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Houston
| Current Population: |
1,755
(2008 DCCED Certified Population)
|
| Incorporation Type: |
2nd Class City |
| Borough Located In: |
Matanuska-Susitna Borough |
| Taxes: |
Sales: 2% (City),
Property: 16.22 mills (City and Borough), Special: Liquor License Tax (City); 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 |
|
Houston is located 18 miles northwest of Wasilla and 57 road miles north of Anchorage. It lies on the George Parks Highway, along the Little Susitna River. The community
lies at approximately 61.630280° North Latitude
and -149.818060° West Longitude.
(Sec. 21, T018N, R003W, Seward Meridian.)
Houston is located in the
Palmer Recording District.
The area encompasses 22.4
sq. miles of land and 1.2 sq. miles
of water.
January temperatures range from -33 to 33 °F; July temperatures range from 42 to 83 °F. The average annual rainfall is 15 inches, mostly from mid-July to early September, with 45 inches of snow. Winds are frequently lower than the Palmer/Wasilla area, with daily averages ranging from 0 to 6 mph. |
Topographic
map of
Houston
area
 |
| History, Culture
and Demographics |
| Herning Trail (now Willow Creek Sled Trail) was used for freighting supplies to the Willow Creek Mining District. "Houston Siding" was first listed on a blueprint map of the Alaska Railroad in 1917; it was named after Congressman Houston of Tennessee. Several coal mines were developed in the area during 1917-18. A railroad spur was constructed to the Janios & Athens coal mine, which supplied coal to Anchorage and the LaTouche Mining Co. in Prince William Sound. The coal found in Houston was used extensively by the U.S. Navy up through World War II, when the mines shut down. In the mid-1920s, the Heaven brothers operated a mink farm at mile 59.6. In 1953-54, gravel roads and power lines were extended west of Wasilla, and Houston was quickly settled. In 1966, Houston incorporated as a third-class city; it was reclassified as a second-class city in 1973. In 1998, tests were conducted into the availability, quantity, and quality of natural gas and found huge deposits of coal-bed methane, but the wells were capped due to local restrictions and a lack of marketing.
The population of the community consists of 12.3%
Alaska Native or part Native.
Houston is a rural-residential community that experiences consistent growth and is encouraging businesses to relocate to the community. Popular recreation sites include Little Su Campground, Long Lake, Cheri Lake, Prator Lake, Loon Lake, Woody Lake, Zero Lake, Bear Paw Lake, and Birch Lake. The Pike Derby is held during the winter months, and Founder's Day, a community celebration, boasts live entertainment, vendors, activities for kids, and a fireworks display. Trails for hiking and ATVs crisscross most of Houston are are popular in the winter months for dog sledders and snowmachiners. During the summer months, a water trail is popular in the Nancy Lakes region. There are several community organizations, such as the Mid-Valley Seniors, Homesteaders Community Center, Susitna Rotary, Houston Lions, and Houston Chamber of Commerce. Elementary students attend Big Lake and Willow schools. The Houston High School and Middle School serve students from the surrounding area.
During the 2000 U.S. Census,
total housing units numbered 581, and vacant housing units numbered 136.
Vacant housing units used
only seasonally numbered 98.
U.S. Census data for Year
2000 showed 452 residents
as employed. The unemployment rate at that time was
17.67 percent,
although
48.69 percent of
all adults were not in the work force. The median household
income was $39,615, per capita income was $17,213, and
17.09 percent of residents
were living below the poverty level.
|
| Facilities,
Utilities, Schools and Health Care |
| 60% of residents have individual wells, septic tanks, and complete plumbing. The school uses its own well water system. The remainder haul water and use outhouses. The borough landfill in Palmer is used.
Electricity is provided by Matanuska Electric Association.
There are 2 schools located in the community,
attended by 758
students.
Local hospitals or health clinics include Mat-Su Regional Medical Center in Palmer (907-861-6000) or Anchorage hospitals.
Houston is classified as a highway village, it is found in EMS Region 2C in the Mat-Su Region. Emergency Services have highway 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 Mat-Su Regional Medical Center.
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| Economy
and Transportation |
Residents are employed in the nearby Wasilla/Palmer area; some commute to Anchorage. Houston is a popular fishing and recreation center for the Little Susitna River and area lakes, and there are businesses that perform hospitality services. Two residents hold commercial fishing permits.
Houston lies on the Parks Highway and the railroad. Air services are available at Anchorage International Airport, one of four nearby airports, or a local seaplane base. |
Organizations
with Local Offices
Chamber of Commerce -
Houston Chamber of Commerce
P.O. Box 356
Houston, AK 99694
Phone 907-892-0826
Fax 907-892-0829
E-mail houstonakchamber@hotmail.com
Web http://www.houstonakchamber.com
City -
City of Houston
P.O. Box 940027
Houston, AK 99694-0027
Phone 907-892-6869
Fax 907-892-7677
E-mail clerk@houston-ak.gov; scunningham@houston-ak.gov
Web http://www.houston-ak.gov
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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