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Buffalo Soapstone
| Current Population: |
768
(2008 Estimated Population (not Certified))
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| Incorporation Type: |
Unincorporated |
| Borough Located In: |
Matanuska-Susitna Borough |
| Taxes: |
Sales: None,
Property: 9.98 mills (Borough), Special: 5% Bed Tax (Borough); 5.29% Tobacco Excise Tax (Borough)
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| National Flood Insurance Program Participant: |
Yes |
| Coastal Management District: |
Matanuska-Susitna Borough |
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| Location
and Climate |
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Buffalo Soapstone is located on Moose Creek Road, directly north of Palmer and Farm Loop, west of the Glenn Highway. It lies west of Moose Creek and Buffalo Creek. The community
lies at approximately 61.717770° North Latitude
and -149.098350° West Longitude.
(Sec. 21, T019N, R002E, Seward Meridian.)
Buffalo Soapstone is located in the
Palmer Recording District.
The average temperatures in January range from 4 to 21degrees Fahrenheit. In July, the average temperature range is 44 to 67 degrees Fahrenheit. Annual precipitation is 16.5 inches and annual snowfall is 50 inches. |
Topographic
map of
Buffalo Soapstone
area
 |
| History, Culture
and Demographics |
| The sites of Baxter Mine, Buffalo Mine, Matanuska Sinner Mine, and Premier Mine are located in the area. Mat-Su was established as a planned agricultural colony. 203 families, mostly from Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota, were relocated to Alaska in the early summer of 1935. Many of their descendants still live in the Mat-Su Valley today. Low housing costs, the semi-rural lifestyle, and a reasonable commute to Anchorage have supported growth in the Mat-Su Valley.
The population of the community consists of 7.4%
Alaska Native or part Native.
The area is primarily a non-Native settlement of about 270 homes. Students are bused to schools in Palmer.
During the 2000 U.S. Census,
total housing units numbered 266, and vacant housing units numbered 33.
Vacant housing units used
only seasonally numbered 8.
U.S. Census data for Year
2000 showed 277 residents
as employed. The unemployment rate at that time was
7.29 percent,
although
42.65 percent of
all adults were not in the work force. The median household
income was $41,250, per capita income was $18,021, and
22.21 percent of residents
were living below the poverty level.
|
| Facilities,
Utilities, Schools and Health Care |
| About three-fourths of households have individual wells and septic systems. Refuse is disposed of at the Borough landfill in Palmer or other transfer sites. One is available at mile 2 Willow-Fishhook Road.
Electricity is provided by Matanuska Electric Association.
There are no state operated schools located in the community.
Local hospitals or health clinics include Valley Hospital in Palmer (907-746-8600) or Anchorage hospitals.
Auxiliary health care is provided by Valley Hospital in Palmer or Anchorage hospitals.
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| Economy
and Transportation |
Many residents are employed in Palmer, Wasilla or Anchorage. The University has an Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station Office and a district Cooperative Extension Service office in Palmer. The University's Matanuska Research Farm is also located in Palmer.
Buffalo Soapstone is located off of the Glenn Highway. Commercial airlines serve the Anchorage International Airport, but the Palmer Municipal Airport supports private and chartered services. There are seven additional privately-owned airstrips in the vicinity. Float planes may land at nearby Finger Lake or Wolf Lake. The Alaska Railroad connects Palmer to Whittier, Seward or Anchorage for ocean freight delivery. |
Organizations
with Local Offices
Community Non-Profit -
Buffalo/Soapstone Community Council
14350 Canyon Dr
Palmer, AK 99645
Phone 907-746-0410
E-mail jsimm99@hotmail.com
Regional
Organizations
Borough - Matanuska-Susitna Borough
350 East Dahlia Avenue
Palmer, AK 99645
Phone 907-745-4801
Fax 907-745-9845
E-mail john.duffy@matsugov.us; lonnie.mckechnie@matsugov.us
Web http://www.matsugov.us/
Regional Native Health Corporation - Southcentral Foundation
4501 Diplomacy
Anchorage, AK 99508
Phone 907-729-4955
Fax 907-729-4972
E-mail katherineg@scf.cc
Web http://www.southcentralfoundation.com
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