Page Contents for McGrath, Alaska

Statistics & Facts

Location

Weather & Climate

History & History-related items

City Attractions

Economy

Government

Schools.

Miscellany

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Statistics & Facts

The Alaska state capital is Juneau.
The population of McGrath is approximately 379 (2005), 346 (2010).
The approximate number of families is 207 (1990), 147 (2010).
The amount of land area in McGrath is 97.308 sq. kilometers.
The amount of land area in McGrath is 48.9 sq. miles.
The amount of surface water is 12.014 sq kilometers.
The distance from McGrath to Washington DC is 3954 miles.
The distance to the Alaska state capital is 858 miles. (as the crow flies)
McGrath is positioned 62.95 degrees north of the equator and 155.57 degrees west of the prime meridian.
McGrath elevation is 33 feet above sea level.
McGrath median income is $ 43,056 (2000).
The McGrath median home price is $ 86,300 (2000).
McGrath average annual precipitation is 4 inches peryear.
McGrath average annual snowfall is 86 inches per year.
The average winter temperature is -64 to 0 degrees F.
The average summer temperature is 62-80 degrees F.

Location

415 miles northwest of AnchorageAnchorage and 475 miles southwest of Fairbanks in Interior Alaska. It is adjacent to the Kuskokwim River directly south of its confluence with the Takotna River. There are not many nearby communities, but Takotna is about 35 miles away and Nikolai is about 82 miles.
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Climate

cold, continental
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Weather

typical of the area with cool summers and cold winters.

Here is a weather page for McGrath. This page from weather.com gives current weather conditions.

This page gives some weather history for McGrath.
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History & History Related Items

The original town was located on the other side of the river from where it is now. It was a trading place for many of the nearby towns and colonies. A trading post was built at the old site in 1904 by Abraham Appel. After gold was discovered nearby in 1906, the area became a major supply center. The town of McGrath was founded in 1907 and named for Peter McGrath who was a local U.S. Marshal. The Iditarod Trail also came through the area and was widely used. In the early 1900's, many miners came and resided here, but mining declined greatly after 1925. It was after a major flood n 1933 that the town was moved across the river. Changes in the coursing of the river also left the old area too marshy for useable land. Later, stores were opened and in 1940, an airstrip was built helping to establish the area as a refueling stop during World War II.
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The incorporation of McGrath

June 5, 1975

Attractions

The Native population make up almost half the people in the area. They represent three cultures, Athabascans, Eskimos and Aleuts. Most residences in McGrath have piped in water, but some have their own wells. Both septic and sewer systems are used here. All other services are available to local residents.

There are no connections to McGrath by road, though local roads are used by residents with ATVs and trucks. Snowmobiles are used extensively during winter months. The air strip is owned by the state and is 5,435’ long and 150’ wide. It is made of asphalt. There is a crosswind landing strip that is 1,720’ long and 100’ wide. There is also a seaplane base on the Kuskokwim River.

Learn more about McGrath at this very informative site.

Innoko National Wildlife Refuge
west of McGrath
40 Tonzona Avenue
Box 69
McGrath, Alaska 99627-0069
Phone: (907) 524-3251
Toll Free: 888-601-7970
FAX: (907) 524-3141

Depending on the season and your own preferences, there is much to do in the area. Some suggestions are hunting, fishing, sightseeing, boating, rafting, goldmining, mountain biking, skiing, snow machining and dog mushing.

Iditarod Dog Race

Tesoro Iron Dog Race
2000 Mile Snow Machine Race
February each year.
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Economy & Industry

diverse with transportation, communications, and as a major supply center in Interior Alaska. Many of the families here grow their own food, fish, trap and hunt for their supplies.
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McGrath City Government

There are two forms of local government.
The McGrath Native Village Council and the City of McGrath.

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City of McGrath
P.O. Box 30
McGrath, AK 99627
Phone 907-524-3825
Fax: 907-524-3536

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Village Corporation
MTNT Limited
P.O. Box 309
McGrath, AK 99627
Phone: 907-524-3391
Fax: 907-524-3701

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Village Council
McGrath Native Village
P.O. Box 134
McGrath, AK 99627
Phone: 907-524-3024
Fax: 907-524-3899

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Village Council
Medfra Traditional Council
P.O. Box 92
McGrath, AK 99627

McGrath Schools

Iditarod Area Schools
Box 90
McGrath, AK 99627
Phone 907-524-3033
Fax 907-524-3217 McGrath

Miscellany

The population of McGrath was:
1990 - 528
1999 - 450
1999 - 423 (december 99)
2000 - 401
2004 - 450
2005 - 379 (estimate)