$452,939Average Value$520Average Price per Sq Ft7Homes For Sale
A mountainside community formed in ice
About three thousand years ago, the Mendenhall Glacier slowly shed its ice and pushed north through the Alaskan Boundary Ranges. Mendenhall Valley was the result of that process, and it’s still being carved out of the rock today. The neighborhood has changed since the Little Ice Age, though, and now a majority of Juneau’s 32,000 full-time residents live here. “The valley is what you’d call in-your-face beauty,” says PeggyAnn McConochie, a resident since 1980 and a real estate consultant with ACH Consulting. “There’s nowhere you can stand where it’s not gobsmackingly gorgeous, whether you’re looking at the glacier, the Mendenhall Lake or the Mendenhall River. We’ve got deer everywhere, and black bears usually come down from the mountains and visit. We get marmots, seals, river otters and porcupines, too.” The valley is surrounded by Tongass National Forest, and it’s just west of giant Thunder Mountain. In addition to this neighborhood’s parks and trails, it also has some of the most popular shopping and dining in the Alexander Archipelago. Its two malls differentiate it from more isolated parts of Juneau, where modern amenities aren't as common.
Mendenhall Valley is the most populated neighborhood in Juneau and home to Mendenhall Glacier.
The scenic Mendenhall River runs through the picturesque Mendenhall Valley neighborhood.
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Mendenhall Glacier, Lake and Wetlands, neighborhood parks
Mendenhall Glacier attracts about 500,000 visitors per year, and it’s the only glacier in Alaska accessible by road. Making up the valley’s northern side, this blueish-white ice feeds into Mendenhall Lake and continues south into the Mendenhall River. The West Glacier Trail is on the lake’s west side, and it leads right up to the landmark. On the lake’s east side, the Nugget Falls Trail has more views and ends at a glacial waterfall. The south side of the neighborhood is mostly the Mendenhall Wetlands State Game Refuge; it’s about a 10-mile stretch of the Gastineau Channel, and its 4,000 acres are known for birding and waterfowl hunting. The area around the valley is otherwise protected by the Tongass National Forest, a rainforest that covers about 17 million acres in southeast Alaska. Within the valley, though, four neighborhood parks are walkable from most homes. Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park has Juneau’s first artificial grass field, and area schools use it for football, soccer and other sports. Dimond Park has a Pooh Bear-themed playground, in addition to an eight-lane swimming pool.
Mendenhall Valley is home to the Mendenhall Glacier, which attracts 500,000 visitors per year.
At the southern end of Mendenhall Valley sits the Mendenhall Wetlands, a 4,000-acre refuge.
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Mendenhall and Nugget Malls, quick trip to Downtown Juneau
Since the valley is the most populated area of Juneau, it has more shopping opportunities than the city’s more remote areas. Mendenhall Mall is on the valley’s south side, and it has Nugget Alaskan Outfitters and Super Bear IGA Supermarket. About a mile farther south, Nugget Mall has department stores such as Petco and JOANN Fabric and Crafts. Most restaurants are around these two malls. Donna’s Restaurant serves diner-style burgers, ice cream and all-day breakfast, and it’s been around since 1981. “The biscuits and gravy and Donna’s Favorite breakfast are what keep people coming back,” says Timos Giamakidis, the restaurant’s owner and a valley resident. “We have lifetime customers and lifetime staff.” Sandbar is nearby for a no-nonsense pub, with a sign that reads, "Famous For Absolutely Nothing." Reviewers say their fish and chips beg to differ.
Downtown Juneau is about 10 miles south of the valley, and locals might work in this area. They might avoid it in the summertime, though, when this historic district gets about 1.3 million visitors. The main avenue, Franklin Street, has gift shops with Alaskan-made products and restaurants with channel views. Just west of this district, state government buildings sit next to museums and entertainment. Centennial Hall Convention Center hosts year-round events such as the Wearable Art Extravaganza and the Juneau Public Market; the Alaska State Museum has exhibits on native culture and natural science.
Nugget Mall offers a variety of stores to meet Mendenhall Valley residents' shopping needs.
Find all your top-quality outdoor gear at Nugget Alaskan Outfitter in Mendenhall Valley.
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Events in Auke Bay and around Downtown Juneau
While Downtown Juneau hosts most of the area’s events, Auke Bay has several get-togethers about 3 miles west of the valley. Boats launch out of this harborside neighborhood for the Golden North Salmon Derby, a three-day contest in August. This competition has been fierce since 1947, but the biggest fish — coming in at a whopping 59 pounds — were caught in 1957 and 1971. When the water’s a lot colder in late December, hundreds of people jump in the bay for the Juneau Polar Bear Dip. Some years have snow and ice, but the dip goes on regardless. In Downtown Juneau, Capital City Brewfest is a beer sampling event in September, and area breweries participate. The July Fourth parade and fireworks are a local favorite along Franklin Street, and festivities continue across the bridge onto Douglas Island. Here, at Sandy Beach, locals can participate in a sand-castle-building competition; firefighters compete in a hose race, where two teams compete to uncoil their hoses before the water arrives.
Enjoy a craft beer out on the patio at Forbidden Peak Brewery, near Mendenhall Valley.
Downtown Juneau, near Mendenhall Valley, hosts most of the area's events to attend.
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Single-family homes in Juneau’s most populated community
Occasionally mixed with retail and hotels, single-family homes make up a majority of this market. They’re backgrounded by the Alaskan Boundary Ranges to the north and south, but some say the views aren’t as scenic as more elevated parts of Juneau. These properties usually have sizeable lots and simple siding exteriors, and they were typically built after 1960. “When my husband and I first came here in the 80s, the population was only about 15,000, and there were a lot fewer homes,” says McConochie. “Yards weren’t as well-maintained because the last thing people wanted to do on a sunny day was landscape. They wanted to get out on the boat. But now yards are more kept, and the neighborhood has a more suburban feeling.” Sold home prices aren’t disclosed in Alaska, but as of July 2024, there are several properties listed. Smaller homes start at $440,000, and bigger ones top out at $715,000. New builds by NLD Construction are scattered throughout this range, found in the northern and central parts of the neighborhood. Townhomes are nearby with similar square footage, and they’re between $400,000 and $425,000. Mobile homes are located throughout the neighborhood, and they're between $75,000 and $115,000. Apartments are also available. Whatever the home type, garbage will have to be secured, as the bears here are notorious dumpster divers.
New construction townhomes are scattered throughout Mendenhall Valley starting at $400,000.
You can find mobile homes in Mendenhall Valley starting at around $75,000.
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Lots of elementary options with Juneau-Borough Schools
Juneau’s elementary schools now serve kindergarten through sixth grade, rather than kindergarten through fifth. This is due to funding changes for the 2024-2025 school year, and parents should check with the district for current updates. Kax_dig_oowu Héen Elementary, formerly known as Riverbend Elementary, is in the southern part of the valley and gets a B-minus from Niche. About a mile northeast, Sít' Eetí Shaanáx_ - Glacier Valley School receives the same score. Mendenhall River Community School is nearest the neighborhood’s northern lake, and this elementary school gets another B-minus; about 80% of its teachers have been there for five or more years. In the southern part of the valley, Thunder Mountain Middle serves seventh and eighth grades. It used to be a high school and received an A from Niche, ranking in the top 5 public high schools statewide. Now the only high school in the area, Juneau-Douglas High is about 10 miles south in Downtown Juneau, and it gets an A-minus. The University of Alaska Southeast is about 3 miles west of the valley; in addition to its 40-plus degree programs, this scenic campus has views of Auke Lake.
Mendenhall River Community School serves students in the Mendenhall Valley up to 5th grade.
Mendenhall Valley students proudly show their Falcon spirit at Thunder Mountain Middle School.
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Mendenhall Loop Road, Glacier Highway
While residents could get by without a car, most people drive around the valley. Mendenhall Loop Road is the main north-south thoroughfare that connects many neighborhoods, while the Glacier Highway runs east to west along the coast. Also known as Egan Drive, this freeway has a bus system called Capital Transit, and it runs to Auke Bay and Downtown Juneau. The bus also runs to the ferry terminal in Auke Bay, about 5 miles west of the valley. It’s Juneau’s only access point for the Alaskan Marine Highway, which connects over 30 communities and 3,500 miles of waterways. Glacier Bay National Park is an occasional stop along this route, as the ferry lands here twice a week for most of the year. While seaplanes are available in Downtown Juneau, Juneau International Airport is on the south side of the valley. Commercial planes connect to the Lower 48 and other destinations in Alaska.
Catch the Capital Transit bus in Mendenhall Valley to effortlessly travel around town.
Juneau International Airport, on Mendenhall Valley’s south end, offers flights to the lower 48.
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
Gina Pelaia,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Glacier Valley Elementary School Playground
Adair Kennedy Memorial Park
Rotary Park Play Ground
Mendenhall Glacier
Admiralty National Monument
Transit
Airport
Juneau International
18 min drive
Bus
Mendenhall Loop Road And Mendenhall Loop Road (Dredge Lake)
Bus
Julep Street And Birch Lane
Bus
Mendenhall Loop Road And Nancy Street
Bus
Mendenhall Loop Road And Valley Boulevard
Bus
Mendenhall Loop Road & Mendenhall River Elementary School
Bus
Mendenhall Loop Road And Cinema Drive
Bus
Mendenhall Loop Road And Haloff Way
Mendenhall Valley Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Mendenhall Valley, Juneau sell after 49 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Mendenhall Valley, Juneau over the last 12 months is $412,900.
Thoughtfully designed for comfort and convenience, this single-level townhome offers the privacy of a detached property—only connected at the garage. Come take a look to see the metal roof that offers peace of mind, and some newer appliances to make daily life that much easier. The extra-long garage provides plenty of space for storage, hobbies, or parking—whatever suits your lifestyle. Whether
Located in Juneau’s Mendenhall Valley, this unit is part of a modern condominium complex. It is a single-level unit situated on the second floor. The thoughtfully designed layout includes comfortable bedrooms, covered carport, and an in-unit washer and dryer. The kitchen boasts knotty alder cabinets, solid surface counters, a tile backsplash and stainless-steel kitchen appliances.
Seller is offering a $5,000 credit toward closing costs for this delightful Valley condo! This 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom second-story Riverside Condo has only had one owner since it was built and features an open-concept layout and a stunning kitchen. Cooking enthusiasts will love the knotty alder cabinetry, solid surface counters, tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, and ample storage and
Enjoy a fully furnished studio suite in our hotel at an affordable rate with free wi-fi, free utilities and free premium cable. Each studio suite has a full kitchen with full-size refrigerator, stovetop and microwave, and has a flexible workspace and plenty of storage. All our hotels are pet-friendly and have on-site guest laundry available. Plus, there are no long-term commitments and you can
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Gina Pelaia,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
12,851
Median Age
37
Population Density
6 ppl/acre
Population under 18
26.1%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
13.6%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$99,150
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$121,879
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
93.9%
College Graduates
30.9%
Advanced Degrees
6.9%
Below the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
71.9%
Above the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
67''
Average Winter Low Temperature
24°F
Average Summer High Temperature
64°F
Annual Snowfall
84''
Area Factors
Bikeable
Bike Score®
67/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
39/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
35/ 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.
