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Nelchina
(nell-CHEE-nuh)
| Current Population: |
55
(2008 Estimated Population (not Certified))
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| Incorporation Type: |
Unincorporated |
| Borough Located In: |
Unorganized |
| Taxes: |
No taxing authority
|
|
| Location
and Climate |
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Nelchina is located between Milepost 137.5 and 150.5 of the Glenn Highway, at the junction of the Little Nelchina River and Crooked Creek. It is about 30 miles west of Glennallen and Mendeltna, just east of the Mat-Su Borough boundary. The community
lies at approximately 61.990520° North Latitude
and -146.770400° West Longitude.
(Sec. 6, T002N, R008W, Copper River Meridian.)
Nelchina is located in the
Chitina Recording District.
It is located in the continental climate zone. Temperature extremes range from -74 to 96. Snowfall averages 39 inches, with total precipitation of 9 inches per year. |
Topographic
map of
Nelchina
area
 |
| History, Culture
and Demographics |
| Nelchina is an Athabascan Indian name. Gold in the creeks draining from the Chugach Mountains brought prospectors to this area in the late 1800s. Nelchina area offered several trails into the mountains. Nelchina was a mining settlement established around 1913. It was first reported by Theodore Chapin in a 1915 USGS publication.
The population of the community consists of 9.9%
Alaska Native or part Native.
The community consists of approximately 33 homes, nearly all occupied year-round. The Nelchina-Mendeltna Community Association has been organized to advocate for local issues and planning.
During the 2000 U.S. Census,
total housing units numbered 33, and vacant housing units numbered 6.
Vacant housing units used
only seasonally numbered 3.
U.S. Census data for Year
2000 showed 17 residents
as employed. The unemployment rate at that time was
15 percent,
although
65.31 percent of
all adults were not in the work force. The median household
income was $40,625, per capita income was $10,743, and
17.81 percent of residents
were living below the poverty level.
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| Facilities,
Utilities, Schools and Health Care |
| Water and sewer facilities are privately owned. The majority haul water or have water delivered by truck from Glennallen, but some have individual wells. Outhouses and septic tanks are used for sewage disposal. An Alaska Dept. of Transportation maintenance station (milepost 141) and a nonprofit refuse transfer facility (milepost 149.3) are located in the area. There is a state-stocked public access lake at milepost 149.2.
Electricity is provided by Copper Valley Electric Assoc.
There are no state operated schools located in the community.
Local hospitals or health clinics include Cross Road Medical Center in Glennallen (907-822-3203).
Nelchina is classified as an isolated village, it is found in EMS Region 2E in the Copper River Region. Emergency Services have highway and helicopter access. Emergency service is provided by 911 Telephone Service and volunteers
Auxiliary health care is provided by 30-mile drive to Cross Road Medical Center in Glennallen.
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| Economy
and Transportation |
Slide Mountain Cabins (milepost 135) on the Glenn Hwy. provides cabins and RV sites (no convenience items). Additional lodging is available at the Nelchina Motel (milepost 143). Grizzly Country Enterprises (milepost 149) operates a grocery story, gift shop, repair shop, parts store, and towing company, in addition to offering cabin rentals.
The community lies on the Glenn Highway and accesses the statewide road system. There are several air strips in the area. Snowmachining is a prevalent local means of transportation. |
Organizations
with Local Offices
Community Non-Profit -
Nelchina/Mendeltna Corp.
HC 01 Box 2430
Glennallen, AK 99588
Phone 907-822-3727
Regional
Organizations
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