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Sterling
For Photos of Sterling click here
| Current Population: |
5,134
(2008 Estimated Population (not Certified))
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| Incorporation Type: |
Unincorporated |
| Borough Located In: |
Kenai Peninsula Borough |
| Taxes: |
Sales: 3% (Borough),
Property: 5.9 mills (Borough), Special: None
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| National Flood Insurance Program Participant: |
Yes |
| Coastal Management District: |
Kenai Peninsula Borough |
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| Location
and Climate |
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Sterling is located on the Sterling Highway at the junction of the Moose and Kenai Rivers, 18 miles east of the City of Kenai. The community
lies at approximately 60.537220° North Latitude
and -150.764720° West Longitude.
(Sec. 1, T005N, R009W, Seward Meridian.)
Sterling is located in the
Kenai Recording District.
Winter temperatures range from 4 to 22; Summer temperatures vary from 46 to 65. Average annual precipitation is 20 inches. |
Topographic
map of
Sterling
area
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| History, Culture
and Demographics |
| The Kenai Peninsula has been the home of the Kenaitze Indians for hundreds of years. Sterling is a community that apparently had its name formalized in 1954 when a post office was established. An archaeological site, containing prehistoric house pits, has been discovered at the Isaac Walton Campground. The State Department of Natural Resources plans to excavate the site around 2002.
The population of the community consists of 4.6%
Alaska Native or part Native.
During the 2000 U.S. Census,
total housing units numbered 2,554, and vacant housing units numbered 878.
Vacant housing units used
only seasonally numbered 706.
U.S. Census data for Year
2000 showed 1,926 residents
as employed. The unemployment rate at that time was
9.7 percent,
although
43.98 percent of
all adults were not in the work force. The median household
income was $47,700, per capita income was $20,741, and
9.98 percent of residents
were living below the poverty level.
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| Facilities,
Utilities, Schools and Health Care |
| Occupied houses use individual water wells and septic tank systems, and are fully plumbed. The school operates its own well water system. Many homes in this area are used only seasonally. The Borough provides a refuse transfer facility at mile 85 Sterling Hwy.
Electricity is provided by Homer Electric Association.
There is one school located in the community,
attended by 161
students.
Local hospitals or health clinics include Central Peninsula General Hospital in Soldotna (907-262-4404).
Sterling 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 and helicopter access, and are within 30 minutes of a higher-level satellite health care facility. Emergency service is provided by 911 Telephone Service and volunteers
Auxiliary health care is provided by Central Emergency Services (262-4792/262-4453); Central Peninsula Hospital in Soldotna.
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| Economy
and Transportation |
The community caters to the sport fishing industry and summer influx of recreational enthusiasts. The economy of the Kenai area is diverse: oil and gas processing, timber, fishing, government, retail and tourism-related services provide employment. 16 residents hold commercial fishing permits.
The Sterling Highway provides access to Anchorage. There are four private airstrips in the Sterling area, and a private seaplane base at Scout Lake. There are two privately-operated boat launches. Nearby Kenai and Soldotna offer airports and docking facilities. |
Organizations
with Local Offices
Community Non-Profit -
Sterling Community Club
P.O. Box 15
Sterling, AK 99672
Phone 907-262-9811
E-mail merkes@ptialaska.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
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