Big Lake, Alaska

Big Lake is a census-designated place (CDP) in Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Alaska, United States. It is part of the Anchorage, Alaska Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 3,350 at the 2010 census, up from 2,635 in 2000.

Big Lake, Alaska
CDP
Aerial photograph of Big Lake in 1996
Location in Matanuska-Susitna Borough and the state of Alaska.
Coordinates: 61°32′15″N 149°53′28″W
CountryUnited States
StateAlaska
BoroughMatanuska-Susitna
Government
 • Borough mayorVern Halter
 • State senatorCharlie Huggins (R)
 • State rep.Mark Neuman (R)
Area
 • Total144.8 sq mi (375 km2)
 • Land131.9 sq mi (341.7 km2)
 • Water12.9 sq mi (33.3 km2)
Elevation
144 ft (44 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total3,350
Time zoneUTC-9 (Alaska (AKST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-8 (AKDT)
ZIP code
99652
Area code(s)907
FIPS code02-07070
GNIS feature ID1866933

Geography

Big Lake is located at 61°32′15″N 149°53′28″W (61.537449, -149.891104).[1]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 144.8 square miles (375 km2), of which, 131.9 square miles (342 km2) of it is land and 12.9 square miles (33 km2) of it (8.89%) is water.

Climate

Big Lake, Alaska experiences an average of 51.4 inches of snowfall per year, 109 precipitation days, 131 sunny days,[2] and an average annual wind speed of 8.18 MPH.[3]

Climate data for Big Lake, Alaska
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 47
(8)		 49
(9)		 54
(12)		 69
(21)		 83
(28)		 88
(31)		 89
(32)		 86
(30)		 76
(24)		 62
(17)		 54
(12)		 49
(9)		 89
(32)
Average high °F (°C) 16
(−9)		 24
(−4)		 35
(2)		 47
(8)		 60
(16)		 68
(20)		 69
(21)		 66
(19)		 56
(13)		 39
(4)		 22
(−6)		 18
(−8)		 43
(6)
Average low °F (°C) −2
(−19)		 2
(−17)		 8
(−13)		 22
(−6)		 34
(1)		 44
(7)		 49
(9)		 46
(8)		 36
(2)		 33
(1)		 5
(−15)		 1
(−17)		 23
(−5)
Record low °F (°C) −50
(−46)		 −48
(−44)		 −36
(−38)		 −21
(−29)		 16
(−9)		 28
(−2)		 31
(−1)		 22
(−6)		 −14
(−26)		 −20
(−29)		 −40
(−40)		 −42
(−41)		 −50
(−46)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 1.17
(30)		 0.95
(24)		 0.71
(18)		 0.83
(21)		 0.90
(23)		 1.28
(33)		 2.15
(55)		 3.79
(96)		 3.78
(96)		 2.97
(75)		 1.53
(39)		 1.69
(43)		 21.75
(553)
Source: [4]

Parks

The area is home to three Alaska State Parks facilities. Big Lake North State Recreation Site is a 19 acres (7.7 ha) park with a large campground, picnic areas, boat launch, and jetski rentals.[5] Big Lake South State Recreation Site has a smaller campground, picnic sites, and boat launch.[6] Winter activities in both parks include cross country skiing, ice fishing, and dog mushing.

The Rocky Lake State Recreation Site is a 49 acres (20 ha) park with a campground, picnic areas, and lake access.[7]

Demographics

As of the 2010 census, Big Lake had a population of 3,350.[8] As of the 2017 American Community Survey, it was estimated to have 3,136 residents, of whom 53.2% were male, 46.8% were female, 82.8% were white, 5.2% were Native American or Alaska Native, 0.7% were Asian, and 11.3% were two or more races. 5.4% were Hispanic or Latino of any race.[9]

Big Lake
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
196074—
197036−51.4%
19804101,038.9%
19901,477260.2%
20002,63578.4%
20103,35027.1%
U.S. Decennial Census[10]

Big Lake first appeared on the 1960 U.S. Census as an unincorporated village.[11] It was made a census-designated place (CDP) in 1980.[12]

As of the census[13] of 2000, there were 2,635 people, 971 households, and 647 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 20.0 people per square mile (7.7/km2). There were 2,122 housing units at an average density of 16.1/sq mi (6.2/km2). The racial makeup of the CDP was 87.13% White, 0.34% Black or African American, 7.32% Native American, 0.27% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.87% from other races, and 4.02% from two or more races. 1.97% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 971 households, out of which 31.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.1% were married couples living together, 8.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.3% 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 2.60 and the average family size was 3.10.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 27.5% under the age of 18, 6.8% from 18 to 24, 32.3% from 25 to 44, 26.0% from 45 to 64, and 7.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 118.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 125.8 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $43,382, and the median income for a family was $47,542. Males had a median income of $40,000 versus $30,139 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $19,285. About 9.8% of families and 14.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.7% of those under age 18 and 1.0% of those age 65 or over.

Former City of Long Island (1965-1975)
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
19707—
U.S. Decennial Census[14]

Within Big Lake is the former short-lived incorporated city of Long Island, which existed from 1965-1975 and had just 7 residents on the 1970 census.[15][16] It was located on the northeast side of Big Lake at 61°32′35″N 149°52′45″W.[17] This is not to be confused with the former logging camp of Long Island.

References
  1. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  2. http://www.bestplaces.net/climate/city/alaska/big_lake
  3. http://www.usa.com/big-lake-ak-weather.htm
  4. "weather.com". Retrieved October 17, 2012.
  5. Big Lake North SRS Alaska Department of Natural Resources
  6. Big Lake South SRS, Alaska Department of Natural Resources
  7. Rocky Lake SRS, Alaska Department of Natural Resources
  8. Bureau, U. S. Census. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2020-01-31.
  9. Bureau, U. S. Census. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2020-02-04.
  10. "U.S. Decennial Census". Census.gov. Retrieved June 6, 2013.
  11. https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/37721577v1p3ch2.pdf
  12. https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/1980a_akABCD-01.pdf
  13. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  14. "U.S. Decennial Census". Census.gov. Retrieved June 6, 2013.
  15. https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/1970a_ak-01.pdf
  16. https://www.commerce.alaska.gov/web/Portals/4/pub/LBC/04_29_15%20LIST%20OF%20DISSOLVED%20ALASKA%20CITY%20GOVERNMENTS.pdf
  17. https://geonames.usgs.gov/apex/f?p=138:3:0::NO:3:P3_FID,P3_TITLE:1895477,Long%20Island
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