Editing Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Alaska

{{short description|Borough in Alaska, United States}}
{{use mdy dates|date=May 2021}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
 | county               = Matanuska-Susitna Borough
 | state                = Alaska
 | ex image             = A048, Denali National Park, Alaska, USA, Ruth Glacier and the Great Gorge, 2002.jpg
 | ex image size        = 220px
 | ex image cap         = [[Ruth Glacier]]
 | seal                 =File:Seal of Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Alaska.jpg 
 | named for            = [[Matanuska River]] and [[Susitna River]] 
 | founded year         = 1964<ref>{{cite web|url= http://projects.whpacific.com/MATSUJLUS/History/default.aspx|title= History|year= 2009|work= Matanuska-Susitna Borough Joint Land Use Study|access-date= May 4, 2012|archive-date= March 6, 2012|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120306230817/http://projects.whpacific.com/MATSUJLUS/History/default.aspx|url-status= dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=1996 Alaska Municipal Officials Directory|location=[[Juneau]]|publisher=Alaska Municipal League/[[Alaska Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development|Alaska Department of Community and Regional Affairs]]|date=January 1996|page=12}}</ref>
 | founded date         = January 1
 | founded title        = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]]
 | seat wl              = Palmer
 | largest city wl      = Knik-Fairview
 | city type            = CDP
 | area_total_sq_mi     = 25258
 | area_land_sq_mi      = 24608
 | area_water_sq_mi     = 650
 | area percentage      = 2.6%
 | population_as_of     = 2020
 | population_total     = 107801
 | pop_est_as_of        = 2023
 | population_est       = 115239 {{gain}}
 | density_sq_mi        = auto
 | web                  = www.matsugov.us
 | district             = At-large
 | time zone            = Alaska
|image_flag=Flag of Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Alaska.jpg|leader_name=[[Edna DeVries]]|leader_title=Borough Mayor}}

'''Matanuska-Susitna Borough''' (often referred to as the '''Mat-Su Borough''') is a [[Borough (United States)|borough]] located in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Alaska]]. Its borough seat is [[Palmer, Alaska|Palmer]], and the largest community is the census-designated place of [[Knik-Fairview, Alaska|Knik-Fairview]]. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the borough's population was 107,801.<ref name="QF">{{cite web|title=State & County QuickFacts |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/matanuskasusitnaboroughalaska/PST045222 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=April 13, 2023}}</ref>

The borough is part of the [[Anchorage metropolitan area|Anchorage Metropolitan Statistical Area]], along with the [[Anchorage, Alaska|municipality of Anchorage]] on its south.

The Mat-Su Borough is so designated because it contains the entire [[Matanuska River|Matanuska]] and [[Susitna River|Susitna]] Rivers. They empty into Cook Inlet, which is the southern border of the Mat-Su Borough. It is one of the few agricultural areas of Alaska.

==Geography==
[[File:Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Alaska.jpg|thumb|[[Mount Bradley (Alaska)|Mount Bradley]] in Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Alaska, 2014]]
The [[borough seat]] is [[Palmer, Alaska|Palmer]],<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx|access-date=June 7, 2011|title=Find a County|publisher=National Association of Counties}}</ref> and the largest community is the census-designated place of [[Knik-Fairview, Alaska]].

As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the population was 107,081, up from 88,995 in 2010. It is the fastest growing subdivision in Alaska.<ref name="2020 Census Data">{{cite web|url=https://live.laborstats.alaska.gov/cen/2020-census-data.html |title=2020 Census Data - Cities and Census Designated Places |format=Web |publisher=State of Alaska, Department of Labor and Workforce Development |access-date=October 31, 2021}}</ref>

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the borough has a total area of {{convert|25258|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|24608|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|650|sqmi}} (2.6%) is water.<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=April 23, 2011|date=February 12, 2011|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}}</ref>

===Adjacent boroughs and census areas===
* [[Denali Borough, Alaska]] - north
* [[Southeast Fairbanks Census Area, Alaska]] - northeast
* [[Copper River Census Area, Alaska]] - east
* [[Chugach Census Area, Alaska]] - east
* [[Anchorage, Alaska|Municipality of Anchorage, Alaska]] - south
* [[Kenai Peninsula Borough, Alaska]] - south
* [[Bethel Census Area, Alaska]] - west
* [[Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area, Alaska]] - west

===National protected areas in the borough===
* [[Chugach National Forest]] (part)
* [[Denali National Park and Preserve]] (part)
** [[Denali Wilderness]] (part)
* [[Lake Clark National Park and Preserve]] (part)
** [[Lake Clark Wilderness]] (part)

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1960= 5188
|1970= 6509
|1980= 17816
|1990= 39683
|2000= 59322
|2010= 88995
|2020= 107081
|estyear=2023
|estimate=115239
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2023">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/data/tables.html|title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=March 28, 2024}}</ref>
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=U.S. Decennial Census|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=October 31, 2021}}</ref><br />1790–1960<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu|title=Historical Census Browser|publisher=University of Virginia Library|access-date=May 17, 2014}}</ref> 1900–1990<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/ak190090.txt|title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=May 17, 2014}}</ref><br />1990–2000<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-date=October 9, 2022 |url-status=live|title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=May 17, 2014}}</ref> 2010–2020<ref name="QF"/>
}}

As of the [[census]] of 2000, there were 59,322 people, 20,556 households, and 15,046 families residing in the borough. The [[population density]] was {{convert|2|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people&nbsp;|people}}. There were 27,329 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1|/mi2|/km2}}. The racial makeup of the borough was 87.55% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 0.69% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 5.50% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 0.70% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.12% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.86% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 4.57% from two or more races. 2.50% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race.

There were 20,556 households, out of which 42.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.90% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 9.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.80% were non-families. 20.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 4.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.84 and the average family size was 3.29.

In the borough the population was spread out, with 32.20% under the age of 18, 7.40% from 18 to 24, 31.10% from 25 to 44, 23.40% from 45 to 64, and 5.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 108.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 108.10 males.

Schools in the borough are administered by the [[Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District]].

==Politics and government==
[[File:AKStateFair.jpg|thumb|The midway area of the [[Alaska State Fair]], held annually in [[Palmer, Alaska|Palmer]] during late August and early September]]
{{PresHead|place=Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Alaska|source=<ref>{{cite web|url=https://rrhelections.com/index.php/2018/02/02/alaska-results-by-county-equivalent-1960-2016/|title=RRH Elections|first=RRH|last=Elections|website=rrhelections.com|access-date=January 12, 2020}}</ref>}}
<!--{{PresRow|Year|Winner|GOP #|Dem #|3rd #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|2024|Republican|40,140|13,343|1,882|Alaska}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|38,492|12,849|2,195|Alaska}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|31,947|8,598|2,398|Alaska}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|27,339|9,317|959|Alaska}}
{{PresRow|2008|Republican|30,246|9,297|1,056|Alaska}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|17,569|6,201|394|Alaska}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|17,976|5,379|2,579|Alaska}}
{{PresRow|1996|Republican|11,306|4,522|3,074|Alaska}}
{{PresRow|1992|Republican|7,564|4,379|7,385|Alaska}}
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|8,856|4,172|594|Alaska}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|9,944|2,940|610|Alaska}}
{{PresRow|1980|Republican|5,012|1,316|1,840|Alaska}}
{{PresRow|1976|Republican|2,884|1,485|382|Alaska}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|2,004|694|310|Alaska}}
{{PresRow|1968|Republican|1,076|892|350|Alaska}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|964|1,241|0|Alaska}}
{{PresFoot|1960|Republican|1,152|1,055|0|Alaska}}

Republicans have carried the Matanuska-Susitna borough in every election except for [[1964 United States presidential election in Alaska|1964]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://rrhelections.com/index.php/2021/04/13/alaska-presidential-results-by-county-equivalent-1960-2020/ | title=Alaska Results by County Equivalent, 1960-2020 | date=April 13, 2021 }}</ref> Though the borough has aligned with the statewide presidential election winner in Alaska in every election since statehood, it has come to stand out as one of the most Republican areas in Alaska, alongside the neighboring, less populated [[Southeast Fairbanks Census Area, Alaska|Southeast Fairbanks Census Area]]. In [[2020 United States presidential election|2020]], around 20% of [[Donald Trump|Donald Trump's]] vote share in the state came from this borough alone.

[[Edna DeVries]] is the mayor of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough. The borough has a strong-manager form of government. Mike Brown is the borough manager. Long-time Manager John Duffy retired in 2010.<ref>[http://www.matsugov.us Matanuska-Susitna Borough]. Matsugov.us. Retrieved on August 2, 2013.</ref>

[[Sarah Palin]] was previously the mayor of [[Wasilla]], the largest city in the borough.

==Communities==
===Cities===
*[[Houston, Alaska|Houston]]
*[[Palmer, Alaska|Palmer]] (Borough seat)
*[[Wasilla, Alaska|Wasilla]]

===Census-designated places===
{{Div col|colwidth=15em}}
*[[Big Lake, Alaska|Big Lake]]
*[[Buffalo Soapstone, Alaska|Buffalo Soapstone]]
*[[Butte, Alaska|Butte]]
*[[Chase, Alaska|Chase]]
*[[Chickaloon, Alaska|Chickaloon]]
*[[Eureka Roadhouse, Alaska|Eureka Roadhouse]]
*[[Farm Loop, Alaska|Farm Loop]]
*[[Fishhook, Alaska|Fishhook]]
*[[Gateway, Alaska|Gateway]]
*[[Glacier View, Alaska|Glacier View]]
*[[Knik River, Alaska|Knik River]]
*[[Knik-Fairview, Alaska|Knik-Fairview]]
*[[Lake Louise, Alaska|Lake Louise]]
*[[Lazy Mountain, Alaska|Lazy Mountain]]
*[[Meadow Lakes, Alaska|Meadow Lakes]]
*[[North Lakes, Alaska|North Lakes]]
*[[Petersville, Alaska|Petersville]]
*[[Point MacKenzie, Alaska|Point MacKenzie]]
*[[Skwentna, Alaska|Skwentna]]
*[[South Lakes, Alaska|South Lakes]]
*[[Susitna, Alaska|Susitna]]
*[[Susitna North, Alaska|Susitna North]]
*[[Sutton-Alpine, Alaska|Sutton-Alpine]]
*[[Talkeetna, Alaska|Talkeetna]]
*[[Tanaina, Alaska|Tanaina]]
*[[Trapper Creek, Alaska|Trapper Creek]]
*[[Willow, Alaska|Willow]]
{{div col end}}

===Unincorporated community===
*[[Alexander Creek, Alaska|Alexander Creek]]

==Cyber attack==
In July 2018, the borough's computer systems, including the library and animal shelter, were hit by a [[ransomware]] attack, forcing employees to do without computers, using electric typewriters where available.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-45032132 |title=Town dusts off typewriters after cyber-attack |work=BBC News |date=August 1, 2018 }}</ref> The borough declared a state of emergency<ref>{{cite news |author1=Leroy Polk |author2=Beth Verge |url=https://www.ktuu.com/content/news/Massive-cyber-attack-prompts-Mat-Su-to-officially-declare-a-disaster-489784421.html |title='This is not somebody in his mother's basement': Massive cyberattack prompts Mat-Su disaster declaration |publisher=KTUU |date=August 2, 2018 |orig-year=August 1, 2018 }}</ref> and incurred over $2 million in costs.<ref>{{cite news |author=Zaz Hollander |url=https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/mat-su/2018/10/11/price-tag-for-mat-su-cyberattack-now-tops-2-million/ |title=Price tag for cyberattack on Mat-Su Borough now tops $2 million |newspaper=Anchorage Daily News |date=October 12, 2018 |orig-year=October 11, 2018 }}</ref> The method is thought to have been a targeted [[phishing]] e-mail; data left by the malware indicated Mat-Su was the 210th target attacked.<ref>{{cite news |author=Chris Baraniuk |url=http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20190108-the-cyber-attack-that-sent-an-alaskan-community-back-in-time |title=In Depth: The cyber-attack that sent an Alaskan community back in time |work=BBC News |date=January 9, 2019 }}</ref>

==Education==
The school district is [[Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st02_ak/schooldistrict_maps/c02170_matanuska-susitna/DC20SD_C02170.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Matanuska-Susitna Borough, AK|publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]]|access-date=2024-12-21}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st02_ak/schooldistrict_maps/c02170_matanuska-susitna/DC20SD_C02170_SD2MS.txt Text list]</ref>

==Gallery==
{{Panorama
|image   = Trimble Glacier 3.jpg
|height  = 230
|caption = A freshwater pond on Trimble Glacier, in the [[Tordrillo Mountains]], in the far south-west of Mat-Su Borough
}}

==See also==
{{Portal|Alaska}}
*[[Matanuska-Susitna Valley]]
*[[List of Airports in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough]]
*[[Matanuska Formation]]
*[[Deshka Landing Fire]]

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Alaska}}
{{wikivoyage|Matanuska-Susitna Borough}}
*[http://www.matsugov.us] official government website
*[https://www.facebook.com/MatSuBorough] Borough Facebook
*[http://www.matsugov.us/news] Borough newsroom
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20110721032807/http://labor.alaska.gov/research/alari/images/maps/1_16_0map.pdf Borough map, 2000 census: Alaska Department of Labor]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20141217234736/http://labor.alaska.gov/research/census/borcamaps/1_16_0map.pdf Borough map, 2010 census: Alaska Department of Labor]

{{Geographic Location
|Centre    = Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Alaska
|North     = [[Denali Borough, Alaska|Denali Borough]]
|Northeast = [[Southeast Fairbanks Census Area, Alaska|Southeast Fairbanks Census Area]]
|East      = [[Copper River Census Area, Alaska|Copper River Census Area]]
|Southeast = [[Chugach Census Area, Alaska|Chugach Census Area]]
|South     = [[Anchorage, Alaska|Municipality of Anchorage]] and [[Kenai Peninsula Borough, Alaska|Kenai Peninsula Borough]]
|Southwest =
|West      = [[Bethel Census Area, Alaska|Bethel Census Area]] and [[Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area, Alaska|Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area]]
|Northwest =
}}

{{Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Alaska}}
{{Alaska}}

{{Coord|62.40|-149.58|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-AK_source:UScensus1990_scale:2000000}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Alaska| ]]
[[Category:Anchorage metropolitan area|*Matanuska]]
[[Category:Alaska boroughs]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1964]]
[[Category:1964 establishments in Alaska]]