and there is plenty of room to roam on the 7 acres of land. The property is located just a short drive from downtown
Charming 4-Bedroom Home on Chena Ridge, Surrounded by Trees. This lovely 4-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom and 1 heated car garage and a car port. Home offers space, comfort, and privacy among the trees. All four bedrooms are conveniently located on the upper level, including a primary suite with an en-suite 3/4 bath and an additional full family bath. The main level features a bright and functional
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Bobby Desrochers,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
5,079
Median Age
40
Population under 18
23.5%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
16.5%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$96,726
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$122,557
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
99.1%
College Graduates
52.6%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
29.8%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
76.7%
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
4/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk 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.
