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Tonsina
Alaska›Copper River Census Area

TonsinaAK

The town, settled in 1903, counts 47 residents.

1 bordering townMap →
Copper River and Northwestern Railway · Photo: Sewtex at English Wikipedia · CC BY 2.5
Photo of Tonsina

Tonsina, AK · Copper River and Northwestern Railway · Photo: Sewtex at English Wikipedia · CC BY 2.5

Population
47
Census survey, 2020–24
Median age
32.2
years
Land area
148 sq mi
Settled
1903
123 years ago

Is Tonsina a good place to live?

Tonsina’s January low is -10°F, below both Alaska’s towns (7°F) and U.S. towns (22°F). No town among the 42 in Alaska we compare has a higher share of homes lived in by their owners than Tonsina. 45% of the land in Tonsina is conserved, above both Alaska’s towns (15%) and U.S. towns (4.3%). Tonsina has fewer than 1,000 residents, too few for fair grades; the figures below are still real.

Small town

47 people, and everyone knows the way

In a town this size, neighbors are the best guide. Ask them anything.

Kenny LakeKenny LakeTonsina

The data

Ordered by what stands out in Tonsina.

45.4%
conserved · 45,725 of 100,811 acres
8.5 mi
of trails · 0.1 per sq mi

Trails & parks © OpenStreetMap contributors · Conserved land: USGS PAD-US

Natural hazards

Tonsina has a very high natural-hazard risk, chiefly from avalanches

84risk score of 100

For Tonsina, the FEMA hazard score is 84 of 100. Of the losses FEMA expects here, 76% come from avalanches and 11% from earthquakes.

FEMA risk score
84Very high riskLowerHigher
AvalanchesEarthquakes

FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMA

Climate

The climate in Tonsina brings snowy winters and pleasant summers

72″snow a winter

The July high here is 70°F.

Typical low → high °F

Winter-7–10°
Spring16–44°
Summer41–67°
Fall16–35°

NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020

Health

How healthy Tonsina is

Two figures for adults in Tonsina: 18% smoke cigarettes, 38% have high blood pressure. CDC measures, 32 in all: Tonsina beats Alaska on 1 and trails on 4. Among adults locally, 71% had a checkup this year.

TonsinaAlaska townsU.S. towns
Yearly checkup (CDC PLACES)71%68%79%
Smoke cigarettes (CDC PLACES)18%16%14%
High blood pressure (CDC PLACES)38%32%35%
Feel lonely (CDC PLACES)31%32%33%
32 measures vs. Alaska
1 better27 too close to call4 worse
What stands outTonsinaAK
More adults getting cholesterol checked85.1%79.6%
More older adults who have lost all their teeth29.6%13.5%
Providence Valdez Medical Center
62.1 mi away · emergency room
3 of 3
care shortages: primary care, dental, mental health

CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSA

0
homes sold in September

Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data Center

Keep exploring

Everything we know about Tonsina

13pages on Tonsina
Getting set up

Moving to Tonsina: who provides what

Tonsina is unincorporated, so Copper River Census Area and regional agencies provide most services.

PowerBirch Creek Village Elec UtilEIAHIFLD · EIA
Internet1 providers99% of addresses get 100/20 MbpsFCC
Trash & county servicesCopper River Census AreaCopper River Census Area provides services here
SchoolsCopper River School DistrictWhich school depends on your addressNCES
Register to voteOnlineIn Alaska you can register online until 30 days before Election Day, in person until 30 days before Election Day, or by mail (received 30 days before).vote.gov
Who runs elections hereAbsentee and Petition OfficeState of Alaska; contacts on the Handbook page.FVAP, Jun 2025
ZIP code9957399573 100%Census 2020

EPA SDWIS (Oct 9, 2026) · HIFLD + EIA-861 2025 · Census 2020 ZCTAs · NCES 2024–25 · registration: vote.gov, updated Sep 30, 2026.

After high school

Colleges nearby

None within 15 miles of Tonsina; the nearest are

About Tonsina

CDP in Alaska, United States

Tonsina is a census-designated place (CDP) in Copper River Census Area, Alaska, United States. At the 2020 census the population was 55, down from 78 in 2010. Tonsina is part of the Copper River Valley area. The centerpiece of Tonsina valley is the Tonsina River Lodge. This roadhouse alongside the Richardson Highway consists of a bar, restaurant, gas station, convenience and liquor store, laundromat and showers. There is also a camping area, RV park and motel. A main attraction of the roadhouse is the historic hotel. The Tonsina River Lodge is a rambling, shambling, gravel-covered spread, with weatherbeaten buildings. The historic hotel is an orange, three story Army barracks with a red tin…

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)

Area
148 sq mi
Elevation
1,565 ft

Questions about Tonsina

Short answers, built from the data on this page.

Is Tonsina, AK a good place to live?

Tonsina has fewer than 1,000 residents, too few for fair grades; the figures below are still real.

Tonsina is in here

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