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Craig
For a Map of Craig click here
| Current Population: |
1,117
(2008 DCCED Certified Population)
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| Incorporation Type: |
1st Class City |
| Borough Located In: |
Unorganized |
| Taxes: |
Sales: 5%,
Property: 6.0 mills, Special: 6% Liquor Tax
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| Coastal Management District: |
Craig |
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| Location
and Climate |
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Craig is located on a small island off the west coast of Prince of Wales Island and is connected by a short causeway. It is 31 road miles west of Hollis. It lies 56 air miles northwest of Ketchikan, 750 air miles north of Seattle, and 220 miles south of Juneau. The community
lies at approximately 55.476390° North Latitude
and -133.148330° West Longitude.
(Sec. 06, T074S, R081E, Copper River Meridian.)
Craig is located in the
Ketchikan Recording District.
The area encompasses 6.7
sq. miles of land and 2.7 sq. miles
of water.
Prince of Wales Island is dominated by a cool, moist, maritime climate. Summer temperatures range from 49 to 63 °F. Winter temperatures range from 32 to 42 °F. Average annual precipitation is 120 inches, and average annual snowfall is 40 inches. Gale winds are common in the fall and winter months. |
Topographic
map of
Craig
area
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| History, Culture
and Demographics |
| The Tlingit and Haida peoples have historically utilized the area around Craig for its rich resources. With the help of local Haidas, a fish saltery was built on nearby Fish Egg Island in 1907 by Craig Miller. Between 1908 and 1911, he constructed the Lyndenburger Packing Company and cold storage plant at the present site of Craig. In 1912, a post office, a school, a sawmill, and a salmon cannery were constructed. The cannery and sawmill peaked during World War I. A city government was formed in 1922. Excellent pink salmon runs contributed to development and growth through the late 1930s -- some families from the Dust Bowl relocated to Craig during this time. During the 1950s, the fishing industry collapsed due to depleted salmon runs. In 1972, Ed Head built a large sawmill six miles from Craig near Klawock, which provided year-round jobs and helped to stabilize the economy. Head Mill was sold in the early 1990s to Viking Lumber.
A federally-recognized tribe is located in the community -- the Craig Community Association.
The population of the community consists of 30.9%
Alaska Native or part Native.
Craig is predominantly a fishing community.
During the 2000 U.S. Census,
total housing units numbered 580, and vacant housing units numbered 57.
Vacant housing units used
only seasonally numbered 11.
U.S. Census data for Year
2000 showed 719 residents
as employed. The unemployment rate at that time was
8.99 percent,
although
29.72 percent of
all adults were not in the work force. The median household
income was $45,298, per capita income was $20,176, and
9.84 percent of residents
were living below the poverty level.
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| Facilities,
Utilities, Schools and Health Care |
| All households are fully plumbed. Water is supplied by a dam on North Fork Lake and is then treated, stored in a tank, and piped to homes. Sewage is collected by a piped gravity system and receives primary treatment before discharge into Bucareli Bay. Refuse is collected and deposited in Klawock's landfill. The city also participates in annual hazardous waste collection events. Alaska Power & Telephone Co. owns and operates diesel power systems and a hydroelectric facility at Black Bear Lake, which provides electricity to many island communities.
Electricity is provided by Alaska Power Company.
There are 5 schools located in the community,
attended by 736
students.
Local hospitals or health clinics include Craig Medical Clinic (907-826-3257) http://www.craigak.com/index_files/clinic.htm; Craig/Prince of Wales Public Health Center (907-826-4333).
The clinic is a qualified Emergency Care Center. Craig is classified as an isolated town/Sub-Regional Center, it is found in EMS Region 3A in the Southeast Region. Emergency Services have limited highway, marine, floatplane and helicopter access. Emergency service is provided by 911 Telephone Service.
Auxiliary health care is provided by Craig EMS (907-826-2367/3330) or Prince of Wales Island Area EMS (907-826-2367/3330).
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| Economy
and Transportation |
The economy in Craig is based on the fishing industry, logging support, and sawmill operations. A fish-buying station and a cold storage plant are located in Craig. 157 residents hold commercial fishing permits. Craig has grown as a service and transportation center for the Prince of Wales Island communities. Shan-Seet Village Corporation timber operations, the Viking Lumber Co. sawmill, fishing, fish processing, government, and commercial services provide most employment. Deer, salmon, halibut, shrimp, and crab are harvested for recreational or subsistence purposes.
Scheduled air transportation to Ketchikan is available from the nearby Klawock airport. A state-owned seaplane base at Klawock Inlet and a U.S. Coast Guard heliport are maintained in Craig. The state ferry serves Hollis 30 miles away and enables transportation of passengers, cargo, and vehicles to the island. There are two small boat harbors at North Cove and South Cove, a small transient float and dock in the downtown area, and a boat launch ramp at North Cove. The J.T. Brown Marine Industrial Center was completed in 2006 and includes a dock and boat launch. Freight arrives by cargo plane, barge, and ferry in Hollis. A paved road exists between Hollis, Craig, Klawock, and the airport. |
Organizations
with Local Offices
City -
City of Craig
P.O. Box 725
Craig, AK 99921
Phone 907-826-3275
Fax 907-826-3278
E-mail cityclerk@craigak.com; mayor@craigak.com
Web http://www.craigak.com
School District -
Craig City School District
P.O. Box 800
Craig, AK 99921
Phone 907-826-3274
Fax 907-826-3322
E-mail plow@craigschools.com
Web http://www.craigschools.com
Village Corporation -
Shaan-Seet, Incorporated
P.O. Box 690
Craig, AK 99921-0090
Phone 907-826-3251
Fax 907-826-3980
E-mail ssinc@ptialaska.net
Village Council -
Craig Community Association
P.O. Box 828
Craig, AK 99921
Phone 907-826-3996
Fax 907-826-3997
E-mail cgtribe@aptalaska.net
Regional
Organizations
Regional Native Corporation - Sealaska Corporation
One Sealaska Plaza, Suite 400
Juneau, AK 99801-1276
Phone 907-586-1512
Fax 907-586-2304
E-mail todd.antioquia@sealaska.com
Web http://www.sealaska.com
Regional Native Health Corporation - Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium
3245 Hospital Dr.
Juneau, AK 99801
Phone 907-463-4000
Fax 907-463-4075
E-mail admin@searhc.org
Web http://www.searhc.org/
Regional Native Non-Profit - Central Council Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska
320 W. Willoughby Ave., Suite 300
Juneau, AK 99801
Phone 907-586-1432
Fax 907-586-8970
E-mail econdev@ccthita.org
Web http://www.ccthita.org
Regional Development - Southeast Conference
P.O. Box 21989
Juneau, 99802
Phone 907-523-2327
Fax 907-463-5670
E-mail shellyw@seconference.org
Web http://www.seconference.org
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