Paxson, Alaska

Coordinates: 63°02′N 145°30′W / 63.03°N 145.50°W / 63.03; -145.50
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Paxson, Alaska
Paxson, Alaska is located in Alaska
Paxson, Alaska
Paxson, Alaska
Location within the state of Alaska
Coordinates: 63°02′N 145°30′W / 63.03°N 145.50°W / 63.03; -145.50
CountryUnited States
StateAlaska
Census AreaCopper River
Government
 • State senatorClick Bishop (R)
 • State rep.Mike Cronk (R)
Area
 • Total319.14 sq mi (826.57 km2)
 • Land304.96 sq mi (789.85 km2)
 • Water14.18 sq mi (36.72 km2)
Elevation
3,396 ft (1,035 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total26
 • Density0.09/sq mi (0.03/km2)
Time zoneUTC-9 (Alaska (AKST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-8 (AKDT)
Area code907
FIPS code02-59320
GNIS feature ID1866966

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[edit]

Paxson is located at 63°2′43″N 145°36′51″W / 63.04528°N 145.61417°W / 63.04528; -145.61417 (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 318.3 square miles (824 km2), of which, 304.0 square miles (787 km2) of it is land and 14.3 square miles (37 km2) of it (4.48%) is water.

Climate[edit]

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.

Climate data for Paxson (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1914–2010)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 41
(5)
45
(7)
52
(11)
68
(20)
77
(25)
86
(30)
86
(30)
86
(30)
79
(26)
62
(17)
48
(9)
50
(10)
86
(30)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 9.5
(−12.5)
18.1
(−7.7)
22.5
(−5.3)
38.1
(3.4)
52.0
(11.1)
64.3
(17.9)
65.3
(18.5)
59.7
(15.4)
49.0
(9.4)
33.0
(0.6)
16.2
(−8.8)
10.8
(−11.8)
36.5
(2.5)
Daily mean °F (°C) −0.1
(−17.8)
7.4
(−13.7)
10.7
(−11.8)
26.4
(−3.1)
40.7
(4.8)
51.4
(10.8)
53.8
(12.1)
49.6
(9.8)
39.9
(4.4)
24.4
(−4.2)
7.4
(−13.7)
2.7
(−16.3)
26.2
(−3.2)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) −9.7
(−23.2)
−3.2
(−19.6)
−1.1
(−18.4)
14.8
(−9.6)
29.3
(−1.5)
38.5
(3.6)
42.2
(5.7)
39.5
(4.2)
30.8
(−0.7)
15.7
(−9.1)
−1.4
(−18.6)
−5.4
(−20.8)
15.8
(−9.0)
Record low °F (°C) −50
(−46)
−46
(−43)
−43
(−42)
−50
(−46)
−9
(−23)
10
(−12)
20
(−7)
13
(−11)
−5
(−21)
−25
(−32)
−39
(−39)
−55
(−48)
−55
(−48)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 0.84
(21)
0.56
(14)
0.47
(12)
0.47
(12)
1.26
(32)
2.29
(58)
2.72
(69)
3.12
(79)
2.94
(75)
1.66
(42)
0.91
(23)
1.07
(27)
18.31
(465)
Average snowfall inches (cm) 17.7
(45)
21.0
(53)
4.5
(11)
17.0
(43)
0.5
(1.3)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
4.4
(11)
15.4
(39)
14.6
(37)
16.4
(42)
111.4
(283)
Average precipitation days 5 4 5 5 6 11 11 13 11 7 5 7 90
Source 1: NOAA (Precipitation 1981-2010)[4][5]
Source 2: WRCC[6]
Climate data for Glennallen 64 N, Alaska, 1991–2020 normals: 2669ft (814m)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 6.5
(−14.2)
15.2
(−9.3)
22.4
(−5.3)
37.0
(2.8)
50.9
(10.5)
62.6
(17.0)
65.9
(18.8)
60.1
(15.6)
50.5
(10.3)
32.6
(0.3)
14.7
(−9.6)
11.0
(−11.7)
35.8
(2.1)
Daily mean °F (°C) −1.8
(−18.8)
4.2
(−15.4)
9.8
(−12.3)
26.0
(−3.3)
40.4
(4.7)
50.7
(10.4)
54.5
(12.5)
49.9
(9.9)
40.9
(4.9)
24.4
(−4.2)
5.5
(−14.7)
1.1
(−17.2)
25.5
(−3.6)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) −10.1
(−23.4)
−6.8
(−21.6)
−2.8
(−19.3)
15.0
(−9.4)
29.9
(−1.2)
38.8
(3.8)
43.1
(6.2)
39.8
(4.3)
31.2
(−0.4)
16.2
(−8.8)
−3.7
(−19.8)
−8.8
(−22.7)
15.1
(−9.4)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 0.86
(22)
0.52
(13)
0.84
(21)
0.55
(14)
1.13
(29)
2.48
(63)
3.15
(80)
2.98
(76)
2.37
(60)
1.20
(30)
1.43
(36)
1.23
(31)
18.74
(475)
Source: NOAA[7]

Demographics[edit]

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
198030
1990300.0%
20004343.3%
201040−7.0%
202026−35.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[8]

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

As of the census[9] of 2000, there were 43 people, 21 households, and 11 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 0.1 inhabitants per square mile (0.039/km2). There were 117 housing units at an average density of 0.4 per square mile (0.15/km2). 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.

References[edit]

  1. ^ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
  2. ^ "2020 Census Data - Cities and Census Designated Places" (Web). State of Alaska, Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Retrieved December 5, 2021.
  3. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  4. ^ "Summary of Monthly Normals 1991-2020". NOAA. May 27, 2023. Archived from the original on May 27, 2023.
  5. ^ "Summary of Monthly Normals 1981-2010". NOAA. May 27, 2023. Archived from the original on May 27, 2023.
  6. ^ "PAXSON, AK (507095)". Western Regional Climate Center. Retrieved February 15, 2018.
  7. ^ "Glennallen 64 N, Alaska 1991-2020 Monthly Normals". Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  8. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". Census.gov. Retrieved June 6, 2013.
  9. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.