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McGrath
(muh-GRATH)
For Photos of McGrath click here
For a Map of McGrath click here
| Current Population: |
317
(2008 DCCED Certified Population)
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| Incorporation Type: |
2nd Class City |
| Borough Located In: |
Unorganized |
| Taxes: |
Sales: None,
Property: None, Special: None
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| National Flood Insurance Program Participant: |
Yes |
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| Location
and Climate |
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McGrath is located 221 miles northwest of Anchorage and 269 miles southwest of Fairbanks in Interior Alaska. It is adjacent to the Kuskokwim River, directly south of its confluence with the Takotna River. The community
lies at approximately 62.956390° North Latitude
and -155.595830° West Longitude.
(Sec. 18, T033N, R033W, Seward Meridian.)
McGrath is located in the
Mt. McKinley Recording District.
The area encompasses 48.9
sq. miles of land and 5.7 sq. miles
of water.
The McGrath area has a cold, continental climate. Average summer temperatures range from 62 to 80 °F, winters temperatures can range from -64 to 0 °F. Precipitation is light, averaging 10 inches per year, with an average snowfall of 86 inches. The Kuskokwim River is generally ice-free from June through October. |
Topographic
map of
McGrath
area
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| History, Culture
and Demographics |
| McGrath was a seasonal Upper Kuskokwim Athabascan village, which was used as a meeting and trading place for Big River, Nikolai, Telida, and Lake Minchumina residents. The Old Town McGrath site was originally located across the river. In 1904, Abraham Appel established a trading post at the old site. In 1906, gold was discovered in the Innoko District and at Ganes Creek in 1907. Since McGrath is the northernmost point on the Kuskokwim River accessible by large riverboats, it became a regional supply center. By 1907, a town was established and named for Peter McGrath. In 1909, the Alaska Commercial Company opened a store. The Iditarod Trail also contributed to McGrath's role as a supply center. From 1911 to 1920, hundreds of people walked and mushed over the trail on their way to the Ophir gold districts. Mining sharply declined after 1925. After a major flood in 1933, some residents decided to move to the south bank of the river. Changes in the course of the river eventually left the old site on a slough, useless as a river stop. In 1937, the Alaska Commercial Company opened a store at the current location. In 1940, an airstrip was cleared, the FAA built a communications complex, and a school was opened. McGrath became an important refueling stop during World War II as part of the Lend-Lease Program between the U.S. and Russia. In 1964, a new high school was built, attracting boarding students from nearby villages. The city was incorporated in 1975.
A federally-recognized tribe is located in the community -- the McGrath Native Village; Medfra Traditional Council (not recognized).
The population of the community consists of 54.6%
Alaska Native or part Native.
Slightly more than half of the population are Athabascans and Eskimos. As a regional center, McGrath offers a variety of employment opportunities, but subsistence remains an important part of the local culture.
During the 2000 U.S. Census,
total housing units numbered 213, and vacant housing units numbered 68.
Vacant housing units used
only seasonally numbered 14.
U.S. Census data for Year
2000 showed 206 residents
as employed. The unemployment rate at that time was
10.43 percent,
although
27.97 percent of
all adults were not in the work force. The median household
income was $43,056, per capita income was $21,553, and
9.8 percent of residents
were living below the poverty level.
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| Facilities,
Utilities, Schools and Health Care |
| McGrath operates a piped water system that serves nearly all 178 households; a few homes have individual wells or haul water. The FAA operates its own water system. Individual septic tanks are used by the majority of residents; a limited city sewage system serves approximately 34 homes. A private firm, McGrath Trash & Refuse, collects refuse for disposal at the city landfill.
Electricity is provided by McGrath Light & Power.
There are 2 schools located in the community,
attended by 127
students.
Local hospitals or health clinics include McGrath Health Center (907-524-3299).
The clinic is a qualified Emergency Care Center. Specialized Care: Four Rivers Counseling Center. McGrath is classified as an isolated town/Sub-Regional Center, it is found in EMS Region 1C in the Interior Region. Emergency Services have river, floatplane and air access. Emergency service is provided by 911 Telephone Service, volunteers and a health aide
Auxiliary health care is provided by Kuskokwim Valley Rescue Squad (524-3299/9111).
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| Economy
and Transportation |
McGrath functions as a transportation, communications, and supply center in Interior Alaska. It has a diverse cash economy, though many families rely upon subsistence. Salmon, moose, caribou, bear, and rabbits are utilized. Some residents trap and tend gardens.
There are no road connections to McGrath, but local roads are used by ATVs and trucks. Winter trails are marked to Nikolai (50 mi.) and Takotna (20 mi.) Residents rely on air service and barges to deliver cargo. Air facilities include a state-owned 5,435' long by 150' wide asphalt runway with a 1,720' long by 100' wide crosswind landing strip and a seaplane base on the Kuskokwim River. There is no dock, but a boat launch ramp is available. |
Organizations
with Local Offices
City -
City of McGrath
P.O. Box 30
McGrath, AK 99627
Phone 907-524-3825
Fax 907-524-3536
E-mail mcgrathcityadmin@gmail.com; mcgrathcityclerk@gmail.com
Web http://www.mcgrathalaska.net/
Electric Utility -
McGrath Light & Power
P.O. Box 52
McGrath, AK 99627-0052
Phone 907-524-3391
Fax 907-524-3062
E-mail mlp@mtnt.net
School District -
Iditarod Area School District
P.O. Box 90
McGrath, AK 99627
Phone 907-524-3033
Fax 907-524-3217
E-mail jbanghart@iditarodsd.org
Web http://www.iditarodsd.org
Village Corporation -
MTNT Limited
P.O. Box 309
McGrath, AK 99627
Phone 907-524-3391
Fax 907-524-3062
Village Council -
McGrath Native Village
P.O. Box 134
McGrath, AK 99627
Phone 907-524-3024
Fax 907-524-3899
E-mail mnvc@mcgrathalaska.net
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
Native Housing Authority - Interior Regional Housing Authority
828 27th Avenue
Fairbanks, AK 99701
Phone 907-452-8315
Fax 907-456-8941
E-mail icatalone@irha.org
Web http://www.irha.org/
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