South Lakes, AK

South Lakes is a Matanuska-Susitna Borough census-designated place east of Wasilla and west of Palmer. It was created before the 2020 census after the former Lakes CDP was split, so it is a newer statistical community rather than an old town with a traditional center. The name comes from a chain of lakes along the northern edge of the community. Day to day, it fits the Mat-Su pattern: residential growth, road access, lakes, and ties to nearby Wasilla and Palmer.