According to SMBER, Houston, Alaska is located in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley, just north of Anchorage. The city is bordered by the cities of Wasilla and Palmer to the north and east, respectively, and the Matanuska Glacier to the south. Houston is also home to many smaller townships, villages and unincorporated communities that are part of its greater metropolitan area.
Wasilla is a city located about 35 miles northeast of Houston and is known for its scenic views and outdoor recreation opportunities. It offers visitors plenty of activities such as hiking trails, fishing spots, ski areas, golf courses and more. Wasilla also has a vibrant downtown area with restaurants, shops and entertainment venues.
Palmer lies about 20 miles northeast of Houston and offers visitors a variety of attractions from its historic downtown area to its numerous parks, trails and recreational activities. It is home to the Alaska State Fairgrounds which hosts annual events such as music festivals, carnivals and rodeos throughout the summer months.
The Matanuska Glacier lies just south of Houston in Chugach State Park. This massive glacier is one of Alaska’s most popular tourist attractions due to its stunning views and unique features such as crevasses, ice caves and seracs (large ice formations). Visitors can explore this glacier by taking guided hikes or even taking a helicopter tour for an aerial view.
The surrounding area also contains many small townships such as Big Lake, Chickaloon Village Traditional Council (CVTC), Chickaloon Village Native Corporation (CVNC) Settlement Area (CVS), Meadow Lakes/Butte Area (MLBA) Settlement Area (MLBSA), Talkeetna Mountains Traditional Council (TMTC) Settlement Area (TMSA) along with several unincorporated communities such as Butte/Meadow Lakes/Talkeetna Mountains Traditional Council Settlement Areas CVS/TMSA/MLBSA/WASILLA which offer visitors plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation including hiking trails, camping grounds and fishing spots.
Overall, there are plenty of interesting cities and towns that border Houston offering visitors an array of activities from outdoor recreation opportunities to historical sites that make it an ideal destination for those looking for some fun or just wanting to take in some local culture.
Population of Houston, Alaska
Houston, Alaska is a small city located about 35 miles northeast of Anchorage. With a population of 5,937 as of 2019, it is the largest municipality in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough. The majority of the population is Caucasian (88.4%), followed by Native American (6.2%), Asian (2.1%), and African American (1.4%). This population mix reflects Houston’s diverse cultural heritage which dates back to its founding in 1940 when it was settled by homesteaders from the Lower 48 states and Canada who were given free land from the U.S. government’s Homestead Act of 1862.
The city boasts an educated population with more than half of adults having at least a high school diploma or higher and nearly 20% having a bachelor’s degree or higher. The median household income for Houston residents is $72,032 and the median home value is $288,500 which are both above Alaska’s averages for these metrics.
Houston offers its residents an array of outdoor activities including hiking trails, fishing spots, ski areas, golf courses and more which makes it a great place to live for those who enjoy being outdoors or engaging in recreational activities such as camping or hunting. It also offers plenty of cultural attractions such as art galleries, museums and music venues that attract visitors from all over Alaska and beyond each year.
Houston has seen steady population growth since 2000 due to its strong economy and low unemployment rate which has attracted many new residents looking for job opportunities in the area’s industries such as oil production and tourism-related businesses such as hotels, restaurants and retail stores that support the influx of visitors each year who come to experience all that Houston has to offer them during their stay in Alaska.
Schools and Education of Houston, Alaska
According to Topschoolsintheusa, Houston, Alaska is home to several educational institutions providing quality education for its students. The Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District serves the city of Houston and the surrounding area with five elementary schools, two middle schools and one high school. These schools offer a variety of educational opportunities to their students including core curriculum classes such as math, science, English and social studies as well as electives in art, music and physical education.
Houston High School is the city’s only public high school and offers a wide range of academic programs including Advanced Placement (AP) courses, college preparatory classes and career exploration programs. The school also has an active athletics program with teams competing in basketball, volleyball, wrestling, track & field and other sports.
In addition to public education options, Houston also has several private schools that serve both elementary and secondary students. These include St. Mary’s Catholic School which offers Catholic-based instruction from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade as well as Esperanza Christian Academy which provides Christian education for grades kindergarten through twelfth grade.
For those looking to continue their education beyond high school there are several colleges located nearby in Anchorage such as Alaska Pacific University (APU) and University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA). APU specializes in business administration while UAA offers a wide range of degree programs in areas such as science, engineering and technology. Both universities offer on-campus housing for their students which makes it easy for Houston residents to pursue higher education without having to relocate too far away from home.
Landmarks in Houston, Alaska
Houston, Alaska is home to a variety of landmarks and attractions that draw visitors from all over the world. Chief among these is the Matanuska Glacier, the largest glacier in North America accessible by car. Located just outside of town, visitors can take guided tours of the glacier or explore it on their own.
The Houston Museum of Natural History is another popular attraction in town. The museum houses a wide variety of artifacts from Alaska’s past as well as interactive displays about the region’s history and culture. The museum also hosts a number of educational programs throughout the year for both adults and children to learn more about the area’s history and culture.
Houston is also home to several parks located throughout town such as Pioneer Park which features walking trails and picnic areas, Hatcher Pass which offers stunning views of Denali National Park, and Houston City Park which has playground equipment for children to enjoy.
For those looking for a more immersive experience there are several cultural attractions such as Iditarod Headquarters where visitors can learn all about the famous dog sled race, or Talkeetna Historical Society Museum which offers an interactive look at life in Talkeetna during its heyday.
No matter what your interests are there is something for everyone in Houston, Alaska. From stunning natural wonders like glaciers and mountains to educational attractions like museums and historical sites, there truly is something here for everyone.