| |
Nikiski
(nih-KISS-kee); formerly Nikishka
| Current Population: |
4,406
(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 |
|
Nikiski is located on the Kenai Peninsula, 9 miles north of the City of Kenai, off of the Sterling Highway. It is also known as Port Nikiski and Nikishka. The community
lies at approximately 60.716050° North Latitude
and -151.340660° West Longitude.
(Sec. 02, T006N, R012W, Seward Meridian.)
Nikiski is located in the
Kenai Recording District.
Winter temperatures range from 14 to 27; summer temperatures vary from 45 to 65. Average annual precipitation is 24 inches. |
Topographic
map of
Nikiski
area
 |
| History, Culture
and Demographics |
| Traditionally in Kenaitze Indian territory, the area was homesteaded in the 1940s, and grew with the discovery of oil on the Kenai Peninsula in 1957. By 1964, oil-related industries located here included Unocal, Phillips 66, Chevron and Tesoro.
The population of the community consists of 10.1%
Alaska Native or part Native.
During the 2000 U.S. Census,
total housing units numbered 1,766, and vacant housing units numbered 252.
Vacant housing units used
only seasonally numbered 93.
U.S. Census data for Year
2000 showed 1,652 residents
as employed. The unemployment rate at that time was
15.67 percent,
although
48 percent of
all adults were not in the work force. The median household
income was $51,176, per capita income was $20,129, and
11.36 percent of residents
were living below the poverty level.
|
| Facilities,
Utilities, Schools and Health Care |
| The majority of homes use individual water wells and septic tank systems. The remainder of residences haul or have water delivered, and use privies. Almost all homes are fully plumbed. The schools operate their own well water systems. A Borough refuse transfer facility is located on Poolside Ave.
Electricity is provided by Alaska Electric G&T; Homer Electric Assoc.
There are 2 schools located in the community,
attended by 770
students.
Local hospitals or health clinics include Central Peninsula General Hospital in Soldotna (262-4404).
Nikiski is classified as a highway town/Sub-Regional Center, it is found in EMS Region 2J in the Kenai Peninsula Region. Emergency Services have highway, coastal and helicopter access. Emergency service is provided by 911 Telephone Service and paid EMS Service
Auxiliary health care is provided by Nikiski Fire Dept./EMS (776-8400/5150) and Central Peninsula Hospital in Soldotna.
|
| Economy
and Transportation |
Nikiski is the site of a Tesoro Alaska oil refinery, where Cook Inlet and some North Slope crude oil is processed into jet fuel, gasoline and diesel. BP has constructed a natural gas to liquid fuel pilot plant in Nikiski. Agrium, Inc. employs 500 residents at its fertilizer plant, producing 1 million tons of urea and 600,000 tons of ammonia annually. Timber, commercial and sport fishing, government, retail businesses and tourism-related services also provide employment. 56 residents hold commercial fishing permits. Alaska Petroleum Contractors and Natchiq Inc. are building portable modules in Nikiski to be shipped to the Alpine oil field in North Slope.
The Sterling Highway provides access to Anchorage. Nearby Kenai offers an airport and docking facilities. The Port Nikiski docks service offshore drilling platforms. There are two private airstrips in the vicinity, one owned by Shell Oil Company. |
Organizations
with Local Offices
Chamber of Commerce -
Nikiski Chamber of Commerce
P.O. Box 8053
Nikiski, AK 99635
Phone 907-776-551
Fax 907-776-8836
E-mail jvancleave.osk@acsalaska.net
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 - 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
|
 |
|
