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Butte
(BYOOT)
| Current Population: |
3,262
(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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Butte is located south of Palmer in the Mat-Su Borough, between mile 9 and mile 16 of the Old Glenn Highway. It lies at the foot of Bodenberg Butte, east of a Matanuska River, 42 miles north of Anchorage. The community
lies at approximately 61.542220° North Latitude
and -149.033330° West Longitude.
(Sec. 23, T017N, R002E, Seward Meridian.)
Butte is located in the
Palmer Recording District.
Temperatures in January range from -35 to 33 degrees Fahrenheit. Temperatures in July range from 42 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Annual precipitation is 16.5 inches and annual snowfall is 43 inches. |
Topographic
map of
Butte
area
 |
| History, Culture
and Demographics |
| Athabascan Dena'ina Indians traveled through the Butte area on a winter trail from Eklutna up the Knik River to the Copper River. A large Dena'ina village called "Hutnaynut'l," or "burnt over," existed in the Bodenburg area. The first farm was homesteaded in 1917 by John Bodenburg. In 1935, 25 tracts were settled in the Butte area by the Matanuska Colonists, around "Camp 10" along Bodenburg Loop Road. More land was settled after World War II. Several saw mills operated between 1940 and 1970. 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 5.5%
Alaska Native or part Native.
"The Butte" is a large suburban settlement of over 960 homes. Students are bused for middle and high school to Palmer.
During the 2000 U.S. Census,
total housing units numbered 964, and vacant housing units numbered 80.
Vacant housing units used
only seasonally numbered 12.
U.S. Census data for Year
2000 showed 1,115 residents
as employed. The unemployment rate at that time was
8.88 percent,
although
40.02 percent of
all adults were not in the work force. The median household
income was $55,573, per capita income was $22,522, and
9.79 percent of residents
were living below the poverty level.
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| Facilities,
Utilities, Schools and Health Care |
| Most homes in Butte have individual water wells, septic systems and complete plumbing. Butte Elementary School and the local trailer court and cafe also have individual wells. A Borough-operated refuse transfer station is located at Mile 2, Plumley Road.
Electricity is provided by Matanuska Electric Association.
There is one school located in the community,
attended by 318
students.
Local hospitals or health clinics include Valley Hospital in Palmer (907-746-8600) or Anchorage hospitals.
Butte is classified as a highway village, it is found in EMS Region 2C in the Mat-Su 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 Butte Ambulance Service (373-8800/745-4811); Valley Hospital in Palmer or Anchorage hospitals.
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| Economy
and Transportation |
The majority of Butte residents are employed in the Palmer/Wasilla area or Anchorage. Farming and wholesale distribution of farm products are the main industry. A few small businesses serve local needs.
Butte lies along the Old Glenn Highway. An 1,800' long by 50' wide public airstrip is available, owned and operated by the Butte Airman's Association. Railroad and other means of transportation are also accessible in Palmer and Anchorage. |
Organizations
with Local Offices
Community Non-Profit -
Butte Community Council, Inc.
P.O. Box 4201
Palmer, AK 99645-4201
Phone 907-745-2467
Fax 907-764-6426
E-mail courtney@ieee.org
Web http://buttecc.org/
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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