Houston, Alaska

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Houston is a city in Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Alaska, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 1,202. According to the 2004 census, the city had a population of 1,422.

1 Geography
2 Demographics
3 History
4 Notable residents
5 External links

[edit] Geography

Houston is located at 61°36′30″N, 149°46′25″W (61.608309, -149.773719)^GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 61.0 km² (23.5 mi²). 58.0 km² (22.4 mi²) of it is land and 3.0 km² (1.1 mi²) of it (4.89%) is water.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 1,202 people, 445 households, and 292 families residing in the city. The population density was 20.7/km² (53.7/mi²). There were 581 housing units at an average density of 10.0/km² (25.9/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 84.03% White, 0.33% Black or African American, 8.24% Native American, 0.67% Asian, 0.33% Pacific Islander, 0.92% from other races, and 5.49% from two or more races. 2.33% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 445 households out of which 37.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.1% were married couples living together, 11.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.2% were non-families. 26.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.70 and the average family size was 3.26.

In the city the population was spread out with 30.7% under the age of 18, 9.4% from 18 to 24, 31.2% from 25 to 44, 22.5% from 45 to 64, and 6.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 113.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 115.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $39,615, and the median income for a family was $46,818. Males had a median income of $45,000 versus $30,625 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,213. About 13.1% of families and 17.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.8% of those under age 18 and 7.4% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] History

"Houston Siding" was first listed on a blueprint map of the Alaska Railroad in 1917. Houston was incorporated as a city in 1966. A June 1996 wildfire destroyed more than 37,500 acres in the Houston and Big Lake area, including 433 buildings and homes valued at $8.9 million.