| |
Bear Creek
| Current Population: |
1,984
(2008 Estimated Population (not Certified))
|
| Incorporation Type: |
Unincorporated |
| Borough Located In: |
Kenai Peninsula Borough |
| Taxes: |
Sales: 3% (Borough),
Property: 5.9 mills (Borough), Special: None
|
| National Flood Insurance Program Participant: |
Yes |
| Coastal Management District: |
Kenai Peninsula Borough |
|
| Location
and Climate |
|
Bear Creek is on the east coast of the Kenai Peninsula, northeast of Seward, between Mile 3 and 7 of the Seward Highway. It lies approximately 120 highway miles south of Anchorage. The community
lies at approximately 60.211280° North Latitude
and -149.308700° West Longitude.
(Sec. 5, T001N, R001E, Seward Meridian.)
Bear Creek is located in the
Seward Recording District.
The area experiences a maritime climate. Winter temperatures average from 17 to 38 degrees Fahrenheit. Summer temperatures average from 49 to 63 degrees Fahrenheit. Annual precipitation includes 66 inches of rain and 80 inches of snowfall. |
Topographic
map of
Bear Creek
area
 |
| History, Culture
and Demographics |
| Bear Creek is a local name, first published by D.H. Sleem on his map of central Alaska dated 1910. Bear Lake is the source of the stream. Nearby Seward became an incorporated City in 1912. The Alaska Railroad was constructed between 1915 and 1923, and Seward developed as the ocean terminus and supply center. By 1960, Seward was the largest community on the Peninsula. As an ice-free harbor, Seward has become an important supply center for Interior Alaska.
The population of the community consists of 16.2%
Alaska Native or part Native.
Bear Creek is a relatively large settlement of over 800 homes, with a diverse population. The are a number of social and cultural opportunities in nearby Seward.
During the 2000 U.S. Census,
total housing units numbered 806, and vacant housing units numbered 120.
Vacant housing units used
only seasonally numbered 52.
U.S. Census data for Year
2000 showed 875 residents
as employed. The unemployment rate at that time was
7.45 percent,
although
32.54 percent of
all adults were not in the work force. The median household
income was $53,800, per capita income was $20,947, and
4.98 percent of residents
were living below the poverty level.
|
| Facilities,
Utilities, Schools and Health Care |
| Most homes have completed plumbing, through individual well and septic systems. Refuse collection is available. The Borough provides refuse transfer sites in Seward and in Crown Point.
Electricity is provided by Seward Electric System.
There are no state operated schools located in the community.
Local hospitals or health clinics include Providence Seward Medical Center (907-224-5205) in Seward.
Auxiliary health care is provided by Providence Seward Medical Center (224-5205); Bear Creek Volunteer Fire & EMS, Inc. (224-3345/3338); Seward Volunteer Ambulance Corps (224-3987).
|
| Economy
and Transportation |
Many residents work in Seward. As the southern terminus for the Alaska Railroad and road link to Anchorage and the Interior, Seward has long been a transportation center. The economy has diversified with tourism, commercial fishing, ship services and repairs, oil and gas development, a coal export facility for Usibelli Mine, a State Prison, and the University of Alaska's Institute of Marine Sciences.
Bear Creek is connected to the Alaska Highway system by the Seward Highway. The Seward airport also provides daily air services and charters. The Port of Seward serves cruise ships, the State Ferry, cargo barges and ocean freighters from Seattle and overseas. Its small boat harbor has moorage and two boat launch ramps. The Alaska Railroad provides over 1.4 billion pounds of cargo transit each year, importing cargo for the Interior and exporting coal to the Pacific Rim. |
Organizations
with Local Offices
Regional
Organizations
Borough - Kenai Peninsula Borough
144 North Binkley Street
Soldotna, AK 99669
Phone 907-262-4441
Fax 907-714-2377
E-mail assemblyclerk@borough.kenai.ak.us
Web http://www.borough.kenai.ak.us
Regional Native 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
|
 |
|
