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Current Population: 1,826 (2010)
Borough Located In: Denali Borough
Taxes: 7% Bed

Location and Climate
Denali Borough lies in Interior Alaska, between the Fairbanks North Star and Mat-Su Boroughs. It lies about 110 miles south of Fairbanks on the Parks Highway. 70% of the Borough is the Denali National Park, home to Mount McKinley, the highest mountain in North America, at 20,320'. It lies at approximately 63.850000° North Latitude and -148.966667° West Longitude. The area encompasses 12,749.7 sq. miles of land and 24.9 sq. miles of water.

The Borough experiences a cold, continental climate. Temperatures range from -3 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. The average annual precipitation is 12.7 inches, and average annual snowfall is 49.3 inches.

History, Culture and Demographics
The earliest inhabitants were nomadic Indians who fished, trapped and hunted through the Interior. The first non-Native settlers were miners, who established a camp at Hoseanna Creek near Healy (later known as Lignite Creek) prior to 1902. Formation of the Denali National Park in 1917 and construction of the Alaska Railroad brought additional settlers to the area in the early 1920s. Coal mining began in the area in 1922. Clear Air Force Base, the Usibelli Coal Mine and tourism at the Denali Park have brought growth and development. The Borough was incorporated in December 1990.

Nearly all residents live along the Parks Highway.

According to Census 2010, there were 1,771 housing units in the community and 806 were occupied. Its population was 3.6 percent American Indian or Alaska Native; 89.6 percent white; 0.5 percent black; 1 percent Asian; 0.1 percent Pacific Islander; 4.4 percent of the local residents had multi-racial backgrounds. Additionally, 2.3 percent of the population was of Hispanic decent.

Economy and Transportation
The Usibelli Coal Mine, Clear Air Force Station, Golden Valley Electric Assoc., the Borough School District, the National Park Service, and tourism-related industries and road services provide the majority of employment in the Denali Borough. Denali National Park is a major visitor attraction; over 350,000 visitors use the Park for recreation annually. Hotels, cabins, RV campgrounds, rafting guides, sightseeing, restaurants and gift shops serve visitors. Nearly 40% of the summer employees in the area come from outside Alaska, and another 42% from outside the borough.

The George Parks Highway provides access to Anchorage and Fairbanks year-round. The Denali Highway is open only during the summer, from Cantwell to Paxson, to provide a shorter route to the Alaska Highway. The Alaska Railroad also serves Interior Alaska. There are several airstrips within the Borough. Tours by bus, aircraft and helicopter operate during summer months.

Backcountry Safaris P.O. Box 1397 Seward, Alaska USA 99664 1-907-205-5900 • Fax 1-907-205-5902