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Source: Alaska
Department of Community and Economic Development
Sitka, AK
| Current Population: |
8,805 (2004 State Demographer estimate) |
| Incorporation Type: |
Unified Home Rule Municipality |
| Borough Located In: |
City & Borough of Sitka |
| Taxes: |
Sales: 5% Oct-March; 6% Apr-Sept,
Property: 6.0 mills, Special: 6% Accommodations Tax; 2 cents/gal. Fuel
Tax |
| Location
and Climate |
| Sitka is
located on the west coast of Baranof Island fronting the Pacific Ocean,
on Sitka Sound. An extinct volcano, Mount Edgecumbe, rises 3,200 feet
above the community. It is 95 air miles southwest of Juneau, and 185
miles northwest of Ketchikan. Seattle, Washington lies 862 air miles to
the south. The community lies at approximately 57.053060° North Latitude
and -135.33° (West) Longitude. (Sec. 36, T055S, R063E, Copper River
Meridian.) Sitka is located in the Sitka Recording District. The area
encompasses 2,874.0 sq. miles of land and 1,937.5 sq. miles of water.
January temperatures range from 23 to 35; summers vary from 48 to 61.
Average annual precipitation is 96 inches, including 39 inches of
snowfall. |
| History, Culture and
Demographics |
| Sitka was originally inhabited by a
major tribe of Tlingits, who called the village "Shee Atika." It was
discovered by the Russian Vitus Bering expedition in 1741, and the site
became "New Archangel" in 1799. St. Michael's Redoubt trading post and
fort were built here by Alexander Baranof, manager of the
Russian-American company. Tlingits burned down the fort and looted the
warehouse in 1802. In 1804, the Russians retaliated by destroying the
Tlingit Fort, in the Battle of Sitka. This was the last major stand by
the Tlingits against the Russians, and the Indians evacuated the area
until about 1822. By 1808, Sitka was the capital of Russian Alaska.
Baranof was Governor from 1790 through 1818. During the mid-1800s, Sitka
was the major port on the north Pacific coast, with ships calling from
many nations. Furs destined for European and Asian markets were the main
export, but salmon, lumber and ice were also exported to Hawaii, Mexico
and California. After the purchase of Alaska by the U.S. in 1867, it
remained the capital of the Territory until 1906, when the seat of
government was moved to Juneau. A Presbyterian missionary, Sheldon
Jackson, started a school, and in 1878 one of the first canneries in
Alaska was built in Sitka. During the early 1900s, gold mines
contributed to its growth, and the City was incorporated in 1913. During
World War II, the town was fortified and the U.S. Navy built an air base
on Japonski Island across the harbor, with 30,000 military personnel and
over 7,000 civilians. After the war, the BIA converted some of the
buildings to be used as a boarding school for Alaska Natives, Mt.
Edgecumbe High School. The U.S. Coast Guard now maintains the air
station and other facilities on the Island. A large pulp mill began
operations at Silver Bay in 1960. In 1971, the City and Borough
governments were unified. Sitka offers abundant resources and a diverse
economy.
A federally-recognized tribe is located in the community -- the Sitka
Tribe of Alaska; Central Council Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of
Alaska. The population of the community consists of 24.7% Alaska Native
or part Native. Tlingit culture, Russian
influences, arts and artifacts remain a part of the local color. Sitka
has year-round access to outdoor recreation in the Gulf of Alaska and
Tongass National Forest. During the
2000 U.S. Census, total housing units numbered 3,650, and vacant housing
units numbered 372. Vacant housing units used only seasonally numbered
169. U.S. Census data for Year 2000 showed 4,567 residents as employed.
The unemployment rate at that time was 7.78 percent, although 31.84
percent of all adults were not in the work force. The median household
income was $51,901, per capita income was $23,622, and 7.81 percent of
residents were living below the poverty level. |
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Facilities, Utilities, Schools and Health Care |
| Water is drawn from a reservoir on Blue
Lake and Indian River, is treated, stored, and piped to nearly all homes
in Sitka. The maximum capacity is 8.6 million gallons per day, with 197
million gallons of storage capacity. 95% of homes are connected to the
piped sewage system, which receives primary treatment. Funds have been
requested to expand the piped system to Cedar Beach, Shotgun Alley, and
along Sawmill Creek Road. Refuse is collected by a private firm under
contract to the City and is incinerated. The ash is then disposed of at
the permitted, lined landfill. The community participates in annual
hazardous waste disposal events. The Borough has begun planning for a
new landfill site. The Borough owns hydroelectric facilities at Blue
Lake and Green Lake, and a diesel-fueled generator at Indian River.
Electricity is provided by Sitka Electric Department. There are 6
schools located in the community, attended by 1,545 students. Local
hospitals or health clinics include Mt. Edgecumbe/SEARHC Hospital
(966-2411); Sitka Community Hospital (747-3241); U.S. Coast Guard Air
Station (966-5430). The hospitals are qualified Acute Care facilities.
The USCG Air Station provides emergency support only and Medevac
Services, and is a qualified Emergency Care Center. Long Term Care:
Sitka Pioneers' Home. Specialized Care: Aurora's Watch (operated by Shee
Atika Corp.); Sitka Council on Alcoholism & Other. Sitka is classified
as a large town/Regional Center, it is found in EMS Region 3A in the
Southeast Region. Emergency Services have limited highway, marine,
floatplane and airport access. Emergency service is provided by 911
Telephone Service, volunteers and the military Auxiliary health care is
provided by Sitka Fire Dept./Ambulance/Rescue (747-3233/3245); SEARHC
Air Medical (966-2411); U.S. Coast Guard Air Station/Medevac (966-5430).
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Economy and Transportation |
The economy is diversified with fishing,
fish processing, tourism, government, transportation, retail, and health
care services. Cruise ships bring over 200,000 visitors annually. 586
residents hold commercial fishing permits and fish processing provides
seasonal employment. Sitka Sound Seafood and the Seafood Producers Co-op
are major employers. Regional health care services, the U.S. Forest
Service and the U.S. Coast Guard also employ a number of residents.
The State-owned Rocky Gutierrez Airport on Japonski Island has a 6,500'
long by 150' wide paved and lighted runway, an instrument landing
system, and a 24-hour FAA Flight Service Station. Daily jet service is
provided, and several scheduled air taxis, air charters and helicopter
services are available. The City & Borough operates five small boat
harbors with 1,350 stalls, and a seaplane base on Sitka Sound, at
Baranof Warm Spring Bay. There is a breakwater at Thompson Harbor, but
no deep draft dock. A boat launch, haul-out, boat repairs and other
services are available. Cruise ships anchor in the Harbor and lighter
visitors to shore; a new lightering facility is needed. The Alaska
Marine Highway system (state ferry) has a docking facility. The fast
ferry M/V Fairweather serves Sitka twice a week with a 6-hour run to
Juneau. Freight arrives by barge and cargo plane. |
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