Kodiak, Alaska

View of Kodiak from Pillar Mountain

Kodiak is a city on Kodiak Island in Kodiak Island Borough in the U.S. state of Alaska. According to 2005 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city is 6,273. The city holds about half of the community's population.

Geography

Location of Kodiak, Alaska

Kodiak is located at 57°47′35″N 152°23′39″W (57.793109, -152.394188)Template:GR.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 12.6 km² (4.8 mi²). 9.0 km² (3.5 mi²) of it is land and 3.6 km² (1.4 mi²) of it (28.66%) is water.

Demographics

As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 6,324 people, 1,996 households, and 1,361 families residing in the city. The population density was 706.8/km² (1,832.7/mi²). There were 2,255 housing units at an average density of 251.6/km² (652.5/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 46.40% White, 0.69% Black or African Americans, 29.1% Native American, 31.73% Asian, 0.93% Pacific Islander, 4.36% from other races, and 5.42% from two or more races. 8.54% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 1,996 households out of which 40.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.1% were married couples living together, 10.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.8% were non-families. 24.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.10 and the average family size was 3.64.

In the city the population was spread out with 29.1% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 32.2% from 25 to 44, 23.1% from 45 to 64, and 6.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 114.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 120.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $55,142, and the median income for a family was $60,484. Males had a median income of $37,074 versus $30,049 for females. The per capita income for the city was $21,522. About 3.7% of families and 7.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.4% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.

Climate and culture

Kodiak Harbor

Kodiak is a beautiful island, also referred to as "Alaska's Emerald Isle". With a maritime climate, Kodiak is known for its rain. This creates lush green during the summer months. Winter temperatures are moderate. While snow storms and freezing temperatures are not uncommon, neither are warm, above-freezing temperatures with rain.

Kodiak has a rich Alutiiq culture. Kodiak's cultural traditions and history can be found at the Alutiiq Museum & Archaeological Repository, the Baranov Museum, and the Kodiak Military History Museum.

The lifestyles of many Kodiak residents still include subsistence food gathering. Fishing (particularly for salmon and halibut), hunting (for Sitka black-tailed deer, elk, and goats), and berry-picking (salmonberry, blueberry, and high- and low-bush cranberry) are common summer and fall activities. The community also has a number of large chain stores, including Wal-Mart and Safeway.

Economy

Kodiak's primary economic driver is the commercial fishing industry. The United States Coast Guard station (Integrated Support Command Kodiak) also drives important economic activity. Additional activity in commercial fisheries support services (such as welding and hydraulics shops and marine supply stores), government, social services, and retail establishments round out the employment picture in Kodiak.

Community Events

The City of Kodiak is home to a number of annual events that draw locals and people from off-island. The most well-known of these is Kodiak Crab Festival. Organized by the Kodiak Chamber of Commerce the event takes place over Memorial Day weekend. It includes a county fair-style main event, with carnival rides, food and game booths, and group activities. In addition, a number of events are organized over the three-day weekend that include a kayak race, a marathon, an ultra-marathon, a 9.6-mile mountain run called the Pillar Mountain Run and others.

Trivia

• Kodiak is the second most lucrative fisheries port in the state (behind Dutch Harbor/Unalaska) and fourth most lucrative in the nation both in volume of seafood and value of seafood. In 2004, 312 million pounds of fish and shellfish passed through its port for a total value of US$91 million, according to the National Marine Fisheries Service.
• Kodiak is a key location in the film The Guardian, starring Kevin Costner and Ashton Kutcher.
• Baranov House, named for the Russian commander, was built around 1808 and is the oldest Russian structure in North America. It was used as a store and commissary for the fur-trading outpost.
• September 22, 1784 - Russia established a colony at Kodiak, Alaska.
• Actor Wyatt Biessel, grew up here.
• Ryan Bateman, the 2005 ASAA State Swimming 500 yard freestyle champion, was born and raised here.
• The Kodiak High School Cross Country team is located here. The team won its first State Championship with team members including Trevor Dunbar, Cory Pena, Lucas Fried, Sam Salus, Benny Garcia, and Jordan Foster. The team was ranked #3 in the Northwest on dyestat.com, making it the most successful cross-country team in Alaska.
• I shot the reer.

External links

• Kodiak official website
• Kodiak Alaska's Emerald Isle

• Kodiak Military History Museum with 1000 pictures
• Images of Kodiak Alaska