Central, Alaska facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Central, Alaska
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The Steese Roadhouse is a bar, general store, and gas station in Central that serves as a midway point for the Yukon Quest.
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Location of Central, Alaska
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| Country | United States |
| State | Alaska |
| Census Area | Yukon-Koyukuk |
| Area | |
| • Total | 249.38 sq mi (645.91 km2) |
| • Land | 247.92 sq mi (642.11 km2) |
| • Water | 1.46 sq mi (3.79 km2) |
| Elevation | 942 ft (287 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 66 |
| • Density | 0.27/sq mi (0.10/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-9 (Alaska (AKST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-8 (AKDT) |
| ZIP code |
99730
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| Area code(s) | 907 |
| FIPS code | 02-11690 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1400106 |
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Central is a very small place in Alaska, United States. It's called a census-designated place (CDP). This means it's an area that the government counts for population, but it's not an official city or town. Central is located in the Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area.
In 2020, only 66 people lived in Central. It's a quiet spot! One exciting thing that happens here every February is that Central becomes a checkpoint for the famous Yukon Quest sled dog race. This is a super long race where dog teams travel across Alaska and Canada. The Steese Roadhouse, shown in the picture, is a key spot in Central. It's a general store and gas station that helps out during the race.
Contents
Where is Central, Alaska?
Central is located in a northern part of Alaska. It sits at an elevation of about 942 feet (287 meters) above sea level. The Steese Highway (Alaska Route 6) passes right through Central. This highway is an important road in this remote area.
The total area of Central is about 249 square miles (646 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a small part being water. To give you an idea, that's a pretty big area for such a small population!
What's the Weather Like?
Central has a continental subarctic climate. This means it gets very cold winters and short, cool summers. Imagine how chilly it can get!
- In January, the average temperature is around -15.7°F (-26.5°C).
- The coldest temperature ever recorded in Central was a freezing -69°F (-56°C) in January!
- Summers are much milder. In July, the average temperature is about 61°F (16°C).
- The hottest temperature ever recorded was 92°F (33°C) in June.
- Central gets a fair amount of snow, especially from October to March.
How Many People Live Here?
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1950 | 41 | — | |
| 1960 | 28 | −31.7% | |
| 1970 | 26 | −7.1% | |
| 1980 | 36 | 38.5% | |
| 1990 | 52 | 44.4% | |
| 2000 | 134 | 157.7% | |
| 2010 | 96 | −28.4% | |
| 2020 | 66 | −31.2% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Central first appeared on the U.S. Census in 1950. Back then, it was just a small village. In 1980, it was officially named a census-designated place (CDP).
Over the years, the number of people living in Central has changed. In 2000, there were 134 people, but by 2020, the population had decreased to 66. It's a very small community where people often know each other well.
Schools in Central
Central used to have a school that was part of the Yukon Flats School District. This district helps provide education in the remote areas of Alaska.
See also
In Spanish: Central (Alaska) para niños
