Fairbanks, AK

Fairbanks, Alaska

Introduction to Fairbanks, Alaska

Fairbanks is situated close to the confluence of the Tanana and Chena rivers in Fairbanks North Star Borough. It's the second largest city in the state of Alaska and serves as a junction for several primary highways. The climate experiences vast changes, with quick temperature movements and thunderstorms. Snow falls during the summer months. However, during the long days of summer the temperature occasionally rises over 70 degrees. The bitter cold winters typically begin by mid-October and continue until mid-April.

The town serves as the region's service and supply center. Tourism, mining, financial institutions and medical services are significant factors for the economy. The government is a major employer, especially the Eilson Air Force Base and Fort Wainwright.

Attractions

Pioneer Park incudes attractions such as a restored gold rush town, the Alaska Centennial for the Arts, the Tanana Valley Railroad Museum and the Pioneer Air Museum. The sternwheeler, SS Nenana has been converted to a noteworthy museum. The Crooked Creek and Whiskey Island Railroad travels through the park.

The Riverboat Discovery is recognized as one of the best tours in Fairbanks. The sternwheel riverboat takes visitors on a scenic tour of the Chena and Tanana rivers. The tour makes a stop at the Chena Indian village and the passengers are allowed to tour the village. Other noteworthy attractions include:

• The Georgeson Botanical Garden is located on the University of Fairbanks campus.
• The wonderful Aurora borealis also known as the "Northern Lights" can typically be seen 200 days per year from Fairbanks.
• The Trans-Atlantic Pipeline is one of the largest pipelines in the entire world.
• Creamer's Field Wildlife refuge is a prominent migratory stopover destination for a vast number of geese, sandhill cranes, ducks and other species of birds.
• The El Dorado Gold Mine tour allows visitors to pan for gold and teaches the history of the region's mining activities.
• The Fairbanks Ice Dogs play minor league hockey games.
• The University of Alaska Museum.
• Fairbanks Community Museum.
• Wickerson House Museum.
• R.C. Wood House.

Events

• Fairbanks Golden Days.
• Rubber Duckie Race.
• The Red-Green Regatta.
• Yukon Quest Dog Race.
• World Ice Arts Championships.
• Yukon Title Curling Classic.
• Summer Sun Festival.

Activities

The Chena Hot Springs Resort is a popular destination and features the Aurora Ice Museum. Everything in the venue is made from ice, including polar bear beds, and a chess set. During the summer, the Chena River is popular for boating, canoeing and jet skiing. The White Mountains National Recreation Area, the Gates National Park and Reserve as well as the Arctic National Wild life Refuge are excellent locations to view the region's beautiful scenery. Fishing with expert guides, mountain biking, kayaking, whitewater rafting, snowmobiling, skiing and hunting are some of the popular activities available in the region.

History

The city is named in tribute to Charles Fairbanks, a Republican senator from Indiana. A trading post established in 1901 by Captain E.T. Barnett was the first settlement created by non-natives. A gold rush occurred in 1902 with the discovery of gold in the creeks near Fairbanks. Numerous homes and businesses were established during this time. The city experienced a highly destructive flood and a devastating fire in the early portion of the 1900's.

Higher Education

The University of Alaska, Fairbanks is situated in the city.

High Points

Fairbanks strengths, compared to Peers (similar size places nationally) or State (other places in Alaska):

Category	Trophy
Short Commute Times (vs. Peers)	Top 1%
Racial Diversity (vs. State)	Top 8%
Walking and Biking to Work (vs. Peers)	Top 9%

Comparative Profile of Fairbanks, AK

Comparing Fairbanks to similar size places nationwide (Peers) and to other places in Alaska (State):

Ratings range from (lowest) to (highest).

The People

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Male Share of the Population
Children Under 5 Years Old
Well-Paid Single Men
Racial Diversity
Well-Paid Single Women
Senior Citizens
Age of the Population
Female Share of the Population

Families

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Average Household Size
Portion of People Married

Wealth

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
People Above Poverty
Median Family Income
People in Middle Class or Better
College Educated Adults

Commute & Sprawl

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Short Commute Times
Walking and Biking to Work
Working at Home
Public Transportation Use

Housing

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Studio & One-Bedroom Rentals
Seasonal and Vacation Housing
Housing Recently Built
People Living Alone
Affordability of Rents
Affordability of Property Taxes

Crime

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Low Property Crime
Low Violent Crime

Fairbanks Almanac

Fairbanks Climate

Nearest Weather Stations

• Temp ranges are avg daily min and max for the month
• Precipitation is rainfall (and rainfall equiv of snowfall)

Fairbanks Public Libraries

More Information for Librarians

Fairbanks Population (2000)

(From 2000 Census, as reported by individuals)

Political Contributions (2004)

Money donated by Fairbanks residents to parties and candidates for the 2004 elections.

by Political Party

by Presidential Candidate

Neighborhood and Nearby Area Names

According to the US Postal Service, Fairbanks, its neighborhoods, and/or surrounding areas are also referred to as:

Note that not all alternate names are acceptable for use in US Post Office addresses.

Fairbanks Hospitals

FAIRBANKS MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
(Voluntary non-profit - Private)
1650 COWLES STREET
(907) 452-8181
Emergency Service: Yes

Starbucks in Fairbanks

Fairbanks High Schools (2004)

INTERIOR DISTANCE EDUCATION OF AK (IDEA)
609 2ND AVENUE
907-562-4332
Serves 3,769 students.
Student/teacher ratio: 131.8

WEST VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL
3800 GIEST ROAD
907-479-4221
Serves 1,372 students.
Student/teacher ratio: 19.6

LATHROP HIGH SCHOOL
901 AIRPORT WAY
907-456-7794
Serves 1,355 students.
Student/teacher ratio: 17.7

RAVEN CORRESPONDENCE SCHOOL
4762 OLD AIRPORT WAY
907-374-9401
Serves 1,041 students.
Student/teacher ratio: 165.2

GUIDED INDEPENDENT STUDY
520 FIFTH AVENUE
907-452-2000
Serves 239 students.

ALTERNATIVE LEARNING SYSTEMS
520 5TH AVENUE
907-452-2000
A Non-traditional School
Serves 214 students.
Student/teacher ratio: 47.6

HOWARD LUKE ACADEMY
601 LOFTUS RD.
907-474-0958
A Title I school.
Serves 111 students.
Student/teacher ratio: 9.3

FAIRBANKS YOUTH FACILITY
1502 WILBUR STREET
907-456-1536
A Non-traditional School
Serves 31 students.
Student/teacher ratio: 7.8

HUTCHISON CAREER CENTER
3750 GEIST ROAD
907-479-2261
A Vocational School

WISEMAN/COLDFOOT SCHOOL
GENERAL DELIVERY
907-678-2001

Fairbanks Colleges

Click school name for a detailed profile.

University of Alaska Fairbanks

(List of All Alaska Colleges)

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