Denali Borough, Alaska

The Denali Borough is a borough located in the U.S. state of Alaska. As of the 2020 census the population of the borough was 1,619, down from 1,826 in 2010.[2][3] The borough seat and most populated community is Healy,[4] and its only incorporated place is Anderson. The borough was incorporated in December 1990.

Denali Borough
Borough
Denali, also known as Mount McKinley, its former official name.
Denali, also known as Mount McKinley, its former official name.
Official seal of Denali Borough
Seal
Map of Alaska highlighting Denali Borough
Location within the U.S. state of Alaska
Map of the United States highlighting Alaska
Alaska's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 63°47′20″N 150°11′30″W
Country United States
State Alaska
IncorporatedDecember 7, 1990[1]
Named forDenali
SeatHealy
Largest CDPHealy
Area
 • Total12,777 sq mi (33,090 km2)
 • Land12,751 sq mi (33,020 km2)
 • Water26 sq mi (70 km2)  0.2%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total1,585
 • Density0.12/sq mi (0.048/km2)
Time zoneUTC−9 (Alaska)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−8 (ADT)
Congressional districtat-large
Websitewww.denaliborough.com

The area was previously a part of the Unorganized Borough, with the Upper Railbelt School District serving as the region's rural education attendance area (which was replaced by a school district under the borough's umbrella upon incorporation).

The earliest inhabitants were nomadic native Alaskans. A mining camp was established near Healy prior to 1902, and construction of the Alaska Railroad brought additional settlers to the area in the early 1920s. Clear Space Force Station, the Usibelli Coal Mine and tourism at the Denali National Park and Preserve have brought growth and development.[5]

Geography

The borough has a total area of 12,777 square miles (33,090 km2), of which 12,751 square miles (33,020 km2) is land and 26 square miles (67 km2) (0.2%) is water.[6]

The borough contains North America's highest point: Denali (formerly Mount McKinley), from which it derives its name, at 6,190.5 m (20,310 ft).

National protected area

Adjacent boroughs and census areas

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
20001,893—
20101,826−3.5%
20201,619−11.3%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
1990–2000[8] 2010–2019[3]

At the 2000 census there were 1,893 people, 785 households, and 452 families residing in the borough. The population density was 0.148 people per square mile (0.057 people/km2). There were 1,351 housing units at an average density of 0.106 per square mile (0.041/km2). The racial makeup of the borough was 85.74% White, 1.43% Black or African American, 4.75% Native American, 1.53% Asian, 0.37% Pacific Islander, 0.95% from other races, and 5.23% from two or more races. 2.48%.[9] were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Of the 785 households 31.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.40% were married couples living together, 4.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.30% were non-families. 35.00% of households were one person and 1.40% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 3.03.

The age distribution was 23.80% under the age of 18, 6.70% from 18 to 24, 36.80% from 25 to 44, 29.70% from 45 to 64, and 3.10% 65 or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 139.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 147.10 males.

Denali Borough is the 63rd highest-income county in the United States, and highest-income county in Alaska, by personal per capita income as of 2009.[10]

2020 Census
Races (alone or in combination with other) in Denali Borough (2020 United States Census) [11]
RacePercentage of Population
White93.33%
Black or African American1.24%
American Indian or Alaska Native8.46%
Asian3.09%
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander0.93%
Some other race2.66%

Politics

Apart from the two Democratic victories in 1960 and 1964, Denali Borough was carried by Republicans in presidential elections except in 1992, when it was carried by Reform candidate Ross Perot.

United States presidential election results for Denali Borough, Alaska[12]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 637 54.87% 478 41.17% 46 3.96%
2016 585 52.89% 393 35.53% 128 11.57%
2012 292 53.19% 234 42.62% 23 4.19%
2008 447 66.12% 205 30.33% 24 3.55%
2004 314 74.41% 98 23.22% 10 2.37%
2000 447 73.28% 112 18.36% 51 8.36%
1996 249 46.72% 239 44.84% 45 8.44%
1992 335 29.52% 363 31.98% 437 38.50%
1988 520 58.10% 313 34.97% 62 6.93%
1984 638 70.19% 225 24.75% 46 5.06%
1980 442 53.58% 172 20.85% 211 25.58%
1976 402 57.10% 244 34.66% 58 8.24%
1972 370 60.76% 196 32.18% 43 7.06%
1968 282 45.78% 197 31.98% 137 22.24%
1964 240 43.56% 311 56.44% 0 0.00%
1960 68 38.42% 109 61.58% 0 0.00%

Communities
Dave Talerico represented the Denali Borough and surrounding regions in the 29th, 30th, and 31st Legislature's of the Alaska House of Representatives. Talerico took office in 2015, becoming the first Denali Borough resident to serve in the Alaska Legislature since 1993. Prior to that, he was the borough's longest-serving mayor, from 2002 until resigning in 2012 to take a staff position in the legislature.[13]

City

Census-designated places

Other unincorporated communities

Historical locations

In the Twilight Saga by Stephenie Meyer, the Denali vampire coven (consisting of Tanya, Kate, Irina, Eleazar and Carmen and later Garrett) lives in Denali because of the lack of sunlight.

The film Into the Wild, based on a book of the same name, featured a bus where Christopher McCandless died became a destination for film fans. The 1940s bus was taken to a remote trail about 60 years ago (from 2020) by a road crew, according to Denali Borough Mayor, Clay Walker. Visitors to the site had to cross the Teklanika River. In 2019 a newlywed Belarusian woman drowned trying to cross the swollen river on her way to the site. Another drowning took place in 2010. A stranded Brazilian had to be rescued in April 2020 and five Italians were rescued in February 2020, with one suffering from severe frostbite. In total 15 bus-related search and rescue operations for visitors to the bus were carried out between 2009 and 2017. In June 2020 the bus was removed because of public safety concerns. It was air-lifted by a US army Chinook helicopter. Alaskan authorities are quoted as saying the bus would be kept in a "secure location" until a decision is made about its future. Clay Walker said, "It (the bus) is part of our history and it does feel a little bittersweet to see a piece of our history go down the road."[14]

See also

References
  1. 1996 Alaska Municipal Officials Directory. Juneau: Alaska Municipal League/Alaska Department of Community and Regional Affairs. January 1996. p. 4.
  2. "2020 Census Data - Cities and Census Designated Places" (Web). State of Alaska, Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
  3. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved May 18, 2014.
  4. "Denali Borough, Alaska". National Association of Counties. Retrieved November 6, 2021.
  5. "The History of Denali Borough, Alaska". ExploreNorth. Retrieved November 6, 2021.
  6. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  7. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 18, 2014.
  8. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved May 18, 2014.
  9. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  10. "Per capita personal income, 2009". Archived from the original on September 29, 2007. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
  11. "2020 Census Demographic Data Map Viewer".
  12. Elections, RRH (February 2, 2018). "RRH Elections". rrhelections.com. Retrieved January 12, 2020.
  13. Denali Borough Resolution No. 12-32
  14. "'Into The Wild' bus removed from Alaska wilderness". BBC News. June 19, 2020. Retrieved June 19, 2020.

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63°47′20″N 150°11′30″W

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