The Denali Borough is a borough located in the U.S. state of Alaska. As of the 2020 census, the population of the borough was 1,619, down from 1,826 in 2010. The borough seat and most populated community is Healy, and its only incorporated place is Anderson. The borough was incorporated in December 1990.
The area was previously a part of the Unorganized Borough, with the Upper Railbelt School District serving as the region's rural education attendance area (which was replaced by a school district under the borough's umbrella upon incorporation).
The earliest inhabitants were nomadic native Alaskans. A mining camp was established near Healy prior to 1902, and construction of the Alaska Railroad brought additional settlers to the area in the early 1920s. Clear Space Force Station, the Usibelli Coal Mine and tourism at the Denali National Park and Preserve have brought growth and development.
Geography
The borough has a total area of , of which is land and (0.2%) is water.
The borough contains North America's highest point: Denali (federally Mount McKinley), from which it derives its name, at .
National protected area
- Denali National Park and Preserve (part)
- Denali Wilderness (part)
Adjacent boroughs and census areas
- Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area - west/north
- Fairbanks North Star Borough - northeast
- Southeast Fairbanks Census Area - east
- Matanuska-Susitna Borough - south