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McGrath

Tochak’, Digenegh
McGrath Post Office,  September 1914
McGrath Post Office, September 1914
McGrath, Alaska is located in Alaska
McGrath, Alaska
McGrath, Alaska
Location in Alaska
Country United States
State Alaska
Census Area Yukon-Koyukuk
Incorporated June 3, 1975
Area
 • Total 47.94 sq mi (124.17 km2)
 • Land 42.33 sq mi (109.64 km2)
 • Water 5.61 sq mi (14.53 km2)
Elevation
331 ft (101 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 301
 • Density 7.11/sq mi (2.75/km2)
Time zone UTC−9 (Alaska (AKST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC−8 (AKDT)
ZIP code
99627
Area code 907 Exchange: 524
FIPS code 02-46010
GNIS feature ID 1406131, 2419425

McGrath (Tochak’ in Upper Kuskokwim, Digenegh in Deg Xinag) is a city and village on the Kuskokwim River in Alaska, United States. The population was 401 at the 2000 census and 346 as of the 2010 census. Despite its small population, the village is an important transportation and economic hub for the area.

History

The Old Town McGrath site, across the river from present-day McGrath, was a meeting and trading place for Big River, Nikolai, Telida, and Lake Minchumina villagers.

In 1904, Abraham Appel established a trading post in Old Town. In 1906, gold was discovered in the Innoko District, and in 1907, and at Ganes Creek. Since McGrath was the northernmost point on the Kuskokwim River accessible by large riverboats, it became a regional supply center. A town was established at the site of Old McGrath in 1907, and was named for Peter McGrath, a local United States Marshal. The Iditarod Trail also contributed to McGrath's role as a supply center. From 1911 to 1920, hundreds of people walked and mushed over the trail on their way to the Ophir gold districts. Mining sharply declined after 1925.

After a major flood in 1933, some residents moved across the river. Changes in the course of the river eventually left the old site on a slough, making it useless as a river stop. In 1940, an airstrip was cleared, the United States Federal Aviation Administration built a communications complex, and a school was opened. McGrath became an important refueling stop for Lend-Lease equipment during World War II.

Geography

McGrath is located on the south bank of the Kuskokwim River in western Alaska.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 54.6 square miles (141 km2), of which, 48.9 square miles (127 km2) of it is land and 5.7 square miles (15 km2) of it (10.48%) is water.

Climate

McGrath has a continental subarctic climate (Köppen Dfc).

Climate data for McGrath
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 54
(12)
55
(13)
55
(13)
68
(20)
83
(28)
90
(32)
89
(32)
89
(32)
76
(24)
67
(19)
49
(9)
49
(9)
90
(32)
Average high °F (°C) 1
(−17)
11.4
(−11.4)
22.9
(−5.1)
39.1
(3.9)
56
(13)
66.8
(19.3)
68.5
(20.3)
63.2
(17.3)
52.9
(11.6)
32.3
(0.2)
13
(−11)
2.2
(−16.6)
35.8
(2.1)
Average low °F (°C) −17.2
(−27.3)
−11.3
(−24.1)
−3.8
(−19.9)
16.7
(−8.5)
34.9
(1.6)
45.8
(7.7)
49.5
(9.7)
45.4
(7.4)
35.8
(2.1)
18.9
(−7.3)
−2.8
(−19.3)
−14.8
(−26.0)
16.4
(−8.7)
Record low °F (°C) −75
(−59)
−64
(−53)
−51
(−46)
−40
(−40)
−2
(−19)
27
(−3)
31
(−1)
25
(−4)
2
(−17)
−28
(−33)
−53
(−47)
−67
(−55)
−75
(−59)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 0.99
(25)
0.85
(22)
0.79
(20)
0.71
(18)
0.91
(23)
1.6
(41)
2.27
(58)
2.91
(74)
2.29
(58)
1.37
(35)
1.27
(32)
1.22
(31)
17.16
(436)
Average snowfall inches (cm) 14.6
(37)
12.3
(31)
11.1
(28)
6.3
(16)
0.8
(2.0)
0
(0)
0
(0)
0
(0)
1
(2.5)
9.5
(24)
16.6
(42)
18.4
(47)
90.6
(230)
Average precipitation days 10 9 9 7 9 12 15 17 14 12 12 12 138

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1920 90
1930 112 24.4%
1940 138 23.2%
1950 175 26.8%
1960 241 37.7%
1970 279 15.8%
1980 355 27.2%
1990 528 48.7%
2000 401 −24.1%
2010 346 −13.7%
2020 301 −13.0%
U.S. Decennial Census

McGrath first appeared on the 1920 U.S. Census as an unincorporated village. It formally incorporated in 1975.

As of the census of 2000, there were 401 people, 145 households, and 99 families residing in the city. The population density was 8.2 people per square mile (3.2/km2). There were 213 housing units at an average density of 4.4 per square mile (1.7/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 42.64% White, 43.89% Native American, 0.75% Asian, 0.75% from other races, and 11.97% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.00% of the population.

Of the 145 household 42.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.5% were married couples living together, 11.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.7% were non-families. 26.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 4.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.77 and the average family size was 3.34.

In the city, the age distribution of the population shows 35.9% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 24.7% from 25 to 44, 25.9% from 45 to 64, and 5.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 104.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 107.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $43,056, and the median income for a family was $44,167. Males had a median income of $41,875 versus $41,389 for females. The per capita income for the city was $21,553. About 8.7% of families and 9.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.8% of those under age 18 and 17.4% of those age 65 or over.

Education

The Iditarod Area School District operates the McGrath School.

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See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: McGrath (Alaska) para niños

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