Nelchina, Alaska

Nelchina (Xaz Ghae Na’ in Ahtna) is a census-designated place (CDP) in Valdez-Cordova Census Area, Alaska, United States. The population was 59 at the 2010 census, down from 71 in 2000.

Nelchina Xaz Ghae Na’
CDP
Nelchina Location within the state of Alaska
Coordinates: 61°59′24″N 146°46′43.8″W
Country	United States
State	Alaska
Census Area	Valdez-Cordova
Government
• State senator	Mike Dunleavy (R)
• State rep.	George Rauscher (R)
Area
• Total	46.7 sq mi (121.0 km^2)
• Land	46.0 sq mi (119.2 km^2)
• Water	0.7 sq mi (1.8 km^2)
Elevation	2,402 ft (732 m)
Population  (2010)
• Total	59
• Density	1.3/sq mi (0.49/km^2)
Time zone	UTC-9 (Alaska (AKST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-8 (AKDT)
Zip Code	99588
Area code(s)	907
FIPS code	02-52915
GNIS feature ID	1865559

Geography

Nelchina appears on the Valdez D-8 on the U.S.Geological Survey Map. The elevation is 2,402 feet. Nelchina is located between Milepost 137.5 and 150.5 of the Glenn Highway, at the junction of the Little Nelchina River and Crooked Creek. It is about 30 miles west of Glennallen and Mendeltna, just east of Mat-Su Borough Boundary. Nelchina is located at the Chitina Recording Districet.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 46.7 square miles (121 km²), of which, 46.0 square miles (119 km²) of it is land and 0.7 square miles (1.8 km²) of it (1.48%) is water.

Climate

Nelchina is located at the continental climate zone. Temperature extremes range from -74 to 96. Snowfall averages 39 inches, with total precipitation of 9 inches per year.

History

Nelchina is an Athabascan Indian name. Gold in the creeks draining from Chugach Mountains brought prospectors to this area in the late 1800s. Nelchina area offered several trails into the mountains. Nelchina was a mining settlement established in 1913. It was first reported by Theodore Chaplin in a 1915 USGS publication.

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.		%±
2000	71		—
2010	59		−16.9%
U.S. Decennial Census[1]

Nelchina first appeared on the 2000 U.S. Census as a census-designated place (CDP).

As of the census[2] of 2000, there were 71 people, 27 households, and 20 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 1.5 people per square mile (0.6/km²). There were 33 housing units at an average density of 0.7/sq mi (0.3/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 90.14% White, 4.23% Native American, and 5.63% from two or more races.

Of the 27 households, 25.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.7% were married couples living together, and 25.9% were non-families. 25.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 3.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.15.

In the CDP, the age distribution of the population shows 28.2% under the age of 18, 5.6% from 18 to 24, 19.7% from 25 to 44, 32.4% from 45 to 64, and 14.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females, there were 153.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 131.8 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $40,625, and the median income for a family was $40,625. Males had a median income of $37,917 versus $18,750 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $10,742. There were 19.0% of families and 17.8% of the population living below the poverty line, including 10.0% of under eighteens and none of those over 64.

Education

The Copper River School District previously operated the Lottie Sparks School in Nelchina.[3]

References

1. "U.S. Decennial Census". Census.gov. Retrieved June 6, 2013.
2. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
3. "students_-_5000_series.pdf Archived 2017-02-14 at the Wayback Machine." CRSD Policy Manual 04/98. Copper River School District. PDF p. 41/210. Retrieved on February 14, 2017. "Lottie Sparks (Nelchina) School:"