$446,342Average Value$291Average Price per Sq Ft6Homes For Sale
Juneau’s commercial hub: for locals who want to be in town
The modest state capital of Alaska, Downtown Juneau has 3,600 full-time residents but draws over 1.3 million tourists each year to its shops and restaurants. Those who live here year-round are often in the northern part of the neighborhood, away from the southernmost historic district; they might work government or hospitality jobs. This harbor town is right on the Gastineau Channel, and it’s surrounded by the Alaskan Boundary Ranges; scenic views pan in all directions. Douglas Island is on the other side of the channel, across the Juneau-Douglas Bridge, and most land is protected by Tongass National Forest. However, Downtown Juneau is only accessible via planes and boats: groceries are transported on barges, and cars have to be shipped. This remoteness is worth it for many locals. “If you get a sunny day, it’s the most beautiful place you’ve ever been,” says Gwen Place, a Juneau resident since the 1980s and an Associate Broker with Coldwell Banker since 2005. “It sparkles. The sky is deep blue, and the water is emerald green. Bald eagles fly around you, and bears romp in the fields. The salmon and whales swim in the channel. But if you move here, it rains 240 days a year. It’s beautiful in the rain, too, but it’s different.”
Downtown Juneau draws over 1.3 million tourists each year to its shops and restaurants.
The Capitol of Alaska, located in Downtown Juneau, is a historic and distinctive building.
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Waterfront restaurants and touristy gift shops
Some buildings in the historic district have been around since the early 1900s, such as the Alaskan Hotel & Bar. Built in 1913, this is the oldest operating hotel in Juneau, and it still has a Victorian-style interior. Tourists and locals frequent these landmarks and accompanying restaurants, some of which are right on the channel. The Hangar on the Wharf is one example, and it’s a converted airplane hangar with waterside views. While sipping some of its 20-plus beers, cruise ships and occasional whales can be seen out its large windows. Tracy’s King Crab Shack has a similar view, just south along the channel, and it has communal seating. Next to Franklin Street bars and breweries, gift shops include Caribou Crossings and Alaska Juneau Mining Company. Rainbow Foods has organic produce in the northern portion of downtown, and Foodland IGA has groceries in the south. Alaska State Museum is nearby, and it specializes in native culture and natural history. Next door, Centennial Hall Convention Center has 17,000 square feet of rentable space and hosts many of the area’s events.
Savor the best Alaskan King Crab at the legendary Tracy's King Crab Shack in Downtown Juneau.
Caribou Crossings features handmade creations by over 60 local artists in Downtown Juneau.
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Hiking the Boundary Range, Tongass National Forest
Downtown Juneau lies at the base of the Alaskan Boundary Ranges, and trailheads are often a short walk from the house. In the northern part of this neighborhood, the Golden Creek Flume Trail is a milelong out-and-back, featuring several boardwalks through pine forests. The Perseverance Trail runs for about 5 miles through the hills and has more elevation gain. For an even greater challenge, trails to Mounts Juneau and Roberts are about 7 miles a piece; they have panoramic views of the Gastineau Channel, downtown and Douglas Island’s mountains. Upstream from the Golden Creek Flume Trail, Cope Park has additional paths and courts for tennis and pickleball. This green space also has a disc golf course and a fenced-in dog park, among many other amenities. While it’s often a frequent destination for tourists, the Mendenhall Glacier is about 10 miles north of town, and locals can hike around an ice-fed lake. The Tongass National Forest, totaling over 17 million acres, covers most of Juneau and the Alexander Archipelago. Licensed hunting and fishing are permitted throughout, and campgrounds are available.
Cope Park offers hiking trails for residents and visitors to explore in Downtown Juneau.
Mendenhall Glacier is 10 miles north of Downtown Juneau for additional hiking and exploration.
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Year-round events in Downtown Juneau
Held at Centennial Hall, the Juneau Public Market is a trade show on Thanksgiving weekend, and its vendors sell Alaska Native arts, outdoor gear, gourmet chocolate and other products. In September, this space hosts a costuming show called Wearable Art Extravaganza, and the Juneau Arts and Humanities Council alters the theme every year. Capital Brewfest happens in September, too, and it’s been a Franklin Street staple since 2010. Bars also host local bands and open mics throughout the year, especially when the tourists arrive in the summer. Berry season runs from August to September, so on the outskirts of town, locals often pull cars over and pluck bushes.
Downtown Juneau is nestled between lush mountains and the picturesque Gastineau Channel.
Many tourists arrive during the Summer months for festivals around Downtown Juneau.
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Walkability to highly rated Juneau-Borough Schools
While most families live in the Mendenhall Valley and Douglas Island, Harborview Elementary serves about 300 students downtown. This school receives a B-minus from Niche; it has a student-teacher ratio of 13 to 1, lower than the national average of 17 to 1. Thunder Mountain Middle is about 9 miles north into the Valley and was previously an A-rated high school. Due to funding changes in 2024, all of Juneau’s middle schools were merged to this location, and it now serves grades seven and eight. While students have to bus or carpool to this campus, Juneau-Douglas High is walkable in downtown. Niche gives it an A-minus and ranks in the top 20 high schools for Alaska. Juneau Community Charter School is an alternative for kindergarten through eighth grade, and this downtown school gets an A-minus as well.
Harborview Elementary School serves roughly 300 Downtown Juneau students until the 6th grade.
Students walk to Juneau-Douglas High School, as it's conveniently located in Downtown Juneau.
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Compact streets with pedestrians, buses up the Glacier Highway
Unlike most other communities in Juneau, downtown isn’t necessarily car-dependent. Its historic district is only about 10 city blocks, and surrounding neighborhoods are even smaller. As a result, about 43% of locals walk or bike to work, according to a 2014 survey from the Department of Labor and Workforce Development. This rate is 35% higher than the rest of Juneau. For trips into the Mendenhall Valley, Capital Transit has a bus route that goes about 10 miles north, and it follows the Glacier Highway along the coast. “If you’re on the 6 a.m. bus to work, it probably won’t be crowded with tourists,” says Place. “If you’re on the 4 p.m. bus home, that’s a different story.” As an alternative, longtime locals might ship a car here for convenience. Ferries connect over 30 communities in the Alexander Archipelago, and this 3,500-mile route is called the Alaskan Marine Highway. However, the only way to access the ferry is the terminal in Auke Bay, and it’s about 15 miles north of Juneau. Taxis, Ubers and Capital Transit buses are available. The Juneau International Airport is about 5 miles south of the terminal, and its commercial planes fly to the Lower 48.
Hop on the Capital Transit bus from Downtown Juneau to visit the surrounding areas.
Juneau International Airport is 5 miles north of Downtown Juneau with daily departures.
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Homes close to downtown, mountain-view estates
Single-family homes are north of the historic district. “I’d say about 60% of properties are houses,” says Place. “They’re owned by people that have been here for a long time, usually families. They might pass it down to their kids or their grandkids.” They’re usually compact two-stories from the early 1900s, and they feature siding facades and low-pitched roofs. They’re backgrounded by mountains in any case, but homes closer to downtown are on flatter ground. While home prices aren’t published in Alaska, these small homes are listed for around $275,000, and they typically have two bedrooms. Northernmost homes are typically on hills that overlook the town and the channel. They have an increased risk of landslides and avalanches, and they’re not as walkable to downtown. However, these properties usually have more square footage and renovations. These higher-end homes are listed between $800,000 and $900,000. “The other 40% of properties are condos and apartments,” says Place. “That covers the 7,000 people that move here every summer for tourism.” These part-timers are likely on the south side of town, nearest the historic district.
Large two-story homes line the mountainside, overlooking downtown Juneau.
Downtown Juneau features older homes that have been passed down through generations of families.
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 neighborhood?
Reach out to
Gina Pelaia,
an experienced agent in this area.
Parks in this Area
Juneau Parks & Recreation
Cope Park
Point Bridget State Park
Bishop William H. Kenny Memorial Peace Park
Transit
Airport
Juneau International
29 min drive
Bus
Glacier Avenue And Behrends Avenue (Jdhs)
Bus
Whittier Street & State Museum
Bus
4th Street And Seward Street
Bus
Willoughby Avenue And Whittier Way (Anb Hall)
Bus
Glacier Avenue And 12th Street
Bus
Franklin St And Front Street (Pocket Park)
Bus
Marine Way & Downtown Library
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Downtown Juneau
US
Homicide
4
4
Sexual Assault
3
4
Assault with Weapon
2
4
Robbery
4
4
Burglary
4
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
4
4
Larceny
5
4
Crime Score
4
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Downtown Juneau Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Downtown Juneau, Juneau sell after 128 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Downtown Juneau, Juneau over the last 12 months is $380,000, down 54% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Perched above the hustle and bustle of town, this 3 bedroom plus office space, 2 bath home combines historic charm with modern convenience. Built in 1910 and remodeled down to the studs in 2020, this home has the modern convenience of all new windows, smooth walls, kitchen cabinets and appliances, while maintaining some of the original character with some of the original hardwood flooring, a
An Enchanting Alaskan Escape in the Heart of Downtown Juneau. Step into your own storybook retreat with this beautifully remodeled home tucked away in the Highlands of Downtown Juneau. This private paradise blends modern upgrades with serene natural beauty — offering the perfect balance of comfort, style, and seclusion. Extensively updated from top to bottom, the upper level was taken down to
Robyn LongRobyn Long Team Keller Williams Alaska Group
A piece of Juneau history. A rare opportunity to acquire 3/4 of an acre of prime commercial waterfront property, the last of its kind. Located in the heart of the downtown historic district, this development-ready land boasts unparalleled visibility to 1.6 million annual cruise ship visitors. Capitalize on Juneau's thriving tourism industry, build your legacy on this exceptional waterfront parcel
Interested in learning more about homes in this neighborhood?
Reach out to
Gina Pelaia,
an experienced agent in this area.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
3,251
Median Age
47
Population Density
2 ppl/acre
Population under 18
15.1%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
24.5%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$81,465
Above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$110,685
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
97%
College Graduates
54.2%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
22.4%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
61.6%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
67''
Average Winter Low Temperature
24°F
Average Summer High Temperature
64°F
Annual Snowfall
84''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
31/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
2/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
32/ 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.
