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Source: Alaska
Department of Community and Economic Development
Wasilla, AK
| Current Population: |
6,109 (2004 State Demographer estimate) |
| Incorporation Type: |
1st Class City |
| Borough Located In: |
Matanuska-Susitna Borough |
| Taxes: |
Sales: 2.5%, Property: 0.4 mills (City);
11.483 mills (Borough), Special: 5% Accommodations Tax (Borough)
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| Location
and Climate |
| Wasilla is
located midway between the Matanuska and Susitna Valleys, on the George
Parks Highway. It lies between Wasilla and Lucille Lakes, 43 miles north
of Anchorage, about one hour's drive. The community lies at
approximately 61.581390° North Latitude and -149.43944° (West)
Longitude. (Sec. 10, T017N, R001W, Seward Meridian.) Wasilla is
located in the Palmer Recording District. The area encompasses 11.7 sq.
miles of land and 0.7 sq. miles of water. January temperatures range
from -33 to 33; July temperatures range from 42 to 83. The average
annual precipitation is 17 inches, with 50 inches of snowfall.
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| History, Culture and
Demographics |
| Wasilla was named after the
respected local Dena'ina Indian, Chief Wasilla (also known as Chief
Vasili). In the Dena'ina Athabascan Indian dialect, "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." The townsite was established in 1917 at the
intersection of the Carle Wagon Road (now Wasilla-Fishhook Road) and the
newly-constructed Alaska Railroad. It was a supply base for gold and
coal mining in the region through World War II. The Matanuska-Susitna
valley was settled by many Colony homesteaders in the 1930s.
Construction of the George Parks Highway through Wasilla in the early
1970s provided direct access to Anchorage. This enabled families to live
in Wasilla and commute to Anchorage for employment. The City was
incorporated in 1974.
The population of the community consists of 9.1% Alaska Native or
part Native. Residents are close to the
urban amenities of Anchorage, yet enjoy a rural lifestyle.
During the 2000 U.S. Census, total housing
units numbered 2,119, and vacant housing units numbered 140. Vacant
housing units used only seasonally numbered 34. U.S. Census data for
Year 2000 showed 2,451 residents as employed. The unemployment rate at
that time was 11.16 percent, although 37.04 percent of all adults were
not in the work force. The median household income was $48,226, per
capita income was $21,127, and 9.59 percent of residents were living
below the poverty level. |
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Facilities, Utilities, Schools and Health Care |
| The majority of homes use individual
water wells and septic systems, although the City operates a piped water
and sewer system. Water is provided by a well at Spruce Avenue and two
at Iditarod School, with a 2.3 million gallon storage capacity. Funds
have been requested to develop an additional water source. Refuse
collection is provided by a private company, for disposal in the Borough
landfill. Residents also drop refuse at the Borough landfill in Palmer.
Matanuska Electric Assoc. is part owner of the Alaska Electric
Generation & Transmission Cooperative, Inc., which operates a gas
turbine plant in Soldotna and also purchases electricity from Chugach
Electric and the Bradley Lake Hydroelectric Project. Piped natural gas,
provided by Enstar, is used to heat homes. Electricity is provided by
Matanuska Electric Association. There are 7 schools located in the
community, attended by 4,145 students. Local hospitals or health
clinics include Valley Hospital in Palmer (746-8600); Mat-Su Public
Health Center (376-2437); Anchorage hospitals; numerous private. Valley
Hospital Association, Inc. is a qualified Emergency Care Center.
Specialized Care: Alaska Addiction Rehabilitation Services/Nugen's Ranch
(376-4534). Wasilla is classified as a highway town/Sub-Regional Center,
it is found in EMS Region 2C in the Mat-Su Region. Emergency Services
have limited highway, marine, coastal, floatplane, and helicopter
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 Wasilla Ambulance
Service (373-8800/745-4811); Valley Hospital in Palmer or Anchorage
hospitals. |
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Economy and Transportation |
Approximately 30% of the Wasilla
workforce commutes to Anchorage. The local economy is diverse, and
residents are employed in a variety of government, retail, and
professional service positions. Tourism, agriculture, wood products,
steel and concrete products are part of the economy. 120 area residents
hold commercial fishing permits. Wasilla is the home of the Iditarod
Trail Committee and Iron Dog Race.
The George Parks Highway, Glenn Highway, and other local roads connect
the city to Anchorage, the remainder of the state and Canada. The Alaska
Railroad serves Wasilla on the Fairbanks to Seward route. A City
airport, with a paved 3,700' long by 75' wide airstrip, provides
scheduled commuter and air taxi services. Float planes land at Wasilla
Lake, Jacobsen Lake and Lake Lucille. There are ten additional private
airstrips in the vicinity. Commercial jet flights are operated out of
Anchorage International Airport. |
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