North Pole Alaska

Population: 1646

Location and Climate
North Pole is located 14 miles southeast of Fairbanks on the Richardson Highway. It lies 386 miles north of Anchorage and 2,347 miles north of Seattle. It lies at approximately 64.751110° North Latitude and -147.34944° West Longitude. (Sec. 09, T002S, R002E, Fairbanks Meridian.) North Pole is located in the Fairbanks Recording District. The area encompasses 4.2 sq. miles of land and 0.1 sq. miles of water. Moderate rainfall, dry air, and long hours of daylight during the summer characterize North Pole. Interior Alaska experiences seasonal temperature extremes. Average January temperatures range from -19 to -2; average July temperatures range from 49 to 71. Annual precipitation is 11.5 inches, with 67.8 inches of snowfall.

History, Culture and Demographics
In 1944, Bon Davis homesteaded this area. Dahl and Gaske Development Company later bought the Davis homestead, subdivided it, and named it North Pole, hoping to attract a toy manufacturer who would advertise products as being made in North Pole. The Santa Claus House was subsequently developed by Con Miller and his family. The City was incorporated in 1953. Growth from Fairbanks and the nearby Eielson Air Force Base have increased development over the years. 7.2% of the population are Alaska Native or part Native. North Pole is renowned as the "home of Santa Claus." Letters from children all over the world are mailed to North Pole at Christmas each year. The Santa Claus House is a year-round attraction. During the 2000 U.S. Census, there were 653 total housing units, and 48 were vacant. 1 of these vacant housing units are used only seasonally. 796 residents were employed. The unemployment rate at that time was 12.1%, although 33.72% of all adults were not in the work force. The median household income was $44,583, per capita income was $21,426, and 8.74% of residents were living below the poverty level.

Facilities, Utilities, Schools and Health Care
Wells supply the community's needs, and water receives secondary treatment before piped distribution. Piped sewage collection is disposed of in an aerated lagoon. Nearly all homes are fully plumbed. Refuse is collected in a transfer station for disposal in the Borough landfill in Fairbanks. Funds have been requested to extend the piped systems to Baker and North Star subdivisions, in the southern area of the City, now using individual wells and leachfields, to Highway Park subdivision, and to the Hurst/Badger Road commercial area. Electricity is provided by Golden Valley Electric Association. There are 5 schools located in the community, attended by 2,867 students. Local hospitals or health clinics include Fairbanks hospitals and numerous private health clinics. North Pole is classified as a highway town/Sub-Regional Center, it is found in EMS Region 1C in the Interior Region. Emergency Services have highway, airport, and floatplane access, and are within 30 minutes of a higher-level satellite health care facility. Emergency service is provided by 911 Telephone Service, volunteers and paid EMS Service. Auxiliary health care is provided by North Pole Fire Dept./Ambulance (488-0444/2232); North Star Volunteer Fire Dept. (488-3400/6902); Moose Creek Volunteer Fire Dept./Ambulance (488-0444/2232); Fairbanks hospitals.

Economy and Transportation
Employment in the Fairbanks area is extremely diverse, including government, military, retail, medical, and other services. A Williams Alaska oil refinery produces jet fuel, heating oil, gasoline and diesel from North Slope crude oil. Fuel trains deliver 90% of the jet fuel produced at the plant to Ted Stevens International Airport. Petro Star also operates a small distillery. Nine residents hold commercial fishing permits. Every Christmas season, Santa's helpers are hired to respond to the thousands of letters mailed to the North Pole. The Alaska Railroad was built through the city center. It is accessible to the Interior road system, Anchorage, Canada, and the lower 48 states. Bradley Sky Ranch offers public access to its 3,400' long by 80' wide treated gravel runway. There are four additional privately-owned airstrips in North Pole. Fairbanks International Airport is also nearby.

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

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