Houston, Alaska
Encyclopedia
Houston is a city in Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Alaska
, United States. It is part of the Anchorage, Alaska
Metropolitan Statistical Area
. The population was 1,202 at the 2000 census.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 23.5 square miles (60.9 km²), of which, 22.4 square miles (58 km²) of it is land and 1.1 square miles (2.8 km²) of it (4.89%) is water.
, 0.33% Black
or African American
, 8.24% Native American
, 0.67% Asian
, 0.33% Pacific Islander
, 0.92% from other races
, and 5.49% from two or more races. 2.33% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 445 households out of which 37.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.1% were married couples living together, 11.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.2% were non-families. 26.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.70 and the average family size was 3.26.
In the city the age distribution of the population shows 30.7% under the age of 18, 9.4% from 18 to 24, 31.2% from 25 to 44, 22.5% from 45 to 64, and 6.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 113.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 115.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $39,615, and the median income for a family was $46,818. Males had a median income of $45,000 versus $30,625 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $17,213. About 13.1% of families and 17.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.8% of those under age 18 and 7.4% of those age 65 or over.
in 1917. Houston was incorporated as a city in 1966. A June 1996 wildfire destroyed more than 37500 acres (152 km²) in the Houston and Big Lake
area, including 433 buildings and homes valued at $8.9 million.
Controversy:
In March 2010, the city held public hearings over the actions of Mayor Roger Purcell, who while acting under city code, exercised police powers, including wearing a badge and a gun. Purcell is a former police officer who allegedly served in a questionable manner in several Alaska police departments during the 1980s and 1990s including Hoonah, Bethel, Valdez and more recently Seldovia, where he was most recently forced to resign. Purcell borrowed a city police car and drove it at very high speeds and in a reckless fashion, which was captured on police car's dash camera. Motorists reported that Purcell stopped them on Houston highways that prompted a call for legislative changes to Alaskan home rule provisions for cities limiting the scope and authority when and how elected officials may act as peace officers. Alaska's Police Standards Council stated that Purcell acted improperly. In May 2010, Mayor Purcell filed for bankruptcy that month. Purcell garnered controversy for driving a used fire truck from the lower 48 to Houston, at a cost of over $10,000.00 to the city, to bring in a truck that was of questionable use to the city. Also in May 2010, the city attempted to disband its police force, but ultimately decided not to do so in the face of public uproar. The city of Houston was scheduled to hold a referendum in June 2010 to decide whether to recall Purcell from office, but he resigned as mayor before hand.
Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Alaska
-National protected areas:* Chugach National Forest * Denali National Park and Preserve ** Denali Wilderness * Lake Clark National Park and Preserve ** Lake Clark Wilderness -Demographics:...
, United States. It is part of the Anchorage, Alaska
Anchorage, Alaska
Anchorage is a unified home rule municipality in the southcentral part of the U.S. state of Alaska. It is the northernmost major city in the United States...
Metropolitan Statistical Area
Anchorage metropolitan area
The Anchorage Metropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is an area consisting of the Municipality of Anchorage and Matanuska-Susitna Borough in south central Alaska....
. The population was 1,202 at the 2000 census.
Geography
Houston is located at 61°36′30"N 149°46′25"W (61.608309, -149.773719).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 23.5 square miles (60.9 km²), of which, 22.4 square miles (58 km²) of it is land and 1.1 square miles (2.8 km²) of it (4.89%) is water.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,202 people, 445 households, and 292 families residing in the city. The population density was 53.7 people per square mile (20.7/km²). There were 581 housing units at an average density of 25.9 per square mile (10.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 84.03% WhiteRace (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.33% Black
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 8.24% Native American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.67% Asian
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.33% Pacific Islander
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.92% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 5.49% from two or more races. 2.33% of the population were Hispanic
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or Latino
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
of any race.
There were 445 households out of which 37.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.1% were married couples living together, 11.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.2% were non-families. 26.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.70 and the average family size was 3.26.
In the city the age distribution of the population shows 30.7% under the age of 18, 9.4% from 18 to 24, 31.2% from 25 to 44, 22.5% from 45 to 64, and 6.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 113.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 115.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $39,615, and the median income for a family was $46,818. Males had a median income of $45,000 versus $30,625 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $17,213. About 13.1% of families and 17.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.8% of those under age 18 and 7.4% of those age 65 or over.
History
"Houston Siding" was first listed on a blueprint map of the Alaska RailroadAlaska Railroad
The Alaska Railroad is a Class II railroad which extends from Seward and Whittier, in the south of the state of Alaska, in the United States, to Fairbanks , and beyond to Eielson Air Force Base and Fort Wainwright in the interior of that state...
in 1917. Houston was incorporated as a city in 1966. A June 1996 wildfire destroyed more than 37500 acres (152 km²) in the Houston and Big Lake
Big Lake, Alaska
Big Lake is a census-designated place in Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Alaska, United States. It is part of the Anchorage, Alaska Metropolitan Statistical Area...
area, including 433 buildings and homes valued at $8.9 million.
Notable residents
- Medal of HonorMedal of HonorThe Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
recipient James BondsteelJames Leroy BondsteelJames Leroy Bondsteel was a United States Army soldier who served during the Vietnam War, where he earned the Medal of Honor. Camp Bondsteel, located in Kosovo, is named in his honor. His Medal of Honor was the last presented by President Richard Nixon.-Biography:James L...
lived in Houston until his death in 1987.
Controversy:
In March 2010, the city held public hearings over the actions of Mayor Roger Purcell, who while acting under city code, exercised police powers, including wearing a badge and a gun. Purcell is a former police officer who allegedly served in a questionable manner in several Alaska police departments during the 1980s and 1990s including Hoonah, Bethel, Valdez and more recently Seldovia, where he was most recently forced to resign. Purcell borrowed a city police car and drove it at very high speeds and in a reckless fashion, which was captured on police car's dash camera. Motorists reported that Purcell stopped them on Houston highways that prompted a call for legislative changes to Alaskan home rule provisions for cities limiting the scope and authority when and how elected officials may act as peace officers. Alaska's Police Standards Council stated that Purcell acted improperly. In May 2010, Mayor Purcell filed for bankruptcy that month. Purcell garnered controversy for driving a used fire truck from the lower 48 to Houston, at a cost of over $10,000.00 to the city, to bring in a truck that was of questionable use to the city. Also in May 2010, the city attempted to disband its police force, but ultimately decided not to do so in the face of public uproar. The city of Houston was scheduled to hold a referendum in June 2010 to decide whether to recall Purcell from office, but he resigned as mayor before hand.