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Meadow Lakes
| Current Population: |
7,106
(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)
|
| National Flood Insurance Program Participant: |
Yes |
| Coastal Management District: |
Matanuska-Susitna Borough |
|
| Location
and Climate |
|
Meadow Lakes lies between the Little Susitna River and the Alaska Railroad, off of the George Parks Highway. It is west of Wasilla, continuing east and northeast of Houston. It is accessed by Pittman Road, Church Road and Schrock Road. It is approximately 45 miles from Anchorage. The community
lies at approximately 61.615790° North Latitude
and -149.582540° West Longitude.
(Sec. 26, T018N, R002W, Seward Meridian.)
Meadow Lakes is located in the
Palmer Recording District.
January temperatures range from -33 to 33 degrees; July temperatures from 42 to 83. The average annual precipitation is 17 inches, with 50 inches of snowfall. |
Topographic
map of
Meadow Lakes
area
 |
| History, Culture
and Demographics |
| The area has served as a transportation corridor since around 1906, when the first of the trails leading out of Knik to the Gold Mines in the Willow Creek Mining District, the Carle Wagon Road, was constructed. This is now the Wasilla-Fishhook Road. In 1917, Pittman was established on the Alaska Railroad at Mile 166.5, and a water station was added in 1920. The local name was first reported in 1942 by AMS. Homesteaders settled the area after World War II, and the area continued to develop after a Department of Natural Resources land disposal during the mid-1960s. The George Parks Highway was completed in 1971. Low housing costs, the semi-rural lifestyle, and employment in Palmer, Wasilla and Anchorage have supported growth in the Mat-Su Valley.
The population of the community consists of 8.1%
Alaska Native or part Native.
Meadow Lakes is a large settlement north of Wasilla, comprised of approximately 2,000 homes. Students are bused to Wasilla, Big Lake and Houston.
During the 2000 U.S. Census,
total housing units numbered 2,003, and vacant housing units numbered 301.
Vacant housing units used
only seasonally numbered 138.
U.S. Census data for Year
2000 showed 1,978 residents
as employed. The unemployment rate at that time was
9.72 percent,
although
41.7 percent of
all adults were not in the work force. The median household
income was $41,030, per capita income was $17,295, and
17.06 percent of residents
were living below the poverty level.
|
| Facilities,
Utilities, Schools and Health Care |
| Approximately 85% of homes use individual water wells and septic systems, and are fully plumbed. The remainder haul water from a safe source and use outhouses. Some homes have access to piped natural gas for household heating. Refuse is collected by a private firm, or hauled to the Borough landfill in Palmer.
Electricity is provided by Matanuska Electric Association.
There are 2 schools located in the community,
attended by 591
students.
Local hospitals or health clinics include Valley Hospital in Palmer (746-8600) or Anchorage hospitals.
Meadow Lakes is classified as a highway town/Sub-Regional Center, 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 volunteers
Auxiliary health care is provided by Meadow Lakes/Big Lake EMS; Valley Hospital in Palmer or Anchorage hospitals.
|
| Economy
and Transportation |
The Wasilla/Palmer area and Anchorage employ individuals in a wide variety of federal, state, borough, city and private-sector jobs.
The area is connected to the statewide highway system from the George Parks Highway. Nearby Palmer and Wasilla offer air service. |
Organizations
with Local Offices
Community Non-Profit -
Meadow Lakes Community Council
P.O. Box 878666
Wasilla, AK 99687-8666
Phone 907-376-5902
Fax 907-376-5932
E-mail mjanecek@matnet.com
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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