Ruby, Alaska
Encyclopedia
Ruby is a city in Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area, Alaska
, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 188.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 7.6 square miles (19.7 km²).
, 82.98% Native American
, and 3.19% from two or more races.
There were 68 households out of which 44.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.3% were married couples living together, 16.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.2% were non-families. 32.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.76 and the average family size was 3.55.
In the city the age distribution of the population shows 37.8% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 23.4% from 25 to 44, 25.5% from 45 to 64, and 5.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 111.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 108.9 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $24,375, and the median income for a family was $26,667. Males had a median income of $21,250 versus $24,167 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $9,544. 32.3% of the population and 23.8% of families were below the poverty line. 45.3% of those under the age of 18 are living below the poverty line.
At its peak the population was near 3000. By 1918 The town was in decline. Many of the men had left to fight in World War I and several of the towns business people and their families were lost in the sinking of the ship Sophia.
A fire in 1929 destroyed much of the business district and a flood in 1931 took out what was left of buildings on the river front.
After World War II the population of the community had left. Natives from the village of Kokrines moved in to take advantage of the abandoned homes. There are currently less than 200 people living in Ruby.
Local residents nicknamed the town "The Gem of the Yukon", because it is located along the Yukon River
and also the name resembles that of a ruby gemstone
.
More information on the history of Ruby and genealogy can be found at http://rubyalaska.info.
The largest gold nugget ever found in Alaska (294.10 Troy Ounces) was found near Ruby, Alaska in 1998.
Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area, Alaska
Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area is a census area located in the state of Alaska, United States. As of the 2010 census, the population was 5,588. It is part of the unorganized borough and therefore has no borough seat...
, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 188.
Geography
Ruby is located at 64°44′14"N 155°29′16"W (64.737306, -155.487693).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 7.6 square miles (19.7 km²).
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 188 people, 68 households, and 42 families residing in the city. The population density was 24.9 people per square mile (9.6/km²). There were 107 housing units at an average density of 14.2 per square mile (5.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 13.83% 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...
, 82.98% 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...
, and 3.19% from two or more races.
There were 68 households out of which 44.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.3% were married couples living together, 16.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.2% were non-families. 32.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.76 and the average family size was 3.55.
In the city the age distribution of the population shows 37.8% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 23.4% from 25 to 44, 25.5% from 45 to 64, and 5.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 111.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 108.9 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $24,375, and the median income for a family was $26,667. Males had a median income of $21,250 versus $24,167 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 $9,544. 32.3% of the population and 23.8% of families were below the poverty line. 45.3% of those under the age of 18 are living below the poverty line.
History
The town of Ruby was established in 1911 as the result of a gold rush. Gold was first discovered at the current townsite in 1906 on Ruby Creek. That discovery brought more prospectors to the area. In 1910 word leaked out about a gold strike on Long Creek, 30 miles south of Ruby, and a stampede was on. Discoveries on other nearby creeks followed and Ruby became the supply point for the mines.At its peak the population was near 3000. By 1918 The town was in decline. Many of the men had left to fight in World War I and several of the towns business people and their families were lost in the sinking of the ship Sophia.
A fire in 1929 destroyed much of the business district and a flood in 1931 took out what was left of buildings on the river front.
After World War II the population of the community had left. Natives from the village of Kokrines moved in to take advantage of the abandoned homes. There are currently less than 200 people living in Ruby.
Local residents nicknamed the town "The Gem of the Yukon", because it is located along the Yukon River
Yukon River
The Yukon River is a major watercourse of northwestern North America. The source of the river is located in British Columbia, Canada. The next portion lies in, and gives its name to Yukon Territory. The lower half of the river lies in the U.S. state of Alaska. The river is long and empties into...
and also the name resembles that of a ruby gemstone
Ruby
A ruby is a pink to blood-red colored gemstone, a variety of the mineral corundum . The red color is caused mainly by the presence of the element chromium. Its name comes from ruber, Latin for red. Other varieties of gem-quality corundum are called sapphires...
.
More information on the history of Ruby and genealogy can be found at http://rubyalaska.info.
Noted people
- Emmitt PetersEmmitt PetersEmmitt Gordon Peters, Sr. the "Yukon Fox", is an Alaskan American hunter, fisher, trapper, and dog musher. The last rookie to win the 1,049 mile Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race , he and his lead dogs Nugget and Digger shattered the previous speed record by almost six days.Peters is an Athabaskan...
- Last rookie to win the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. - Barry ClayBarry ClayBarry L. Clay is a gold miner from Palmer, Alaska. In 1998, Clay discovered the largest gold nugget ever found in Alaska on Swift Creek near Ruby. The nugget, nicknamed "The Alaska Centennial Nugget", weighs 294.1 troy ounces. In 2007 he operated a mining camp that allowed tourists to search for...
- Discovered Alaska's largest gold nugget, 294 oz (9.15 kg), in 1998 in the Ruby mining district. http://www.swiftcreekmine.com/ - Donald Honea, Sr. - Traditional Chief of the Athabascan People
The largest gold nugget ever found in Alaska (294.10 Troy Ounces) was found near Ruby, Alaska in 1998.