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Homer, Alaska

Homer (Dena'ina: Tuggeght) is a city in Kenai Peninsula Borough in the U.S. state of Alaska. It is 218 mi southwest of Anchorage. According to the 2020 Census, the population is 5,522, up from 5,003 in 2010. Long known as the "Halibut Fishing Capital of the World", Homer is also nicknamed "the end of the road", and more recently, "the cosmic hamlet by the sea".

Geography

Homer is located at 59°38'35" North, 151°31'33" West (59.643059, −151.525900). The only road into Homer is the Sterling Highway. The town has a total area of 25.5 sqmi, of which 15 sqmi are land and 10.5 sqmi are covered by water.

Homer is on the shore of Kachemak Bay on the southwest side of the Kenai Peninsula. Its distinguishing feature is the Homer Spit, a narrow 4.5 mi long gravel bar that extends into the bay, on which is located the Homer Harbor. Much of the coastline, as well as the Homer Spit, sank dramatically during the Good Friday earthquake in March 1964. After the earthquake, very little vegetation was able to survive on the Homer Spit.

Climate
As with much of South-central Alaska, Homer has a moderate subarctic mediterranean climate (Köppen Dsc), which causes its weather to be moderate compared to interior Alaska. Winters are snowy and long, but not particularly cold, considering the latitude, with the average January high only slightly below freezing. The annual snowfall averages 50 in per season, falling primarily from November through March, with some accumulation in October and April but rarely in May. Homer receives only about 25 inches of rainfall annually due to the influence of the Chugach Mountains to the southeast, which shelter it from the Gulf of Alaska. Seven days have a minimum 0 °F or below annually, and Homer falls in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 6a. The coldest day of the year averaged 10 F in the 1991 to 2020 normals, while the warmest night average was at 55 F. The coldest daytime maximum on record is -8 F on January 28, 1989, while, conversely, the record warm daily minimum is 60 F on August 9, 1971, and August 23, 1963. Summers are cool due to the marine influence, with 75 °F maxima or minima remaining at or above 55 °F being extremely rare. Extreme temperatures have ranged from −24 °F on January 28–29, 1989, up to 81 °F on July 10, 1993. The coldest has been January 2012 with a mean temperature of 9.0 F, while the warmest month was July 2019 at 58.6 F; the annual mean temperature has ranged from 32.9 F in 1956 to 43.7 F in 2014.

 * Notes:

History

Tiller digs indicate that early Alutiiq people probably camped in the Homer area, although their villages were on the far side of Kachemak Bay.

Coal was discovered in the area in the 1890s. The Cook Inlet Coal Fields Company built a town, dock, coal mine, and railroad at Homer. Coalmining in the area continued until World War II. It is estimated that 400 million tons of coal deposits are still present in the area.

Homer was named for Homer Pennock, a goldmining company promoter, who arrived in 1896 on the Homer Spit and built living quarters for his crew of 50 men. However, goldmining was never profitable in the area.

Another earlier settlement, Miller's Landing, was named after a Charles Miller, who homesteaded in the area around 1915. According to local historian Janet Klein, he was an employee of the Alaska Railroad and had wintered company horses on the beach grasses on the Homer Spit. He built a landing site in a small bight in Kachemak Bay, where supply barges from Seldovia could land and offload their cargos. Miller's landing was legally considered a census-designated place separate from Homer until it was annexed in 2002, but has always been locally considered part of Homer.

Halibut and salmon sport fishing, along with tourism and commercial fishing are the dominant industries. Homer co-hosted the 2006 Arctic Winter Games. The Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge and the Kachemak Bay Research Reserve co-host a visitor center with interpretive displays known as the Alaska Islands and Ocean Visitor Center, and a cultural and historical museum there is called the Pratt Museum.

Demographics
Homer first appeared on the 1940 U.S. Census as an unincorporated village. It formally incorporated in 1964.

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 5,003 people, 2,235 households, and 1,296 families residing in the city. The population density was 361.7 PD/sqmi. There were 2,692 housing units at an average density of 194.6 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 89.3% White, 4.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% Asian, 0.4% African American, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.6% from other races, and 4.5% from two or more races. Hispanics and Latinos of any race were 2.1% of the population.

There were 2,235 households, of which 27.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.3% were married couples living together, 9.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 42.0% were non-families. 33.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.21, and the average family size was 2.83.

The median age in the city was 44.0 years. 21.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22.2% were from 25 to 44; 34.5% were from 45 to 64; and 14.5% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.5% male and 50.5% female.

The median income for a household was $52,057, and the median income for a family was $68,455. Males had a median income of $41,581 versus $37,679 for females. The per capita income for the city was $32,035. About 3.8% of families and 7.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.2% of those under age 18 and 1.4% of those age 65 or over.

Schools and library
The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District provides primary and secondary education to the community of Homer. These schools are:
 * Homer High School (9-12)
 * Homer Flex High School (9-12)
 * Homer Middle School (7-8)
 * West Homer Elementary (3-6)
 * Paul Banks Elementary (K-2)
 * McNeil Canyon Elementary (K-6)
 * Fireweed Academy (K-6)
 * Connections Homeschool Program (K-12)

The Kachemak Bay Campus of Kenai Peninsula College provides post-secondary education, as well as ESL and GED training to the community of Homer.

The Homer Public Library has enthusiastic support from the Friends of the Homer Library, established in 1948, which raised funds and support for a new library building, opened on September 16, 2006.

Science education
Because of the city of Homer's location on the Kenai Peninsula and its abundance of natural resources and marine habitats, there are many public education programs focused on the environment. Some of these educational endeavors include the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center (also known as the Alaska Island and Ocean Center) and the Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies. Both organizations encourage science education and sponsor many events aimed to teach people of all ages about the ecosystem and conservation. Some of these events include the Kachemak Crane Watch and the Kachemak Bay Science Conference, both sponsored by the Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies.

Kachemak Bay Shorebird Festival

Homer hosts the Kachemak Bay Shorebird festival, which was established in 1993 by a group of Homer residents who wished to educate the public about shorebirds and the wetlands the birds inhabit. Today, the festival is sponsored by Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge and the Friends of Alaska National Wildlife Refuges. The festival is held annually in early May when more than 13,000 shorebirds from 25 different species visit the Kachemak Bay area during spring migration. Tourists and Alaskans alike attend the festival and are encouraged to watch the shorebird migration through a variety of land and boat tours in collaboration with the festival.

Some birds seen during the spring migration and the festival include horned puffins, sandhill cranes, and arctic terns. Arctic Terns are famous for flying the longest distance of any migrating bird. Many of the birds seen during the festival can be identified with the help of published guides that categorize distinguishable features such as, topography, silhouette, size, and color. The festival also includes the Shorebirds Sing: Bird Call Contest, where contestants compete to mimic the calls of various bird species.

In 2020, the festival was held entirely virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic and all presentations, speeches, and events were conducted online. The 2021 festival was held both in person and virtually, with events taking place online and face-to-face.

Media

Homer has one newspaper, the Homer News, a weekly founded in 1964 and bought in 2000 by Morris Communications.

Homer has a number of radio stations including commercial stations KWVV-FM at 103.5 FM, KGTL at 620 AM, and public radio KBBI at 890 AM.

Homer receives 7 analog television stations: Because the stations are rebroadcast into Homer using repeaters, their channel numbers are not the same in Homer and they were not required to participate in the transition to digital television.
 * KTUU-TV Channel 2 - NBC
 * KTBY Channel 4 - Fox
 * KAKM Channel 7 - PBS
 * KAUU Channel 9 - MyNetworkTV
 * KTVA Channel 11 - CBS
 * KYUR Channel 13 - ABC

Transportation

Homer is the southernmost town on the contiguous Alaska highway system. It is also part of the Alaska Marine Highway (the Alaskan ferry system). The Homer Airport lies near the coast as well, with local air taxis and regular scheduled commercial flights to Anchorage. Homer erected its first traffic light in 2005.

The United States Coast Guard stations one Island Class cutter in Homer. From 1992 to 2015, the cutter Roanoke Island was assigned to Homer, and was replaced by the cutter Sapelo. Sapelo is scheduled to be replaced by a more modern Sentinel-class cutter.

Government
Homer uses a city council consisting of seven members. As of April 2020, the current mayor of Homer is Ken Castner.

Notable people

 * Tom Bodett (born 1955), spokesperson, known for the Motel 6 "We'll leave the light on for you" advertisements; and writer, known for the whimsical book about Homer, As Far as You Can go Without a Passport
 * Lincoln Brewster (born 1971), Christian worship musician
 * Kristen Faulkner (born 1992), professional cyclist
 * Hazel P. Heath (1909–1998), businesswoman; mayor of Homer, 1968–1976
 * Jewel (Jewel Kilcher) (born 1974), singer/songwriter
 * Jean Keene (1923–2009), the "Eagle Lady" of Homer, known for her decades-long history of feeding bald eagles on Homer Spit
 * Andre Marrou (born 1938), was a resident of Homer when he was elected as a Libertarian member to the Alaska House of Representatives in 1984
 * Shannyn Moore (born 1970), political writer based in Alaska
 * Tela O'Donnell (born 1982), Olympic wrestler
 * Ambrose Olsen (1985–2010), male fashion model
 * Dana Stabenow (born 1952 Anchorage Alaska), American author

title: Homer, Alaska


text:
Hope, Alaska

Hope is a census-designated place (CDP) in Kenai Peninsula Borough in the U.S. state of Alaska. It is 17 miles south from Anchorage. As of the 2010 census the population was 192, up from 137 in 2000.

Geography
Hope is located at 60.91944°N, -149.64194°W (60.920280, -149.64028) (Sec. 33, T010N, R002W, Seward Meridian). Hope is located in the Seward Recording District.

Hope lies on the northern end of Kenai Peninsula, on the south shore of the Turnagain Arm of Cook Inlet. The community lies at the end of the 17 mi Hope Highway, northwest of the Seward Highway, near the mouth of Resurrection Creek. Winter temperatures range from 14 to 27 F; summer temperatures vary from 45 to 65 F. Average annual precipitation is 20 in.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 134.1 km2, of which 0.18 km2, or 0.13%, are water. The CDP includes the settlement of Hope in the valley of Resurrection Creek and extends east and west to the ridgecrests that define the valley. To the south it extends up Resurrection Creek to Palmer Creek on the east side and Gold Gulch on the west side. It is bordered to the east by the Sunrise CDP.

Climate
Hope has a dry-summer continental subarctic climate (Köppen Dsc).

History
"Hope City" was a mining camp for Resurrection Creek, established in 1896. The Hope post office began operating in 1897. Portions of the town were destroyed in the 1964 Good Friday earthquake.

There are two community associations.

The Hope Community Library was established in 1987. It resides in the Historic Hope schoolhouse, originally built in 1938.

Demographics
Hope first appeared on the 1920 U.S. Census as an unincorporated village. In 1980 it was made a census-designated place (CDP).

As of the census of 2000, there were 137 people, 77 households, and 35 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 2.6 PD/sqmi. There were 175 housing units at an average density of 3.4 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 91.97% White, 0.73% Black or African American, 2.19% Native American, 1.46% Asian, and 3.65% from two or more races. 2.19% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 77 households, out of which 15.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.9% were married couples living together, 2.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 54.5% were non-families. 53.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.78 and the average family size was 2.69.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 16.1% under the age of 18, 4.4% from 18 to 24, 22.6% from 25 to 44, 40.1% from 45 to 64, and 16.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 47 years. For every 100 females, there were 107.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 125.5 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $21,786, and the median income for a family was $24,432. Males had a median income of >$0 versus $37,656 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $9,079. There were none of the families and 11.7% of the population living below the poverty line, including no under eighteens and 100.0% of those over 64.

Public services
Approximately one-fourth of homes use individual water wells and septic tank systems, and are fully plumbed. The school operates its own well water system. Many homes in this area are used only seasonally. The borough provides a refuse transfer site in Hope. Electricity is provided by Chugach Electric Association. There is one school located in the community, attended by 14 students. Local hospitals or health clinics include Central Peninsula General Hospital in Soldotna (907-262-4404) or Anchorage hospitals. Hope is classified as a highway village, and is found in EMS Region 2J in the Kenai Peninsula Region. Emergency services have highway and air access. Emergency service is provided by volunteers. Auxiliary health care is provided by Hope/Sunrise EMS (907-782-3174/3630): Central Peninsula Hospital in Soldotna or Anchorage hospitals.

Economy and transportation
The school and local retail businesses provide the only employment in Hope. Recreational gold prospecting, including gold panning, metal detecting, and dredging is available. Some commercial mining activities continue today. A small sawmill is used by the community. Two residents hold a commercial fishing permit.

Hope is accessible from the Seward Highway 17 mi to the southeast. The state-owned Hope Airport has a gravel airstrip measuring 2000 by. Anchorage (20 mi to the northwest by air; 88 mi by highway) and Kenai (60 mi southwest by air; 104 mi by highway) offer a variety of transportation services.

Taxes:	Sales: 3% (Borough), Property: 6.5 mills (Borough), Special: None

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Hope, Alaska


text:
Kachemak, Alaska

Kachemak, locally known as Kachemak City, is a small second-class city in the southern portion of the Kenai Peninsula Borough, Alaska, United States. The city consists of several subdivisions and other miscellaneous properties along an approximately 2 mi stretch of East End Road, adjoining the northeast corner of the much larger (both in terms of area and population) city of Homer. The population grew from 431 as of the 2010 census to 576 at the 2020 census.

Geography
Kachemak is located at 59.67333°N, -151.43306°W (59.673395, -151.433170).

The city lies just east of Homer on the north side of Kachemak Bay in south central Alaska.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.6 sqmi, all of it land.

Demographics
Kachemak first appeared on the 1970 U.S. Census as an incorporated city. It formally incorporated in 1961.

As of the census of 2000, there were 431 people, 169 households, and 107 families residing in the city. The population density was 268.0 PD/sqmi. There were 219 housing units at an average density of 136.2 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 87.47% White, 5.80% Native American, 0.93% Asian, 0.23% from other races, and 5.57% from two or more races. 1.62% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 169 households, out of which 29.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.0% were married couples living together, 6.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.1% were non-families. 24.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.06.

In the city, the age distribution of the population shows 23.9% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 21.6% from 25 to 44, 33.9% from 45 to 64, and 12.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females, there were 113.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 106.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $43,068, and the median income for a family was $44,432. Males had a median income of $31,667 versus $26,908 for females. The per capita income for the city was $21,030. About 1.8% of families and 5.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including none of those under age 18 and 6.9% of those age 65 or over.

Note that in the 2010 Census Kachemak city FIPS Place Code (PLACE) should be 36540; it is incorrectly shown as 36550.

title: Kachemak, Alaska


text:
Kalifornsky, Alaska

Kalifornsky is a census-designated place (CDP) in Kenai Peninsula Borough, Alaska, United States. The population was 8,487 at the 2020 census, up from 7,850 in 2010. It is the most populated locality in the borough.

Location
Kalifornsky is located at 60.47333°N, -151.20139°W (60.473421, -151.201427). It is bordered to the north by the city of Kenai and to the east by the city of Soldotna, the borough seat. The Kenai River forms part of the northeast border of the CDP, across which is the CDP of Ridgeway. It is bordered to the south by the CDPs of Cohoe and Kasilof.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 180.7 km2, of which 178.4 km2 are land and 2.3 km2, or 1.27%, are water.

Kalifornsky is on the eastern shore of Cook Inlet on the Kenai Peninsula. It lies off the Sterling Highway along Kalifornsky Beach Road, 4 to 17 mi south of the center of Kenai and 4 to 16 mi west of the center of Soldotna.

Climate
Kalifornsky CDP has relatively mild winter temperatures, ranging from 14 to 27 F. Summer temperatures are relatively cool, ranging from 45 to 65 F. Average annual precipitation is 24 in.

History and culture
The Dena'ina name for Kalifornsky is Unhghenesditnu, meaning 'farthest creek over'.

The place name "Kalifonsky" (omitting the letter "r") was noted in 1916 by the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey, with its etymology attributed to an Indian word kali meaning "fishermen".

However, this place name appears to have been due to a mistaken transcription of the village name "Kalifornsky", which took its name from the surname of the village's founder, a Dena'ina Indian named Qadanalchen (meaning "acts quickly" in the Outer Inlet dialect of the Dena'ina language). Qadanalchen had worked at the Russian American colony of Fort Ross in California from about 1812 to about 1821. On his return to Alaska, Qadanalchen took the name "Kalifornsky", the Russian equivalent of "Californian".

Qadanalchen's great-great-grandson, the self-taught Dena'ina writer and ethnographer Peter Kalifornsky (1911–1993), was born in Kalifornsky village, which lay about 10 mi south of Kenai and 4 mi north of the mouth of the Kasilof River.

Demographics
Kalifornsky first appeared without an "r" the 1980 U.S. Census as Kalifonsky, a census-designated place (CDP). The name was corrected to "Kalifornsky" with the 2000 U.S. Census.

As of the census of 2000, there were 5,846 people, 2,117 households, and 1,596 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 84.5 PD/sqmi. There were 2,479 housing units at an average density of 35.8 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 89.8% White, 0.2% Black or African American, 4.6% Native American, 0.7% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.6% from other races, and 4.1% from two or more races. 2.0% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 2,117 households, out of which 42.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.3% were married couples living together, 8.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.6% were non-families. 19.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 2.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.74 and the average family size was 3.13.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 31.3% under the age of 18, 6.1% from 18 to 24, 31.5% from 25 to 44, 25.6% from 45 to 64, and 5.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 107.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 107.1 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $54,864, and the median income for a family was $58,750. Males had a median income of $50,583 versus $30,493 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $23,898. About 6.6% of families and 7.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.2% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.

Economy and transportation
The area's economy is diverse. Industries and services providing employment include oil and gas processing, timber, commercial and sport fishing, government, retail businesses, and tourism.

Kalifornsky Beach Road is frequently trafficked by Kenai River sports fishermen. The nearby Sterling Highway, a component of Alaska Route 1, provides access to the state road system. The nearby city of Kenai has an airport and boating facilities.

title: Kalifornsky, Alaska


text:
Kasilof, Alaska

Kasilof (Dena'ina: Ggasilat, Касилов) is a census-designated place (CDP) in Kenai Peninsula Borough, Alaska, United States. At the 2020 census the population was 525, down from 549 in 2010.

Geography
Kasilof is located at 60.33528°N, -151.23361°W (60.335274, -151.233594). It is on the east side of the Cook Inlet on the Kenai Peninsula, on the Sterling Highway, 19 km south Kenai and 62 mi north of Homer. It is bordered to the southwest by the Kasilof River, across which is the community of Cohoe. To the north, across Coal Creek, is the community of Kalifornsky.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the Kasilof CDP has a total area of 27.5 km2, of which 27.0 km2 are land and 0.5 km2, or 1.89%, are water.

Demographics
Kasilof first appeared on the 1880 U.S. Census as an unincorporated village named "Kassilof." It appeared again in 1890, and in 1900 its name was shortened to the current spelling, Kasilof. It did not appear again on the census until 1930. In 1980, it was made a census-designated place (CDP).

As of the census of 2000, there were 471 people, 180 households, and 124 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 45.4 PD/sqmi. There were 208 housing units at an average density of 20.1 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 92.36% White, 3.18% Native American, 0.64% Black or African American, 0.21% Asian, 0.21% from other races, and 3.40% from two or more races. 0.21% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 180 households, out of which 33.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.8% were married couples living together, 7.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.6% were non-families. 22.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 2.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.06.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 27.4% under the age of 18, 5.1% from 18 to 24, 28.0% from 25 to 44, 31.4% from 45 to 64, and 8.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 107.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 111.1 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $43,929, and the median income for a family was $58,036. Males had a median income of $45,469 versus $12,143 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $21,211. About 21.4% of families and 26.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 35.8% of those under age 18 and 39.1% of those age 65 or over.

History
In 1786 a detachment of Russians employed by the Lebedev-Lastochkin Company built an artel at the location of modern Kasilof for fishing operations. While it likely received expansions, it "never played a significant role in the history of the Russian colonies." An agricultural settlement of Dena'ina people grew up around the stockade. During the establishment of the Russian-American Company, a fur monopoly in Russian America, the assets of the LLC were liquidated. The area became known as Kasilof after the Kasilof River in the 1800s. A partial excavation of the area in 1937 found 31 well-preserved houses from the settlement. most residents are non-Native.

title: Kasilof, Alaska


text:
Kenai, Alaska

Kenai (Dena'ina: Shk'ituk't; Кенай, Kenay) is a city in the Kenai Peninsula Borough in the U.S. state of Alaska. By road, it is 158 miles southwest of Anchorage. The population was 7,424 as of the 2020 census, up from 7,100 in 2010, the fifteenth-most populated city in the state.

History
The city of Kenai is named after the local Dena'ina word 'ken' or 'kena', which means 'flat, meadow, open area with few trees; base, low ridge', according to the Dena'ina Topical Dictionary by James Kari, Ph.D., published in 2007. This describes the area along the mouth and portion of the Kenai River near the City of Kenai. Archaeological evidence suggests that the area was first occupied by the Kachemak people from 1000 B.C., until they were displaced by the Dena'ina Athabaskan people around 1000 A.D. Before the arrival of the Russians, Kenai was a Dena'ina village called Shk'ituk't, meaning "where we slide down." When Russian fur traders first arrived in 1741, about 1,000 Dena'ina lived in the village. The traders called the people "Kenaitze", which is a Russian term for "people of the flats", or "Kenai people". This name was later adopted when they were incorporated as the Kenaitze Alaskan Natives in the early 1970s.

Fur trade
In 1786, Pytor Zaykov built Nikolaevskaia krepost (Fort Nicholas) for the Lebedev-Lastochkin Company on the site of modern Kenai, being the first European settlement on the Alaskan mainland. Hostilities surfaced between the natives and settlers in 1797, culminating in an incident in which the Dena'ina attacked Fort St. Nicholas, later dubbed the battle of Kenai. Over one hundred deaths occurred from all involved parties. In 1838, the introduction of smallpox killed one half of the Dena'ina population.

United States
In 1869, after the Alaska Purchase, the United States Army established a post called Fort Kenay. It was soon abandoned.

In 1895–96, the Holy Assumption of the Virgin Mary Russian Orthodox Church was built in the village. It is still in use today.

The establishment of shipping companies in the early 1900s broadened Kenai into a port city. Canning companies were established and helped fuel the commercial fishing boom that was the primary activity through the 1920s.

In 1940, homesteads were opened in the area. The first dirt road from Anchorage was constructed in 1951; pavement would not arrive until 1956 with the construction of the Kenai Spur Highway.

A military base, Wildwood Army Station (later Wildwood Air Force Station), was established in 1953, and served as a major communications post. Wildwood was conveyed in 1974 to the Kenai Native Association in partial settlement of Alaska Native land claims. The facility was leased and later purchased by the State of Alaska and presently serves as the Wildwood Correctional Complex.

Statehood
In 1965, offshore oil discoveries in Cook Inlet caused a period of rapid growth. They were a part of a series of oil deposits located during the middle of the 20th century. In 1957, oil was discovered at Swanson River, 20 mi northeast of Kenai. This was the first major oil discovery in Alaska.

In 1992 and 2011, Kenai was named one of the All-America Cities.

In 2008, the Kenai River was designated as a Category 5, or "impaired," water body by the State of Alaska in accordance with the federal Clean Water Act. The Kenai River Working Group (KRWG) was formed to address the issue of water pollution. By 2010, the status of the river was changed to a Category 2, or "water that attains its designated uses."

Geography
Kenai is located at 60.55861°N, -151.22972°W (60.558738, −151.229616), on the west side of the Kenai Peninsula near the outlet of the Kenai River to the Cook Inlet of the Pacific Ocean. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 35.5 sqmi, of which, 29.9 sqmi of it is land and 5.6 sqmi of it (15.85%) is water.

Climate
As with much of Southcentral Alaska, Kenai has a moderate dry-summer subarctic climate (Köppen climate classification: Dsc) due to the cool summers. Winters are snowy, long but not particularly cold, especially considering the latitude, with January featuring a daily average temperature of 15.8 °F. Snow averages 63.6 in per season, falling primarily from October through March, with some accumulation in April, and rarely in May or September. There are 37 nights of sub-0 °F lows annually, and the area lies in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 4, indicating an average annual minimum in the −20 to −30 °F (−29 to −34 °C) range. Summers are cool due to the marine influence, with 75 °F+ highs or 55 °F+ lows being extremely rare. Extreme temperatures have ranged from −48 °F on February 4, 1947, up to 89 °F on July 4, 2019.

Demographics
Kenai first appeared on the 1880 U.S. Census as the unincorporated "Creole" (mixed Russian and Native people) village of Kenai Rédoute. It was simply shortened to Kenai with the 1890 census. It was officially incorporated in 1960.

As of the census of 2020, there were 7,424 people, 3,143 households, and 1,788 families residing in the city. The population density was 232.2 PD/sqmi. There were 3,003 housing units at an average density of 100.4 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 74.4% White, 0.8% Black or African American, 12.0% Native American, 2.7% Asian, 1.3% Pacific Islander, and 6.7% from two or more races. 6.5% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 3,143 households, out of which 40.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.5% were married couples living together, 12.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.8% were non-families. 26.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 3.20.

In the city population was spread out, with 32.8% under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 31.3% from 25 to 44, 21.8% from 45 to 64, and 6.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $45,962, and the median income for a family was $61,348. Males had a median income of $48,371 versus $27,112 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,789. About 8.2% of families and 13.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.5% of those under age 18 and 4.2% of those age 65 or over.

Transportation
The main road access to Kenai is via the Kenai Spur Highway, which branches off of the Sterling Highway in downtown Soldotna and winds through downtown and the portions of city limits north of the Kenai River. The Warren Ames Memorial Bridge, located within city limits and the Kenai River's farthest downriver crossing, provides access to the portions of city limits south of the river and to Kalifornsky Beach Road, the latter providing an alternate access to Soldotna and the outlying road network. Beaver Loop Road provides access to neighborhoods and parklands upriver of the bridge.

Although many fishing boats are based in Kenai, the city does not have a formal port and harbor. There are docks for offloading the catch, but commercial fishing boats are generally moored offshore in the Kenai River. The nearest deep water port is in Nikiski, but is primarily reserved for use by the oil and gas extraction industry. The Kenai Airport has regularly scheduled flights to Anchorage.

Fishing
In 1985, a world record largest sport-caught Chinook (or "king") salmon was taken from the Kenai River, weighing in at 97 lbs 4oz. Eight of the ten largest king salmons caught in the world have come from the same river, making the city a popular fishing tourist location.

The lower reaches of the Kenai River, including its mouth where it empties into Cook Inlet, are within city limits. This area is the site of a designated personal use dipnet fishery during the month of July, one of a number of such fisheries throughout various parts of Alaska, that is open annually to residents of the state. The dipnetting season and fishing limitations are set by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, and require fishermen to carry personal use fishing permits and only fish within designated regions and limits. Because the fishery is easily accessible and open to all Alaska residents, participation has grown over time, creating a significant strain on city resources as they deal with litter, fish waste, fire hazards and other issues associated with having in excess of ten thousand extra persons in the city during this period.

Sister cities

 * 🇯🇵 Akita, Japan

Notable people

 * Philip H. Ross, U.S. Navy Rear Admiral, double Navy Cross recipient

title: Kenai, Alaska


text:
Lowell Point, Alaska

Lowell Point is a census-designated place (CDP) in Kenai Peninsula Borough, Alaska, United States, just outside Seward. At the 2010 census the population was 80, down from 92 in 2000.

Geography
Lowell Point is located on the east side of the Kenai Peninsula at 60.07167°N, -149.44361°W (60.071557, -149.443715). It sits on the western shore of Resurrection Bay and is bordered to the northeast by the city of Seward. According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 30.9 km2, of which 0.06 sqkm, or 0.18%, are water.

The only road access is Lowell Point Road, an extension of Seward's Railway Avenue which begins beyond the Seward townsite boundaries, a short distance southwest of the Alaska SeaLife Center and the southern terminus of the Seward Highway. The road is a rough gravel road running along a thin strip of flat land between the mountains and Resurrection Bay, and provides access to the CDP, and beyond to Caines Head State Recreation Area and Fort McGilvray.

Lowell Point does not have a formal harbor, as the well-developed Seward Harbor is a short distance away, but small boats can make beach landings.

Demographics
Lowell Point first appeared on the 1890 U.S. Census as the homestead of the Captain Franklin G. Lowell family, consisting of 12 residents, 10 Whites, 1 Native & 1 Creole (mixed Native & Russian). It did not report again until 2000, when it first appeared as Lowell Point and made a census-designated place (CDP).

As of the census of 2000, there were 92 people, 39 households, and 20 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 7.8 PD/sqmi. There were 72 housing units at an average density of 6.1 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 92.39% White, 1.09% Black or African American, 4.35% Native American and 2.17% Asian. 2.17% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 39 households, out of which 20.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.6% were married couples living together, and 48.7% were non-families. 43.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 2.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.00 and the average family size was 2.75.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 15.2% under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 44.6% from 25 to 44, 27.2% from 45 to 64, and 5.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 187.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 212.0 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $32,000, and the median income for a family was $137,566. Males had a median income of $53,750 versus $54,000 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $45,790. There were 31.3% of families and 28.4% of the population living below the poverty line, including no under eighteens and none of those over 64.

title: Lowell Point, Alaska


text:
Moose Pass, Alaska

Moose Pass is a census-designated place (CDP) in Kenai Peninsula Borough, Alaska, United States. The population was 219 at the 2010 census, up from 206 in 2000.

Geography
Moose Pass is located in the north-central part of the Kenai Peninsula at 60.48778°N, -149.37083°W (60.487778, -149.370833). Surrounded by the Chugach National Forest, it is located 100 mi south of Anchorage by road, and 30 mi north of Seward on the Seward Highway along Upper Trail Lake. It is bordered to the south by Crown Point.

The CDP extends west 8 mi along the Seward Highway to its junction with Alaska Route 1 (the Sterling Highway) at Tern Lake, from which point it is a further 56 mi west to Soldotna, the borough seat.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the Moose Pass CDP has a total area of 46.3 km2, of which 45.9 km2 are land and 0.4 km2, or 0.94%, are water.

Climate
Moose Pass has a dry-summer continental subarctic climate (Köppen Dsc).

Demographics
Moose Pass first reported on the 1940 U.S. Census as an unincorporated village. It was made a census-designated place (CDP) in 1980. As of the census of 2000, there were 206 people, 84 households, and 51 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 11.4 PD/sqmi. There were 119 housing units at an average density of 6.6 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 87.38% White, 1.46% Black or African American, 5.83% Native American, and 5.34% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.49% of the population.

There were 84 households, out of which 32.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.6% were married couples living together, 4.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.1% were non-families. 31.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 4.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 3.13.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 29.1% under the age of 18, 5.3% from 18 to 24, 35.0% from 25 to 44, 25.2% from 45 to 64, and 5.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 151.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 139.3 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $87,291, and the median income for a family was $85,463. Males had a median income of $61,563 versus $31,563 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $28,147. None of the families and none of the population were living below the poverty line.

title: Moose Pass, Alaska


text:
Nanwalek, Alaska

Nanwalek (‘place by lagoon’; Нануалек), formerly Alexandrovsk (Александровск) and later English Bay, is a census-designated place (CDP) in the Kenai Peninsula Borough, Alaska, United States, that contains a traditional Alutiiq village. The population was 254 at the 2010 census, up from 177 in 2000. There is one school located in the community, attended by 76 students.

Subsistence activities are a large part of the culture for indigenous people, and Nanwalek is no exception, especially when it comes to salmon and seal harvesting. The sale of alcohol is banned in the village, although importing and possession are allowed.

Geography
Nanwalek and Port Graham are located near the southern tip of the Kenai Peninsula and are separated by less than 5 mi. Both villages are accessible only by air or water (they lie 23 mi southwest of Homer). The Alaska Marine Highway System provides service to nearby Seldovia (located only 10 mi up the coast line). A state-owned 1850 by gravel airstrip sits atop a natural spit which divides the small lagoon from the southern mouth of Cook Inlet. Looking northwest across Cook Inlet, one can see Mount Iliamna 60 mi away and further to the north Mount Redoubt, 80 mi away. Although they are in the vicinity of the village, they do not cause trouble to the villagers, since Iliamna is erupting continuously, emitting only smoke, and Redoubt is so far in the north that the ashes from its eruptions bother mostly Kenai and Anchorage. It is Augustine (the most active volcano of the eastern Aleutian arc), 50 mi due west across Cook Inlet, which makes life nasty in Nanwalek, Port Graham, Seldovia and Homer when it erupts, as it most recently has done in 1986 and 2006.

Nanwalek is located at 59.35348°N, -151.91248°W.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 21.8 km2, of which 0.04 sqkm, or 0.16%, are water.

Early history
A Russian fortress called Aleksandrovsk, the first Russian post on mainland Alaska, was established at the present site of Nanwalek by men of Grigorii Shelikhov’s company in 1786, while Shelikhov himself was still on Kodiak Island.

In 1793, men from the company of the rivalling Pavel Lebedev-Lastochkin, who had in the meantime established themselves around the modern city of Kenai, attacked with 60 men the Aleksandrovsk fortress, accompanied by Dena'ina warriors. Lebedev-Lastochkin’s men organized various provocations and beat the local Natives, took from them furs that would have been sent to Shelikhov’s men in Kodiak, but ultimately they could not capture the fort.

In the summer of 1794, the fortress was moved to a new, higher place, since the old structures had rotted and had begun to collapse as a result of high tides. At this time, the head of the fortress was V. I. Malakhov. This seems to indicate that the first fortress had been located on the Nanwalek spit.

In 1798, when the Dena'ina Indians rose against the men of Lebedev-Lastochkin’s company in Kenai, Tyonek and Old Iliamna, the timely arrival of a detachment from Aleksandrovsk, led by V. I. Malakhov, saved the Kenai colony from total destruction. The Tyonek and Iliamna colonies, however, were destroyed.

By 1818, the fortress in Nanwalek was closed down, and possibly the colony since then existed as an odinochka, or ‘one man post’, although this is not certain. The fortress was transferred at this time to Nushagak, where it was known as the Novo-Aleksandrovskii fortress (‘New Aleksandrovskii fortress’).

Demographics
Many of the current residents are of mixed Russian and Sugpiaq (Alutiiq) heritage. Villagers speak Sugt'stun, an Eskimo language closely related to Yup'ik.

Nanwalek first appeared on the 1880 U.S. Census as the unincorporated village of Alexandrovsk. It had 75 Sugpiaq residents, 12 Creole (Mixed Russian & Sugpiaq) and 1 White. It reported as English Bay in 1890, with 107 residents (100 Sugpiaq, 6 Creole, 1 White). It did not report again until 1930, when it returned 107 residents, the same as 40 years earlier. It continued to report in every successive census. In 1980, English Bay was made a census-designated place (CDP). In 1991, the name was officially changed to the present Nanwalek.

As of the census of 2000, there were 177 people, 45 households, and 32 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 20.8 PD/sqmi. There were 54 housing units at an average density of 6.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 6.78% White, 89.27% Native American, and 3.95% from two or more races. 1.13% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 45 households, out of which 55.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.1% were married couples living together, 15.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.7% were non-families. 22.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 2.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.93 and the average family size was 4.79.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 42.9% under the age of 18, 14.1% from 18 to 24, 31.6% from 25 to 44, 10.7% from 45 to 64, and 0.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 22 years. For every 100 females, there were 113.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 114.9 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $42,500, and the median income for a family was $45,750. Males had a median income of $33,750 versus $32,813 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $10,577. About 14.7% of families and 17.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.6% of those under the age of 18 and none of those 65 or over.

Religion
A Russian Orthodox church consecrated to Saints Sergius and Herman of Valaam was built in the community in 1870 (only three years after the sale of Alaska by Russia to the United States). A replacement church building was constructed in 1930 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Orthodox Church in Alaska can trace its activities back to early Russian missionaries. The witness of Herman of Alaska, Saint Innocent of Alaska, and Peter the Aleut has contributed to the continuing strong Orthodox community in villages like Nanwalek.

Transportation
Nanwalek has a public-use airport, the Nanwalek Airport.

title: Nanwalek, Alaska


text:
Nikiski, Alaska

Nikiski is a census-designated place (CDP) in Kenai Peninsula Borough, Alaska, United States. The population was 4,456 at the 2020 census, down from 4,493 in 2010.

Geography
Nikiski is located at 60.70778°N, -151.26278°W (60.707891, -151.262646) on the west side of the Kenai Peninsula. It lies along the shore of Cook Inlet between Salamatof to the south and the Swanson River to the northeast. It is bordered across the Swanson River by the Point Possession CDP.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the Nikiski CDP has a total area of 196.7 km2, of which 179.8 km2 are land and 16.8 km2, or 8.57%, are water. The CDP is in a low-lying region covered by several lakes, including Stormy Lake, Suneva Lake, Daniels Lake, Timberlost Lake, Island Lake, Foreland Lake, Bernice Lake, and Cabin Lake.

The main road access is via the Kenai Spur Highway, which leads south 11 mi to the city of Kenai and north to Captain Cook State Recreation Area. A second road, the Nikiski Emergency Escape Route, also leads south to the City of Kenai.

Demographics
Nikiski first appeared on the 1880 U.S. Census as the unincorporated Tinneh villages of "Kultuk" (AKA Nikishka No. 3) and "Titukilsk and Nikishka". Kultuk had a population of 17, and Titukilsk and Nikishka had a population of 57, all of whom were Tinneh Natives. There apparently were no census reports from 1880 until 1980, when the area was organized as "Nikishka" and made a census-designated place (CDP). The name was altered to "Nikiski" in 1990 and has reported as such on each successive census.

As of the census of 2000, there were 4,327 people, 1,514 households, and 1,130 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 62.2 PD/sqmi. There were 1,766 housing units at an average density of 25.4 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 87.2% White, 0.1% Black or African American, 7.6% Native American, 0.7% Asian, 0.5% Pacific Islander, 0.8% from other races, and 3.1% from two or more races. 1.3% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 1,514 households, out of which 41.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.9% were married couples living together, 7.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.3% were non-families. 20.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 3.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.86 and the average family size was 3.31.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 33.5% under the age of 18, 6.3% from 18 to 24, 29.8% from 25 to 44, 24.5% from 45 to 64, and 5.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 109.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 111.3 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $51,176, and the median income for a family was $55,969. Males had a median income of $50,673 versus $26,779 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $20,128. About 9.3% of families and 11.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.0% of those under age 18 and 7.5% of those age 65 or over.

History
Nikiski was once home to an Agrium fertilizer plant, which was once the Kenai Peninsula Borough's largest employer. The facility closed in 2008 due to natural gas shortages, but the company continues to explore reopening it.

Notable people

 * Mike Chenault, longest-serving speaker of the Alaska House of Representatives
 * Mike Navarre, politician
 * Norman Olson, owner of two private militias

title: Nikiski, Alaska


text:
Nikolaevsk, Alaska

Nikolaevsk (Никола́евск) is a census-designated place (CDP) in Kenai Peninsula Borough in the U.S. state of Alaska. As of the 2020 census, the population of the CDP is 328, up from 318 in 2010. Nikolaevsk School serves school-age children from the area.

History
The town was settled by a group of Old Believers of the Russian Orthodox Old-Rite Church around 1968, and remains a largely ethnic Russian town to this day. The travels of the group from Russia, as well as the story of the founding of Nikolaevsk, is told in a 1972 article in National Geographic, a 2013 episode on the NatGeo channel called Russian Alaska, and a 2013 article in The Atlantic magazine.

The first church (pictured) was built in 1983. The second church was constructed in 2014.

In May 2023, it became known that the Old Believers community of Nikolaevsk, Alaska, consisting of fr. Nikola Yakunin, his son Deacon Vasily Yakunin and about 20 families decided to join the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (semi-autonomous part of Moscow Patriarchate) on the rights of the edinoverie. It was reported that the community was largely americanized and it turned out to be problematic to pray in the already almost forgotten Church Slavonic language. They planned to build a new church for the community in Homer, near Nikolaevsk, because the old church will remain under the jurisdiction of the Russian Orthodox Old-Rite Church according to US law.

Geography
Nikolaevsk is on the west side of the Kenai Peninsula at 59.81306°N, -151.66833°W (59.813043, -151.668387). It is bordered to the south and west by the Anchor Point CDP and to the north by the Happy Valley CDP. Road access is via the North Fork Road, which junctions with the Sterling Highway 9 mi to the west in Anchor Point.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 90.2 km2, all of it recorded as land. The North Fork of the Anchor River forms the southern border of the community, and the Chakok River forms the western border.

Nikolaevsk is in the boreal wet forest biome, according to the Holdridge life zones system.

Climate
Nikolaevsk features a subarctic climate (Köppen: Dfc) with short, quite mild summers and long, cold winters. Nikolaevsk experiences a significant marine influence.

Homer 8 NW is a weather station near Nikolaevsk, at an elevation of 1080 ft (329 m).

Demographics
Nikolaevsk first reported on the 1990 U.S. Census as a census-designated place (CDP).

As of the census of 2000, there were 345 people, 96 households, and 72 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 9.5 PD/sqmi. There were 122 housing units at an average density of 3.4 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 81.74% Caucasian, 1.74% Native American, 0.29% Asian, 1.16% Pacific Islander, 2.03% from other races, and 13.04% from two or more races. 0.29% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Out of the 96 households, 57.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.6% were married couples living together, 5.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.0% were non-families. 18.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 2.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.59 and the average family size was 4.33.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 45.2% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 26.4% from 25 to 44, 17.1% from 45 to 64, and 3.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 21 years. For every 100 females, there were 104.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 119.8 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $42,625, and the median income for a family was $39,375. Males had a median income of $28,750 versus $10,956 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $10,390. About 15.8% of families and 19.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.9% of those under age 18 and 16.7% of those age 65 or over.

title: Nikolaevsk, Alaska


text:
Ninilchik, Alaska

Ninilchik (Dena'ina: Niqnalchint, Нинильчик) is a census-designated place (CDP) in Kenai Peninsula Borough, Alaska, United States. At the 2010 census the population was 883, up from 772 in 2000.

It is considered an Alaska Native village under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act. In the 1970s, villagers formed the Ninilchik Native Association Incorporated. Later the Ninilchik Traditional Council (NTC) was established as the government of Alaska Natives in this area.

The Alaska Native people of Ninilchik have ancestors of Aleut and Alutiiq (Sugpiaq) descent, as well as some Dena'ina. Many also include Russian ancestors, from a couple of men who settled here with their Alutiiq wives and children in 1847, and later migrants. Alaskan Russian was widely spoken in the village for almost 200 years. Due to the community's isolation, this Russian dialect continued much in its mid-19th century form. In the 21st century, the dialect has been studied and preserved from local speakers.

Geography
Ninilchik is on the west side of the Kenai Peninsula on the coast of Cook Inlet, 38 mi by air southwest of Kenai, and 100 mi southwest of Anchorage. Road access is by the Sterling Highway. By actual road miles it is a distance of 188 mi from Anchorage and 44 mi from Homer.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 536.7 km2, of which 0.07 km2, or 0.01%, are water.

Climate
Ninilchik has a continental subarctic climate (Köppen Dsc).

Demographics
In Russian Alaska, Creole promyshlenniki intermarried with and Aleuts and Alutiiqs gave rise to a small but influential population of Alaskan Creoles. Ninilchik first appeared on the 1880 U.S. Census as an unincorporated Creole village. All 53 of its residents were Creole. It returned in 1890 with 81 residents, however the census combined the adjacent locales of the Laida native village and Anchor Point mine along with Treadwell coal mine (not to be confused with the Treadwell that is now within Juneau). There were 53 Creole residents (probably all Ninilchik residents), 16 Natives (probably the Tinneh residents of Laida), and 12 Whites (probably the residents of the two mining locales). Ninilchik did not return again until 1920, when it was spelled as "Ninilchic" on the census. It returned as Ninilchik again in 1930, and in every successive census to date. It was made a census-designated place (CDP) in 1980.

As of the census of 2000, there were 772 people, 320 households, and 223 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 3.7 PD/sqmi. There were 762 housing units at an average density of 3.7 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 82.25% White, 13.99% Native American, 0.52% Asian, 0.13% from other races, and 3.11% from two or more races. 0.65% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 320 households, out of which 29.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.4% were married couples living together, 6.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.3% were non-families. 23.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 2.87.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 24.1% under the age of 18, 5.4% from 18 to 24, 26.3% from 25 to 44, 29.5% from 45 to 64, and 14.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 110.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 114.7 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $36,250, and the median income for a family was $41,750. Males had a median income of $29,861 versus $22,750 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $18,463. About 10.4% of families and 13.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.2% of those under age 18 and 7.2% of those age 65 or over.

History
Before the arrival of Europeans in Alaska, Ninilchik was a Dena'ina Athabaskan lodging area used for hunting and fishing. The name Ninilchik probably derives from Niqnilchint, a Deni'ana Athabaskan word meaning "lodge is built place".

The first Europeans who permanently settled in the village were Russian colonists who moved there from Kodiak Island in 1847, two decades before the Alaska Purchase in 1867 by the United States. They were Russian Grigorii Kvasnikov (anglicized to Kvasnikoff), his Russian-Alutiiq wife Mavra Rastorguev (daughter of Agrafena Petrovna of Afognak), and their children. They were soon joined by the Oskolkoff family, also headed by a Russian man and Alutiiq woman. These were the core families, and their descendants, who often married Alutiiq, made up most of the village.

Their dialect of Russian as spoken in the mid-1800s (plus a few words borrowed from Alaska Native languages) became the primary language spoken in Ninilchik, and it survived in that form long past the 1867 Alaska Purchase. A few speakers of the Ninilchik Russian dialect were still alive in 2013. Russian and American linguists are documenting and cataloging this isolated dialect.

The 1880 United States Census listed 53 "Creoles" living in Ninilchik in nine extended families. All nine old families of Ninilchik are descendants of the original Kvasnikoff and Oskolkoff families, with numerous marriages to Alaska Natives, primarily Alutiiq. In 1896, a school was built and staffed by Russian Orthodox priests and laymen. Russian Orthodox priests were respected by Alaska Natives because in several areas of southwest Alaska, they had learned indigenous languages and held religious services in those languages. In 1901, the local Russian Orthodox Church was redesigned and constructed at its current site. In 1911 the first school sanctioned by the U.S. government was started, known as the Ninilchik School. In 2011 the community celebrated the 100th anniversary of the school.

In the 1940s, a number of American homesteaders began to live in the area. In 1949, Berman Packing Company began fish canning operations at Ninilchik. In 1950, the Sterling Highway was completed through the town.

Caribou Hills fire
A 2007 fire that burned near Ninilchik, known as the Caribou Hills fire, moved toward the town. At its peak threatened approximately 300 structures. It eventually burned nearly 60000 acre and destroyed 197 structures.

Alaska Native people
The Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act recognized Ninilchik as an Alaska Native village. Under this law, villagers formed the Ninilchik Native Association Incorporated. The US Congress recognized that the people of Ninilchik comprised a quasi-sovereign government (equivalent to American Indian tribes). The Ninilchik Traditional Council (NTC) was authorized as the governing body for Natives who live in the area surrounding Ninilchik or who descended from the original inhabitants.

Community
The original village is located at the mouth of the Ninilchik River. A small harbor has been constructed near the mouth of the river. The name "Ninilchik" is used today, however, to refer to the original village as well as the community that has grown up around it, extending several miles north, east, and south. Residents of Ninilchik sometimes refer to the original village as Ninilchik Village or simply "the village".

Ninilchik as a town is not incorporated, but it is under the jurisdiction of the Kenai Peninsula Borough (KPB) and the State of Alaska. Volunteer groups, the NTC, the State of Alaska, and the KPB carry out most of the governmental functions in the area. These include fire-fighting (volunteer), highway snow-removal (state), health services (NTC), and primary and secondary schooling (KPB). A Russian Orthodox church, the Holy Transfiguration of Our Lord Chapel, is located in the community.

Tourism
Ninilchik is a popular tourist attraction. Other attractions in the area are salmon fishing, typically now either with commercial guides or private commercial family operations, either along the beach north of Ninilchik River or in Cook Inlet whose waters touch the beach next to the village. Halibut can also be caught in Cook Inlet close to Ninilchik. Pacific razor clams are popular for digging on the beaches near Ninilchik, when the tides are low enough. Clammers should check regulations before digging, as this clam fishery has been closed until further notice. Panoramic views of four Cook Inlet volcanos, historical Old Village, the iconic Russian Orthodox church, Ninilchik River and Deep Creek watersheds, abundant wildlife, and bluff-lined beaches provide photogenic opportunities rich in diversity and depth.

Ninilchik is the host community for the annual Kenai Peninsula Fair and the annual Salmonfest Alaska (formerly Salmonstock) Music Festival. Ninilchik Chamber of Commerce sponsors the annual Clam Scramble, a river to river obstacle run held during or close to the solstice.

Parks
There are two Alaska State Parks units in the Ninilchik area. Just north of town at mile 135 of the Sterling Highway is the Ninilchik State Recreation Area, which features two campgrounds, beach and river access, and scenic overlooks of Cook Inlet.

Just to the south of Ninilchik is the Deep Creek State Recreation Area which has a large campground on the beach, several parking areas for access to fishing in Deep Creek, and tractor-assisted boat launching. Both areas are known for the near-constant presence of bald eagles.

Notable Person

 * Loren Leman, politician, member of both houses of the legislature and lieutenant governor of Alaska. He grew up in Ninilchik and graduated from the Ninilchik School in 1968. He later moved to Anchorage, where he worked as a civil engineer and served in elected office continuously from 1989 to 2006. He was the first person of Alaska Native ancestry to be elected to statewide office.

title: Ninilchik, Alaska


text:
Port Graham, Alaska

Port Graham, also known as Paluwik (pah-LU-wig) in the Alutiiq language, is a census-designated place (CDP) in Kenai Peninsula Borough, Alaska, United States. At the 2020 census, the population was 162.

Geography
Port Graham and Nanwalek are located near the southern tip of the Kenai Peninsula and are separated by less than 5 mi. Although they have local roads, there is no road access into this area. All vehicles must be brought in by barge or ferry. Both villages are accessible by air or water. They lie 22 mi southwest of Homer and about 7 mi by air from Seldovia. The Alaska Marine Highway System provides ferry service to all of Kachemak Bay, the water body separating Port Graham, Nanwalek and Seldovia from Homer.

Port Graham is located at 59.34778°N, -151.83333°W (59.347736, -151.833420). According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 16.5 km2, all of it recorded as land.

Demographics
Port Graham first appeared on the 1920 U.S. Census as an unincorporated village. It did not appear on the 1930 census, but returned in 1940 and in every subsequent census. It was made a census-designated place (CDP) in 1980.

As of the census of 2000, there were 171 people, 70 households, and 46 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 28.8 PD/sqmi. There were 82 housing units at an average density of 13.8 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 11.11% White, 84.80% Native American, 0.58% from other races, and 3.51% from two or more races. 3.51% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 70 households, out of which 35.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.6% were married couples living together, 17.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.9% were non-families. 28.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 2.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.98.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 30.4% under the age of 18, 4.1% from 18 to 24, 29.8% from 25 to 44, 25.1% from 45 to 64, and 10.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 113.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 108.8 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $40,250, and the median income for a family was $43,438. Males had a median income of $36,250 versus $14,250 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $13,666. About 15.1% of families and 18.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.9% of those under the age of eighteen and 11.1% of those 65 or over.

title: Port Graham, Alaska


text:
Primrose, Alaska

Primrose is a census-designated place (CDP) in Kenai Peninsula Borough, Alaska, United States. The population was 78 at the 2010 census, down from 93 at the 2000 census. Primrose is one of a number of small communities located north of Seward along the Seward Highway.

Geography
Primrose is located on the eastern part of the Kenai Peninsula at 60.34333°N, -149.34417°W (60.343405, -149.344250), at the mouth of the Snow River in Kenai Lake. It is bordered to the north by Crown Point and to the south by Bear Creek. Alaska Route 9, the Seward Highway, runs through the community, leading south 18 mi to Seward and north the same distance to Alaska Route 1 at Tern Lake.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the Primrose CDP has a total area of 99.0 km2, of which 89.3 km2 are land and 2.7 km2, or 2.92%, are water.

Demographics
Primrose first appeared on the 1990 U.S. Census as a census-designated place (CDP).

As of the 2000 census, there were 93 people, 33 households, and 29 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 2.5 PD/sqmi. There were 47 housing units at an average density of 1.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 91.40% White, 3.23% Native American, 1.08% Asian, 1.08% Pacific Islander, and 3.23% from two or more races.

There were 33 households, out of which 42.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 75.8% were married couples living together, 6.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 12.1% were non-families. 9.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and none had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.82 and the average family size was 3.00.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 34.4% under the age of 18, 1.1% from 18 to 24, 24.7% from 25 to 44, 28.0% from 45 to 64, and 11.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.8 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $66,111, and the median income for a family was $66,944. Males had a median income of $48,472 versus $0 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $18,904. None of the population and none of the families were below the poverty line.

title: Primrose, Alaska


text:
Ridgeway, Alaska

Ridgeway is a census-designated place (CDP) in Kenai Peninsula Borough, Alaska, United States. At the 2020 census the population was 2,136, up from 2,022 in 2010.

Geography
Ridgeway is located on the western side of the Kenai Peninsula at 60.51972°N, -151.06083°W (60.519682, -151.060911). It is bordered to the northwest by the city of Kenai and to the south by the city of Soldotna, the borough seat. It is bordered to the east, across Soldotna Creek, by the unincorporated Sterling CDP, and to the west, across the Kenai River, by the Kalifornsky CDP.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the Ridgeway CDP has a total area of 45.8 km2, of which 43.5 km2 are land and 2.3 km2, or 5.13%, are water.

Demographics
Ridgeway first appeared on the 1990 U.S. Census as a census-designated place (CDP).

As of the census of 2000, there were 1,932 people, 715 households, and 536 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 116.0 PD/sqmi. There were 938 housing units at an average density of 56.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 87.8% White, 0.4% Black or African American, 4.3% Native American, 0.8% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 1.6% from other races, and 5.1% from two or more races. 2.5% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 715 households, out of which 39.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.5% were married couples living together, 9.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.9% were non-families. 18.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 4.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.70 and the average family size was 3.09.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 29.5% under the age of 18, 6.7% from 18 to 24, 26.5% from 25 to 44, 31.0% from 45 to 64, and 6.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.3 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $50,625, and the median income for a family was $56,985. Males had a median income of $51,488 versus $36,786 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $23,225. About 7.4% of families and 9.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.6% of those under age 18 and 15.5% of those age 65 or over.

title: Ridgeway, Alaska


text:
Salamatof, Alaska

Salamatof (Dena'ina: Ken Dech’etl’t) is a census-designated place (CDP) in Kenai Peninsula Borough, Alaska, United States. The population was 1,078 at the 2020 census, up from 980 in 2010. Salamatof is the location for the former Wildwood Air Force Station, which operated from 1965 to 1972 (from 1951 to 1965, it was an Army Station). Today, it is the Wildwood Correctional Complex.

Geography
Salamatof is located on the western side of the Kenai Peninsula at 60.59333°N, -151.31056°W (60.593250, -151.310547), and comprises populated areas between the city of Kenai to the south and unincorporated Nikiski to the north. It is bordered to the west by Cook Inlet.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the Salamatof CDP has a total area of 21.4 km2, of which 21.0 km2 are land and 0.4 km2, or 2.05%, are water.

Demographics
Salamatof first appeared on the 1980 U.S. Census as a census-designated place (CDP).

Its predecessor was Wildwood Air Force Station, which appeared on the 1970 census, and was located on the southeast side of the CDP. It had 750 residents stationed there before its closure in 1972.

As of the census of 2000, there were 954 people, 220 households, and 163 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 117.7 PD/sqmi. There were 282 housing units at an average density of 34.8 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 71.80% White, 3.35% Black or African American, 19.92% Native American, 0.52% Asian, 0.10% Pacific Islander, 0.94% from other races, and 3.35% from two or more races. 3.35% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 220 households, out of which 35.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.9% were married couples living together, 8.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.9% were non-families. 20.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 3.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.04.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 17.3% under the age of 18, 10.9% from 18 to 24, 39.2% from 25 to 44, 25.1% from 45 to 64, and 7.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 214.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 253.8 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $44,861, and the median income for a family was $46,719. Males had a median income of $40,250 versus $31,250 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $16,306. About 11.9% of families and 11.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.4% of those under age 18 and 7.7% of those age 65 or over.

title: Salamatof, Alaska


text:
Seldovia, Alaska

Seldovia (Alutiiq: Angagkitaqnuuq; Dena'ina: Angidahtnu; Селдовия) is a city in Kenai Peninsula Borough, Alaska, United States. Its population was 255 at the 2010 census, down from 286 in 2000. It is located along Kachemak Bay southwest of Homer. There is no road system connecting the town to other communities, so all travel to Seldovia is by airplane or boat.

The Alaska Native people of Seldovia make up approximately one quarter of the population and have ancestors of Aleut and Alutiiq (Sugpiaq) descent, as well as some Dena'ina.

History
The native residents are mixed Dena'ina Athabaskan Indian and Alutiiq (Sugpiaq) Eskimo. In 1787 or 1788 a Russian fur trade post named Aleksandrovskaia was established at today's Seldovia by hunting parties under Evstratii Ivanovich Delarov, of the Shelikhov-Golikov company, precursor of the Russian-American Company. Although there has been little definitive archeological evidence of human habitation at Seldovia prior to the 1800s, it is said  the early Russian St. Nicholas Orthodox Church, started in 1820, was built on top of an older aboriginal Inuit village site. The town's original Russian name, Seldevoy, translates to "Herring Bay", as there was a significant herring population prior to rampant overfishing early in the 20th century.

Until the development of a more complete road system in Alaska, Seldovia was an important "first stop" for ships sailing from Seward, Kodiak and other points outside Cook Inlet. At one time Seldovia was home to over 2,000 residents, but today fewer than 300 persons reside year round.

The town was one of many communities along the shores of Cook Inlet, noted for having one of the most severe tidal movements in North America. Similar to the dramatic tides of Bay of Fundy, the Cook Inlet's waters prior to 1964 would rise or fall 26 feet every six hours during the peak tides.

After the Good Friday earthquake on March 27, 1964, which registered 9.2 on the moment magnitude scale, the surrounding land mass dropped six feet. Seldovia's "boardwalk" before the earthquake was thick wooden plank and piling, and the town's main street was built almost entirely along the waterfront. Most of the community's businesses, and many homes were similarly constructed upon pilings on either side of this "street". The sudden sinking of the land caused higher tides, peaking at 32 feet, to completely submerge the boardwalk and flood the homes and businesses along the waterfront.

The waterfront was rebuilt (known at the time as "urban renewal") using fill from Cap's Hill, which was demolished to rebuild the town on higher ground. There is only one small portion of the boardwalk left; this section of the boardwalk was built decades after the original boardwalk and it is known to the townfolk as "the new boardwalk", even though it is now the only boardwalk. The original boardwalk is completely gone, destroyed during the urban renewal process, along with many homes and businesses.

Seldovia has been home to many industries, including fox farming, berry picking and commercial fishing, including King Crab fishing. Logging and mining have also featured in local history. Today charter boats keep busy bringing the visiting sport fishermen to the fishing grounds of Kachemak Bay and other nearby waters.

Demographics
Seldovia first appeared on the 1880 U.S. Census as the unincorporated villages of Seldovia and Ostrovki. Of the 74 residents, 38 were Creole (Mixed Russian and Native) and 36 were Inuit. In 1890, it returned as Seldovia, and reported 99 residents, of which 83 were Native and 16 Creole. It has reported in every successive census. It formally incorporated in 1945.

As of the census of 2010, there were 255 people, 121 households, and 66 families residing in the city. The population density was 668.6 PD/sqmi. There were 218 housing units at an average density of 571.6 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 72.5% White, 1.2% Black or African American, 13.7% Native American, 1.2% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 0.0% from other races, and 11.4% from two or more races. 3.9% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 121 households, out of which 19.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.6% were married couples living together, 6.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 45.5% were non-families. 35.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.11 and the average family size was 2.67.

In the city, the age distribution of the population shows 20.0% under the age of 18, 3.6% from 18 to 24, 21.2% from 25 to 44, 37.2% from 45 to 64, and 18.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 48.2 years. For every 100 females, there were 104 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 114.7 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $50,313, and the median income for a family was $68,750. Males had a median income of $61,875 versus $21,667 for females. The per capita income for the city was $30,754. About 1.7% of families and 8.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.2% of those under the age of eighteen and 1.9% of those 65 or over.

Geography
Seldovia is on the Kenai Peninsula on the south shore of Kachemak Bay opposite Homer. The community is located in the Seldovia Recording District.

Seldovia sea level change is -9.96 mm/yr, over the last 50 years it is about -19.6 inches or -1.6 ft.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city of Seldovia has a total area of 0.6 sqmi, of which, 0.4 sqmi of it is land and 0.2 sqmi of it (33.33%) is water.

Climate
Seldovia has snowy winters and brief dry summers (Koppen Dsc).

Economy
The school, Seldovia Village Tribe, City, and commercial fishing related businesses are the dominant employers in town.

Education
The Susan B. English Grade K-12 School, opened on August 30, 1972. The girls' volleyball team won the 2002 State Championship in the 1A, 2A, 3A West division. The boys basketball team won the state championship in the 1A division in 2015.

Notable people

 * Nell Scott (c. 1901), the first woman elected to Alaska's territorial legislature
 * Dana Stabenow (born 1952), writer

In fiction
In children adventure book Pugs of the Frozen North by Philip Reeve and Sarah McIntyre, name, description and visual depiction of the town Snowdovia is based on that of Seldovia.

An chapter book for elementary students, Seldovia Sam and the Very Large Clam written by Susan Woodward Springer, is based on the adventures of fictional a boy and his family in Seldovia. There are four books in this series, including Seldovia Sam and the Wildfire Escape; Seldovia Sam and the Sea Otter Rescue, and Seldovia Sam and the Blueberry Bear.

title: Seldovia, Alaska


text:
Seldovia Village, Alaska

Seldovia Village is a census-designated place (CDP) in Kenai Peninsula Borough, Alaska, United States. At the 2010 census the population was 165, up from 144 in 2000. Seldovia Village is not to be confused with the adjacent city of Seldovia.

Geography
Seldovia Village is located on the southern arm of the Kenai Peninsula at 59.47861°N, -151.63139°W (59.478498, -151.631299), on the south side of Kachemak Bay. It is 10 mi southwest of the city of Homer, across Kachemak Bay. The CDP extends from Seldovia Bay on the west, where it borders the city of Seldovia, to Jakolof Bay on the east. While there are roads in the community, the only access to outside areas is via Seldovia, where there is a harbor and an airport.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 49.8 km2, of which 47.0 km2 are land and 2.9 km2, or 5.76%, are water.

Demographics
Seldovia Village first appeared on the 2000 U.S. Census as a census-designated place (CDP). It partially superseded the former CDP of Jakolof Bay, which existed from 1980-90 (population 36, 1980; 28, 1990), and was dissolved in 2000.

As of the census of 2000, there were 144 people, 62 households, and 40 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 7.3 PD/sqmi. There were 159 housing units at an average density of 8.0 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 56.25% White, 36.81% Native American, 0.69% Asian, 2.08% from other races, and 4.17% from two or more races. 0.69% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 62 households, out of which 27.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.2% were married couples living together, 9.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.9% were non-families. 22.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 3.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.73.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 22.2% under the age of 18, 3.5% from 18 to 24, 18.8% from 25 to 44, 45.8% from 45 to 64, and 9.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 47 years. For every 100 females, there were 118.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 119.6 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $31,250, and the median income for a family was $40,500. Males had a median income of $40,625 versus $33,750 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $21,396. There were 16.7% of families and 23.5% of the population living below the poverty line, including 11.1% of under eighteens and 100.0% of those over 64.

title: Seldovia Village, Alaska


text:
Seward, Alaska

Seward (Alutiiq: Qutalleq; Dena'ina: Tl'ubugh) is an incorporated home rule city in Alaska, United States. Located on Resurrection Bay, a fjord of the Gulf of Alaska on the Kenai Peninsula, Seward is situated on Alaska's southern coast, approximately 120 mi by road from Alaska's largest city, Anchorage.

With a population of 2,717 people as of the 2020 census, Seward is the fourth-largest city in the Kenai Peninsula Borough, behind Kenai, Homer, and the borough seat of Soldotna. The city is named for former United States Secretary of State William H. Seward, who orchestrated the United States' purchase of Alaska from the Russian Empire in 1867 while serving in this position as part of President Andrew Johnson's administration.

Seward is the southern terminus of the Alaska Railroad and the historic starting point of the original Iditarod Trail to Interior Alaska, with Mile 0 of the trail marked on the shoreline at the southern end of town.

History

In 1793, Alexander Baranov of the Shelikhov-Golikov company (precursor of the Russian-American Company) established a fur trade post on Resurrection Bay where Seward is today and had a three-masted vessel, the Phoenix, built at the post by James Shields, an English shipwright in Russian service.

The 1939 Slattery Report on Alaskan development identified the region as one of the areas where new settlements would be established through Jewish immigration. This plan was never implemented.

Seward was an important port for the military buildup in Alaska during World War II. Fort Raymond was established in Seward along the Resurrection River to protect the community. An Army airfield built in Seward during the war later became Walseth Air Force Base. Both of the military facilities were closed shortly after the end of the war.

A large portion of Seward was damaged by shaking and a local tsunami during the 1964 Alaska earthquake, destroying all evidence of one radio station.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 21.5 sqmi, of which 14.4 sqmi is land and 7.1 sqmi (32.93%) is water.

The northern city limits are demarcated by the lower reaches of the Resurrection River, but extend east past the river's mouth at the northern end of Resurrection Bay to include parts of the bay's extreme northeastern shore, including the beach at the mouth of Fourth of July Creek and the grounds of Spring Creek Correctional Center just inland. To the south, the city limits extend to the unincorporated community of Lowell Point, while the east and west sides of the city are constrained by Resurrection Bay and the steep slopes of Mount Marathon.

Nearby settlements include the aforementioned Lowell Point to the south, as well as the census-designated places of Bear Creek and Moose Pass further north. The nearest incorporated city is Soldotna, about 90 miles (by road) to the northwest.

Climate
Depending on the isotherm, Seward has a subpolar oceanic climate (Köppen Cfc) or a subarctic climate (Köppen Dfc), but it experiences relatively moderate temperatures compared to the rest of the state throughout the year due to the influence of the nearby Gulf of Alaska. Only one month, January, sees an average daily high temperature below freezing, and temperatures below zero degrees Fahrenheit are rare. The oceanic influence also imparts a high level of precipitation, with the heaviest amounts occurring during the fall and winter months.

Economy
Seward's local economy is largely driven by the commercial fishing industry and seasonal tourism. Many lodging facilities, restaurants and shops in the city cater mainly to tourists, and are only open for business during the summer tourist season, generally regarded as running from mid-May through mid-September. Other major employers in the city include the state-run Spring Creek Correctional Center, the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development's AVTEC vocational school, and the local Providence Health & Services branch, which also serves as the community's main medical center.

Fishing
Seward is the site of an annual salmon run which, in the 1920s, came to "countless millions" and supported a community of fisherman of mainly Scandinavian origin. It was then the headquarters of the halibut fleet.

Seward is among the most lucrative commercial fisheries ports in the United States, according to reports from the National Marine Fisheries Service. Per the most recent yearly data available, for 2016, commercial fishing boats in Seward offloaded approximately 13,500 tons of fish and shellfish, valued at about $42 million. Over the course of the decade from 2007 to 2016, around $545 million in commercial seafood passed through Seward's harbor.

Tourism
Owing to its position at the southern terminus of the Alaska Railroad and well-developed road links to Anchorage and the rest of the Kenai Peninsula, Seward is both a major northern end-port for several major cruise ship lines that host Alaskan cruises, such as Norwegian, Royal Caribbean, Holland America, and Celebrity Cruises, and a common destination for general Alaskan tourism.

Seward also has a minor military installation and is the home port of the USCGC Mustang.

Demographics
Seward first appeared on the 1910 U.S. Census as an unincorporated village. It formally incorporated in 1912.

As of the census of 2000, there were 2,830 people, 917 households, and 555 families residing in the city. The population density was 196.0 PD/sqmi. There were 1,058 housing units at an average density of 73.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 72.1% White, 2.4% Black or African American, 16.7% Native American, 1.8% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 0.9% from other races, and 5.9% from two or more races. 2.4% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 917 households, out of which 35.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.6% were married couples living together, 12.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.4% were non-families. 30.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 3.04.

In the city, the age distribution of the population shows 21.9% under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 35.9% from 25 to 44, 25.7% from 45 to 64, and 7.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 150.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 166.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $44,306, and the median income for a family was $54,904. Males had a median income of $36,900 versus $30,508 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,360. About 8.3% of families and 10.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.7% of those under age 18 and 7.9% of those age 65 or over.

Government and infrastructure
The City of Seward employs a council–manager style of government, with a seven-member city council elected by the citizens, as well as a council-appointed city manager, city attorney and city clerk, responsible for all local administration including police, fire, utilities, and harbor management. At the borough level, Seward is situated in Kenai Peninsula Borough District 6, which has one seat on the nine-member borough council. This council oversees area-wide issues such as education, waste management, zoning and taxation assessment.The United States Postal Service maintains a post office in Seward with zip code 99664.

In the Alaska House of Representatives, the city is in the 29th District, represented by Republican Ben Carpenter.

In the Alaska Senate, the city is in District O, represented by Republican Peter Micciche.

Education
The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District operates schools in Seward, including Seward Elementary School, Seward Middle School, and Seward High School.

Transportation
Seward is unusual among most small Alaskan communities in that it has road access in the Seward Highway from Seward to Anchorage, a National Scenic Byway and All-American Road, which also brings it bus service. Seward is also the southern terminus of the Alaska Railroad with the railroad serving the Port of Seward which is capable of accommodating ocean going vessels. This keeps the port busy with freight coming on and off the trains, but also makes Seward a primary end point for north-bound cruise ships. Cruise ship passengers disembark and often take the train or bus farther north to Anchorage, Denali, or other Alaskan attractions. The Alaska Railroad operates passenger service into Seward on a seasonal basis via the Coastal Classic train.

Seward is a very bike friendly community. A paved bike path runs from the downtown business district along the waterfront, through the harbor and along the highway to mile 4.5. Bikes are available for rent and there are guided bike tours of the area.

Alaska Marine Highway (ferry) service was discontinued at the end of the 2005. State ferry connections are now available in Whittier (90 miles North) or Homer (150 miles by highway).

Seward Airport (PAWD/SWD) is home to general aviation services and flight-seeing operators. Scheduled commercial service is available at Kenai Municipal Airport in Kenai and Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, both about 100 mi away. Bus connections are also available.

International sister cities

 * 🇯🇵 Obihiro, Hokkaido, Japan (1968)
 * 🇯🇵 Kushiro, Hokkaido, Japan (1982)
 * 🇰🇷 Yeosu, South Korea (informal)

Notable people

 * Benny Benson (1913–1972), Alaska Native and designer of what would become the Alaskan state flag
 * Lydia Jacoby (born 2004), 2020 Summer Olympics swimming gold medalist and first Alaskan to qualify to compete in swimming at an Olympic Games
 * Harry Kawabe (1890–1969), Japanese-American businessman sent to internment camp during World War II

Attractions and points of interest

 * Mount Marathon and its famous Mount Marathon Race
 * Kenai Fjords National Park with its easily accessible Exit Glacier
 * Alaska SeaLife Center
 * Seward Silver Salmon Derby
 * Seward Polar Bear Jump-Off
 * Seward Spring Break Up Festival
 * Seward Music and Arts Festival, every year in September
 * Balto Film Fest, last weekend of July
 * The ruins of the Jesse Lee Home for Children
 * Boat tours to Holgate Glacier in Kenai Fjords National Park
 * Seward lays claim to "The Fat Bike Capital of the World" as it has the most fat-bike owners per capita on Earth.

title: Seward, Alaska