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Tonsina
(TAWN-see-nuh); a.k.a. Lower Tonsina
For Photos of Tonsina click here
| Current Population: |
76
(2008 Estimated Population (not Certified))
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| Incorporation Type: |
Unincorporated |
| Borough Located In: |
Unorganized |
| Taxes: |
No taxing authority
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| Location
and Climate |
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Tonsina is located at mile 79 on the Richardson Highway, south of the Tonsina River, next to Kenny Lake, 52 miles northeast of Valdez. The community
lies at approximately 61.655830° North Latitude
and -145.175280° West Longitude.
(Sec. 35, T002S, R001E, Copper River Meridian.)
Tonsina is located in the
Chitina Recording District.
Tonsina lies in the continental climate zone. Temperature extremes range from -58 to 91. Snowfall averages 52 inches, with total precipitation of 12 inches per year. |
Topographic
map of
Tonsina
area
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| History, Culture
and Demographics |
| A U.S. Army Signal Corps telegraph station, post office and general store were established here in 1902. The Tonsina Lodge was built in 1903 along the Valdez-Eagle Trail; it burned in 1928. The Tiekel Lodge and Tsaina Lodge were also built in this area. Development began during the oil era. Pump Station 12 was constructed nearby to move oil over Thompsen Pass to the pipeline terminal in Valdez.
The population of the community consists of 9.8%
Alaska Native or part Native.
There is no clearly-defined community in Tonsina; it is best characterized as an occupied geographic area.
During the 2000 U.S. Census,
total housing units numbered 45, and vacant housing units numbered 11.
Vacant housing units used
only seasonally numbered 2.
U.S. Census data for Year
2000 showed 18 residents
as employed. The unemployment rate at that time was
28 percent,
although
72.73 percent of
all adults were not in the work force. The median household
income was $32,188, per capita income was $13,390, and
6.73 percent of residents
were living below the poverty level.
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| Facilities,
Utilities, Schools and Health Care |
| Households have individual water wells and septic systems and are fully plumbed. Seasonal residents have water delivered by truck or haul water from a public tap. Copper Basin Sanitation provides garbage collection, and hauls refuse to the Glennallen landfill.
Electricity is provided by Copper Valley Electric Assoc.
There are no state operated schools located in the community.
Local hospitals or health clinics include Copper Center Health Clinic (822-3541) in Copper Center or Cross Road Medical Center in Glennallen (822-3203).
Tonsina is classified as an isolated village, it is found in EMS Region 2E in the Copper River Region. Emergency Services have highway and air access. Emergency service is provided by volunteers
Auxiliary health care is provided by Copper Center Clinic or Cross Road Medical Center in Glennallen.
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| Economy
and Transportation |
Roadhouses, the Ernestine State Highway Maintenance camp, and Alyeska Pipeline Pump Station 12 are the nearest employers. Subsistence activities supplement income.
Tonsina is connected to the remainder of the state road system by the Richardson Highway. A State-owned airstrip is available at Upper Tonsina, and other airstrips are in the vicinity. |
Organizations
with Local Offices
Regional
Organizations
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