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Knik River
(kuh-NICK); includes South Knik River
| Current Population: |
677
(2008 Estimated Population (not Certified))
|
| 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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The community has developed along the south side of Knik River, which flows into the Knik Arm of Cook Inlet. It lies at the southern border of the Mat-Su Borough, just north of Anchorage. It lies along Old Glenn Highway and Knik River Road. The community
lies at approximately 61.470970° North Latitude
and -148.860640° West Longitude.
(Sec. 24, T016N, R003W, Seward Meridian.)
Knik River is located in the
Palmer Recording District.
The temperatures in January range from -35 to 33; in July, 42 to 85. Annual precipitation is 16.5 inches, including 43 inches of snowfall. |
Topographic
map of
Knik River
area
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| History, Culture
and Demographics |
| The Dena'ina Athabascans were the earliest inhabitants of the region. They traveled through the area on a winter trail from Eklutna up the Knik River to the Copper River. The Old Glenn Highway was built from Palmer to the junction of the New Glenn Highway on the Eklutna Flats in 1942. Travelers used to enjoy stopping at a lodge on Goat Creek. The specialty of the house was to serve drinks with chunks of ice that floated down the river from Lake George during breakup. The Eklutna Power Project was also built in the 1940s, including tract housing for employees. Knik River Road started as a logging road in the early 1950s. The existing gravel road was built in the late 1960s.
The population of the community consists of 11.5%
Alaska Native or part Native.
Residents enjoy a semi-rural lifestyle, with ready access to the amenities of Anchorage. Students are bused to schools in Butte and Palmer.
During the 2000 U.S. Census,
total housing units numbered 263, and vacant housing units numbered 47.
Vacant housing units used
only seasonally numbered 18.
U.S. Census data for Year
2000 showed 297 residents
as employed. The unemployment rate at that time was
21.14 percent,
although
40.05 percent of
all adults were not in the work force. The median household
income was $55,000, per capita income was $19,104, and
15.3 percent of residents
were living below the poverty level.
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| Facilities,
Utilities, Schools and Health Care |
| Most homes use individual wells and septic systems. There are a few private piped systems; some residents haul water and use outhouses. The Eklutna Power Project is located in the community. The Borough provides a refuse transfer site in Butte.
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 Butte Ambulance Service (373-8800/745-4811), Anchorage or Palmer hospitals.
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| Economy
and Transportation |
Many residents are employed in Anchorage or the Palmer/Wasilla area in a variety of positions in the private and public sectors. Retail trade, transportation, and education are the primary employers.
Knik River lies off the Glenn Highway. Many forms of transportation are available in nearby Palmer and Anchorage. |
Organizations
with Local Offices
Community Non-Profit -
South Knik River Community Council
HC 02 Box 7691-I
Palmer, AK 99645-9710
Phone 907-746-6414
E-mail cswrrceo@mtaonline.net
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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