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Source: Alaska
Department of Community and Economic Development
Anderson, AK
| Current Population: |
344 (2004 State Demographer estimate) |
| Incorporation Type: |
2nd Class City |
| Borough Located In: |
Denali Borough |
| Taxes: |
Sales: None, Property: None, Special: 8%
Utility Tax (City); 7% Accommodation Tax (Borough); Severance $.05/Yard
(Borough) |
| Location
and Climate |
| Anderson lies
on a spur road which spans 6 miles west off the George Parks Highway, 76
miles southwest of Fairbanks and 285 miles north of Anchorage. Clear Air
Force Station is located within the City boundaries. The community lies
at approximately 64.344170° North Latitude and -149.18694° (West)
Longitude. (Sec. 05, T007S, R008W, Fairbanks Meridian.) Anderson is
located in the Nenana Recording District. The area encompasses 46.7 sq.
miles of land and 0.5 sq. miles of water. Anderson has a cold,
continental climate with maritime influences in the summer. The average
high temperature range during July is from 66 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
The average low temperature range during January is -6 to -24 degrees
Fahrenheit. Extreme temperatures have been measured, ranging from a low
of -63 to a high of 98 degrees Fahrenheit. Average annual precipitation
is 12.7 inches and average annual snowfall is 49.3 inches. |
| History, Culture and
Demographics |
| The city is named for Arthur
Anderson, one of several homesteaders who originally settled in the area
in the late 1950s. In 1959, Mr. Anderson subdivided his 80-acre
homestead into 1/4 acre lots for sale. Most of these lots were purchased
by civilian workers from Clear Air Force Station, a ballistic missile
early warning site, completed in 1961. An elementary school was
established in the community in 1961, and Anderson incorporated as a
City in 1962. A road was completed between Anderson and Nenana, which
allowed easy access to Fairbanks. North, vehicles were ferried across
the Tanana River at Nenana until 1968, when a $6 million steel bridge
was completed. By 1971, the George Parks Hwy. was constructed, which
enabled road access to Anchorage.
The population of the community consists of 6.5% Alaska Native or
part Native. Most of Anderson's residents
are non-Native military personnel or civilian employees of Clear Air
Force Station and their families. Nearly one-third of all residents live
in Clear AFS group quarters. During
the 2000 U.S. Census, total housing units numbered 148, and vacant
housing units numbered 47. Vacant housing units used only seasonally
numbered 18. U.S. Census data for Year 2000 showed 207 residents as
employed. The unemployment rate at that time was 10.19 percent, although
29.59 percent of all adults were not in the work force. The median
household income was $58,750, per capita income was $23,837, and 17.55
percent of residents were living below the poverty level.
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Facilities, Utilities, Schools and Health Care |
| All homes have individual wells, septic
systems and plumbing. Water is also derived from a well at the Anderson
School. Clear Air Force Station provides piped water and sewer to all
base facilities. Riverside Park offers camp sites along the river with
scenic views of Mount McKinley and the surrounding foothills, with
restroom and shower facilities. Anderson has requested funding for a
waste oil containment site; the oil would be collected to heat the City
shop. A permitted RV disposal lagoon and sludge disposal site is
provided by the City. Refuse is hauled to the new Borough regional
landfill located just 2 miles south of Anderson. Electricity is provided
by Golden Valley Electric Association. There is one school located in
the community, attended by 80 students. Local hospitals or health
clinics include Anderson Health Clinic, Clear Medical Clinic
(907-585-6414) or Fairbanks hospitals. Clear Air Station is a qualified
Emergency Care Center. Anderson is classified as an isolated village, it
is found in EMS Region 1C in the Interior Region. Emergency Services
have highway and air access, and are within 30 minutes of a higher-level
satellite health care facility. Emergency service is provided by 911
Telephone Service and volunteers Auxiliary health care is provided by
Anderson Volunteer Fire Dept./EMS/Ambulance (907-582-2500/907-582-0911);
Clear Air Station Fire Dept./Ambulance (907-585-6432); driving to
Fairbanks hospitals. |
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Economy and Transportation |
Clear Air Force Station, the school,
City, and other government positions employ most of the residents. A
$106.5 million intercontinental ballistic missile radar warning system
is under construction at Clear AFS. "PAVE PAWS" will identify and warn
of missiles launched from Asia and Europe. The Clear Fish Hatchery
provides small stocks of gamefish to area streams and lakes, and has
been the only commercial hatchery to rear sheefish. Residents often
travel to Fairbanks to purchase goods and services.
The George Parks Highway provides access to Anchorage and Fairbanks. The
Alaska Railroad serves Anderson and Clear. A State-owned 4,000' lighted
asphalt runway is located at Clear Airport, 4 miles south of town along
the access road. Charters and private aircraft serve the airstrip. A
private 2,500' dirt strip is located at Clear Sky Lodge. Lost Slough, a
large slough of the Nenana River is located less than a mile west of
town. It is used for fishing, but the river is too shallow for cargo
transportation. |
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