Susitna North is a

census-designated place A census-designated place (CDP) is a Place (United States Census Bureau), concentration of population defined by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes only. CDPs have been used in each decennial census since 1980 as the counte ...

(CDP) in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough in the U.S. state of

Alaska Alaska ( ) is a non-contiguous U.S. state on the northwest extremity of North America. Part of the Western United States region, it is one of the two non-contiguous U.S. states, alongside Hawaii. Alaska is also considered to be the north ...

. It is part of the

Anchorage, Alaska Anchorage, officially the Municipality of Anchorage, is the List of cities in Alaska, most populous city in the U.S. state of Alaska. With a population of 291,247 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, it contains nearly 40 percent of ...

Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 1,564 at the 2020 census, up from 1,260 in 2010. The CDP was formerly named Y (), for the intersection of the George Parks Highway and the Talkeetna Spur Road. In the immediate vicinity of this intersection is a community center, containing a health clinic, law enforcement ( Alaska State Troopers), Susitna Valley High School, and retail services for highway travelers such as gasoline and food.

History

Ahtna-speaking

Athabascan Athabaskan ( ; also spelled ''Athabascan'', ''Athapaskan'' or ''Athapascan'', and also known as Dene) is a large branch of the Na-Dene language family of North America, located in western North America in three areal language groups: Northern, ...

s lived in the Talkeetna Mountains and had a village opposite the mouth of Sunshine Creek called "Tsuk Qayeh", meaning "Old Village." Dena'ina-speaking Athabascans lived along the Deshka River and the middle Susitna River in the winter, below present-day Talkeetna. A Dena'ina village was located on the North Fork of the Kashwitna River, with a trail to Chickaloon, Alaska. Montana Creek became a small Dena'ina village in about 1915 during construction of the Alaska Railroad. Through 1927, the railroad brought employment and settlement to the area. Montana, at Mile 209.3, was one of the first construction camps. In 1918, a spur was constructed to a coal mine in the area. Sunshine Depot at Mile 215.3 was established in 1918, but was moved to higher ground in 1936. Construction of the Parks Highway and state land disposals led to settlement of the area.

Geography

Y is located at (62.154270, -149.79892) (Sec. 22, T024N, R003W, Seward Meridian) in the Palmer Recording District. Y is the developed area between

Willow Willows, also called sallows and osiers, of the genus ''Salix'', comprise around 350 species (plus numerous hybrids) of typically deciduous trees and shrubs, found primarily on moist soils in cold and temperate regions. Most species are known ...

and Talkeetna along the George Parks Highway. The Parks Highway and Talkeetna Spur Road form what is locally known as the "Talkeetna Y" at mile 98.7 (km 158.8) of the Parks Highway. Y includes Montana Creek and Sunshine. January temperatures range from ; July can range from . Precipitation ranges from , with of snowfall. According to the

United States Census Bureau The United States Census Bureau, officially the Bureau of the Census, is a principal agency of the Federal statistical system, U.S. federal statistical system, responsible for producing data about the American people and American economy, econ ...

, the CDP has a total area of , of which, of it is land and of it (0.92%) is water.

Demographics

Susitna North first appeared on the 1960 U.S. Census as the unincorporated village of "Montana." Montana was made a census-designated place (CDP) in 1980. It was dissolved in 1990. In 2000, the new CDP of "Y" was created. As of 2010, the name was changed to the present Susitna North. As of the census of 2000, there were 956 people, 412 households, and 252 families residing in the CDP. The population density was . There were 818 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the CDP was 85.88%

White White is the lightest color and is achromatic (having no chroma). It is the color of objects such as snow, chalk, and milk, and is the opposite of black. White objects fully (or almost fully) reflect and scatter all the visible wa ...

, 0.63%

Black Black is a color that results from the absence or complete absorption of visible light. It is an achromatic color, without chroma, like white and grey. It is often used symbolically or figuratively to represent darkness.Eva Heller, ''P ...

African American African Americans, also known as Black Americans and formerly also called Afro-Americans, are an Race and ethnicity in the United States, American racial and ethnic group that consists of Americans who have total or partial ancestry from an ...

, 6.59% Native American, 0.63% Asian, 0.84% from other races, and 5.44% from two or more races. 2.30% of the population were

Hispanic The term Hispanic () are people, Spanish culture, cultures, or countries related to Spain, the Spanish language, or broadly. In some contexts, Hispanic and Latino Americans, especially within the United States, "Hispanic" is used as an Ethnici ...

or Latino of any race. There were 412 households, out of which 29.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.6% were married couples living together, 9.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.6% were non-families. 32.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.90. In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 24.8% under the age of 18, 5.3% from 18 to 24, 29.4% from 25 to 44, 32.0% from 45 to 64, and 8.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 117.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 118.5 males. The median income for a household in the CDP was $31,848, and the median income for a family was $38,304. Males had a median income of $54,500 versus $35,625 for females. The

per capita income Per capita income (PCI) or average income measures the average income earned per person in a given area (city, region, country, etc.) in a specified year. In many countries, per capita income is determined using regular population surveys, such ...

for the CDP was $15,437. About 9.5% of families and 17.4% of the population were below the

poverty line The poverty threshold, poverty limit, poverty line, or breadline is the minimum level of income deemed adequate in a particular country. The poverty line is usually calculated by estimating the total cost of one year's worth of necessities for ...

, including 12.4% of those under age 18 and 13.2% of those age 65 or over.

Economy and transportation

The area of the Talkeetna Spur Rd. and George Parks intersection has the highest density of businesses (grocery store, gas station, hardware store, banking). Some residents are self-employed in a variety of small businesses, including lodging, guiding and charter services. Some residents are employed in the Palmer/ Wasilla area. The community is accessible from the George Parks Highway. The Talkeetna airstrip is located nearby. A variety of transportation means are available in Wasilla, Palmer and

Anchorage Anchorage, officially the Municipality of Anchorage, is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Alaska. With a population of 291,247 at the 2020 census, it contains nearly 40 percent of the state's population. The Anchorage metropolita ...

Facilities, utilities, schools, and health care

The majority of occupied homes have individual wells, septic tanks, and complete plumbing or haul water and have outhouses. Seasonal-use homes haul water and use outhouses. Talkeetna Refuse operates a refuse transfer station at Y, at mile .5 of the Talkeetna Spur Rd. Electricity is provided by Matanuska Electric Association. There is a Jr/Sr. High School located in the community, attended by about 200 students. Local hospitals or health clinics include Sunshine Community Health Center at mile 4 of the Talkeetna Spur Rd. or Dr. James Yates in Talkeetna or Mat-Su Regional Medical Center Located between Wasilla and Palmer at the Junction of the Parks Hwy. and Glenn Hwy. Auxiliary health care is provided by Talkeetna Ambulance Service; Trapper Creek Ambulance Service; Sunshine Community Health Center; Mat-Su Regional Medical Center or Anchorage hospitals.

References