Knik River, Alaska
Location of Susitna, Alaska
Coordinates: 61°30′28″N 149°0′13″W / 61.50778, -149.00361
Country	United States
State	Alaska
Borough	Matanuska-Susitna
Area
- Total	93.2 sq mi (241.3 km²)
- Land	90.4 sq mi (234.2 km²)
- Water	2.8 sq mi (7.1 km²)
Population (2000)
- Total	582
- Density	6.4/sq mi (2.5/km²)
Time zone	Alaska (AKST) (UTC-9)
- Summer (DST)	AKDT (UTC-8)
Area code(s)	907
FIPS code	02-40670

Knik River (pronounced /ˈknɪk/) is an unincorporated community and census-designated place in Matanuska-Susitna Borough in the U.S. state of Alaska. It is part of the Anchorage, Alaska Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2000 census, the population was 582. A state demographer estimated the population at 632 in 2004.

Location and Climate

Location

Knik River is located at 61°28′15″N, 148°51′38″W (Sec. 24, T016N, R003W, Seward Meridian), in the Palmer Recording District.

The community is at the head of the Knik Arm of Cook Inlet in Southcentral Alaska, 27 km (17 miles) northeast of Anchorage. The community has developed along the south bank of the Knik River, which flows into Knik Arm, at the southern border of the Mat-Su Borough. It lies along the Old Glenn Highway and Knik River Road.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 93.2 square miles (241.3 km²), of which, 90.4 square miles (234.2 km²) of it is land and 2.8 square miles (7.1 km²) of it (2.95%) is water.

Climate

The temperatures in January range from -35°F (-37°C) to 33°F (1°C); in July, 42°F (6°C) to 85°F (29°C). Annual precipitation is 16.5 inches (42 cm), including 43 inches (109 cm) of snowfall.

History, Culture and Demographics

The Dena'ina Athabascans were the earliest inhabitants of the region. They traveled through the area on a winter trail from Eklutna up the Knik River to the Copper River. The Palmer Road, now the Old Glenn Highway, was built through the area to Palmer in 1942. A lodge on Goat Creek was popular with travelers. The Eklutna Power Project was also built in the 1940s, including tract housing for employees. Knik River Road started as a logging road in the early 1950s; a gravel road was built in the late 1960s. The road is now paved up to Hunter Creek.

As of the census^[1] of 2000, there were 582 people, 216 households, and 147 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 6.4 people per square mile (2.5/km²). There were 263 housing units at an average density of 2.9/sq mi (1.1/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 85.74% White, 0.17% Black or African American, 6.70% Native American, 0.86% Pacific Islander, 1.37% from other races, and 5.15% from two or more races. 2.58% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

The population of the community consists of 11.5% Alaska Native or part Native. The area is semi-rural, with ready access to the amenities of Anchorage. Students are bused to schools in Butte and Palmer. During the 2000 U.S. Census, total housing units numbered 263, and vacant housing units numbered 47. Vacant housing units used only seasonally numbered 18. U.S. Census data for 2000 showed 297 residents as employed. The unemployment rate at that time was 21.14 percent, although 40.05 percent of all adults were not in the work force. The median household income was $55,000, per capita income was $19,104, and 15.3 percent of residents were living below the poverty level.

There were 216 households out of which 38.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.9% were married couples living together, 5.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.5% were non-families. 24.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.69 and the average family size was 3.22.

In the CDP the population was spread out with 31.3% under the age of 18, 5.3% from 18 to 24, 35.4% from 25 to 44, 23.7% from 45 to 64, and 4.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 108.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 119.8 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $55,000, and the median income for a family was $55,000. Males had a median income of $36,071 versus $27,143 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $19,104. About 19.7% of families and 15.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.8% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.

Facilities, Utilities, Schools and Health Care

Most homes use individual wells and septic systems. There are a few private piped systems; some residents haul water and use outhouses. The Eklutna Power Project is located in the community. The Borough provides a refuse transfer site in Butte. Electricity is provided by Matanuska Electric Association. There are no state operated schools located in the community. Local hospitals or health clinics include Valley Hospital in Palmer (746-8600) or Anchorage hospitals. Auxiliary health care is provided by Butte Ambulance Service (373-8800/745-4811), Anchorage or Palmer hospitals.

Economy and Transportation

Many residents are employed in Anchorage or the Palmer/Wasilla area in a variety of positions in the private and public sectors. Retail trade, transportation, and education are the primary employers.

Knik River lies off the Glenn Highway. Many forms of transportation are available in nearby Palmer and Anchorage.

Taxes

Sales: None, Property: 11.483 mills (Borough), Special: 5% Accommodations Tax (Borough)

Regional Organizations

Community Non-Profit - South Knik River Community Council
HC 02 Box 7691-I
Palmer, AK 99645-9710
Phone 907-746-6414
E-mail cswrrceo@mtaonline.net

Borough - Matanuska-Susitna Borough
350 East Dahlia Avenue
Palmer, AK 99645
Phone 907-745-4801
Fax 907-745-9845
E-mail Timothy.Anderson@matsugov.us
http://www.matsugov.us/

Regional Native Health Corporation - Southcentral Foundation
4501 Diplomacy, Suite 200
Anchorage, AK 99508
Phone 907-729-5235
Fax 907-729-4972
E-mail katherineg@scf.cc
http://www.southcentralfoundation.com/index.cfm

Regional Development - Mat-Su Resource Conser. & Dev.
1700 E. Bogard #203
Wasilla, AK 99654
Phone 907-373-1062
Fax 907-373-1064
E-mail matsurcd@mtaonline.net

External links and references

• State of Alaska, Division of Community Advocacy, Community Information Summary

• Knik River, Alaska is at coordinates 61°28′16″N 148°51′38″W / 61.470970, -148.86064 (Knik River, Alaska)Coordinates: 61°28′16″N 148°51′38″W / 61.470970, -148.86064 (Knik River, Alaska)

v â€¢ d â€¢ e Municipalities and communities of Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Alaska
Borough seat: Palmer
Cities	Houston | Palmer | Wasilla
CDPs	Big Lake | Buffalo Soapstone | Butte | Chase | Chickaloon | Farm Loop | Fishhook | Gateway | Glacier View | Knik River | Knik-Fairview | Lake Louise | Lakes | Lazy Mountain | Meadow Lakes | Petersville | Point MacKenzie | Skwentna | Susitna | Sutton-Alpine | Talkeetna | Tanaina | Trapper Creek | Willow | Y

References

1. ^ American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.