Ruby, Alaska

Ruby
City
Country	United States
State	Alaska
Census Area	Yukon-Koyukuk
Area
• Total	7.6 sq mi (19.6 km2)
• Land	7.6 sq mi (19.6 km2)
• Water	0.0 sq mi (0.0 km2)
Elevation	249 ft (76 m)
Population  (2007)
• Total	169
• Density	24.9/sq mi (9.6/km2)
Time zone	UTC-9 (Alaska (AKST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-8 (AKDT)
Area code	907
FIPS code	02-65590

Ruby is a city in Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area, Alaska, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 188.

Geography

Ruby is located at 64°44′14″N 155°29′16″W (64.737306, -155.487693)Template:GR.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 7.6 square miles (19.6 km²).

Demographics

As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 188 people, 68 households, and 42 families residing in the city. The population density was 24.9 people per square mile (9.6/km²). There were 107 housing units at an average density of 14.2/sq mi (5.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 13.83% White, 82.98% Native American, and 3.19% from two or more races.

There were 68 households out of which 44.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.3% were married couples living together, 16.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.2% were non-families. 32.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.76 and the average family size was 3.55.

In the city the population was spread out with 37.8% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 23.4% from 25 to 44, 25.5% from 45 to 64, and 5.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 111.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 108.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $24,375, and the median income for a family was $26,667. Males had a median income of $21,250 versus $24,167 for females. The per capita income for the city was $9,544. 32.3% of the population and 23.8% of families were below the poverty line. 45.3% of those under the age of 18 are living below the poverty line.

History

Riverboats on the Yukon River at Ruby, Alaska during the town's heyday

The town of Ruby was established in 1911 as the result of a gold rush. Gold was first discovered at the current townsite in 1906 on Ruby Creek. That discovery brought more prospectors to the area. In 1910 word leaked out about a gold strike on Long Creek, 30 miles south of Ruby, and a stampede was on. Discoveries on other nearby creeks followed and Ruby became the supply point for the mines.

At its peak the population was near 3000. By 1918 The town was in decline. Many of the men had left to fight in WWI and several of the towns business people and their families were lost in the sinking of the ship Sophia.

A fire in 1929 destroyed much of the business district and a flood in 1931 took out what was left of buildings on the river front.

After WWII the population of the community had left. Natives from the village of Kokrines moved in to take advantage of the abandoned homes. There are currently less than 200 people living in Ruby.

Local residents nicknamed the town "The Gem of the Yukon", because it is located along the Yukon River and also the name resembles that of a ruby gemstone.

More information on the history of Ruby and genealogy can be found at http://rubyalaska.info.

Noted people

• Emmitt Peters - Last rookie to win the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.
• Barry Clay - Discovered Alaska's largest gold nugget, 294 oz (9.15 kg), in 1998 in the Ruby mining district. [1]
• Donald Honea, Sr. - Traditional Chief of the Athabascan People

The largest gold nugget ever found in Alaska (294.10 Troy Ounces) was found near Ruby, Alaska in 1998.

See also

Ruby-Poorman mining district