Editing Healy, Alaska

{{short description|Census-designated place in Alaska}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
| official_name            = Healy, Alaska
| settlement_type          = [[Census-designated place]]
| nickname                 = 
| motto                    = 
<!-- Images -->
| image_skyline            = Healy from Parks Highway.jpg
| image_caption            = Healy from Parks Highway
| imagesize                = 400
| image_flag               = 
| image_seal               = 
<!-- Maps -->
| image_map                = Denali Borough Alaska incorporated and unincorporated areas Healy highlighted.svg
| mapsize                  = 260px
| map_caption              = Location in [[Denali Borough, Alaska|Denali Borough]] and the state of [[Alaska]].

<!-- Location -->
| subdivision_type         = Country
| subdivision_name         = [[United States]]
| subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name1        = [[Alaska]]
| subdivision_type2        = [[List of boroughs and census areas in Alaska|Borough]]
| subdivision_name2        = [[Denali Borough, Alaska|Denali]]
| government_footnotes     = 
| government_type          = 
| leader_title             = Borough [[mayor]]
| leader_name              = Clay Walker<ref>{{Cite book|title=2015 Alaska Municipal Officials Directory|location=Juneau|publisher=Alaska Municipal League|year=2015|page=5}}</ref>
| leader_title1            = [[Alaska Senate|State senator]]
| leader_name1             = [[Mike Shower]] ([[Republican Party (United States)|R]])
| leader_title2            = [[Alaska House of Representatives|State rep.]]
| leader_name2             = [[Kevin J. McCabe|Kevin McCabe]] (R)
| established_title        = 
| established_date         = 
<!-- Area -->
| area_magnitude           = 
| area_footnotes           = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web|title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_02.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=October 29, 2021}}</ref>
| area_total_km2           = 1779.75
| area_land_km2            = 1779.23
| area_water_km2           = 0.53
| area_total_sq_mi         = 687.17
| area_land_sq_mi          = 686.96
| area_water_sq_mi         = 0.20

<!-- Population -->
| population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_footnotes     = 
| population_total         = 966
| population_density_km2   = 0.54
| population_density_sq_mi = 1.41

<!-- General information -->
| timezone                 = [[Alaska Time Zone|Alaska (AKST)]]
| utc_offset               = &minus;9
| timezone_DST             = AKDT
| utc_offset_DST           = &minus;8
| elevation_footnotes      = 
| elevation_m              = 409
| elevation_ft             = 1342
| coordinates              = {{coord|63|58|15|N|149|7|37|W|region:US-AK|display=it}}
| postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]
| postal_code              = 99743
| area_code                = [[Area code 907|907]]
| blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info               = 02-32150
| blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info              = 1403275
| website                  = 
| footnotes                = 
| pop_est_as_of            = 
| pop_est_footnotes        = 
| population_est           = 
| unit_pref                = Imperial
| named_for                = [[John Healy (entrepreneur)|John Healy]]
}}

'''Healy''' is a [[census-designated place]] (CDP) and the [[county seat|borough seat]] of [[Denali Borough, Alaska|Denali Borough]] in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Alaska]].<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx|access-date=June 7, 2011|title=Find a County|publisher=National Association of Counties}}</ref> The population was 966 at the time of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], down from 1,021 in [[2010 United States census|2010]].

==History==
[[File:Landing Fields - Alaska - Healy Landing Field - NARA - 68158838 (cropped).jpg|thumb|right|Healy in 1943]]
The history of Healy is intertwined with that of [[coal mining]] and construction of the [[Alaska Railroad]], which both began in the area in 1918 and 1919 respectively.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The History of Healy, Alaska |url=https://explorenorth.com/alaska/history/healy-history.html#:~:text=Healy%20was%20developed%20by%20the,the%20military,%20and%20South%20Korea. |access-date=June 26, 2022 |website=explorenorth.com}}</ref>

Healy was originally named Healy Fork after the Healy River.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Survey (U.S.) |first=Geological |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lzNSAQAAIAAJ&dq=Healy,+Alaska+Healy+Fork&pg=PA413 |title=Geological Survey Professional Paper |date=1967 |publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office |language=en}}</ref> The Healy River was named after [[John Healy (entrepreneur)|John J. Healy]], manager of the North American Trading and Transportation Company.

==Geography==
Healy is located at {{coord|63|58|15|N|149|7|37|W|type:city}} (63.970833, -149.126944).<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=April 23, 2011|date=February 12, 2011|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}}</ref> The [[George Parks Highway]] (Alaska Route 3) runs through the community, leading south {{convert|18|mi}} to [[Denali Park, Alaska|Denali Park]] and north {{convert|56|mi}} to [[Nenana, Alaska|Nenana]].

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the Healy CDP has a total area of {{convert|1779.8|km2|order=flip}}, of which {{convert|1779.2|km2|order=flip}} is land and {{convert|0.5|km2|order=flip}}, or 0.03%, is water.<ref name="Census 2010">{{cite web |title=Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Healy CDP, Alaska |url=http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/G001/1600000US0232150 |access-date=October 8, 2015 |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder}}{{dead link|bot=medic|date=April 2020}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> By area, it is the second-largest CDP in the United States, exceeded by only [[Willow, Alaska]].<ref>{{cite web| url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/G001/0100000US.16000.003| title=Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): All places within United States| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder| access-date=October 8, 2015| archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213132131/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/G001/0100000US.16000.003| archive-date=February 13, 2020| url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Climate==
As is typical of the [[Alaska Interior]], Healy experiences a [[subarctic climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]] ''Dfc'') with very long, bitterly cold winters and short, warm summers, and straddles the border between [[Hardiness zone|USDA Plant Hardiness Zone]] 2 and 3,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.arborday.org/treeinfo/ZoneInfo.cfm?ZipCode=99743&submit=Look+it+up%21|title = Arbor Day Foundation - Buy trees, rain forest friendly coffee, greeting cards that plant trees, memorials and celebrations with trees, and more}}</ref> indicating the coldest temperature of the year is typically around {{convert|-40|°F|°C}}. Average temperatures are below freezing from early October to mid-April, though occasionally [[chinook wind]]s will push temperatures up to {{convert|45|°F|°C|1}} even in the depths of winter.

{{Weather box
|location = Healy, Alaska (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1976–2017)
|single line = Yes

|Jan record high F = 52
|Feb record high F = 59
|Mar record high F = 64
|Apr record high F = 69
|May record high F = 85
|Jun record high F = 93
|Jul record high F = 90
|Aug record high F = 90
|Sep record high F = 74
|Oct record high F = 71
|Nov record high F = 54
|Dec record high F = 51

|Jan avg record high F = 40.6
|Feb avg record high F = 45.9
|Mar avg record high F = 46.3
|Apr avg record high F = 60.1
|May avg record high F = 73.2
|Jun avg record high F = 82.6
|Jul avg record high F = 82.0
|Aug avg record high F = 77.2
|Sep avg record high F = 66.8
|Oct avg record high F = 55.4
|Nov avg record high F = 43.3
|Dec avg record high F = 40.5
|year avg record high F = 85.1

|Jan high F = 8.0
|Feb high F = 18.3
|Mar high F = 23.6
|Apr high F = 41.0
|May high F = 55.9
|Jun high F = 66.5
|Jul high F = 67.3
|Aug high F = 61.7
|Sep high F = 50.8
|Oct high F = 33.0
|Nov high F = 15.8
|Dec high F = 11.6
|year high F =

|Jan mean F = -0.4
|Feb mean F = 8.3
|Mar mean F = 12.6
|Apr mean F = 31.3
|May mean F = 45.4
|Jun mean F = 55.5
|Jul mean F = 58.0
|Aug mean F = 52.9
|Sep mean F = 42.7
|Oct mean F = 25.5
|Nov mean F = 8.3
|Dec mean F = 2.7
|year mean F =

|Jan low F = -8.8
|Feb low F = -1.6
|Mar low F = 1.7
|Apr low F = 21.6
|May low F = 34.9
|Jun low F = 44.5
|Jul low F = 48.6
|Aug low F = 44.1
|Sep low F = 34.6
|Oct low F = 18.0
|Nov low F = 0.8
|Dec low F = -6.1
|year low F =

|Jan avg record low F = -37.9
|Feb avg record low F = -28.8
|Mar avg record low F = -22.4
|Apr avg record low F = -1.0
|May avg record low F = 21.0
|Jun avg record low F = 33.9
|Jul avg record low F = 41.1
|Aug avg record low F = 31.8
|Sep avg record low F = 17.9
|Oct avg record low F = -2.7
|Nov avg record low F = -20.1
|Dec avg record low F = -29.9
|year avg record low F = -40.0

|Jan record low F = -56
|Feb record low F = -51
|Mar record low F = -40
|Apr record low F = -25
|May record low F = 4
|Jun record low F = 27
|Jul record low F = 32
|Aug record low F = 20
|Sep record low F = -2
|Oct record low F = -20
|Nov record low F = -41
|Dec record low F = -44

|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation inch = 0.53
|Feb precipitation inch = 0.67
|Mar precipitation inch = 0.36
|Apr precipitation inch = 0.62
|May precipitation inch = 0.87
|Jun precipitation inch = 2.48
|Jul precipitation inch = 3.04
|Aug precipitation inch = 2.75
|Sep precipitation inch = 1.57
|Oct precipitation inch = 0.95
|Nov precipitation inch = 0.70
|Dec precipitation inch = 0.84
|year precipitation inch =

|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
|Jan precipitation days = 7.3
|Feb precipitation days = 5.9
|Mar precipitation days = 5.5
|Apr precipitation days = 3.8
|May precipitation days = 6.7
|Jun precipitation days = 11.5
|Jul precipitation days = 13.7
|Aug precipitation days = 13.2
|Sep precipitation days = 9.4
|Oct precipitation days = 9.7
|Nov precipitation days = 9.5
|Dec precipitation days = 8.7

|Jan snow inch = 10.9
|Feb snow inch = 7.6
|Mar snow inch = 8.3
|Apr snow inch = 4.7
|May snow inch = 1.4
|Jun snow inch = 0.0
|Jul snow inch = 0.0
|Aug snow inch = 0.0
|Sep snow inch = 1.3
|Oct snow inch = 12.1
|Nov snow inch = 15.1
|Dec snow inch = 14.8
|year snow inch =

|unit snow days = 0.1 in
|Jan snow days = 6.8
|Feb snow days = 5.0
|Mar snow days = 4.5
|Apr snow days = 2.0
|May snow days = 0.7
|Jun snow days = 0.0
|Jul snow days = 0.0
|Aug snow days = 0.0
|Sep snow days = 0.8
|Oct snow days = 6.2
|Nov snow days = 8.4
|Dec snow days = 7.4
|year snow days = 41.9

|Jan snow depth inch = 14.9
|Feb snow depth inch = 15.3
|Mar snow depth inch = 14.6
|Apr snow depth inch = 12.2
|May snow depth inch = 2.6
|Jun snow depth inch = 0.0
|Jul snow depth inch = 0.0
|Aug snow depth inch = 0.0
|Sep snow depth inch = 1.8
|Oct snow depth inch = 9.4
|Nov snow depth inch = 12.5
|Dec snow depth inch = 14.8
|year snow depth inch = 20.9

|source 1 = NOAA (snow depth 1981&ndash;2010)<ref name = NOAA>
{{cite web
|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USC00503585&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL
|publisher = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]]
|title = U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: Healy, AK
|access-date = June 15, 2023
}}
</ref><ref>{{cite web
|url = https://xmacis.rcc-acis.org/
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
|title = xmACIS2
|access-date = August 8, 2023
}}
</ref>
}}

== Economy ==
[[Usibelli, Alaska|Usibelli Coal Mine]], [[Golden Valley Electric Association]], the [[Denali Borough School District]], and the [[National Park Service]] are the major employers in Healy. Proximity to [[Denali National Park|Denali National Park & Preserve]] supports local RV parks, hotels, restaurants, [[bed and breakfast]], and other small businesses. The [[Denali Chamber of Commerce]] represents the economic interests of Healy and the [[Denali Borough, Alaska]]. The 24 MW [[Wind power in Alaska#Projects|Eva Creek Wind Farm]] opened in 2013, 12 miles north of Healy.<ref name="gvea.com">{{cite web | url=http://www.gvea.com/energy/evacreek | title=Eva Creek Wind - GVEA - Golden Valley Electric Association |access-date=February 11, 2019 }}</ref>

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1930= 36
|1940= 46
|1950= 102
|1960= 67
|1970= 79
|1980= 334
|1990= 487
|2000= 1000
|2010= 1021
|2020= 966
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=U.S. Decennial Census|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 6, 2013}}</ref>
}}

Healy first appeared on the 1930 U.S. Census as the unincorporated community of "Healey Fork." In 1940, it appeared as Healy Fork. It was shortened to *Healy beginning in 1950. It was made a census-designated place (CDP) in 1980.

*Note there was also another locale named "Healey (Healy) Village" on the 1930 & 1940 U.S. Censuses (with a population of 16 and 77, respectively). It was stated that this place was located in the Fairbanks Recording District rather than Nenana (where then Healy Fork was located). It is unclear whether this was a geographic error on the census and both places were located at or around Healy Fork and merged in 1950, or if the former was a native village on or near present-day [[Healy Lake]] (within [[Southeast Fairbanks Census Area]]).

At the [[2000 United States Census|2000 census]] there were 1,000 people, 436 households, and 245 families in the CDP. The population density was {{convert|1.5|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people&nbsp;|people|}}. There were 604 housing units at an average density of {{convert|0.9|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}. The [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census#2000 census|racial makeup]] of the CDP was 90.20% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 0.30% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 2.30% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 1.90% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.70% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.80% from other races, and 3.80% from two or more races. 2.00%.<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref> were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race.

Of the 436 households 33.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.4% were married couples living together, 3.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 43.6% were non-families. 37.6% of households were one person and 0.9% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 3.12.

The age distribution was 27.4% under the age of 18, 5.5% from 18 to 24, 34.3% from 25 to 44, 30.6% from 45 to 64, and 2.2% 65 or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 132.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 142.8 males.

The median household income was $60,000 and the median family income was $77,806. Males had a median income of $65,729 versus $30,227 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $28,225. About 2.5% of families and 4.9% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 3.9% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.

==Education==
K-12 students attend Tri-Valley School, operated by the [[Denali Borough School District]]. The district is headquartered in Healy.

== Stampede Trail Bus ==
Just outside of Healy, (Approximately 15 miles) near the Stampede Trail, is the former location of the bus that [[Christopher McCandless]]  occupied during his "idiotic excursion". [[Stampede Trail#Bus 142|Fairbanks City Transit bus 142]] drew others into the same wilderness, and seeking it out has ultimately lead to the deaths of two people. The bus has since been airlifted and transported to the [[University of Alaska Museum of the North]] (Antonette, 2021)

== See also ==
*[[Healy Clean Coal Project]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Commons category-inline|Healy, Alaska}}

{{Alaska borough seats}}
{{Denali Borough, Alaska}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Borough seats in Alaska]]
[[Category:Census-designated places in Alaska]]
[[Category:Census-designated places in Denali Borough, Alaska]]
[[Category:Mining communities in Alaska]]
[[Category:Chris McCandless]]