Alaska Homesteading: Complete Guide For Homesteaders in Alaska

 

The state of Alaska has enjoyed a long and rich history of homesteading that dates back to 1898. When Alaska officially became a United States territory in 1912, the amount of homesteading claims increased dramatically. It is safe to say that homesteading made a big impact on the growth of Alaska as a state and there are still individuals today that are keeping these traditions alive through the creation of their own modern homesteads.

Many adventurous individuals who crave wide-open spaces and the mystery that Alaska still represents have come to the state to start their own modern-day homesteads. The desire to live the homesteader’s life has brought many people to take advantage of the land opportunities that are present in the beautiful state of Alaska.

For those that are drawn toward entering into the homesteading lifestyle and like the idea of setting up in the state of Alaska, the following information will be highly useful. This information is designed to assist those who are currently engaged in or plan to begin Alaska homesteading.

For an overview of Homesteading in Alaska, you can read the Alaska brochure for homesteaders.

Homesteading in Alaska

Can You Homestead in Alaska?

Though homesteading in the traditional sense is not covered under Alaskan law, there is a large amount of property available for purchase across the state that is suitable for those individuals looking to start their own modern homestead. The state also has exemptions in place that allow Alaska residents to protect themselves from losing their primary family home in the case of financial difficulties.

See the official resource for Alaska Homesteading Laws.

Homestead Statutes in Alaska

The statute that governs homestead exemptions in the state of Alaska is listed under code section 09.38.010. This code section lists the specifics of property values and acreage that can be listed under a homestead exemption in the state. It also discusses the amount of land value that can be claimed under the homestead exemption in the state.

Alaska Homestead Land

If you are interested in starting your own modern-day homestead within the boundaries of the state of Alaska, there is good news. There are countless opportunities to purchase land in the rural expanse of Alaska.

How Much Land for Sale

The current data indicates that there is more than $413 million worth of land that is currently listed for sale in the state of Alaska. This amount includes more than 228 thousand acres of land across the state and its vast rural expanses.

For more information, here’s a list of Homesteading land for sale in Alaska.

Any Free Land?

While there is no land in the state of Alaska that is free and being sold by the state, there are sometimes offers of free land in various Alaskan communities. Anderson, Alaska is one of these communities that has recently offered up the opportunity for a modern-day homesteader to pick up a great plot of land in a small, rural Alaskan community of 250 some residents.

You can see available free land in Alaska here.

Where to Look for Homesteading Land for Sale

The following websites should prove helpful for those looking to purchase land to convert into their own modern-day homestead setup.

• Lands of America
• Landwatch Alaska Land
• Point2Homes
• Zillow Alaska

Alaska Homesteading Taxes

The following information relates to taxes and Alaska homesteading exemptions. This is some of the most important information for a prospective Alaska homesteader to keep in mind when considering this option.

Alaska Homestead Act

There is no current homestead act that is in place in the state of Alaska, but there is the option to take advantage of a homestead exemption for those who qualify. For more information, see the official government resource for Alaska.

The Alaska Homestead Exemption

In the state of Alaska, there is no acreage limit imposed for those applying for a homestead exemption. See the laws for the Alaska Homestead Tax Exemption.

How to File for Homestead credit in Alaska?

Further information about filing for a homestead credit in the state of Alaska can be found out through the Bureau of Land Management. For instructions on how to file, see the state website.

How Much Is a Homestead Exemption in Alaska?

The state of Alaska allows for homestead exemption credit up to the value of $72,900. Married couples are not allowed to double this amount. Unlike many states, there is no acreage limit in the state of Alaska as it relates to a homestead exemption. You can read more details on the exemption here.

Alaska Homestead Tax Credit Calculator

Further information about tax credits for an Alaska homestead can be found through the Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development.

If you need a calculator to determine your Homestead Tax Credit, here’s a calculator you can use.

Alaska Homesteading Groups

Embarking on the journey into the homesteading lifestyle can be a highly rewarding experience. At the same time, it is beneficial to have places to turn for support from other homesteaders. The following groups, forums, and meetups are places where Alaskan homesteaders can connect with others who are on the same journey.

Facebook Groups

These Facebook groups offer a lot of useful information for those individuals who are interested in finding out more about the topic of Alaska homesteading.

Alaskan Homesteaders Experience – This Facebook group is the place to follow the homesteading experiences of an Alaskan couple who have created their own rural Alaskan homestead.

Homesteaders Community Center – The official Facebook page for the Homesteaders Community Center in Houston, Alaska.

Homesteading in Alaska: A Documentary – This is a documentary look into the world of Alaska homesteading.

Homesteading in Alaska the Thomas Way – These Alaskan homesteaders are documenting their lives through their Facebook feed.

Sweet Homestead Alaska – Homesteaders in the state of Alaska will find plenty of useful information when they follow Sweet Homestead Alaska on Facebook.

Meetups

There are some excellent resources for Alaska homesteaders that are looking to meet up with other like-minded individuals to build community and knowledge within the realm of Alaska homesteading.

Homesteaders Community Center – This rural community center is located in the town of Houston, Alaska.

Forums

These forums also provide a wealth of useful information for Alaska’s homesteaders. They are a great place to connect with other homesteaders across the state who are looking to build a greater community of like-minded individuals.

• Alaska Homesteaders Section on Permies
• City-Data.com Forum on Homesteading in Anchorage/Fairbanks
• Homesteaders of America’s Alaska Forum
• Homesteading Today’s Alaska Forum

 

I hope this guide on Homesteading in Iowa helped you. If you liked this guide and want resources and information on other states, you can see the guide on Alaska Homesteading and Kansas Homesteading or refer to the United States Homesteading Guide with all 50 states listed.