Current Population: 829 (2002 est. by State Demographer)
Incorporation Type: Unincorporated
Borough Located In: Unorganized
Taxes: No taxing authority

In 1903 an overland trail was cut from Valdez to Fairbanks and a roadhouse was established a short time later at the junction of the Delta and Tanana Rivers. Originally called Bates Landing, it later became known as Rika's Landing, then McCarty, and finally as Big Delta. In 1911, Lt. Billy Mitchell of the U.S. Army Signal Corps established a military telegraph station on the McCarty Military Reservation at Big Delta as a part of the Washington/Alaska Military Cable and Telegraph System (WAMCATS.) A work camp was established at Big Delta in 1919 during construction of the Richardson Highway, which connected Valdez with Fairbanks. The Washburn Post Office operated here from 1905 to 1913. The Big Delta Post Office operated from 1925 to 1959, from which the community received its present name. Construction of the Alaska Highway in 1942-43, homesteading, construction of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline from 1974 to 1977, and State-funded agricultural projects have each brought development to the area.
2.1% of the population are Alaska Native or part Native. Many residents are members of "Whitestone Farms" (Church of the Living Word, Inc.), who collectively pool individual assets and income for the good of the community. A school, YMCA and visitor center are among the available facilities.

During the 2000 U.S. Census, there were 232 total housing units, and 67 were vacant. 53 of these vacant housing units are used only seasonally. 204 residents were employed. The unemployment rate at that time was 24.72%, although 61.14% of all adults were not in the work force. The median household income was $49,000, per capita income was $14,803, and 30.03% of residents were living below the poverty level.

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