Talkeetna, Alaska facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Talkeetna, Alaska
K'dalkitnu
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Location in Matanuska-Susitna Borough and the state of Alaska
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 Talkeetna, Alaska
Location in Alaska
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| Country | United States |
| State | Alaska |
| Borough | Matanuska-Susitna |
| Area | |
| • Total | 96.35 sq mi (249.54 km2) |
| • Land | 94.22 sq mi (244.02 km2) |
| • Water | 2.13 sq mi (5.52 km2) |
| Elevation | 348 ft (106 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 1,055 |
| • Density | 11.20/sq mi (4.32/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−9 (Alaska (AKST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−8 (AKDT) |
| ZIP code |
99676
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| Area code(s) | 907 |
| FIPS code | 02-74830 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1410591 |
Talkeetna (in Dena'ina: K'dalkitnu) is a small town in Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Alaska, United States. It is known as a census-designated place (CDP). This means it's a place recognized by the government for counting people, but it doesn't have its own city government. In 2020, about 1,055 people lived there. This was an increase from 876 people in 2010.
Talkeetna is a popular spot for tourists. Many people visit to enjoy outdoor activities. It is also famous as the starting point for climbers heading to Denali, North America's tallest mountain.
Contents
Exploring Talkeetna's Geography
Talkeetna is located where three rivers meet: the Susitna, Chulitna, and Talkeetna. The town started in 1916. It became a main office for the Alaska Railroad. Soon, a post office, a sawmill, and other businesses opened. Many cabins were built for people to live in.
In 1917, residents asked the government to map out their land. By 1919, the railroad sold 80 lots, and 41 of them already had buildings. The average cost for a lot was about $14.25.
Fun Things to Do in Talkeetna
Talkeetna is a hub for outdoor adventures. You can go flightseeing to see amazing views from above. Rafting on the rivers is also very popular. Many people enjoy mountain biking and hiking. You can also go camping, fishing, and hunting.
The town is about a 2.5-hour drive from Anchorage. Anchorage is the biggest city in Alaska. The main downtown area is called the Talkeetna Historic District. It is listed on the National Historic Places register. Some buildings, like Nagley's General Store and the Fairview Inn, are from the early 1900s.
Talkeetna's Climate and Weather
_-_Talkeetna_Area,_AK(ThreadEx).svg)
Talkeetna has a cold climate, known as a continental subarctic climate. This means it has long, cold winters. Summers are short and can be warm. The area is covered by taiga forests. Even though the air is cold and dry, moisture comes from the Gulf of Alaska. This makes the summers a bit milder than other places at the same latitude.
The average yearly temperature is about 0.8 degrees Celsius (33.4 degrees Fahrenheit). The town gets about 686 millimeters (27 inches) of rain and snow each year.
| Climate data for Talkeetna Airport, Alaska (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1918–present) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 47 (8) |
52 (11) |
55 (13) |
77 (25) |
87 (31) |
96 (36) |
93 (34) |
89 (32) |
78 (26) |
68 (20) |
52 (11) |
49 (9) |
96 (36) |
| Mean maximum °F (°C) | 39.4 (4.1) |
41.9 (5.5) |
48.5 (9.2) |
58.6 (14.8) |
74.4 (23.6) |
81.5 (27.5) |
81.6 (27.6) |
77.3 (25.2) |
67.5 (19.7) |
55.9 (13.3) |
41.6 (5.3) |
39.6 (4.2) |
84.3 (29.1) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 21.8 (−5.7) |
28.2 (−2.1) |
34.6 (1.4) |
46.6 (8.1) |
58.7 (14.8) |
67.1 (19.5) |
68.7 (20.4) |
65.1 (18.4) |
56.0 (13.3) |
41.8 (5.4) |
27.9 (−2.3) |
23.4 (−4.8) |
45.0 (7.2) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 13.6 (−10.2) |
18.8 (−7.3) |
23.5 (−4.7) |
36.2 (2.3) |
47.7 (8.7) |
57.0 (13.9) |
60.1 (15.6) |
56.5 (13.6) |
47.5 (8.6) |
34.2 (1.2) |
20.6 (−6.3) |
15.6 (−9.1) |
35.9 (2.2) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 5.4 (−14.8) |
9.4 (−12.6) |
12.4 (−10.9) |
25.8 (−3.4) |
36.7 (2.6) |
47.0 (8.3) |
51.4 (10.8) |
47.9 (8.8) |
39.0 (3.9) |
26.5 (−3.1) |
13.2 (−10.4) |
7.8 (−13.4) |
26.9 (−2.8) |
| Mean minimum °F (°C) | −23.7 (−30.9) |
−17.1 (−27.3) |
−11.7 (−24.3) |
8.9 (−12.8) |
26.7 (−2.9) |
37.0 (2.8) |
43.3 (6.3) |
37.1 (2.8) |
26.0 (−3.3) |
8.9 (−12.8) |
−9.9 (−23.3) |
−19.1 (−28.4) |
−28.2 (−33.4) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −48 (−44) |
−46 (−43) |
−43 (−42) |
−37 (−38) |
8 (−13) |
24 (−4) |
26 (−3) |
25 (−4) |
11 (−12) |
−21 (−29) |
−41 (−41) |
−53 (−47) |
−53 (−47) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 1.34 (34) |
1.24 (31) |
1.08 (27) |
1.32 (34) |
1.56 (40) |
1.71 (43) |
2.87 (73) |
4.70 (119) |
4.48 (114) |
2.78 (71) |
1.77 (45) |
1.66 (42) |
26.51 (673) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 22.3 (57) |
22.1 (56) |
15.0 (38) |
7.7 (20) |
1.0 (2.5) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.7 (1.8) |
13.3 (34) |
23.3 (59) |
31.7 (81) |
137.1 (348) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 inch) | 9.4 | 9.1 | 8.1 | 8.2 | 11.0 | 12.4 | 14.5 | 16.8 | 16.4 | 12.5 | 9.9 | 11.3 | 139.6 |
| Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 inch) | 10.3 | 9.5 | 8.0 | 3.8 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 5.6 | 11.6 | 13.0 | 62.8 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 72.2 | 72.6 | 70.2 | 69.6 | 66.8 | 71.0 | 75.9 | 79.6 | 81.2 | 80.9 | 76.1 | 73.0 | 74.1 |
| Average dew point °F (°C) | 5.2 (−14.9) |
9.9 (−12.3) |
14.7 (−9.6) |
24.1 (−4.4) |
33.3 (0.7) |
44.1 (6.7) |
50.2 (10.1) |
47.8 (8.8) |
39.7 (4.3) |
27.0 (−2.8) |
11.5 (−11.4) |
3.9 (−15.6) |
26.0 (−3.4) |
| Source: NOAA (relative humidity and dew point 1961-1990, average snowfall/snow days 1981–2010) | |||||||||||||
- Notes
Talkeetna's Population and History
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1920 | 70 | — | |
| 1930 | 89 | 27.1% | |
| 1940 | 136 | 52.8% | |
| 1950 | 106 | −22.1% | |
| 1960 | 76 | −28.3% | |
| 1970 | 182 | 139.5% | |
| 1980 | 264 | 45.1% | |
| 1990 | 250 | −5.3% | |
| 2000 | 772 | 208.8% | |
| 2010 | 876 | 13.5% | |
| 2020 | 1,055 | 20.4% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Talkeetna first appeared in the U.S. Census in 1920. Back then, it was a small, unincorporated village. In 1980, it became a census-designated place (CDP). This means it's a specific area for population counting.
In 2020, the population reached 1,055 people. In 2000, there were 772 people living in Talkeetna. About 28% of homes had children under 18. The average age of people living in Talkeetna was 39 years old.
Talkeetna's Economy and Tourism
Talkeetna is famous as the main starting point for trips to Denali. Denali is the highest peak in North America. The Denali National Park's Walter Harper Talkeetna Ranger Station is located here. This station helps climbers prepare for their expeditions.
Many tourists visit Talkeetna every summer. They come to fish for salmon, go rafting, and take flightseeing tours. Local artists, musicians, and craftspeople sell their unique items in the town's stores. This helps the local economy thrive.
The Susitna Dam Project
There was a plan to build a large hydroelectricity dam called the Susitna Dam. This dam would be on the glacier-fed Susitna River. If built to its full size, it would be one of the tallest dams in the world. The Susitna River flows for about 300 miles (480 km) through wild landscapes.
Some groups formed to oppose the dam's construction. They argued that the dam would harm recreation, nature, and the town itself. They worried about the impact on the environment and local life.
Exciting Events in Talkeetna
Talkeetna hosts many fun events throughout the year.
- Oosik Classic Ski Race: Every March, the Denali Nordic Ski Club organizes this ski race. The distances can change, and the trails are always an adventure.
- Moose Dropping Festival: This used to be a popular two-day festival held in July. It helped raise money for the Talkeetna Historical Society.
- Wilderness Woman Contest: In December, the Wilderness Woman and Bachelor Auction & Ball takes place. It's a unique and fun event.
- Winterfest: This is Talkeetna's biggest winter celebration. It happens all through December. Events include a Parade of Lights and a "Taste of Talkeetna." Local businesses and the Talkeetna Public Library host special activities.
- Carhartt Event: The clothing company Carhartt sponsors an event each winter. People share stories about how their Carhartt clothes have survived tough adventures.
Education in Talkeetna
Talkeetna has its own elementary school. Talkeetna Elementary School is located close to downtown. Students from kindergarten to 6th grade attend this school. Their school mascot is the Timber Wolf.
A new Susitna Valley Junior-Senior High School opened in January 2010. The old school had burned down in 2007. While the new school was being built, classes were held in temporary buildings. The mascot for Susitna Valley Junior-Senior High School is the Ram.
Talkeetna's Media and News
Talkeetna has a community radio station called 88.9 KTNA. It plays local shows and programs from NPR. The town also has a local newspaper called The Good Times. This paper is published every other week. It serves Talkeetna and nearby communities like Trapper Creek and Willow.
The publishers of The Good Times also create a local phone book. They also make an annual visitor's guide for tourists.
Getting Around Talkeetna
Talkeetna has its own airport, Talkeetna Airport. Several air taxi companies operate from here. They offer flightseeing tours, which are amazing ways to see the mountains. These companies also help mountain climbers get to Denali. Talkeetna is the easiest place to reach the main base camp on the south side of the mountain.
Famous pilots like Don Sheldon and Cliff Hudson started their companies here. They were pioneers in flying planes on glaciers. Their companies, Talkeetna Air Taxi and Sheldon Air Service, are still operating today.
The Talkeetna Airstrip is a historic site. It is also a restricted-use airstrip.
Talkeetna is a stop for several Alaska Railroad trains. These include the Denali Star, Aurora Winter Train, and Hurricane Turn.
Sunshine Transit provides public transportation. It runs five days a week along the Talkeetna Spur Road. It connects Talkeetna with communities like Trapper Creek, Willow, and Houston.
Images for kids
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Climate chart for Talkeetna
