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Circle
For Photos of Circle click here
For a Map of Circle click here
| Current Population: |
94
(2008 Estimated Population (not Certified))
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| Incorporation Type: |
Unincorporated |
| Borough Located In: |
Unorganized |
| Taxes: |
No taxing authority
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| Location
and Climate |
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Circle is located on the south bank of the Yukon River at the edge of the Yukon Flats, 160 miles northeast of Fairbanks. It is at the eastern end of the Steese Highway. The community
lies at approximately 65.825560° North Latitude
and -144.060560° West Longitude.
(Sec. 31, T012N, R018E, Fairbanks Meridian.)
Circle is located in the
Fairbanks Recording District.
Circle has a continental subarctic climate, characterized by seasonal extremes in temperature. Winters are long and harsh, and summers are warm and short. Summer temperatures range from 65 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Winter temperatures can range from -71 to 0 degrees Fahrenheit. Rainfall averages 6.5 inches, and snowfall averages 43.4 inches. The Yukon River is ice-free from mid-June through mid-October. |
Topographic
map of
Circle
area
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| History, Culture
and Demographics |
| Circle (also known as Circle City) was established in 1893 as a supply point for goods shipped up the Yukon River and then overland to the gold mining camps. Early miners believed the town was located on the Arctic Circle, and named it Circle. By 1896, before the Klondike gold rush, Circle was the largest mining town on the Yukon, with a population of 700. It boasted an Alaska Commercial Company store, eight or ten dance halls, an opera house, a library, a school, a hospital, and an Episcopal Church. It had its own newspaper, the Yukon Press, and a number of residential U.S. government officials, including a commissioner, marshal, customs inspector, tax collector and postmaster. The town was virtually emptied after gold discoveries in the Klondike (1897) and Nome (1899). A few hearty miners stayed on in the Birch Creek area, and Circle became a small, stable community that supplied miners in the nearby Mastodon, Mammoth, Deadwood and Circle Creeks. Mining activity continues to this day.
A federally-recognized tribe is located in the community -- the Circle Native Community.
The population of the community consists of 85%
Alaska Native or part Native.
The population of Circle is predominantly Athabascan, but there are several non-Native families. The Circle Civic Community Association was formed in 1967. It cooperates with the traditional council in maintaining the sign area and public boat launch, and in preserving historic sites.
During the 2000 U.S. Census,
total housing units numbered 42, and vacant housing units numbered 8.
Vacant housing units used
only seasonally numbered 7.
U.S. Census data for Year
2000 showed 19 residents
as employed. The unemployment rate at that time was
24 percent,
although
62 percent of
all adults were not in the work force. The median household
income was $11,667, per capita income was $6,426, and
42.03 percent of residents
were living below the poverty level.
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| Facilities,
Utilities, Schools and Health Care |
| Most homes haul treated well water from the washeteria/fire station or the school. Outhouses and honeybuckets are used for sewage disposal. All homes lack plumbing facilities. The landfill is located at mi. 156.5 Steese Hwy.
Electricity is provided by Circle Electric Utility.
There is one school located in the community,
attended by 23
students.
Local hospitals or health clinics include Circle Health Clinic (907-773-7425); Fairbanks hospitals.
Circle is classified as an isolated village, it is found in EMS Region 1C in the Interior Region. Emergency Services have highway, river and air access. Emergency service is provided by volunteers and a health aide
Auxiliary health care is provided by Central Rescue Squad (520-5451/5228) or Fairbanks hospitals.
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| Economy
and Transportation |
Recreation attracts visitors to Circle seasonally. Circle Hot Springs was closed in October 2002. Some persons live in the community only during summer months. Major employers include the school, clinic, village corporation, trading post, and post office. A 25-room hotel is under construction. Two residents hold commercial fishing permits. Almost all residents are involved in subsistence. Salmon, freshwater fish, moose and bear are the major sources of meat. Trapping and making of handicrafts contribute to family incomes.
Circle has direct road access to Fairbanks by way of the Steese Highway. Barges deliver goods by the Yukon River during summer. Residents use ATVs, snowmobiles and dog sleds for recreation and subsistence activities. A new State-owned 2,979' long by 60' wide, lighted gravel airstrip is available. Float planes land on the River. |
Organizations
with Local Offices
Community Non-Profit -
Circle Civic Community Assoc.
P.O. Box 1
Circle, AK 99733
Phone 907-773-1222
E-mail hutch@ptialaska.net
Community Non-Profit -
Circle District Historical Society
P.O. Box 30189
Central, AK 99730
Phone 907-520-1893
Web http://www.cdhs.us
Electric Utility -
Circle Electric Inc.
P.O. Box 1
Circle, AK 99733-0001
Phone 907-773-1222
Fax 907-773-1200
Village Corporation -
Danzhit Hanlaii Corporation
Fairbanks, AK
Village Council -
Circle Native Community
P.O. Box 89
Circle, AK 99733
Phone 907-773-2822
Fax 907-773-2823
Regional
Organizations
Regional Native Corporation - Doyon, Limited
1 Doyon Place, Suite 300
Fairbanks, AK 99701-2941
Phone 907-459-2000
Fax 907-459-2060
E-mail info@doyon.com
Web http://www.doyon.com
Regional Native Health Corporation - Tanana Chiefs Conference
P.O. Box 129
Tok, AK 99780
Phone 907-883-5181
Fax 907-883-1114
E-mail rose.isaac@tananachiefs.org
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