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Evansville
also see Bettles
For Photos of Evansville click here
| Current Population: |
14
(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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Evansville is located about 180 air miles and 250 road miles northwest of Fairbanks, adjacent to Bettles. The community
lies at approximately 66.924910° North Latitude
and -151.506100° West Longitude.
(Sec. 08, T024N, R018W, Fairbanks Meridian.)
Evansville is located in the
Fairbanks Recording District.
The area experiences a cold, continental climate with extreme temperature differences. The average high temperature during July is 70; the average low during January is well below zero. Extended periods of -40 are common. The highest temperature ever recorded was 93; the lowest, -70. Average precipitation is 13.4 inches, with 77 inches of snowfall annually. |
Topographic
map of
Evansville
area
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| History, Culture
and Demographics |
| Several Native groups have lived in the area, including Koyukon Athabascans and Kobuk, Selawik, and Nunamiut Eskimos from the north and northwest. The Koyukon lived in several camps throughout the year, moving as the seasons changed, following the wild game and fish. Evansville was named for Wilford Evans, Sr., who owned a trading post and river barge business in Allakaket. Evans opened a sawmill at the present site of Evansville and built the Bettles Lodge and General Store. In 1948, the FAA constructed an airfield and communications installation at Bettles Field, adjacent to Evansville. The U.S. Navy used these facilities as a support base for exploring National Petroleum Reserve 4. Work opportunities at Bettles Field attracted both Natives and whites to the new airfield. A post office was established at the Bettles Lodge in 1950. A school was constructed in 1956. A health clinic opened in 1980. The school was closed for the 2002/2003 year due to low enrollment.
A federally-recognized tribe is located in the community -- the Evansville Village (aka Bettles Field).
The population of the community consists of 53.6%
Alaska Native or part Native.
The population of Evansville is a mixture of Athabascans and Inupiat Eskimos. Residents of nearby Bettles are primarily non-Native.
During the 2000 U.S. Census,
total housing units numbered 30, and vacant housing units numbered 18.
Vacant housing units used
only seasonally numbered 9.
U.S. Census data for Year
2000 showed 25 residents
as employed. The unemployment rate at that time was
0 percent,
although
16.67 percent of
all adults were not in the work force. The median household
income was $53,750, per capita income was $15,745, and
4.35 percent of residents
were living below the poverty level.
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| Facilities,
Utilities, Schools and Health Care |
| Less than half of the homes have individual water wells, septic tanks and complete plumbing. A landfill, operated by the City of Bettles, was is available in Evansville.
Electricity is provided by Alaska Power Company.
There are no state operated schools located in the community.
Local hospitals or health clinics include Frank Tobuk Sr. Health Clinic (907-692-5035).
Evansville is classified as an isolated village, it is found in EMS Region 1C in the Interior Region. Emergency Services have summer highway and helicopter access. Emergency service is provided by volunteers and a health aide
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| Economy
and Transportation |
The economy is linked to air transportation, visitor services and government. 90% of the heads of household are employed, most full-time, which is unique for a rural community. The community is accessible by road during winter months, which dramatically reduces the cost of goods and supplies. The FAA, National Park Service, school, and City provide year-round employment. During the summer, a BLM fire-fighting station and guides for the Brooks Range provide seasonal employment. Subsistence activities are important to the Native residents, however, subsistence use by the non-Natives is substantially lower. Salmon, moose, bear, caribou and sheep are utilized. Urban hunters, who drive up the Dalton Highway, also compete for local game. The Tribe provides a tribal office and operates a clinic.
During four months of the year the Hickel Trail, a 30-mile winter road, gives residents access to the Dalton Highway, which leads to Fairbanks. The Koyukuk River is used in the summer, but no commercial barge is available. A State-owned airport is available in Bettles; it is classified as a transport center, with a Flight Service Station and a float pond. Trucks, cars, snowmachines and ATVs are used for local transportation. |
Organizations
with Local Offices
Village Corporation -
Evansville, Incorporated
122 First Ave., Suite 202-B
Fairbanks, AK 99701-4871
Phone 907-451-8008
Fax 907-451-7695
Village Council -
Evansville Village
P.O. Box 26087
Bettles, AK 99726
Phone 907-692-5005
Fax 907-692-5006
E-mail evansville@aitc.org
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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