Houston, Alaska Facts for Kids

Houston is a city in Alaska, located in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough. It's considered part of the larger Anchorage area. Even though it's about 33 miles from downtown Anchorage, the drive is longer, around 57 miles. In 2020, about 1,975 people lived there.

Where is Houston, Alaska?
Who Lives in Houston?
History of Houston
- Important Events
Fireworks in Houston
- Fireworks Tax
Notable Person from Houston
See also

Where is Houston, Alaska?

View from an Alaska Railroad train, looking at the George Parks Highway near the Little Susitna River.

Houston is found along the George Parks Highway and the Little Susitna River. It covers a total area of about 23.9 square miles (62 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a smaller part being water.

Who Lives in Houston?

Historical population
Census	Pop.	%±
1970	69	—
1980	370	436.2%
1990	697	88.4%
2000	1,202	72.5%
2010	1,912	59.1%
2020	1,975	3.3%
U.S. Decennial Census

In 2020, there were 1,975 people living in Houston, making up 726 households. The population density was about 82.5 people per square mile.

Diversity in Houston

Most people in Houston are White (80.4%). Other groups include Black or African American (1.4%), Native American or Alaska Native (4.0%), and Asian (1.1%). About 9.1% of residents are from two or more races. Around 4% of the population is Hispanic or Latino.

Age and Families

About 20.3% of the people living in Houston are under 18 years old. Around 15% are over 65 years old. The average age in Houston is 43.3 years. There are more men than women in the city.

Many households are families (411 out of 726). About 145 family households include children under 18.

Income and Veterans

The average income for a household in Houston was $53,750. For families, it was $75,096. About 20% of the population lives below the poverty line. This includes 33.3% of those under 18 and 10.1% of those 65 or older.

Many Houston residents have served in the military. About 14% of residents are veterans. This is higher than the average for Alaska and the United States.

History of Houston

Houston Siding first appeared on a map of the Alaska Railroad in 1917. It was important for mining operations in the area. During World War II, the U.S. Navy used it a lot. After the war, the mines were closed.

Houston officially became a city in 1966.

Important Events

On August 30, 1972, George Boney, who was the chief justice of the Alaska Supreme Court, died in a boating accident in Houston.
On June 3, 1996, a large wildfire called the Miller's Reach Fire burned over 37,000 acres (15,000 hectares) in Houston and nearby Big Lake. It destroyed 454 buildings and cost over $16 million.

Fireworks in Houston

Houston, Alaska, is known for its legal fireworks sales. The Gorilla Fireworks Stand along the Parks Highway sells many types of fireworks. These fireworks are not allowed in most of the Mat-Su Borough and Anchorage.

The money from fireworks sales helps pay for emergency services in Houston. These stands are the only place in Southcentral Alaska where you can legally buy fireworks. The taxes from these sales cover 10-15% of the city fire department's budget.

Fireworks Tax

People who buy fireworks pay a 2% sales tax, plus an extra 2% tax. Houston voters approved this policy in 2010. The extra tax helps "promote increased public safety," and all of this money goes to the fire department.

Notable Person from Houston

James Bondsteel (1947–1987) was a Medal of Honor recipient who lived in Houston until his death.

Houston, Alaska facts for kids

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