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Source: Alaska
Department of Community and Economic Development
Juneau, AK *State Capital
| Current Population: |
30,966 (2004 State Demographer
estimate) |
| Incorporation Type: |
Unified Home Rule Municipality |
| Borough Located In: |
City & Borough of Juneau |
| Taxes: |
Sales: 5%, Property: 11.47 mills (3
service areas), Special: 7% Bed; 3% Alcohol; 6% Tobacco; $5/Marine
Passenger |
| Location
and Climate |
| Located on the
mainland of Southeast Alaska, opposite Douglas Island, Juneau was built
at the heart of the Inside Passage along the Gastineau Channel. It lies
900 air miles northwest of Seattle and 577 air miles southeast of
Anchorage. The community lies at approximately 58.301940° North Latitude
and -134.41972° (West) Longitude. (Sec. 23, T041S, R067E, Copper River
Meridian.) Juneau is located in the Juneau Recording District. The
area encompasses 2,716.7 sq. miles of land and 538.3 sq. miles of
water. Juneau has a mild, maritime climate. Average summer temperatures
range from 44 to 65; winter temperatures range from 25 to 35. It is in
the mildest climate zone in Alaska. Annual precipitation is 92 inches in
downtown Juneau, and 54 inches ten miles north at the airport. Snowfall
averages 101 inches. |
| History, Culture and
Demographics |
| The area was a fish camp for the
indigenous Tlingit Indians. In 1880, nearly 20 years before the gold
rushes to the Klondike and Nome, Joe Juneau and Richard Harris were lead
to Gold Creek by Chief Kowee of the Auk Tribe. They found mother lode
deposits upstream, staked their mining claims, and developed a 160 acre
incorporated city they called Harrisburg, which brought many prospectors
to the area. The City of Juneau was formed in 1900. The state capital
was transferred from Sitka to Juneau in 1906 while Alaska was a U.S.
Territory. The Treadwell and Ready Bullion mines across the channel on
Douglas Island became world-scale mines, operating from 1882 to 1917. In
1916, the Alaska-Juneau gold mine was built on the mainland, and became
the largest operation of its kind in the world. In 1917, a cave-in and
flood closed the Treadwell mine on Douglas. It produced $66 million in
gold in its 35 years of operation. Fishing, canneries, transportation
and trading services, and a sawmill contributed to Juneau's growth
through the early 1900s. The A-J Mine closed in 1944, after producing
over $80 million in gold. In 1970, the City of Juneau and City of
Douglas were unified into the City & Borough of Juneau.
A federally-recognized tribe is located in the community -- the
Central Council Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska; Douglas Indian
Association; Aukquan Traditional Council (not recognized). The
population of the community consists of 16.6% Alaska Native or part
Native. As the state capital, Juneau is
supported largely by State and Federal employment, and by tourists
cruising the Inside Passage. It is the third largest community in
Alaska. About one-third of residents live downtown or on Douglas Island;
the remaining two-thirds live elsewhere along the roaded area. Juneau
has a Tlingit history with a strong historical influence from the early
prospectors and boom town that grew around full-scale gold mining
operations. During the 2000 U.S.
Census, total housing units numbered 12,282, and vacant housing units
numbered 739. Vacant housing units used only seasonally numbered 185.
U.S. Census data for Year 2000 showed 16,688 residents as employed. The
unemployment rate at that time was 5.35 percent, although 28.51 percent
of all adults were not in the work force. The median household income
was $62,034, per capita income was $26,719, and 5.97 percent of
residents were living below the poverty level. |
|
Facilities, Utilities, Schools and Health Care |
| The municipal water supply is obtained
from the Last Chance Basin well field on Gold Creek and the Salmon Creek
Reservoir, and is treated and piped to over 90% of Juneau households.
Juneau's water demand is 5 million gallons per day. The Borough is
seeking funds to construct a million-gallon reservoir near South Lena
Loop to serve the area north of Lena and Tee Harbor. The Borough's piped
sewage system serves almost 80% of residents, and receives secondary
treatment. Sludge is incinerated. North Douglas Island residents use
individual septic tanks, and funds have been provided to begin planning
a sewer main extension to this area. Refuse collection, the landfill and
incinerator are owned by a private firm, Waste Management Co. Juneau has
a sludge site, hazardous waste collection facility, and local
organizations also provide recycling programs. Alaska Electric Light &
Power Company receives the majority of its power from the state-owned
Snettisham Hydroelectric Facility south of town. AEL&P owns the Annex
Creek, Upper Salmon Creek and Lower Salmon Creek Hydro Plants, and the
Gold Creek, Lemon Creek and Auke Bay Diesel back-up systems. The U.S.
Geological Survey and AEL&P are collecting streamgaging data at Dorothy
Lake for hydroelectric potential. Electricity is provided by Alaska
Electric Light & Power Company. There are 12 schools located in the
community, attended by 5,506 students. Local hospitals or health
clinics include Bartlett Regional Hospital (586-2611); SEARHC
Medical/Dental Clinic (463-4040); Juneau Public Health Center
(465-3353). The hospital is a qualified Acute Care facility and Medevac
Service. Long Term Care: Juneau Pioneers' Home; St. Ann's Nursing Home.
Specialized Care: Juneau Recovery Hospital/Bartlett (586-9508); Aiding
Women in Abuse & Rape Emergencies (586-6623/1090). Juneau is classified
a small city, it is found in EMS Region 3A in the Southeast Region.
Emergency Services have limited highway, marine, airport, floatplane and
helicopter access. Emergency service is provided by 911 Telephone
Service, paid EMS Service and volunteers Auxiliary health care is
provided by Capital City Fire/Rescue/Medevac (586-6561); Airlift
Northwest/Air Ambulance (790-4944); Greens Creek EMS (789-8116); U.S.
Coast Guard Rescue Coordination Center (463-2000). |
|
Economy and Transportation |
The State, City & Borough of Juneau, and
federal agencies provide nearly 45% of the employment in the community.
Juneau is home to State Legislators and their staff during the
legislative session between January and May. Tourism is a significant
contributor to the private sector economy during the summer months,
providing a $130 million income and nearly 2,000 jobs. Over 690,000
visitors arrive by cruise ship, and another 100,000 independent
travelers visit Juneau each year. The Mendenhall Glacier, Juneau
Icefield air tours, Tracy Arm Fjord Glacier, State Museum, and Mount
Roberts Tramway are local attractions. Support services for logging and
fish processing contribute to the Juneau economy, and 519 residents hold
commercial fishing permits. DIPAC, a private non-profit organization,
operates a fish hatchery which increases the local salmon population.
The Kennecott Green's Creek Mine produces gold, silver, lead and zinc,
and is the largest silver mine in North America.
Juneau is accessible only by air and sea. Scheduled jet flights and air
taxis are available at the Municipally-owned Juneau International
Airport. The airport includes a paved 8,457' long by 150' wide runway
and a seaplane landing area. Marine facilities include a seaplane
landing area at Juneau Harbor, two deep draft docks, five small boat
harbors and a State ferry terminal. The Alaska Marine Highway System and
cargo barges provide year-round services. |
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