$285,660Average Value$203Average Price per Sq Ft59Homes For Sale
Central Alaska's urban and rural center
Fairbanks seems like a small city. It covers about 30 square miles and is home to roughly 30,000 people. But considering the wider Fairbanks North Star Borough, this small city is more like a rural metropolis — 7,400 square miles and 100,000 people. It’s the second largest population base in Alaska, behind Anchorage. It’s also a major employment base and a key part of the state’s tourism, health care, oil and mining industries. Those who live in town have quick commutes to these jobs and popular areas like Downtown Fairbanks and the University of Alaska Fairbanks. For those in rural neighborhoods, they’re scattered throughout the surrounding hills, and they often drive in for groceries. Both groups have an Alaskan attitude in common, though. “We have the loner mentality of ‘I’m going to leave you alone, and you leave me alone.’ On the flip side of that, somebody is going to be there to help if needed, and they’ll expect the same in return,” says Justin Heminger with Apex Realty Group at Real Broker, LLC. He lives in Fairbanks and has sold in the area since 2015. “When intense snowstorms happen, the community Facebook groups fill with people asking and receiving help from neighbors. We had a chimney fire once in the dead of winter. All my neighbors showed up, and they made sure my family was safe in their nice, warm cars. The people of Fairbanks will move heaven and earth to help out.”
Experience the midnight sun in Downtown Fairbanks.
Residents enjoy the shopping and dining options found in Downtown Fairbanks.
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Creamer’s Field, Chena River and seasonal sports
Some people consider Fairbanks “the gateway to the Arctic” — the pass-through point for all the outdoor opportunities above the Arctic Circle. But this urban center has innumerable open spaces nearby. “Fairbanks is a city, but it’s still the last frontier here,” Heminger says. “The rural areas are huge, and you don’t have to go very far until you’re out in the wilderness. It always blows me away just how big everything is.” Creamer’s Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge is a former dairy farm turned preserve, and it’s known for its sandhill crane population. The Chena River and accompanying riverwalk wind through the middle of the city and connect to Pioneer Park, a historical park themed after the Alaska gold rush. On the edge of town, the University of Alaska Fairbanks and Birch Hill Recreation Area have extensive trail networks, and some hills have south-facing views of the Alaska Mountains. Denali National Park and Preserve protects about 6 million acres of this range. Tourists come from all over the world to see it, but residents can drive the 120 miles in a weekend.
Outdoor activities in Fairbanks largely depend on the weather. Summer is the typical season for hiking, mountain biking and kayaking. Temperatures are usually in the 70s, and daylight hours increase as the solstice nears. Winter is more for skiing, dog mushing and ice fishing, but some people prefer to stay inside. Cold snaps can drop temperatures below -40 degrees, and the city receives about 65 inches of annual snow. Opposing the longer daylight hours of summer, winter can have near-constant darkness, but the northern lights are more visible.
Creamer's Field in Fairbanks is great place to see a variety of waterfowl.
Take a breath of fresh air at the Chena Riverwalk in Fairbanks.
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Iconic downtown events: Golden Days, Midnight Sun Festival
A tradition since 1952, Golden Days is a five-day event in July that includes the state’s largest parade, featuring over 100 floats in gold rush-themed décor. The Midnight Sun Festival is another longstanding event started in 1981; it’s a 12-hour-long party that celebrates the summer solstice with music, vendors and more, and over 30,000 people attend every year. The Alaska Goldpanners, the city’s amateur baseball team, also have their Midnight Sun Game at nearby Growden Memorial Park. In early August, the Tanana Valley State Fair is on the city’s north side. It’s the oldest state fair in Alaska, established in 1924.
Urban neighborhoods like Hamilton Ridge, rural ones like Farmers Loop
Traditional ranch-style homes from the 1930s, ‘40s and ‘50s are close to historic Downtown Fairbanks. Newer versions from the 1990s and 2000s are east in Hamilton Ridge, while ones from the 1960s are toward Westgate. South Van Horn is another neighborhood in this area that hosts most of the city’s industry. South of the city, Chena Ridge is a popular neighborhood because of its hillside views. Northern areas like Goldstream and Farmers Loop are more rural and have bigger lots, and wildlife is more common. The city’s overall median sale price is $300,000, roughly $100,000 cheaper than Anchorage.
An A-frame home sits in the remote neighborhood of Farmers Loop.
South Van Horn has a variety of homes styles and comes in several sizes.
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Downtown Fairbanks and the Bentley Mall
Downtown Fairbanks is on the city’s east side, but it’s the center for Fairbanks shopping and dining. Frequented by locals and tourists, this area has cuisine ranging from French to Thai, and boutiques sell everything from clothing to trinkets. Attractions here include the Fairbanks Ice Museum, Fairbanks Children’s Museum and Fairbanks Community Museum, and public art is scattered throughout. Right on the Chena River, the district’s Golden Heart Plaza also has landmarks such as the town clock tower and the Unknown First Family statue. The Bentley Mall is just north across the river, and it has department stores and other retailers.
Shop for works by local artists at the 2nd St. Gallery in Downtown Fairbanks.
Watch ice sculptures come to life at the Fairbanks Ice Museum in Downtown.
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Taking the bus to Fairbanks North Star Schools
Rated a B by Niche, Fairbanks North Star Borough School District serves almost 13,000 students across 33 schools. It covers the entire city and surrounding area, spanning nearly 7,400 square miles, and has an extensive bus system. Watershed Charter School is a standout with an A, and it ranks as the No. 1 public elementary school in the Fairbanks area. The University of Alaska Fairbanks is in the city’s northwestern hills and serves about 8,000 students. It was the foundation of the state’s university system, established in 1917, and now it has almost 200 degree programs.
Advance your degree at The University of Alaska Fairbanks near Aurora-Lemeta.
Watershed Charter School has been rated the best school in Fairbanks.
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Crime levels in Fairbanks
In 2023, Fairbanks had a violent crime rate slightly below the state average but significantly higher than the national one. Property crime rates were more than double the state and national averages. Trends vary from month to month, but overall crime has decreased since January 2020.
City access via Johansen Expressway, Airport Way
Fairbanks is a large city, and some people work in rural areas outside of town. Most residents drive, and three highways form a loop around the city. State Route 2 is on the east side, next to downtown; state Route 3 is to the south and west, closest to the city’s industrial district; and the Johansen Expressway is on the north side, through the College neighborhood and University of Alaska Fairbanks. Airport Way is another major thoroughfare through the middle of the city, and it leads west to Fairbanks International Airport.
Written By
Matt Medl
Photography Contributed By
Kory Ross
Video By
Tyler Hall
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
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GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Fairbanks, AK sell after 33 days on the market compared to the national average of 55 days. The median sale price for homes in Fairbanks, AK over the last 12 months is $340,000, up 9% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Looking for a charming home in a quiet neighborhood? Does it need to be close to schools and shopping? How about a fenced yard? A nice deck? It has to have a heated garage, right? A perennial garden full of beautiful flowers? Bus stop nearby? Plenty of parking for vehicle and those Alaskan toys? Well, you found it. Just minutes outside the gate to Fort Wainwright, this home has gone through some
Welcome to 8202 Kateel Drive – a 24’ x 24’ dry recreational cabin set on 10 private acres, offering stunning territorial views and peaceful seclusion just a scenic 1-hour drive from Fairbanks through the beautiful Chatanika Valley. Whether you’re seeking a personal retreat or the perfect weekend adventure base, this property delivers an ideal mix of privacy and accessibility. The cabin rests on a
This is a Great residential lot in an excellent neighborhood. This lot is easy to reach from Nordale Road, just upstream from the boat launch. Covered in large Spruce Trees, it will make a great place to build your new home.
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
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
With over 14 acres, this large parcel offers outstanding view potential and a true off-grid setting. An old driveway extends into the property, providing established access. A great opportunity for those seeking space, privacy, and a scenic location for recreational use or future development.
Build your dream home on this expansive lot with vast territorial and mountain views. Set atop Birch Hill in a neighborhood with large lots, very nice homes, and protective covenants, you will have the perfect balance of natural beauty and privacy, yet just minutes from town. Good building soils, large birch trees and at the end of a cul-de-sac, so no through traffic. Power adjacent. Be above the
Welcome to a really special home with perfect views of summer sunsets and northern lights, high above the temperature inversion! Wide open space, absolute peace and quiet with hypnotic views of Goldstream Valley on this 5+ acre lot near the summit of Farmers Loop Hill. 3 Bedrooms with a bonus room that meets egress standards for a 4th bedroom accessed through the garage. The primary bedroom has a
Great Building lot that touches both Steele Creek Road and Spudwood Road. Electric is adjacent. Grab it now, get to building in spring. Owner Financing available.
Excellent lot centrally located for your multifamily construction project or single family site. Lot is on city utilities. Take advantage of Multifamily tax incentives while you can! Drive by and take a look.
Excellent commercial property, located at an intersection with one of the highest traffic counts in Fairbanks with 28,000 + cars passing on a daily basis. Access is from Forty Mile Avenue. There is an old cabin on the property that could be demolished or turned into a rental. The zoning is general commercial.
Recreational living at its best! This dry cabin sits on almost 22 acres and has a beautiful view of the Chatanika area. Located only 46 miles up the Steese Hwy in an established subdivision, this cabin can be accessible year round with the right vehicles, snowmachines, ATVs etc.
Welcome to Sophie Plaza Apartments, the most opportune address in Fairbanks! Not only are we located within walking distance to several local businesses, we are also situated on the local bus system route. Sophie Plaza is minutes away from Ft. Wainwright, the University of Alaska Fairbanks, and Fairbanks International Airport. Future and current residents have the luxury of relaxing outside on
Spacious 1 bd, 1 bath apartment for rent in Fairbanks. Open concept with a small office area. Located only 1.4 miles away from Ft. Wainwright main gate and just minutes away from downtown Fairbanks. ALL utilities included! One small pet on approval. Please view this video prior to scheduling a showing.
Spacious One Bedroom Apartments at Wedgewood Resort! - Love living in Fairbanks with an annual lease at Wedgewood Apartments!Wedgewood is located on a 105-acres resort surrounded by a 75-acre wildlife sanctuary and a 2,000-acre migratory wildlife refuge. Experience the natural beauty Fairbanks has to offer steps from your door. Enjoy the quiet, seclusion, and scenery along with the
Introducing our 2nd floor 2-bedroom, 1-bathroom apartment located on the outskirts of Fairbanks, AK. Situated close to the Fort Knox Gold Mine, this apartment offers easy access to employment opportunities and outdoor recreational activities, such as cross-country skiing, snow machining and four wheeling. New LVP flooring was recently installed giving it a fresh look. Coin-op W/D available. One
Making Fairbanks Home. Welcome to Jillian Square Apartments, located on Davis Road. We are situated on the west side of Fairbanks, conveniently located near shopping and dining. We offer one and two-bedroom apartments in a wide array of floor plans and styles. Unfurnished and furnished units are offered at lease lengths ranging as low as three months up to fifteen months. Your new home includes
Willow Woods Apartments is nestled alongside beautiful Creamer’s Field, a 2000+ acre wildlife and waterfowl refuge. This scenic and peaceful setting offers several miles of maintained walking trails through field, forest, and wetland environments. When you want a break from the great Alaskan outdoors you’ll find the best that Fairbanks has to offer right at your back door. Our vibrant downtown
Property Id: 2359829Main room 12X18 Two bathroom sections 5X5 each, 276 SQ FT Unfurnished, exit to the outside, Ground level. Linoleum Great Location for all your needs.There is a the gas station across the street. There are several near by bus stops to take you throughout the city, and North Pole. A laundry Mat a block away. There are several agencies for assistance located near
This end 3 bedroom unit includes heat, water, sewer and garbage, manicured yard, snow plowing. Washer and dryer hookups in unit with additional laundry facilities in building. 1 Car attached heated garage. This unit is 2 story with bedrooms and full bath upstairs and an open concept kitchen/living room and 1/2 bathroom downstairs. It has a large patio door that opens up onto a small deck and
Property Id: 1608178For Rent: Furnished - Three Bedroom, One BathDiscover this charming two-level unit in a side-by-side duplex located in the desirable University West neighborhood! This furnished rental features:Spacious Living: Three bedrooms and one bathOutdoor Oasis: Fenced yard with a lovely backyard patio, perfect for relaxationConvenient Amenities: High-speed
Private and quiet spacious 2 bedroom apartment! The beautiful landscape reveals nature at its finest with wildlife and greenery you can't find in the city. Set on a gently slopping lawn and garden area, this 900sf daylight basement apartment is located just outside of town but is still a short drive to Ft Wainwright, Birch Hill, and shopping. This large downstairs unit has 2 bedrooms and a full
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