Central is a census-designated place (CDP) in Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area, Alaska, United States. At the 2010 census the population was 96, down from 134 in 2000. Every February, Central hosts a checkpoint for the long-distance Yukon Quest sled dog race.[2]

Central, Alaska
The Steese Roadhouse is a bar, general store, and gas station in Central that serves as a midway point for the Yukon Quest.
The Steese Roadhouse is a bar, general store, and gas station in Central that serves as a midway point for the Yukon Quest.
Location of Central, Alaska
Location of Central, Alaska
Coordinates: 65°32′0″N 144°41′44″W / 65.53333°N 144.69556°W / 65.53333; -144.69556
CountryUnited States
StateAlaska
Census AreaYukon-Koyukuk
Government
 • State senatorClick Bishop (R)
 • State rep.Mike Cronk (R)
Area
 • Total249.38 sq mi (645.91 km2)
 • Land247.92 sq mi (642.11 km2)
 • Water1.46 sq mi (3.79 km2)
Elevation
942 ft (287 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total66
 • Density0.27/sq mi (0.10/km2)
Time zoneUTC-9 (Alaska (AKST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-8 (AKDT)
ZIP code
99730
Area code907
FIPS code02-11690
GNIS feature ID1400106
View of Central, 1941

Geography edit

Central is located at 65°32′0″N 144°41′44″W / 65.53333°N 144.69556°W / 65.53333; -144.69556 (65.533461, -144.695650).[3] The elevation is 942 feet. The Steese Highway (Alaska Route 6) does pass through Central.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 249.4 square miles (646 km2), of which, 247.9 square miles (642 km2) of it is land and 1.5 square miles (3.9 km2) of it (0.60%) is water.

Climate edit

Central has a continental subarctic climate (Köppen Dfc).

Climate data for Central #2, Alaska, 1991–2020 normals, 1905–2011 extremes: 920ft (280m)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 48
(9)
50
(10)
53
(12)
69
(21)
85
(29)
92
(33)
91
(33)
90
(32)
80
(27)
68
(20)
50
(10)
51
(11)
92
(33)
Mean maximum °F (°C) 23.3
(−4.8)
32.1
(0.1)
38.5
(3.6)
58.1
(14.5)
76.3
(24.6)
84.0
(28.9)
86.3
(30.2)
82.3
(27.9)
68.8
(20.4)
46.7
(8.2)
26.9
(−2.8)
20.3
(−6.5)
86.4
(30.2)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) −7.4
(−21.9)
3.2
(−16.0)
16.5
(−8.6)
41.8
(5.4)
59.9
(15.5)
72.3
(22.4)
73.2
(22.9)
66.3
(19.1)
53.0
(11.7)
28.6
(−1.9)
4.9
(−15.1)
−1.4
(−18.6)
34.2
(1.2)
Daily mean °F (°C) −15.7
(−26.5)
−7.8
(−22.1)
1.1
(−17.2)
26.7
(−2.9)
47.0
(8.3)
59.3
(15.2)
61.0
(16.1)
54.2
(12.3)
41.5
(5.3)
20.4
(−6.4)
−2.8
(−19.3)
−9.1
(−22.8)
23.0
(−5.0)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) −24.0
(−31.1)
−18.8
(−28.2)
−14.2
(−25.7)
11.6
(−11.3)
34.2
(1.2)
46.4
(8.0)
48.7
(9.3)
42.1
(5.6)
30.0
(−1.1)
12.1
(−11.1)
−10.4
(−23.6)
−16.7
(−27.1)
11.8
(−11.3)
Mean minimum °F (°C) −49.3
(−45.2)
−42.6
(−41.4)
−33.4
(−36.3)
−14.5
(−25.8)
19.3
(−7.1)
32.7
(0.4)
36.6
(2.6)
27.5
(−2.5)
14.5
(−9.7)
−11.8
(−24.3)
−29.8
(−34.3)
−40.6
(−40.3)
−51.0
(−46.1)
Record low °F (°C) −69
(−56)
−62
(−52)
−50
(−46)
−30
(−34)
−1
(−18)
19
(−7)
18
(−8)
13
(−11)
−2
(−19)
−38
(−39)
−55
(−48)
−61
(−52)
−69
(−56)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 0.53
(13)
0.34
(8.6)
0.27
(6.9)
0.32
(8.1)
0.74
(19)
1.84
(47)
2.57
(65)
1.76
(45)
1.30
(33)
0.87
(22)
0.71
(18)
0.90
(23)
12.15
(308.6)
Average snowfall inches (cm) 8.0
(20)
5.6
(14)
5.2
(13)
3.1
(7.9)
0.6
(1.5)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
2.3
(5.8)
11.9
(30)
10.1
(26)
8.6
(22)
55.4
(140.2)
Source 1: NOAA (1981-2010 precipitation)[4][5]
Source 2: XMACIS2 (records, 1996-2011 monthly max/mins & snowfall)[6]

Demographics edit

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
195041
196028−31.7%
197026−7.1%
19803638.5%
19905244.4%
2000134157.7%
201096−28.4%
202066−31.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]

Central first appeared on the 1950 U.S. Census as an unincorporated village.[8] It was made a census-designated place (CDP) in 1980.[9]

As of the census[10] of 2000, there were 134 people, 67 households, and 33 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 0.5 inhabitants per square mile (0.19/km2). There were 169 housing units at an average density of 0.7 per square mile (0.27/km2). The racial makeup of the CDP was 84.33% White, 7.46% Native American, 0.75% Asian, 2.99% from other races, and 4.48% from two or more races. 0.75% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 67 households, out of which 14.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.3% were married couples living together, 1.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 50.7% were non-families. 43.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 4.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.00 and the average family size was 2.82.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 20.1% under the age of 18, 3.7% from 18 to 24, 27.6% from 25 to 44, 41.8% from 45 to 64, and 6.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females, there were 135.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 143.2 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $36,875, and the median income for a family was $41,250. Males had a median income of $60,750 versus $24,375 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $22,593. There were 15.8% of families and 22.5% of the population living below the poverty line, including 34.6% of under eighteens and none of those over 64.

Education edit

It was previously served by a school of the Yukon Flats School District.[11]

References edit

  1. ^ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
  2. ^ "Yukon Quest Trail Map". Yukon Quest. Retrieved March 26, 2016.
  3. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  4. ^ "Central #2, Alaska 1991-2020 Monthly Normals". Retrieved March 19, 2024.
  5. ^ "Central #2, Alaska 1981-2010 Monthly Normals". Retrieved March 19, 2024.
  6. ^ "xmACIS". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved March 19, 2024.
  7. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". Census.gov. Retrieved June 6, 2013.
  8. ^ "Number of Inhabitants - Alaska" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1950.
  9. ^ "Characteristics of the Populations - Number of Inhabitants - Alaska" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. May 1982.
  10. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  11. ^ "Alaska School Map." Alaska Department of Education. 2013. Retrieved on March 13, 2017.