The area has served as a transportation corridor since around 1906, when the first of the trails leading out of Knik to the Gold Mines in the Willow Creek Mining District, the Carle Wagon Road, was constructed. This is now the Wasilla-Fishhook Road. In 1917, Pittman was established on the Alaska Railroad at Mile 166.5, and a water station was added in 1920. The local name was first reported in 1942 by AMS. Homesteaders settled the area after World War II, and the area continued to develop after a Department of Natural Resources land disposal during the mid-1960s. The George Parks Highway was completed in 1971. Low housing costs, the semi-rural lifestyle, and employment in Palmer, Wasilla and Anchorage have supported growth in the Mat-Su Valley.
8.1% of the population are Alaska Native or part Native. Meadow Lakes is a large settlement north of Wasilla, comprised of approximately 2,000 homes. Students are bused to Wasilla, Big Lake and Houston.

During the 2000 U.S. Census, there were 2,003 total housing units, and 301 were vacant. 138 of these vacant housing units are used only seasonally. 1,978 residents were employed. The unemployment rate at that time was 9.72%, although 41.7% of all adults were not in the work force. The median household income was $41,030, per capita income was $17,295, and 17.06% of residents were living below the poverty level.

Quick Search