Delta Junction

Population: 984

Location and Climate
Delta Junction is located at the convergence of the Richardson and Alaska Highways, approximately 95 miles southeast of Fairbanks. The City developed along the east bank of the Delta River, south of its junction with the Tanana River. It offers spectacular views of the Alaska Range. It lies at approximately 64.037780° North Latitude and -145.73222° West Longitude. (Sec. 23, T010S, R010E, Fairbanks Meridian.) Delta Junction is located in the Fairbanks Recording District. The area encompasses 17.3 sq. miles of land and 0.0 sq. miles of water. This area of Interior Alaska experiences seasonal extremes. The average low temperature in January is -11; the average high during July is 69. Temperature extremes have been recorded from -63 to 92. The annual precipitation is 12 inches, including 37 inches of snow.

History, Culture and Demographics
In 1903 an overland trail was cut from Valdez to Fairbanks, and a roadhouse was established a short time later at the junction of the Delta and Tanana Rivers. In 1904 the U.S. Army Signal Corps built the McCarty Telegraph Station. Rika's Roadhouse was built in 1910. Ongoing mining activity just north of Delta Junction in the Tenderfoot area, and the Chisana Gold Strike of 1913, brought many prospectors and other travelers through the area. It became known as Buffalo Center in 1927, for the American bison that were transplanted here in the 1920s. In 1942, construction of the Alaska Highway began, and a military base (later Ft. Greely) was completed 5 miles to the south. In 1946, a dairy farm was established; beef cattle were brought in during 1953 by homesteaders. The City was incorporated in 1960. Construction of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline between 1974 and 1977 brought a dramatic upswing to the population and economy. In 1978, the State began Delta Agricultural Project I, creating 22 farms averaging 2,700 acres each. In 1982, the Delta II project formed 15 additional farms, averaging more than 1,600 acres each. Tracts of 2,000 to 3,600 acres were sold by lottery, and State loans were made available to purchase and clear the land. A marketing program was undertaken for barley exports. The 70,000-acre Delta Bison Range was created in 1980 to confine the bison and keep them out of the barley fields. Delta's location at the junction of two major highways has also brought development based on services to travelers. 5.6% of the population are Alaska Native or part Native. Delta Junction is strategically located to provide services to summer tourist traffic. Schools and a visitor center are available. During the 2000 U.S. Census, there were 422 total housing units, and 110 were vacant. 28 of these vacant housing units are used only seasonally. 306 residents were employed. The unemployment rate at that time was 11.63%, although 47.69% of all adults were not in the work force. The median household income was $43,500, per capita income was $19,171, and 19.38% of residents were living below the poverty level.

Facilities, Utilities, Schools and Health Care
Households have individual wells, ranging from 150 to 350 feet deep, and septic systems. Some residents use rain catchment systems. The Delta School has its own well water system. Almost all homes are fully plumbed. Businesses and residences are dispersed over a large area, so a community system is not practical. Refuse is collected by a private firm, Delta Sanitation, and is deposited in the City-owned permitted landfill. Delta Sanitation leases the landfill from the City. The laundromat, Delta Laundry, is also operated privately. The City owns a sewage pit. Electricity is provided by Golden Valley Electric Association. There are 4 schools located in the community, attended by 1,051 students. Local hospitals or health clinics include Delta Junction Family Medical Center (895-5100); Public Health Nurse (895-4292); Fairbanks hospitals. The clinic is a qualified Emergency Care Center. Delta Junction is classified as an isolated town/Sub-Regional Center, it is found in EMS Region 1C in the Interior Region. Emergency Services have highway and airport access. Emergency service is provided by 911 Telephone Service and volunteers. Auxiliary health care is provided by Delta Rescue Squad/EMS/Ambulance (895-4356/895-4656) or Rural Deltana Volunteer Fire (895-5036); Fairbanks hospitals.

Economy and Transportation
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has begun preliminary construction of test bed facilities at Fort Greely for a missile defense project. Construction should be completed by 2004. The new test facility will employ about 160 personnel when complete. To help Delta Junction provide additional services, the Department of Defense is providing $18 to $20 million in federal impact funds to the City. Other major employers are the Delta/Greely School District and Alyeska Pipeline Services. Several State and federal highway maintenance staff are located in Delta. There are also a number of small businesses which provide a variety of services. Nearly 40,000 acres are farmed in the Delta area, producing barley, other grains and forage, potatoes, dairy products, cattle and hogs. Four residents hold commercial fishing permits. Buffalo are hunted by lottery only; moose, caribou, bear, sheep and waterfowl are also hunted in this area. Delta Junction is accessible by the Alaska and Richardson Highways. Buses provide transportation to Fairbanks and Whitehorse. The City Airport offers a 2,400' long by 60' wide gravel airstrip with a 1,600' long by 60' wide dirt crosswind strip. Charter flight services are available. There are five other privately-owned airstrips in the vicinity. Plans are underway for joint use of the Allen Airfield on Fort Greely. Snowmobiles are used for recreation.

Source: State of Alaska, Department of Community and Economic Development.

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