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College

College

$303,797 Average Value

Convenient Fairbanks suburb with a local state university

Home to the University of Alaska Fairbanks, College is a small community near the bigger city of Fairbanks. "If you live on or around College Road, you can get anywhere in Fairbanks within 5 to 10 minutes. It's a pretty great way to access the city," says Justin Heminger, the owner of Apex Realty Group, who has sold homes in College. The community stretches for about 5 miles north of the Chena River. Because of its location, buyers can find suburban homes close to the city or rural homes surrounded by wilderness. No matter which part of the community residents call home, commuting is a breeze with main roads like Farmers Loop, Ballaine Road and College Road. The University provides plenty of jobs in the region, and locals are close to other large employers like Alaska Railroad Corporation, Golden Valley Electric Association and Fairbanks International Airport.

Education is a priority in College

The Fairbanks North Star Borough School District gets a B from Niche and serves nearly 13,000 students. It's the third-largest school system in the state, covering 32 schools. The University of Alaska Fairbanks has approximately 7,500 students at its campus and is the main research center for the state's university system. The school conducts research through departments like the Institute of Arctic Biology and the Institute of Marine Science. Students can choose from over 180 degrees and certificates in 106 disciplines. The University is currently working on plans to expand students' housing, add a hotel and build a hockey rink.
Research thrives at the University of Alaska Fairbanks in the College neighborhood.
Research thrives at the University of Alaska Fairbanks in the College neighborhood.
The sleek Wood Center hosts events and activities at UAF College.
The sleek Wood Center hosts events and activities at UAF College.
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Wildlife viewing and cross-country skiing in College

The rural parts of College offer plenty of outdoor activity. Creamer's Field is a 2,200-acre refuge for migratory birds with miles of trails for visitors to explore and several wildlife viewing platforms. "Every spring, birders from all over the world come up and watch these migratory birds come into Fairbanks. It's kind of a big deal," says Heminger. The refuge is open for walking, cross-country skiing and dog sledding. It's also a popular spot for viewing the northern lights. Located on a former dairy farm, the refuge hosts the annual Dairy Day, which includes ice cream, games and information about agriculture in Alaska. The University of Alaska Fairbanks Trail System is a vast network of trails near the university's North Campus. All trails are open for walking, running or biking during the summer, while specific trails are designated for skiing in winter. Plus, the mountains that surround College offer plenty of adventure, like hiking, camping, skiing and snowboarding.
A man enjoys a peaceful walk through the University of Alaska Fairbanks Trail System.
A man enjoys a peaceful walk through the University of Alaska Fairbanks Trail System.
Bird enthusiasts enjoy watching the flocks at Creamer's Field in Fairbanks.
Bird enthusiasts enjoy watching the flocks at Creamer's Field in Fairbanks.
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Ways to enjoy local Alaskan culture

College is home to several events and attractions in the Fairbanks region. The Tanana Valley State Fair lasts 10 days each July and August and features rides, livestock shows, craft exhibits and vendors. The University of Alaska Museum of the North has exhibits showcasing Indigenous cultures, natural history, and Alaskan artwork dating back 2,000 years. Locals can learn about the history of cars in Alaska at the Fountainhead Automobile Museum. The museum houses some of the earliest vehicles to come to the state, plus an extensive collection of vintage fashion.
A towering grizzly display stands proudly at the Museum of the North in College.
A towering grizzly display stands proudly at the Museum of the North in College.
Discover historic treasures at Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum in College.
Discover historic treasures at Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum in College.
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Suburban houses and forest cabins in College

College has 1970s and 80s contemporary houses in the community's south end. There are also lots of ranch-style homes and 21st-century new traditional homes. This part of the community is suburban, with properties close together on grided streets. Further north, it gets more rural, with dense trees and more room between the homes. Here, buyers will find cabins, often on private wells and septic systems. The median price in College is around $330,000, up 6% over the past year and slightly higher than the median in Fairbanks proper. Homes sell in an average of 46 days, about in line with the national average.
Wooded driveways lead to rustic cabins in the serene College neighborhood.
Wooded driveways lead to rustic cabins in the serene College neighborhood.
A charming ranch-style home with stonework details anchors this College street.
A charming ranch-style home with stonework details anchors this College street.
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Ease of access around Fairbanks

College is a convenient location for commuting around the Fairbanks area. Downtown Fairbanks. Johansen Expressway connects to both Parks Highway and Steese Highway, offering routes throughout Alaska. The Metropolitan Area Commuter System's blue, yellow, and red lines all pass through the community, taking riders downtown or to the airport. Fairbanks International Airport has nonstop flights to cities like Anchorage, Seattle, Chicago and Salt Lake City. Fairbanks Memorial Hospital is about 4 miles away via University Avenue and Airport Way.

Nearby locally owned and chain businesses

Restaurants around College include riverfront seafood spots, casual grills, and several cafes. The Tanana Valley Farmers Market is located on College Road and is open on Wednesdays and Saturdays from May through September. The market includes a wide variety of locally grown produce and plants, plus arts and crafts. Multiple large shopping centers are just a short drive away. Bentley Mall has chain stores like Costco, OfficeMax and Safeway. Another shopping center on Johansen Expressway has stores like Walmart, Fred Meyer and Lowe's.
Bentley Mall in College provides shopping favorites like Foot Locker and Zales.
Bentley Mall in College provides shopping favorites like Foot Locker and Zales.
The Tanana Valley Farmers Market in Aurora-Lemeta is the oldest famers market in Alaska.
The Tanana Valley Farmers Market in Aurora-Lemeta is the oldest famers market in Alaska.
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Climate factors in College

The Fairbanks area averages 72 degrees in July and just 3 degrees in January. Because of its location so far north, College can see up to 24 hours of sunlight during the summer, and the northern lights are often visible. College gets quite a bit of snow in the winter months, with January seeing an average of 10 inches of snowfall each year. There is a risk of flooding along the Chena River; the borough has several resources about flood zones and insurance on its website. The borough also has a significant air pollution issue which the state Department of Environmental Conservation says is due to residential wood burning. The state has a plan to reduce pollution, including strict requirements on wood use and requiring a home energy audit before a home is listed for sale.
Moose Mountain Ski Resort near College offers winter ski slopes and forested runs.
Moose Mountain Ski Resort near College offers winter ski slopes and forested runs.
Early spring ice melts along the peaceful Chena River near College in Fairbanks.
Early spring ice melts along the peaceful Chena River near College in Fairbanks.
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Eli Tye
Photography Contributed By
Eli Tye

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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

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Toni Brewer, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Fairbanks International

22 min drive

Bus

Uaf Wood Center Outbound

Bus

Farmers Loop & Shuros Dr Outbound

Bus

Palo Verde & Penn Place

Bus

Farmers Loop & Sunnyside Dr Inbound

Bus

Boat St & Rivers Edge Resort

Bus

Yukon Dr & Ua Museum Of The North Outbound

Bus

Farmers Loop & Midnight Sun St Inbound

Crime and Safety

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

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
1,625
Median Year Built
1980
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,967
On par with the national average
1,924
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,563
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
896
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
731
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
15,681

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Toni Brewer, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
11,344
Median Age
36
Population Density
1 person/acre
Population under 18
23.2%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
15.7%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$71,366
On par with the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$91,803

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
95.6%
Above the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
39.9%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
16.8%
% Population in Labor Force
66.1%

Area Factors

Very Bikeable

Bike Score®

73 / 100

Car-Dependent

Walk Score®

9 / 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.

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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
College