| |
Anchorage
(ANG-kuh-ridge)
For Photos of Anchorage click here
| Current Population: |
284,994
(2008 DCCED Certified Population)
|
| Incorporation Type: |
Unified Home Rule Municipality |
| Borough Located In: |
Municipality of Anchorage |
| Taxes: |
Sales: None,
Property: 15.50 mills, Special: 12% Bed Tax; 8% Car Rental Tax; $.0726 per Cigarette
|
| National Flood Insurance Program Participant: |
Yes |
| Coastal Management District: |
Anchorage |
|
| Location
and Climate |
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Anchorage, the most populated municipality 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 -149.900280° 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 °F. In July, average temperatures range from 51 to 65 °F. Annual precipitation is 15.9 inches, and annual snowfall is 69 inches. |
Topographic
map of
Anchorage
area
 |
| 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 98 schools located in the community,
attended by 48,837
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).
|
| 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. 822 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. |
Organizations
with Local Offices
Borough -
Municipality of Anchorage
P.O. Box 196650
Anchorage, AK 99519
Phone 907-343-7100
Fax 907-343-4499
E-mail mayor@muni.org;
Web http://www.muni.org
CDQ Group -
Norton Sound Econ. Dev. Corp.
420 L St., Suite 310
Anchorage, AK 99501-1971
Phone 907-274-2248
Fax 907-274-2249
E-mail eugene@nsedc.com
Web http://www.nsedc.com
Chamber of Commerce -
Anchorage Chamber of Commerce
1016 West Sixth Avenue, Suite 303
Anchorage, AK 99501
Phone 907-272-2401
Fax 907-272-4117
E-mail info@anchoragechamber.org
Web http://www.anchoragechamber.org
Community Non-Profit -
Alaska Native Health Board
1840 Bragaw Street, Suite 220
Anchorage, AK 99508
Phone 907-562-6006
Fax 907-563-2001
E-mail health@anhb.org
Web http://www.anhb.org
Community Non-Profit -
Alaska Native Heritage Center
8800 Heritage Center Drive
Anchorage, AK 99504
Phone 907-330-8000
Fax 907-330-8030
E-mail info@alaskanative.net
Web http://www.alaskanative.net
Community Non-Profit -
Alaska Village Initiatives
1577 C Street, Suite 304
Anchorage, AK 99501
Phone 907-274-5400
Fax 907-263-9971
E-mail info@akvillage.com
Web http://www.akvillage.com
Economic Development -
Comm. Enterprise Dev. Corp. of AK
1577 C Street Plaza #304
Anchorage, AK 99501
Phone 907-274-5400
Fax 907-263-9971
Economic Development -
Alaska Wilderness Recreation & Tourism Assoc.
2207 Spenard Rd. #201
Anchorage, AK 99503
Phone 907-258-3171
Fax 907-258-3851
E-mail info@awrta.org
Web http://www.awrta.org
Economic Development -
UAA - Center for Economic Development
3211 Providence Drive
Anchorage, AK 99508
Phone 907-786-6561
Fax 907-786-6565
E-mail anadj@acadz.alaska.edu
Economic Development -
Municipality of Anchorage, Office of Economic Development
P.O. Box 196650
Anchorage, AK 99519
Phone 907-343-4804
Fax 907-343-4499
E-mail ancmayor@alaska.net
Web http://www.muni.org/homepage/index.cfm
Economic Development -
Resource Development Council for Alaska
121 W. Fireweed, Suite 250
Anchorage, AK 99503-2035
Phone 907-276-0700
Economic Development -
Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau
524 West 4th Ave.
Anchorage, AK 99501-2122
Phone 907-276-4118
Fax 907-278-5559
E-mail info@anchorage.net
Web http://www.anchorage.net
Economic Development -
Alaska Rural Development Council/Alaska Rural Partners, Inc.
3890 University Lake Drive, Suite 110
Anchorage, AK 99508
Phone 907-786-4660
Fax 907-786-4662
E-mail anhrv@cbpp.uaa.alaska.edu
Web http://ardc.alaska.edu
Economic Development/Non-Profit -
Bering Sea Fishermen's Association
110 W. 15th Avenue, Unit A
Anchorage, AK 99501
Phone 907-279-6519
Fax 907-258-6688
E-mail karen.gillis@bsfaak.org
Web http://www.cdqdb.org/
Electric Utility -
Middle Kuskokwim Electric Cooperative
P.O. Box 206
McGrath, AK 99627
Phone 907-524-3360
Fax 907-524-3361
Electric Utility -
Anchorage Municipal Light & Power
1200 East First Ave.
Anchorage, AK 99501-1685
Phone 907-279-7671
Fax 907-263-5204
Web http://www.mlandp.com/
Electric Utility -
Alaska Village Electric Cooperative, Inc.
4831 Eagle Street
Anchorage, AK 99503
Phone 907-561-1818
Fax 907-562-4086
E-mail presceo@avec.org
Web http://www.avec.org
Electric Utility -
Chugach Electric Association Inc.
P.O. Box 196300
Anchorage, AK 99519-6300
Phone 907-563-7494
Fax 907-562-0027
E-mail jasper@chugach.net
Web http://www.chugachelectric.com/
Housing Authority -
Aleutian Housing Authority
520 E. 32nd Ave
Anchorage, AK 99503
Phone 907-563-2146
Fax 907-563-3105
E-mail dand@aleutian-housing.com
Web http://www.aleutian-housing.com/
Housing Authority -
North Pacific Rim Housing Authority
8300 King Street
Anchorage, AK 99518
Phone 907-562-1444
Fax 907-562-1445
E-mail olen@nprha.com
Web http://www.nprha.com
Housing Authority -
Association of Alaska Housing Authorities
4300 Boniface Parkway
Anchorage, AK 99504
Phone 907-338-3970
Fax 907-338-4904
E-mail aaha@alaska.net
Web http://www.aahaak.org
Housing Authority -
Cook Inlet Housing Authority
3510 Spenard Rd., Suite 201
Anchorage, AK 99503
Phone 907-793-3000
Fax 907-793-3075
E-mail cgore@cookinlethousing.org
Web http://www.cookinlethousing.org
Media -
Alaska Journal of Commerce
301 Arctic Slope, Suite 350
Anchorage, AK 99518
Phone 907-561-4772
Fax 907-563-4744
E-mail melissa.campbell@alaskajournal.com
Web http://www.alaskajournal.com
Media -
Anchorage Times/Voice of the Times
P.O. Box 100040
Anchorage, AK 99510-0040
Phone 907-264-8193
Fax 907-264-8194
E-mail anchtimes@corecom.net
Media -
Alaska Rural Communications Service (ARCS)
P.O. Box 200009
Anchorage, AK 99520
Phone 907-277-6370
Fax 907-277-6350
E-mail arcs@alaska.net
Web http://www.alaska.net/~arcs
Media -
Associated Press, Anchorage
750 West 2nd Ave., Suite 102
Anchorage, AK 99501
Phone 907-272-7549
Fax 907-274-2189
E-mail apanchorage@ap.org
Web http://www.ap.org/alaska
Media -
Anchorage Media Group
301 Arctic Slope Ave. #200
Anchorage, AK 99518-3035
Media -
Alaska Broadcast Media
2500 Douglas Dr.
Anchorage, AK 99517
Phone 907-248-1028
Fax 907-248-1863
E-mail stevestrait@gci.net
Web http://www.alaskabroadcastmedia.com
Media -
Anchorage Daily News
P.O. Box 149001
Anchorage, AK 99514-9001
Phone 907-257-4200
Fax 907-258-2157
E-mail newsroom@adn.com
Web http://www.adn.com
Media -
Alaska Public Radio Network (APRN)
3877 University Drive
Anchorage, AK 99508-
Phone 907-550-8400
Fax 907-550-8401
E-mail info@aprn.org
Web http://www.aprn.org
Media -
Alaska Newspapers, Inc.
301 Calista Ct., Suite B
Anchorage, AK 99518
Phone 907-272-9830
Fax 907-272-9512
E-mail rhowell@alaskanewspapers.com
Web http://www.alaskanewspapers.com
Media -
Alaska Business Monthly
501 W. Northern Lights Blvd., Suite 100
Anchorage, AK 99503
Phone 907-276-4373
Fax 907-279-2900
E-mail editor@akbizmag.com
Web http://www.akbizmag.com
Media -
Reuters America
3400 Purdue St.
Anchorage, AK 99508
Phone 907-349-4588
Fax 907-349-4589
E-mail yjrosen@aol.com
Other -
National Park Service
240 W. 5th Ave Rm 114
Anchorage, AK 99501
Phone 907-644-3510
Other -
Indigenous Survival International
P.O. Box 200908
Anchorage, AK 99520
Phone 907-279-2511
Fax 907-278-2309
Other -
Indigenous People for Marine Mammals
P.O. Box 20908
Anchorage, AK 99520
Phone 907-279-2511
Fax 907-278-2309
Other -
Alaska Native Foundation
, AK
Other -
Alaska Inter-Tribal Council
1569 South Bragaw Suite 102
Anchorage, AK 99508-
Phone 907-563-9334
Fax 907-563-9337
E-mail aitc@alaskaintertribal.org
Web http://www.aitc.org
Other -
Denali Commission
510 L Street, Suite 410
Anchorage, AK 99559
Phone 907-271-1414
Fax 907-271-1415
Web http://www.denali.gov
Other -
Alaska Federation of Natives
1577 C Street, Suite 300
Anchorage, AK 99501
Phone 907-274-3611
Fax 907-276-7989
E-mail nevakitka@aol.com
Web http://www.nativefederation.org
Other -
Alaska Sea Otter and Steller Sea Lion Commission
6239 B Street, Suite 204
Anchorage, AK 9518
Phone 907-274-9799
Fax 907-274-9022
E-mail asoc@seaotter-sealion.org
Web http://www.seaotter-sealion.org
Other -
Alaska Native Science Commission
429 L Street
Anchorage, AK 99501
Phone 907-258-2672
Fax 907-258-2652
E-mail ansc@aknsc.org
Web http://www.nativescience.org
Other -
Alaska Legal Services Corporation
1016 W. 6th Ave., Suite 200
Anchorage, AK 99501
Phone 907-272-9431
Fax 907-279-7417
E-mail anchorage3@alsc-law.org
Web http://www.alsc-law.org
Other -
Assoc. of ANCSA Corp. Presidents & CEOs
P.O. Box 92829
Anchorage, AK 99509
Phone 907-265-4515
Fax 907-265-4528
Other -
The Association for Stranded Rural Alaskans
2606 C Street #2E
Anchorage, AK 99503
Phone 907-272-0643
Fax 907-272-5728
Other -
RurAL CAP
P.O. Box 200908
Anchorage, AK 99520
Phone 907-279-2511
Fax 907-278-2309
Other -
Rural Alaska Resources Association
P.O. Box 200908
Anchorage, AK 99520
Phone 907-279-2511
Fax 907-279-2309
Regional Development -
Anchorage Economic Development Corporation
900 West 5th Ave., Suite 300
Anchorage, AK 99501
Phone 907-258-3700
Fax 907-258-6646
E-mail eealum@aedcweb.com
Web http://www.aedcweb.com
Regional Development -
Southwest Alaska Municipal Conference
3300 Arctic Blvd., Suite 203
Anchorage, AK 99503
Phone 907-562-7380
Fax 907-562-0438
E-mail mcatsi@swamc.org
Web http://www.swamc.org
Regional Health Corporation -
Chugachmiut
1840 Bragaw Street, Suite 110
Anchorage, AK 99508-3463
Phone 907-562-4155
Fax 907-563-2891
E-mail info@chugachmiut.org
Web http://www.chugachmiut.org
Regional Health Corporation -
Southcentral Foundation
4501 Diplomacy
Anchorage, AK 99508
Phone 907-729-4955
Fax 907-729-4972
E-mail katherineg@scf.cc
Web http://www.southcentralfoundation.com
Regional Health Corporation -
Aleutian Pribilof Islands Association
1131 E. International Airport Rd.
Anchorage, AK 99518
Phone 907-276-2700
Fax 907-279-4351
E-mail apiai@apiai.org
Web http://www.apiai.org
Regional Health Corporation -
Eastern Aleutian Tribes
3380 C Street, Suite 100
Anchorage, AK 99503-3949
Phone 907-277-1440
Fax 907-277-1446
E-mail admin@eatribes.org
Web http://www.eatribes.org
Regional Native Corporation -
Cook Inlet Region, Inc.
P.O. Box 93330
Anchorage, AK 99509-3330
Phone 907-274-8638
Fax 907-279-8836
E-mail info@ciri.com
Web http://www.ciri.com/
Regional Native Corporation -
The Aleut Corporation
4000 Old Seward Hwy., Suite 300
Anchorage, AK 99503
Phone 907-561-4300
Fax 907-563-4328
E-mail info@aleutcorp.com
Web http://www.aleutcorp.com
Regional Native Non-Profit -
Cook Inlet Tribal Council
3600 San Jeronimo Dr
Anchorage, AK 99508
Phone 907-793-3600
Fax 907-793-3602
E-mail citci@citci.com
Web http://www.citci.com/
School District -
Chugach School District
9312 Vanguard Drive, Suite 100
Anchorage, AK 99507-5355
Phone 907-522-7400
Fax 907-522-3399
E-mail bcrumley@chugachschools.com
Web http://www.chugachschools.com/
School District -
Anchorage School District
5530 East Northern Lights Blvd
Anchorage, AK 99504
Phone 907-742-4312
Fax 907-742-4318
E-mail comeau_carol@asdk12.org
Web http://www.asdk12.org/
Services -
Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium
4141 Ambassador Drive, Suite 200
Anchorage, AK 99508
Phone 907-729-1900
Fax 907-729-1901
E-mail dehe@anthc.org
Web http://www.anthc.org
Village Corporation -
Ahtna Development Corporation
406 West Fireweed Lane, Suite 101
Anchorage, AK 99503
Phone 907-272-7961
Fax 907-247-6614
Web http://www.ahtna-development.com
Village Corporation -
Caswell Native Association
12020 Old Seward Hwy.
Anchorage, AK 99515
Phone 907-345-6626
Village Corporation -
Point Possession, Inc.
1321 Oxford Drive
Anchorage, AK 99503
Phone 907-563-1848
Regional
Organizations
Borough - Municipality of Anchorage
P.O. Box 196650
Anchorage, AK 99519
Phone 907-343-7100
Fax 907-343-4499
E-mail mayor@muni.org;
Web http://www.muni.org
School District - Anchorage School District
5530 East Northern Lights Blvd
Anchorage, AK 99504
Phone 907-742-4312
Fax 907-742-4318
E-mail comeau_carol@asdk12.org
Web http://www.asdk12.org/
Regional Native Health Corporation - Southcentral Foundation
4501 Diplomacy
Anchorage, AK 99508
Phone 907-729-4955
Fax 907-729-4972
E-mail katherineg@scf.cc
Web http://www.southcentralfoundation.com
Native Housing Authority - Cook Inlet Housing Authority
3510 Spenard Rd., Suite 201
Anchorage, AK 99503
Phone 907-793-3000
Fax 907-793-3075
E-mail cgore@cookinlethousing.org
Web http://www.cookinlethousing.org
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