Houston (Alaska)
| Houston | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Location in Alaska
|
|||
| Basic data | |||
| Foundation : | June 6, 1966 | ||
| State : | United States | ||
| State : | Alaska | ||
| Borough : | Matanuska-Susitna Borough | ||
| Coordinates : | 61 ° 37 ′ N , 149 ° 46 ′ W | ||
| Time zone : | Alaska ( UTC − 9 / −8 ) | ||
| Residents : | 1,910 (as of 2010) | ||
| Population density : | 32.9 inhabitants per km 2 | ||
| Area : | 61 km 2 (approx. 24 mi 2 ) of which 58 km 2 (approx. 22 mi 2 ) are land |
||
| Height : | 76 m | ||
| Postal code : | 99694 | ||
| Area code : | +1 907 | ||
| FIPS : | 02-33800 | ||
| GNIS ID : | 1416613 | ||
| Website : | www.houstonak.com | ||
Houston is a city in Matanuska-Susitna Borough in Alaska in the United States . The city is located north of Wasilla on the Little Susitna River and is accessible via the George Parks Highway .
history
The city's history dates back to the Herning Trail (now Willow Creek Sled Trail). It carried cargo to the Willow Creek Mining District. A "Houston siding" was first mentioned in 1917 on a draft map of the Alaska Railroad . The siding was named after Congressman Houston of Tennessee . Several coal mines developed in the area between 1917–1918. In 1966 Houston was named a city. In 1996 a forest fire destroyed 151 km² of forest in the area and 433 buildings.
economy
Many residents work in the nearby towns of Wasilla and Palmer, as well as Anchorage . Houston is a popular fishing and recreation destination on the Little Susitna River.
Demographics
At the time of the 2000 census ( US Census 2000 ) Houston had 1,202 inhabitants on a land area of 58 km². The median age was 34.1 years (US national mean: 35.3 years). The per capita income ( English per capita income ) amounted to US $ 17,213 (national average of USA: US $ 21,587). 17.1% of the population had their income below the poverty line (national average in the USA: 12.4%). 13.3% of the population are of German descent and 13.0% are of Irish descent.