Wasilla, Alaska
For the Sarmatian god of the same name, see Wasilla (god)Wasilla is a city in the
Matanuska-Susitna Borough in the
U.S. state of
Alaska. As of the
2000 census, the population of the city was 5,470. 2004 estimates gives the city a population of 7,740, making it the largest city in the borough.
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Location of Wasilla, Alaska |
Wasilla is located at (61.581732, -149.452539).
The city has a total area of about 32.2
km² (12.4
mi²). 30.4 km² (11.7 mi²) of it is land and 1.8 km² (0.7 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 6% water.
Wasilla is located midway between the
Matanuska Valley and the
Susitna Valley, on the
George Parks Highway. It lies between Wasilla Lake and Lake Lucille, 43 highway miles (69 km) northeast of
Anchorage, about one hour's drive, and about 10 miles (16 km) west of
Palmer.
January temperatures range from 4°F to 23°F; July temperatures vary from 47°F to 68°F. The average annual
precipitation is 17 inches, with 50 inches of snowfall.
As of the census of 2000, there were 5,470 people, 1,980 households, and 1,360 families residing in the city. The population density was 180/km² (470/mi²). There were 2,120 housing units at an average density of 70/km² (181/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 85% White, 0.6% black or African American, 5% Native American, 1% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 1% from other races, and 6% from two or more races. 4% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 1,980 households out of which 44% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50% were married couples living together, 14% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31% were non-families. 24% of all households were made up of individuals and 7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.8 and the average family size was 3.3 people.
In the city the population was spread out with 34% under the age of 18, 10% from 18 to 24, 31% from 25 to 44, 19% from 45 to 64, and 7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females there were 100 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $48,200 and the median income for a family was $53,800. Males had a median income of $41,300 versus $29,100 for females. The per capita income for the city was $21,100. 10% of the population and 67% of families were below the poverty line. 13% of those under the age of 18 and 10% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.
Approximately 30 percent of the Wasilla workforce commutes to Anchorage, Alaska. The local economy is diverse, and residents are employed in a variety of city, borough, state, federal, retail and professional service positions. Tourism, agriculture, wood products, steel, and concrete products are part of the economy. One hundred twenty area residents hold commercial fishing permits. Wasilla is home to the
Iditarod Trail Committee.
The
George Parks Highway,
Glenn Highway and other roads connect the city to Anchorage, the remainder of the state and Canada. The
Alaska Railroad serves Wasilla. A city airport, with a paved 3,700 foot (1,130 m) airstrip, provides scheduled commuter and air taxi services. Floatplanes land at Wasilla Lake, Jacobsen Lake and Lake Lucille. There are 10 additional private airstrips in the vicinity.
The history of Wasilla begins with the history of
Knik, the first boom town in the
Mat-Su Valley, which by 1915 boasted a population of 500. The town served the early fur trappers and miners working the gold fields at Cache Creek and Willow Creek.
Wasilla was established in 1917 with the construction of the Alaska Railroad. Wasilla's proximity to the gold fields and railroad service lured Knik residents to relocate in the new town-â€"some of them even dragging their homes and businesses with them. In a few short years, Knik became a ghost town. The current townsite was established in 1917 at the intersection of the Knik-Willow mining trail and the newly constructed Alaska Railroad. It was a supply base for gold, notably at
Hatcher Pass, and coal mining in the region through World War II.
The town of Wasilla was incorporated in 1974.
In 1994 a statewide ballot initiative to move the capital of Alaska to Wasilla was defeated by about 116,000 to 96,000.
In January
2006 a new hospital,
Mat-su Regional Medical Center, opened. It is the second largest hospital in the entire state.
The
Dena'ina (Tanaina) Indians called the area Benteh, meaning "among the lakes." Wasilla is surrounded by many lakes including Lake Lucille and Wasilla Lake.
Wasilla was named after a respected local Dena'ina Indian, Chief Wasilla. In the
Dena'ina language, "Wasilla" is said to mean "breath of air." Other sources claim the chief derived his name from the
Russian language and that "Vasili" is a variation of the Russian name "William."
* United States Census Bureau
* Alaska Department of Community and Economic Development
*
City of Wasilla
