POPULATION: 337
LOCATION: On the west bank of the Copper River at the confluence of the Klutina River, along the Richardson Highway between Mileposts 101 and 105.
DESCRIPTION: Two distinct settlements, a Native village and a non-Native settlement. Alaska Natives, primarily Athabascan Indians, are about half of the total population. The economy is based on local services and businesses, the visitor center for Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve..
HISTORY: Ahtna Athabascans have occupied the Copper River basin for 5,000 to 7,000 years, with summer fish camps at every bend in the river and winter villages throughout the area. Copper Center was a large village at one time.