Ketchikan Gateway Borough, Alaska

Ketchikan Gateway Borough History, Geography, Demographics, Cities and Towns, and Education

Named: Ketchikan was named after Ketchikan Creek, which flows through the town. Ketchikan comes from the Tlingit name for the creek, Kitschk-hin, which means "spread wings of a prostrate eagle", which is said to regard to an outlined likeness of this image created by some nearby stream's course.

History

Ketchikan Gateway Borough, Alaska

Ketchikan is Alaska's fifth-largest city in terms of population, and is located in Ketchikan the Gateway Borough. Ketchikan, whose growth is based upon tourism and fishing, is known as the "King Salmon Capital of the World." The Misty Fjords National Monument is one of the area's most major attractions.

Ketchikan was named after Ketchikan Creek, which flows through the town. Ketchikan comes from the Tlingit name for the creek, Kitschk-hin, which means "spread wings of a prostrate eagle", which is said to regard to an outlined likeness of this image created by some nearby stream's course. Ketchikan also has the world's largest collection of standing totem poles located at three major locations: Saxman Village, Totem Bight, and the Totem Heritage Center.

Geography

Ketchikan is located at 55°22′52″N, 131°39′51″W on Revillagigedo Island, and 90 miles north of Prince Rupert, British Columbia and 235 miles south of Juneau, Alaska.

According to the US Census Bureau, the City has a total area of 4.1 mi². The land area is abobut 3.4 mi². The water that covers this area is about 0.8 mi². The total area is about 18.60% made of water.

The average yearly rainfall is about 152 inches; yearly average for snowfall is about 37 inches. The average high temperature in July is 57* degrees Fahrenheit, and the average high temperature in January is about 33* degrees Fahrenheit.

Around August, 2005 the 2005 Highway Bill provided for about $223 million in subsidies to construct a bridge nearly as long as the Golden Gate Bridge located in California (dubbed by critics as the "Bridge to Nowhere") between Ketchikan and nearby Gravina Island (population: 50). The subsidies were negotiated by Alaska's Rep. Don Young. It was hoped that the bridge would help create a development on the island, which houses the city's airport.

Demographics

In Ketchikan, Alaska. Salmon travel up the creek during spawning season to lay their eggs.As of 2004, there were about 8,044 people, in 3,300 households, and 1,997 families residing in the City. The population density was about 2,348.6/mi². There were 3,645 housing units at an average density of about 1,080.6/mi². The racial makeup of the city was 65.31% Caucasains, 0.84% African Americans, 19.80% Native American, 6.85% Asian, 0.20% Pacific Islander, 0.52% from other races, and 6.68% from two or more races. 3.38% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There is about 3,300 households out of which 52% had children under the age of 18 residing with them, 48.6% were married couples living with each other, 13.0% had a female householder with no husband present in the home, and 38.4% were non-families. 31.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.9% 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 3.09.

A look at downtown Ketchikan on a typical rainy day in May, 2002.The population is spread out with 22.7% under the age of 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 32.95% from 25 to 44, 22.35% from 45 to 64, and 9.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 101.93 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.0 males.

The average income for a household in the City was $44,807, and the average income for a family was $52,529. Males had a average income of $41,926 compaired to $30,411 for females. The per capita income for the city was $22,484. 7.6% of the population and 4.9% of families were below the poverty line. 8.3% of those under the age of 18 and 4.8% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

Neighboring Counties:

• Prince of Wales - Outer Ketchikan Census Area, Alaska

Cities:

• Edna Bay
• Kasaan
• Ketchikan (County Seat)
• Ward Cove
   

County Resources:

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Ketchikan Gateway Borough, Alaska