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Source: Alaska
Department of Community and Economic Development
Anchorage, AK
| Current Population: |
277,498 (2004 State Demographer
estimate) |
| Incorporation Type: |
Unified Home Rule Municipality |
| Borough Located In: |
Municipality of Anchorage |
| Taxes: |
Sales: None, Property: 16.37 mills (avg.
of 44 service areas), Special: 8% Bed; 8% Rental Car; $1.30 Cigarettes
(per pack); 45% Other Tobacco Products |
| Location
and Climate |
| Anchorage, the
largest borough in Alaska, is located in southcentral Alaska at the head
of Cook Inlet. It is 3 hours' flight time from Seattle. The community
lies at approximately 61.218060° North Latitude and -149.90028° (West)
Longitude. (Sec. 28, T013N, R004W, Seward Meridian.) Anchorage is
located in the Anchorage Recording District. The area encompasses
1,697.2 sq. miles of land and 263.9 sq. miles of water. The average
temperatures in January range from 8 to 21 degrees Fahrenheit. In July,
average temperatures range from 51 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Annual
precipitation is 15.9 inches and annual snowfall is 69 inches.
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| History, Culture and
Demographics |
| In 1741 Russian sailors led by the
Dane Vitus Bering came upon Alaska's mainland. They were followed by
British, Spanish and American explorers, including Captain James Cook in
1778. In 1867, Alaska was purchased by the U.S. from Russia. The
discovery of gold in 1887 and in the Interior in 1922 sparked
development in the area. Construction began in 1914 on a federal
railroad from the port of Seward, 126 miles south of Anchorage, through
the coal fields of Interior Alaska, to the gold claims near Fairbanks,
358 miles to the north. The midpoint construction headquarters was
Anchorage, and by July of 1915, thousands of job seekers and
opportunists had poured into the area, living in a tent city on the
banks of Ship Creek near the edge of the present downtown. That July
produced the "Great Anchorage Lot Sale," a land auction that shaped the
future of the city. Some 655 lots were sold for $148,000 or an average
of $225 each. A month later, the town voted to call itself Alaska City,
but the Federal government refused to change its name from Anchorage.
The City of Anchorage was incorporated on Nov. 23, 1920. From 1939 to
1957, major military impacts and government construction of roads,
airports and harbors throughout Alaska contributed to the growth of
Anchorage. The Port was completed by the early 1960s. The Greater
Anchorage Area Borough was formed on Jan. 1, 1964. The Good Friday
earthquake in 1964 destroyed a large part of the city. During the 1970s,
the development of the Prudhoe Bay oil fields and the Trans-Alaska
Pipeline brought rapid growth to Anchorage; population, office space and
housing tripled within a ten-year period. On Sept. 15, 1975, the City
and Borough governments were unified, along with the cities of Girdwood
and Glen Alps.
The population of the community consists of 10.4% Alaska Native or
part Native. Anchorage has a history of
cultural diversity. Many residents participate in nearby recreational
and subsistence activities. Anchorage has over 162 parks, including 10
large reserves. Recreation activities include downhill and cross-country
skiing, ice hockey, fishing, golf, swimming, hiking, biking and camping.
The George Sullivan Sports Arena, Alaska Performing Arts Center, Egan
Convention Center and many other facilities host cultural and
entertainment events. During the 2000
U.S. Census, total housing units numbered 100,368, and vacant housing
units numbered 5,546. Vacant housing units used only seasonally numbered
1,107. U.S. Census data for Year 2000 showed 134,240 residents as
employed. The unemployment rate at that time was 6.76 percent, although
30.37 percent of all adults were not in the work force. The median
household income was $55,546, per capita income was $25,287, and 7.35
percent of residents were living below the poverty level. |
|
Facilities, Utilities, Schools and Health Care |
| Water is diverted from three primary
sources. Lake Eklutna supplies 35 million gallons per day; Ship Creek
Reservoir supplies 24 million gallons per day; and deep wells supply
another 20 million gallons per day. Water is treated and piped
throughout the municipality -- the Anchorage Water & Wastewater Utility
maintains 670 miles of transmission and distribution mains. Most homes
are served by the piped wastewater system. The John M. Asplund
Wastewater Treatment Facility, built in 1972, provides primary treatment
of 35 million gallons of wastewater each day. Effluent is discharged
into Cook Inlet. Approximately 15,000 homes use individual wells and
septic systems. Eagle River and Girdwood are served by tertiary
treatment facilities. Piped natural gas is available from ENSTAR Natural
Gas Company, and is the most prevalent and cost-effective home heating
method. Electricity is provided to the core area by Anchorage Municipal
Light & Power and the privately-owned Chugach Electric Association.
Matanuska Electric Association serves the Eagle River and Chugiak area
of Anchorage, as well as the Matanuska-Susitna Valley. In October 1997,
these three utilities purchased the Eklutna Hydroelectric Facility.
Anchorage Municipal Light & Power also owns 8 electrical generating
facilities. Chugach Electric owns power generating facilities from the
Kenai Peninsula to the Eklutna River. The Municipality and
privately-owned companies collect refuse for deposit into the Anchorage
Regional Landfill on Hiland Road. The municipality collects hazardous
wastes and waste oil. The privately-owned Anchorage Recycling Center
collects cans, metal, paper and newspaper. Electricity is provided by
Chugach Electric Association; Anchorage Municipal Light & Power. There
are 96 schools located in the community, attended by 49,645 students.
Local hospitals or health clinics include Alaska Regional Hospital
(907-264-1239); Providence Alaska Medical Center (907-562-2211); Alaska
Native Medical Center (907-729-1729); Elmendorf AFB 3rd Medical Group
(907-580-3006); U.S. Army Medical Clinic/Fort Richardson (907-384-0600);
Air National Guard Medical Squadron/Kulis (907-249-1276); numerous
others. Alaska Native, Alaska Regional, Providence and Elmendorf AFB
Hospitals are qualified acute care facilities. Ft. Richardson provides
emergency support only. There are numerous public and private providers
of specialized care. The Municipality provides the Safe Cities Program
(community service patrol) and other services Auxiliary health care is
provided by Anchorage Fire Dept./EMS (267-4934/4950); Chugiak Vol. Fire
(688-2686/522-1122); Elmendorf AFB 3rd Medical Group (552-5555); Ft.
Richardson Medical (384-0774); Air Nat'l Guard/Kulis Medical Squadron
(249-1659); Girdwood Fire & Rescue (783-2511). |
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Economy and Transportation |
Anchorage is the center of commerce for
the state. Oil and gas industries, finance and real estate,
transportation, communications, and government agencies are
headquartered in Anchorage. Numerous visitor and tourist facilities and
services are available. Over 8,500 military personnel are stationed at
Fort Richardson and Elmendorf AFB. Seasonal factors contribute to a
fluctuating, though low, unemployment rate. 912 residents hold
commercial fishing permits. Most permit-owners fish in Bristol Bay,
Kodiak or Cordova.
Controlled airports include the State-owned Ted Stevens Anchorage
International Airport and Lake Hood Float Plane Base, the Municipality's
Merrill Field, and U.S. Army and Air Force facilities. The Port of
Anchorage handles 85% of the general cargo for the Alaska Railbelt area.
There are five terminal berths, with 3,488 linear feet available.
Several barge and trucking companies are available. The Alaska Railroad
connects Anchorage to Seward, Whittier and Fairbanks. |
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