$573,904Average Value$611Average Price per Sq Ft2Homes For Sale
Bayside community in southeast Alaska, whale-watching
About 10 miles from downtown Juneau and surrounded by wilderness, Auke Bay seems pretty remote. “It's not as far away from everything as people say,” says Debbie White, a local and the Owner of Southeast Alaska Real Estate. “You’re not that far from the Mendenhall Valley, only a couple of miles east. For the maritime community, the biggest harbor is here in Auke Bay, and the ferry station is west of the neighborhood. We also have a microbrewery and multiple restaurants.” This small area is home to fishermen, retirees and anyone seeking the Alaskan lifestyle, where nature is often only a few paces from the house. The Boundary Ranges offer hiking trails north of the neighborhood, and the southern bay is popular for water sports. Plus, the water offers scenic views and occasional wildlife. “We get the best sunsets in Juneau,” says White, “and I’ve seen orcas 50 feet from the beach.”
Auke Bay offers fantastic whale-watching opportunities during the summer months.
A network of trails north of Auke Bay provides opportunities to hike along the Boundary Range.
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Auke Bay, Auke Lake and the Boundary Range
Most residents keep boats in Auke Bay’s central harbor, and fishing is a large part of this community. Common salmon include coho, sockeye chum and pink; trouts are rainbow, Dolly Varden and cutthroat. Besides the fish, eagles fly above the pines, and sea lions often bark along the shoreline. The Auke Recreation Area is on this shoreline, too, about 3 miles west of the neighborhood. It offers waterside picnics, forested campgrounds and a gray-sanded beach. The bay also feeds into Auke Lake, a 160-acre watershed near the harbor. The snowy peaks of the Boundary Ranges tower are in the background and the University of Alaska Southeast is on the lake’s western side. Mendenhall Lake is northeast of Auke Bay in the Mendenhall Valley. The Mendenhall Glacier feeds into it, and, using a 6-mile trail, visitors can hike right up to it. If the local trails aren’t enough, the Tongass National Forest covers about 17 million acres in Juneau and the Alexander Archipelago. This area offers over 100 campgrounds, and hunting is permitted.
Auke Bay flows into Auke Lake, a 160-acre watershed near the harbor with outdoor activities.
Auke Bay residents love bringing their pets to the gray-sand beach at Auke Recreation Area.
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The Juneau Polar Bear Dip and other events
To celebrate New Year’s Day, hundreds of Juneaua residents jump into the freezing cold bay. This Polar Bear Dip, an annual tradition of over 30 years, sometimes takes place in deep snow, but that doesn’t stop people from taking the plunge. Berry season runs from August to September, and it’s common to see drivers pulled over, a basket in hand; they pluck bushes full of blueberries, salmon berries and blackberries. The July 4th fireworks are another popular event, in addition to the parade in Downtown Juneau.
Auke Bay is known for its vibrant and beautiful flowers that brighten the landscape.
Most annual events take place in Downtown Juneau, located just 10 miles south of Auke Bay.
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Luxury homes on the bay
Most homes are on the west side of the neighborhood, past the harbor and just off the Glacier Highway. Along short gravel roads with lots of tree cover, they have sizeable lots and two stories. Properties on the south side of the freeway have front-facing views of the bay, and they often have shoreline access for sunset viewing. Properties on the north side might have views at higher elevations, but they’re often blocked by pines. While most home prices aren’t reported in Alaska, they start around $800,000 and reach over $1 million as of June 2024. Higher-end listings have clearer views, and interiors are updated from late-20th-century build dates. Properties don’t go up for sale often, but when they do, they might sit for a while. The average home sells after 55 days on the market, compared to the national average of 44 days. Apartments and condos are available for rent closer to the bay.
Homes in Auke Bay typically feature sizable lots and two stories with scenic ocean views.
Homes on the south side of Auke Bay offer front-facing views of the picturesque sunsets.
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A-rated options with Juneau-Borough School District
Just north of the harbor, Auke Bay Elementary serves kindergarten through sixth grade. Niche gives it an A-minus and ranks it as their No. 32 best public elementary school in Alaska, ahead of 196 others. While kids in Auke Bay can walk to this school, they likely bus to their middle and high schools. Thunder Mountain Middle is about 3 miles east in the Mendenhall Valley, and it serves grades seven and eight. It used to be a high school, but due to funding changes for the 2024-2025 year, all of Juneau’s middle schools have been merged to this location. Previously, it got an A from Niche and ranked as the third-best public high school in Alaska. Juneau-Douglas High is now the main option, and it’s 10 miles south in Downtown Juneau. This school gets an A-minus and ranks No. 16 on the same list. An alternative for kindergarten through eighth grade, Juneau Community Charter School is also downtown, and it’s run by an elected committee of parents and teachers. It gets an A-minus. The University of Alaska Southeast is a public university next to the Auke Bay harbor, and it has over 40 degree programs. These include Outdoor & Adventure Studies, Alaska Native Language & Studies and Marine Biology.
Auke Bay Elementary School serves students in pre-K through 5th grade in the Auke Bay area.
Juneau-Douglas High School, located 10 miles from Auke Bay, is known for its strong academics.
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Know-your-name restaurants in this small town
Of the handful of restaurants in Auke Bay, Chan’s Thai Kitchen is one of Debbie White’s favorites. “My husband and I have a standing order,” she says. “I call and ask the owner, Curtis, if he can make our dinner. He knows us because we’ve been so many times. Then we pick it up and take it on the boat.” The Auke Bay Café is nearby for breakfast, and it has a close-knit setting with a few tables. Forbidden Peak Brewery has a fire pit with views of the harbor; it shares the building with Red Spruce, a global street food place. Another multiuse space, De Hart’s is a combined liquor and grocery store on the water. A Safeway and the Super Bear IGA Supermarket are about 3 miles east for bigger trips. The latter is part of the Mendenhall Mall, which has more restaurants and shops, such as Nugget Alaskan Outfitter. Other commercial options are about 10 miles south in Downtown Juneau, but these spots are busy with tourists in the summertime.
Grab a delicious beer at the family owned Forbidden Peak Brewery in the heart of Auke Bay.
Safeway strives to offer the highest quality foods for the residents of Auke Bay.
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Snow tires and ferry highways
Since neighboring towns are spread out along the coast, residents likely need a car. Snow tires and four-wheel drive are recommended, as this area can get over 300 inches of snow. The Glacier Highway is the main thoroughfare in Auke Bay, and the City of Juneau includes it as part of their 250 lane miles of maintained roads. Juneau International Airport is 3 miles east on this road and Downtown Juneau is 7 miles farther. Alternatively, residents might also keep a boat in Auke Bay’s harbor and use it to get around the archipelago. These waterways are also connected by a ferry route known as the Alaskan Marine Highway. It covers 3,500 miles of coastline and connects over 30 communities in the state. A five-hour, northbound ferry can get weekenders to Skagway, home of the Klondike Gold Rush National Historic Park. Glacier Bay National Park is accessible via these ferries or a seaplane, and it’s about 110 miles northwest of Auke Bay.
Auke Bay is renowned for its breathtaking coastal scenery and pristine wilderness.
Ferries depart daily from the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal, which is situated just east of Auke Bay.
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Price Improvement on this amazing waterfront condominium with stunning ocean and Auke Bay Harbor views!!! These properties rarely arrive on the market, this gem features private beach access for you to enjoy the beautiful natural surroundings while beachcombing along the shoreline. The newly resurfaced covered deck, with updated rails, provides the perfect spot to take in the expansive views
Erika FagerstromReal Broker, LLC Juneau Home Group
Stunning Waterfront Condo with Expansive Ocean & Mountain Views! Experience Auke Bay living at its finest in this beautiful 2-bedroom, 2-bath waterfront condo! Enjoy breathtaking ocean and mountain views right from your windows, with marine wildlife just outside your doorstep. Key Features: Direct beach access from the unit Expansive ocean & mountain views Elevator access for convenience
Auke Bay Station Condominium Development with views of Auke Bay and Statter Harbor. An opportunity for investors and developers to continue the vision of the Auke Bay Station Condominium project. Currently the only Auke Bay water view condominium project under construction in Juneau, Alaska. The project is approved by CBJ to construct up to 60 condo units on the property. There are currently
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Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
533
Median Age
44
Population Density
1 person/acre
Population under 18
18.9%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
23.3%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$86,585
Above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$137,206
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
100%
College Graduates
56.9%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
27.6%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
70.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
67''
Average Winter Low Temperature
24°F
Average Summer High Temperature
64°F
Annual Snowfall
84''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
7/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
15/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
30/ 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.
