Skip to content

Checked

Buffalo Soapstone, AK

Census-designated place in Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Alaska.

Population

739

Land area

22.1sq mi

People per sq mi

33

ZIP codes

0

Buffalo Soapstone and its ZIP codes

Full map

Buffalo Soapstone at a glance

  • Buffalo Soapstone is about 26 times as dense as Alaska as a whole.
  • Households here earn a median of $68,750 a year, 26% less than the Alaska figure of $92,788.
  • A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $289,300 (18% below Alaska) and median rent is $791 a month.

Housing and community stats

Buffalo Soapstone, AK, American Community Survey 2020-2024

Full profile

Median household income

$68,750

Poverty rate

13.1%

Median home value

$289,300

Median rent

$791/mo

Homeownership

85.2%

Bachelor's or higher

19.7%

Median age

54.1

Average commute

23.8 min

Largest reported origins and ancestries: German Americans (141), Norwegian Americans (46), Scottish Americans (41).

Home values and rentsIncome, education and commute

Economy and federal money

Jobs, pay, income and spending are for Matanuska-Susitna Borough. PPP loans are for Buffalo Soapstone.

Details

Unemployment rate

3.5%

Aug 2026, -0.4 pts in a year

Average annual pay

$61,212

29,978 jobs, 2025

Income per person

$63,994

BEA, 2024

Federal spending

$869M

FY 2026, $8,115 per person

Matanuska-Susitna Borough economyFederal spending

How people get to work

Buffalo Soapstone, AK, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates

  • Drove alone72.1%
  • Carpooled5.6%
  • Public transit0.0%
  • Walked1.7%
  • Bicycle0.0%
  • Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other0.0%
  • Worked from home20.6%

Average one-way commute: 23.8 minutes for people who do not work from home.

Environment and hazard risk

Buffalo Soapstone, AK, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA

Full report

Natural hazard risk

Relatively Moderate

Top: avalanche

Storm events since 1996

55

Countywide, mostly flood

Flood insurance policies

195

0.4% of homes, county

July high / Jan low

66° / 9°F

Hazards, floods and storm historyCheck a flood zone

Health statistics

Share of adults in Buffalo Soapstone, AK, CDC PLACES estimates

All 40 measures

Obesity

36.7%

U.S. 33.3% +3.4 pts

Diabetes

7.9%

U.S. 12.1% -4.2 pts

Smoking

15.7%

U.S. 12.8% +2.9 pts

Uninsured (18-64)

7.8%

U.S. 11.1% -3.3 pts

Cities near Buffalo Soapstone

NameDistanceLand area (sq mi)
FishhookCensus-designated place5 mi65.2
Farm LoopCensus-designated place5.4 mi9.1
PalmerCity7.5 mi5.1
Lazy MountainCensus-designated place8.3 mi58.6
North LakesCensus-designated place9 mi15.5
Sutton-AlpineCensus-designated place9.2 mi57.6
GatewayCensus-designated place10 mi18.4
TanainaCensus-designated place10 mi30.3
South LakesCensus-designated place11 mi7.8
ButteCensus-designated place11 mi33.8
WasillaCity15 mi12.4
Meadow LakesCensus-designated place17 mi75.5
Knik RiverCensus-designated place17 mi81.7
WillowCensus-designated place21 mi690.4
ChickaloonCensus-designated place23 mi67.1
HoustonCity23 mi23.9

Frequently asked questions

What county is Buffalo Soapstone, AK in?
Buffalo Soapstone is in Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Alaska.
What is the population of Buffalo Soapstone, AK?
About 739 people live in Buffalo Soapstone, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
What cities are near Buffalo Soapstone?
Nearby places include Fishhook (5 mi), Farm Loop (5.4 mi), Palmer (7.5 mi), Lazy Mountain (8.3 mi), North Lakes (9 mi).

Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023