Anchorage, Alaska
About Anchorage
Set in the central part of Alaska, Anchorage is a big city with an estimated population of 289,600. It ranks as the 1st largest city in Alaska and the 75th largest in the entire United States.
Officially, Anchorage is a municipality with its own local government. The community covers 1,707.07 square miles, giving it wide-open spaces and a spread-out, rural feel at roughly 170 residents per square mile.
📰 Anchorage News Today
- Temporary closures in place for some Anchorage trails due to bear activity Anchorage Daily News · Aug 18
- Anchorage police investigate downtown officer-involved shooting Alaska's News Source · Aug 18
- Anchorage trails close temporarily amid increased bear activity youralaskalink.com · Aug 18
- Woman fights off bear with spray after being attacked and injured on popular trail in Alaska CBS News · Aug 17
- Alaska’s primary election day is Tuesday. Here’s what to know. Anchorage Daily News · Aug 17
Live headlines via Google News — updates through the day.
What Makes Anchorage Unique
- The largest city in Alaska — the economic and cultural anchor of the state.
- Unusually large footprint: 1,707.07 sq mi of land — bigger than many US counties' seats.
- One of the northernmost communities in the lower 48 states.
- Alaska living: vast wilderness, midnight sun in summer, and true frontier spirit.
Why People Love It Here
- Full urban amenities: dining, healthcare, education, and employment in one place.
- Serious economic gravity — one of the region's employment and cultural hubs.
- Well connected: 3+ neighboring communities within 24 miles.
🍽️ Where to Eat in Anchorage
- Rendezvous Cafe — coffee shop (café)
Local spots mapped by the OpenStreetMap community.
🎡 Fun Things to Do
- Eagle River Nature Center · Museum
Attractions mapped by the OpenStreetMap community.
🏞️ Parks & Outdoors in Anchorage
- Glen Eagle Park reviews ★
Parks mapped by the OpenStreetMap community · "reviews" opens each park's live Google reviews.
🏫 Schools in Anchorage
- Abbott Loop Elementary
- Airport Heights Elementary
- Bartlett High School
- Baxter Elementary
- Bayshore Elementary
- Campbell STEM Elementary
- Central Middle School of Science
- Chester Valley Elementary
- Chinook Elementary
- Chugach Optional Elementary
- Clark Middle School
- College Gate Elementary
- Creekside Park Elementary
- Denali Montessori Elementary
Public schools, U.S. Dept. of Education (NCES) 2023–24 directory.
🏥 Hospitals & Healthcare
- Providence Alaska Medical Center ★★★ (3/5 CMS rating) · 24/7 ER
- Alaska Native Medical Center ★★ (2/5 CMS rating) · 24/7 ER
- Alaska Regional Hospital ★ (1/5 CMS rating) · 24/7 ER
- North Star Hospital · 24/7 ER · Psychiatric
- Alaska Psychiatric Institute · Psychiatric
Medicare-registered hospitals with official CMS star ratings.