Ester Alaska

Current Population:	1,938 (2006 Estimated Population (not Certified))
Incorporation Type:	Unincorporated
Borough Located In:	Fairbanks North Star Borough
Taxes:	Sales: None, Property: 15.224 mills (Borough), Special: 8% Accommodations Tax (Borough); 5% Alcohol Tax (Borough); 8% Tobacco Excise Tax (Borough)

Location and Climate

Ester is located 8.5 miles west of Fairbanks on the George Parks Highway.

The community lies at approximately 64.847220° North Latitude and -148.014440° (West) Longitude. (Sec. 07, T001S, R002W, Fairbanks Meridian.)

Ester is located in the Fairbanks Recording District. The area encompasses 64.6 sq. miles of land and 0.1 sq. miles of water.

Interior Alaska experiences seasonal temperature extremes.

Average January temperatures range from -19 to -2; average July temperatures range from 49 to 71.

Annual precipitation is 11.5 inches, with 67.8 inches of snowfall.

Organizations with Local Offices

Media - Mushing Magazine - Steller Communications

P.O. Box 149

Ester, AK 99725-0149

Phone 907-479-0454

Fax 907-479-3137

E-mail info@mushing.com

Web http://www.mushing.com/

Media - Ester Republic Press

P.O. Box 24

Ester, AK 99725

Phone 907-479-3368

Fax 907-479-3368

E-mail editor@esterrepublic.com

Web http://esterrepublic.com/

Phone 907-452-7274

Web http://www.akvisit.com/ester.html

Regional Organizations

Borough - Fairbanks North Star Borough

P.O. Box 71267

Fairbanks, AK 99707

Phone Borough Clerk 459-1401

Fax Borough Clerk 459-1224

E-mail clerks@co.fairbanks.ak.us; jwhitaker@co.fairbanks.ak.us

Web http://www.co.fairbanks.ak.us

Regional Native Health Corporation - Tanana Chiefs Conference

122 First Avenue, Suite 600

Fairbanks, AK 99701-4897

Phone 907-452-8251

Fax 907-459-3850

E-mail hbrown@tananachiefs.org

Web http://www.tananachiefs.org

Regional Development - FNSB Economic Dev. Div.

P.O. Box 71267

Fairbanks, AK 99707-1267

Phone 907-459-1309

Fax 907-459-1102

E-mail kdodge@co.fairbanks.ak.us

Web http://www.co.fairbanks.ak.us/MayorsOffice/EconomicDevelopment/default.htm

Facilities, Utilities, Schools and Health Care

The majority of residents have individual wells and septic systems; the remainder haul water from a central water source in Ester. Over 80% of homes are fully plumbed.

Refuse is collected at a transfer site and transported to the Borough landfill.

Electricity is provided by Golden Valley Electric Association.

There are no state operated schools located in the community.

Local hospitals or health clinics include Fairbanks hospitals. Ester is classified as a highway village, it is found in EMS Region 1C in the Interior Region.

Emergency Services:

Emergency Services have highway and air access, and are within 30 minutes of a higher-level satellite health care facility. Emergency service is provided by 911 Telephone Service and volunteers Auxiliary health care is provided by Ester Volunteer Fire Dept. (907-479-6858/907-474-7721) or Fairbanks Memorial Hospital.

Economy and Transportation

Tourism related to the mining history of the area contributes to the economy. Fairbanks also provides a variety of employment opportunities.

Ester has access to the statewide highway system and to all Fairbanks transportation facilities

History, Culture and Demographics

It was originally a mining camp established prior to 1905 near Ester Creek. It was first reported in 1908 by the U.S. Geological Survey. Ester Gold Camp was established in 1936.

The community has grown as a result of Borough land lotteries.

The population of the community consists of 7.8% Alaska Native or part Native. Ester residents have an active community association and volunteer fire department. During the 2000 U.S. Census, total housing units numbered 814, and vacant housing units numbered 87.

Vacant housing units used only seasonally numbered 22. U.S. Census data for Year 2000 showed 1,001 residents as employed.

The unemployment rate at that time was 4.42 percent, although 29.9 percent of all adults were not in the work force.

The median household income was $50,461, per capita income was $29,155, and 8.06 percent of residents were living below the poverty level.

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