Economy

The city of Fairbanks, Alaska (population 32,000 or 82,000 including the surrounding Fairbanks North Star Borough) is at the hub of major transportation routes, and is the business and services centre of the Alaska Interior.  Fairbanks has a varied and strong economic base: the Fairbanks Economic Development Corporation identifies natural resources (including mining, oil and gas, timber, and farming), military, and transportation as the traditional economic bases of Fairbanks, with research and technology as an emerging sector.

Mining, trading, and service provision was what originally drew the non-native population to the Fairbanks area.  The Fort Knox Gold Mine produces 1,200 ounces daily as well as hosting a stream of visitors annually.

There are two military bases in the Fairbanks area, Eielson Air Force Base and Fort Wainwright.  Combined with the University of Alaska Fairbanks, government is the area’s major employer.

Tourism is also a significant part of Fairbank's economic base with about 325,000 visitors annually.