Paxson, Alaska Explained

Official Name:Paxson, Alaska
Settlement Type:CDP
Pushpin Map:Alaska
Pushpin Label Position:left
Pushpin Map Caption:Location within the state of Alaska
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:United States
Subdivision Type1:State
Subdivision Name1:Alaska
Subdivision Type2:Census Area
Subdivision Name2:Copper River
Leader Title:State senator
Leader Name:Click Bishop (R)
Leader Title1:State rep.
Leader Name1:Mike Cronk (R)
Area Footnotes:[1]
Area Total Km2:826.57
Area Land Km2:789.85
Area Water Km2:36.72
Area Total Sq Mi:319.14
Area Land Sq Mi:304.96
Area Water Sq Mi:14.18
Population As Of:2020
Population Total:26
Population Density Km2:0.03
Population Density Sq Mi:0.09
Timezone:Alaska (AKST)
Utc Offset:-9
Timezone Dst:AKDT
Utc Offset Dst:-8
Elevation M:1035
Elevation Ft:3396
Coordinates:63.03°N -145.5°W
Area Code:907
Blank Name:FIPS code
Blank Info:02-59320
Blank1 Name:GNIS feature ID
Blank1 Info:1866966
Unit Pref:Imperial

Paxson is a census-designated place (CDP) in Copper River Census Area, Alaska, United States. As of the 2020 census, its population was 26, down from 40 in 2010.[2] It is located on the Richardson Highway at the junction with the Denali Highway.

Currently, there are five accommodations in Paxson, as well as several gift shops, a post office, a gas station and food shops. The activity of the locality is turned to tourism in summer, and by hunting and livelihood activities for permanent residents.

Geography

Paxson is located at 63.0453°N -145.6142°W (63.045307, −145.614117).[3] The two highways which converge there come through two nearby mountain passes, Isabel Pass and Mentasta Pass.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 318.3sqmi, of which, 304sqmi of it is land and 14.3sqmi of it (4.48%) is water.

Climate

Paxson has a continental subarctic climate (Köppen Dfc), closely bordering on an alpine climate (Köppen ET) due to its high elevation and northerly latitude, with only one month above the 50 degree isotherm.

Demographics

Paxson first appeared on the 1980 U.S. Census as a census-designated place (CDP).

As of the census[4] of 2000, there were 43 people, 21 households, and 11 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 0.1sp=usNaNsp=us. There were 117 housing units at an average density of 0.4sp=usNaNsp=us. All residents reported that they were white.

There were 21 households, of which six had children under the age of 18 living with them, ten were married couples living together, one had a female householder with no husband present, and nine were non-families. Eight households were made up of individuals, and one had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.05 and the average family size was 2.75.

In the CDP, the age distribution of the population shows 11 persons under the age of 18, three from 18 to 24, ten from 25 to 44, 14 from 45 to 64, and five who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. There were 20 females and 21 males (including 12 females and 20 males over age 18).

The median income for a household in the CDP was $46,500, and the median income for a family was $46,667. Males had a median income of $45,625 versus $21,250 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $26,071. None of the population and none of the families were below the poverty line.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files. United States Census Bureau. October 29, 2021.
  2. Web site: 2020 Census Data - Cities and Census Designated Places . Web . State of Alaska, Department of Labor and Workforce Development . December 5, 2021.
  3. Web site: US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990. United States Census Bureau. April 23, 2011. February 12, 2011.
  4. Web site: U.S. Census website. United States Census Bureau. January 31, 2008.