Moose Creek is a small neighborhood of only 500 permanent residents, but it’s bigger than it seems. This rural community is the home of Eielson Air Force Base, a 20,000-acre military installation that hosts roughly 9,000 personnel. Of these 9,000, some live on base, and others live just north in the suburbs of Moose Creek. Those not involved with the base are mostly drawn to the isolation of this area; it’s about 20 miles south of Fairbanks and surrounded by birch and spruce forests. Despite its separation and ruggedness, most residents have a welcoming attitude. “People around here are really friendly,” says Cheryl Neal, the Housing Management Specialist on base and a Fairbanks local since 2016. “If you’re in the grocery store and ask what the best place to eat is, the locals are more than likely to give you recommendations. All my encounters with people have been pleasant.” Most grocers and other commercial businesses are about 7 miles north in North Pole, but Moose Creek is mostly residential. Trips to town are part of life around here.
Moose Creek Bluff is a hiking area with stunning views of the landscape.
Moose Creek is far from city lights, which makes the area perfect to view the Northern Lights.
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Interior Alaska neighbors can be close or far
As with most properties in rural Alaska, homes in Moose Creek are typically custom-built and self-sustainable. They tend to prioritize energy efficiency over looks or size; they have simple wood or siding facades and square footages under 2,000. Water wells, wood stoves and septic systems can require maintenance but are necessary for harsh winters. “If you’re looking into houses here, and you’re not familiar with heating oil, I would do some research on that,” Neal says. “In the Lower 48, I never had to pay somebody to bring me fuel or haul it myself. But that’s a big thing up here.” Colder months can be very snowy, but with wooded yards, firewood is accessible. Some properties have about a quarter acre and are closer to neighbors. Others have close to an acre or more. Smaller one-story homes are between $175,000 and $275,000. Bigger two-stories sell from $300,000 to $460,000. A rail runs through the middle of the neighborhood, and trains pass a few times per day. The area’s CAP Index Crime Score is a 2 out of 10, roughly half of the national average of 4.
While it’s considered an extension of the neighborhood, Eielson Air Force Base has distinct housing. Homes are packed together on winding streets, and they’re mostly uniform. Backyards are fenced but not wooded, save a few trees. Military personnel can reach out to the Department of Housing Management for placement.
Most homes in Moose Creek are single-level homes with plenty of lot space.
Moose Creek features some cabins, old and new, that suit the outdoor lifestyle.
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Elementary on base, other schools in North Pole
Anderson-Crawford Elementary is on Eielson Air Force Base and serves about 300 students, mostly military dependents. Niche gives it a B-plus, and the U.S. Department of Education has deemed it a National Blue Ribbon School. After fifth grade, students likely go about 7 miles west to North Pole. North Pole Middle is here with a B-minus, and it has roughly 500 students. North Pole High gets the same grade, but it has about 600 students. Its career technical education courses include welding, engineering and automotive studies.
North Pole Middle School has experienced teachers and staff that push students to succeed.
North Pole High School serves 617 students of varying surrounding neighborhoods.
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Local wetlands and Chena Lake Recreation Area
Moose Creek doesn’t have any official parks, but wetlands and forests surround the neighborhood. The Bathing Beauty Pond, on the neighborhood’s south side, is a fishing spot with clear, reflective water, and some people use its lawn for picnics. Eielson Air Force Base has several ponds, too, and they’re walkable from most homes. In one of these ponds, a sunken WB-29 Superfortress peaks out. This plane is nicknamed the Lady of the Lake, and it was placed there in 1955 after a ground accident. Personnel used it for open-water extraction training until it was decommissioned. On the neighborhood’s north side, Moose Creek Bluff Trail is a milelong out-and-back with views of the Alaska Mountain Range. Parking for this trail is right next to the namesake Moose Creek, so kayakers can also put in here. The creek is narrow but eventually widens into the Tanana River, which flows up to Fairbanks. For a state-run park, Chena Lake Recreation Area is a short drive north to North Pole. This 2,000-acre space has more water sports, campgrounds and rentable pavilions. Moose and beavers are commonly found near its waters, while wolves are rarer.
The Chena Lake Recreation Area is the perfect area for having a family walk.
Moose Creek residents can enjoy the trails at Moose Creek Bluff with its vibrant backdrop.
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Two restaurants and a general store, trips to North Pole
Moose Creek is mostly residential, but it does have a few restaurants. Walkable from homes on the neighborhood’s south side, Thai Food 2 Go is a family-run kitchen for quick bites, and Kimchi Express has Korean takeout nearby. Moose Creek General Store is on the west side and sells essential items, gas and more. Similar to a convenience store, it has some food and frozen items, but bigger grocery trips are likely north to town. “Most people shop in North Pole or Fairbanks. It just depends on the person,” Neal says. “Some will drive the extra few miles to go to Fairbanks because they won’t have to pay additional sales tax.” North Pole has a Safeway and fast food restaurants; Fairbanks has more options, with department stores and a downtown area.
Moose Creek locals love Thai 2 Go for their authentic and savory dishes.
Moose Creek is a short distance to North Pole Ale House for food, drinks, and pool tables.
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State Route 2 and winter driving
Moose Creek is a small neighborhood, but cars are the most common way to travel. Four-wheel drive is recommended for winter snow and gravel roads, which cover most of the area. Some of these streets have fun names; Da Niece Street is the next street down from Da Nephew Street, linked by Go Thatta Way. State Route 2 is the central thoroughfare here, though, and it’s paved; it leads roughly 7 miles west to North Pole and roughly 20 miles to Fairbanks. Driving south, it leads to Eielson Air Force Base and neighboring Salcha. This road is marked as a high priority by city snowplows, so it’s usually cleared within a day of heavy winter storms. The McDonald Fire burned 100,000 acres west of the Tanana River in June 2024, and the smoke was visible from Moose Creek. However, no structures were threatened.
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?
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Nic Williams,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Chena Lake Recreation Area
Transit
Airport
Fairbanks International
44 min drive
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Moose Creek
US
Homicide
2
4
Sexual Assault
2
4
Assault with Weapon
2
4
Robbery
2
4
Burglary
2
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
2
4
Larceny
2
4
Crime Score
2
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Moose Creek, Eielson Afb sell after 39 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Moose Creek, Eielson Afb over the last 12 months is $289,750, up 2% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Home Trends
Median Price (12 Mo)
$285,000
Median Single Family Price
$285,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$229
Last 12 months Home Sales
4
Median List Price
$290,000
Median Discount From 1st List Price
1%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
0%
Home Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
46
Median Year Built
1985
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,259
Significantly below the national average
1,935
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
34,412
Distribution of Home Values
Source: Public Records
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Nic Williams,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
660
Median Age
35
Population under 18
22.1%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
12.1%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$101,603
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$111,534
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
96%
College Graduates
19.2%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
3.8%
Below the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
70.4%
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
32/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
0/ 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.
