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Trapper Creek
| Current Population: |
407
(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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Trapper Creek lies between mile 107 and 133 of the George Parks Highway, in the Mat-Su Borough. It lies about 17 miles north of the Talkeetna Spur Road, and west of the junction of the Chulitna, Susitna and Talkeetna Rivers. The community
lies at approximately 62.316670° North Latitude
and -150.231390° West Longitude.
(Sec. 29, T026N, R005W, Seward Meridian.)
Trapper Creek is located in the
Talkeetna Recording District.
January temperatures range from -30 to 33; July can range from 42 to 83. Rainfall ranges from 16 to 27 inches, with 48 to 150 inches of snowfall. |
Topographic
map of
Trapper Creek
area
 |
| History, Culture
and Demographics |
| The area is Dena'ina Athabascan Indian territory. Once gold was discovered on Cache Creek in 1906, prospectors traveled up the Susitna River to Susitna Station, and overland past Trapper Creek to Cache Creek. In 1920, the Alaska Road Commission started construction of a wagon road to Cache Creek from Talkeetna. Federal homesteading began here in 1948. In 1959, the "Fifty-Niners," a group of settlers from Detroit, Michigan, moved to Talkeetna and then on to Trapper Creek to find homesteads. They lived in trailers and tents before building log cabins. The Parks Highway opened as far as Trapper Creek in 1967, and was completed in 1971.
The population of the community consists of 11.3%
Alaska Native or part Native.
Trapper Creek has developed from homesteading through the 1960s, and some recent new subdivisions. Recreation, hunting, snowmobiling and dog mushing are popular activities. Middle and high school students attend Susitna Valley in Y, at Milepost 98.
During the 2000 U.S. Census,
total housing units numbered 361, and vacant housing units numbered 179.
Vacant housing units used
only seasonally numbered 162.
U.S. Census data for Year
2000 showed 125 residents
as employed. The unemployment rate at that time was
8.09 percent,
although
57.04 percent of
all adults were not in the work force. The median household
income was $27,031, per capita income was $18,247, and
24.68 percent of residents
were living below the poverty level.
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| Facilities,
Utilities, Schools and Health Care |
| The majority of occupied homes use individual wells and septic tanks. The school operates its own permitted well water system. A Borough refuse transfer station is located at mile 15.3 of the Parks Hwy. Electricity is available on Petersville Road for approximately 6 miles west of the Parks Highway. Residents beyond this point use individual generators.
Electricity is provided by Matanuska Electric Association.
There is one school located in the community,
attended by 22
students.
Local hospitals or health clinics include Valley Hospital in Palmer (746-8600) or Sunshine Community Health Center in Talkeetna (733-2273).
Trapper Creek is classified as a highway village, it is found in EMS Region 2C in the Mat-Su Region. Emergency Services have highway and air access. Emergency service is provided by 911 Telephone Service and volunteers
Auxiliary health care is provided by Trapper Creek Ambulance Service (373-8800/745-4811); Valley Hospital in Palmer; Sunshine Community Health Center in Talkeetna or Anchorage hospitals.
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| Economy
and Transportation |
Subsistence and sporting activities are an integral part of the lifestyle. Some residents are retired. Those who are employed work in a variety of industries such as education, transportation and construction. Seven residents hold commercial fishing permits.
Trapper Creek is accessible from the George Parks Highway. A variety of transportation means are available in Wasilla, Palmer and Anchorage. ERA Aviation operates a private heliport in Trapper Creek. |
Organizations
with Local Offices
Community Non-Profit -
Trapper Creek Community Council
P.O. Box 13021
Trapper Creek, AK 99683-0021
Phone 907-733-2721
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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