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Skagway
(SKAG-way)
For Photos of Skagway click here
For a Map of Skagway click here
| Current Population: |
846
(2008 DCCED Certified Population)
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| Incorporation Type: |
1st Class Borough |
| Borough Located In: |
Municipality of Skagway |
| Taxes: |
Sales: 3% Quarters 1 and 4, 5% Quarters 2 and 3,
Property: 7.25 mills, Special: 8% Bed Tax
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| National Flood Insurance Program Participant: |
Yes |
| Coastal Management District: |
Skagway |
|
| Location
and Climate |
| Skagway is located 90 miles northeast of Juneau at the northernmost end of Lynn Canal, at the head of Taiya Inlet. It lies 108 road miles south of Whitehorse and is just west of the Canadian border with British Columbia.It
lies at approximately 59.458330° North Latitude
and -135.313890° West Longitude
(Sec. 11, T028S, R059E, Copper River Meridian).
The area encompasses 452.4 sq.
miles of land and 11.9 sq. miles
of water. Skagway experiences a maritime climate with cool summers and mild winters. Average summer temperatures range from 45 to 67 °F; winter temperatures average 18 to 37 °F. Within the shadow of the mountains, Skagway receives less rain than is typical of Southeast Alaska, averaging 26 inches of precipitation per year and 39 inches of snow. |
| History, Culture
and Demographics |
| Skagway was originally known by the Tlingits as Skagua, meaning "windy place"; it was used by the Chilkoots and Chilkats for hunting and fishing. In 1896, gold was discovered 600 miles away in the Yukon; Skagway acted as the starting-off point for prospectors. In 1897, a post office, a church, and a newspaper were founded in Skagway, and its population rose to 10,000. In 1900, Skagway became the first incorporated city in Alaska, beating Juneau by a day. The Bank of Alaska opened in Skagway in 1916. The first tourism boom began in the mid-1920s. During WWII, Skagway stationed as many as 3,000 troops, who worked to construct the Alcan Highway. There was a major flood of the Skagway River in 1967 that breached area dikes. The Klondike Highway to Dawon City opened in 1979. In 1994, the city dock collapsed and sent a tidal wave across the bay; the dock was rebuilt within the year. The city was dissolved in 2007 and became the first first-class borough in Alaska that same year.
A federally-recognized tribe is located in the community -- the Skaqway Village.
The population of the community consists of 5.1%
Alaska Native or part Native.
Skagway is predominantly a tourist community, with historical Tlingit influences. Downtown buildings have been colorfully restored to reflect the history of the gold rush through the Chilkoot Pass.
During the 2000 U.S. Census,
total housing units numbered 502, and vacant housing units numbered 101.
Vacant housing units used
only seasonally numbered 47.
U.S. Census data for Year
2000 showed 478 residents
as employed. The unemployment rate at that time was
14.1 percent,
although
32.2 percent of
all adults were not in the work force. The median household
income was $49,375, per capita income was $27,700, and
3.69 percent of residents
were living below the poverty level.
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| Facilities,
Utilities, Schools and Health Care |
| Water is derived from three wells near 15th and Alaska Streets and is stored in a tank and piped throughout Skagway. Piped sewage receives primary treatment with an ocean outfall. Demands on the system nearly double each summer with the influx of tourism business operators. Almost all homes are fully plumbed. Some houses use individual wells and septic systems. The landfill is closed; however, the city operates an incinerator, baler, and ash fill facility. The community participates in recycling and annual hazardous waste disposal events. Alaska Power & Telephone Company, based in Skagway, provides power to Southeast and the Interior. It owns and operates diesel and hydro systems in Skagway and diesel systems in Tok, Hydaburg, and Craig.
Electricity is provided by Alaska Power Company.
There is one school located in the community,
attended by 100
students.
Local hospitals or health clinics include Dahl Memorial Clinic (907-983-2255).
The clinic is a qualified Emergency Care Center; Itinerant care from Juneau's Bartlett Regional Hospital. Skagway 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, air, floatplane and helicopter access. Emergency service is provided by 911 Telephone Service and volunteers
Auxiliary health care is provided by Skagway Volunteer Fire Dept./EMS (907-983-2450/907-983-2300).
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| Economy
and Transportation |
The tourist industry flourishes in Skagway, as a port of call for cruise ships and a transfer site for rail and interior bus tours. Approximately 1 million cruise ship passengers visit Skagway each year, in addition to RV traffic and numerous state ferry travelers. The Klondike Gold Rush Historical Park and White Pass and Yukon Railroad are major attractions. An Economic Impact Study conducted by the City of Skagway in 1999 found that 51% of the owners of visitor-related businesses are not year-round residents. Trans-shipment of lead/zinc ore, fuel, and freight occurs via the Port and Klondike Highway to and from Canada. Three residents hold commercial fishing permits. Skagway is working on diversifying its economy.
The Klondike Highway and Alaska Highway provide a connection through British Columbia and the Yukon Territory, Canada, to the lower 48 states or north to Interior Alaska. Skagway is accessed by air, road, and water services. The state owns the 3,550' long by 75' wide paved runway and a seaplane base at the boat harbor, with scheduled air taxis. Skagway receives regular state ferry and barge services. A breakwater, ferry terminal, cruise ship dock, small boat harbor, boat launch, and boat haul-out are available. The White Pass and Yukon Route Company owns two deep draft docks for cargo loading and storage. Freight arrives by barge, ferry, and truck. |
Organizations
with Local Offices
Borough -
Municipality of Skagway
P.O. Box 415
Skagway, AK 99840
Phone 907-983-2297
Fax 907-983-2151
E-mail m.harris@skagway.org
Web http://www.skagway.org
Chamber of Commerce -
Skagway Chamber of Commerce
P.O. Box 194
Skagway, AK 99840
Phone 907-983-1898
Fax 907-983-2031
E-mail chamber@aptalaska.net
Web http://www.skagwaychamber.org
Economic Development -
Skagway Development Corporation
P.O. Box 1236
Skagway, AK 99840
Phone 907-983-3414
Fax 907-983-3414
E-mail skagdev@aptalaska.net
Web http://www.skagwaydevelopment.org
Economic Development -
Skagway Convention & Visitors Bureau
P.O. Box 1029
Skagway, AK 99840
Phone 907-983-2854
Fax 907-983-3854
E-mail infoskag@aptalaska.net
Web http://www.skagway.com
Electric Utility -
Alaska Power & Telephone
P.O. Box 3222
Port Townsend, WA 98368-0922
Phone 360-385-1733
Fax 360-385-5177
E-mail dianeturtle@olympus.net
Media -
Skagway News
P.O. Box 498
Skagway, AK 99840-0498
Phone 907-983-2354
Fax 907-983-2356
E-mail skagnews@aptalaska.net
Web http://www.skagwaynews.com
School District -
Skagway Borough School District
P.O. Box 497
Skagway, AK 99840-0497
Phone 907-983-2960
Fax 907-983-2964
E-mail mdickens@skagwayschool.org
Web http://www.skagwayschool.org
Village Council -
Skagway Village
P.O. Box 1157
Skagway, AK 99840
Phone 907-983-4068
Fax 907-983-3068
E-mail stcadmin@skagwaytraditional.org
Web http://www.skagwaytraditional.org/
Regional
Organizations
Borough - Municipality of Skagway
P.O. Box 415
Skagway, AK 99840
Phone 907-983-2297
Fax 907-983-2151
E-mail m.harris@skagway.org
Web http://www.skagway.org
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, AK 99802
Phone 907-523-2327
Fax 907-463-5670
E-mail shellyw@seconference.org
Web http://www.seconference.org
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