Healy Alaska

Population: 1022

Location and Climate
Healy lies at the mouth of Healy Creek on the Nenana River, 78 miles southwest of Fairbanks. It is located on a 2.5-mile spur road, just north of the entrance to the Denali National Park and Preserve on the George Parks Highway. It lies at approximately 63.856940° North Latitude and -148.96611° West Longitude. (Sec. 20, T012S, R007W, Fairbanks Meridian.) Healy is located in the Nenana Recording District. The area encompasses 669.0 sq. miles of land and 0.4 sq. miles of water. Interior Alaska experiences seasonal temperature extremes. January temperatures range from -22 to -2; July temperatures range from 50 to 72. Average annual precipitation is 11.3 inches.

History, Culture and Demographics
Healy was developed by the Usibelli Coal Mine in 1918, and has grown to become Alaska's largest coal mining operation. The mine supplies 800,000 tons of coal a year, to Golden Valley Electric, the University of Alaska Fairbanks, the military, and South Korea. The Usibelli Coal Mine began a successful environmental reclamation program in 1971. Dall sheep now graze where there was once a strip mine. 5.3% of the population are Alaska Native or part Native. Healy is a coal mining town that has evolved into an economically-diverse community. Tourism also greatly affects the economy during summer months. During the 2000 U.S. Census, there were 604 total housing units, and 168 were vacant. 91 of these vacant housing units are used only seasonally. 476 residents were employed. The unemployment rate at that time was 8.85%, although 35.94% of all adults were not in the work force. The median household income was $60,000, per capita income was $28,225, and 4.89% of residents were living below the poverty level.

Facilities, Utilities, Schools and Health Care
The large majority of homes use individual wells and septic systems. Over 80% are fully plumbed. Usibelli Mine and the Healy Clean Coal Project have individual water well systems. Refuse is hauled to the new Borough regional landfill located just south of Anderson. Electricity is provided by Golden Valley Electric Association. There is one school located in the community, attended by 194 students. Local hospitals or health clinics include Interior Community Health Center (683-2211). The clinic is a qualified Emergency Care Center. Specialized Care: Railbelt Mental Health & Addictions; Healy Senior Center. Healy 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 air access. Emergency service is provided by 911 Telephone Service and volunteers. Auxiliary health care is provided by Tri-Valley Volunteer Fire Dept./EMS (683-2223/474-7721).

Economy and Transportation
The Usibelli Coal Mine has dominated the economy of Healy for over 50 years, and employs 145 positions. The mine produces 1.5 million metric tons per year; 400,000 metric tons are shipped to Korea via the Port of Seward, some is also used by Interior power plants. Golden Valley Electric Assoc. and the Railbelt School District are also major employers in Healy. Tourism at nearby Denali Park supports local RV Parks, guided rafting trips, helicopter tours and other businesses. The $274 million Healy Clean Coal Power Plant was completed in November 1997, but has sat idle since 2000. To lower the costs per kilowatt hour and be economically viable, the plant needs retrofits and modifications costing another $50 to $80 million. The Plant is owned by the Alaska Indiustrial Development and Export Authority, an independent State corporation. The George Parks Highway provides access, and cargo is delivered by rail or truck. The State-owned Healy River Airport provides a 2,920' long by 60' wide asphalt runway. Local services provide helicopter or air tours of the Denali Park. Companies based in Anchorage and Fairbanks also provide bus tours to the Park.

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

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[graphic version Healy Alaska]