Ketchikan, Alaska

Encyclopedia : K : KE : KET : Ketchikan, Alaska

Ketchikan (IPA: [ˈkɛ tʃɪ ˌkæn]) is the fifth-largest city in terms of population in the U.S. state of Alaska. in Ketchikan Gateway Borough, Ketchikan's economy is based upon tourism and fishing and the city is known as the "King Salmon Capital of the World." The Misty Fjords National Monument is one of the area's major attractions.

Ketchikan is named after Ketchikan Creek, which flows through the town. Ketchikan comes from the Tlingit name for the creek, Kitschk-hin, which means "spread wings of a prostrate eagle", which is said to refer to an outlined likeness of this image created by some nearby stream's course. Ketchikan also has the world's largest collection of standing totem poles located at three major locations: Saxman Village, Totem Bight, and the Totem Heritage Center.

Contents

1 Geography
2 Demographics
3 Colleges and universities
4 Trivia
5 See also
6 External links

Geography

Ketchikan is located at [55°22′52″N, 131°39′51″W] on Revillagigedo Island, 90 miles north of Prince Rupert, British Columbia and 235 miles south of Juneau, Alaska.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the City has a total area of 4.1 mi² (10.7 km²). 3.4 mi² (8.7 km²) of it is land and 0.8 mi² (2.0 km²) of it (18.60%) is water.

Average annual rainfall is 152 inches; annual average snowfall is 37 inches.

The average high temperature in July is 57 degrees Fahrenheit, and the average high temperature in January is 33 degrees Fahrenheit.

In August, 2005 the 2005 Highway Bill provided for $223m in subsidies to build a bridge nearly as long as the Golden Gate Bridge (dubbed by critics as the "Bridge to Nowhere") between Ketchikan and nearby Gravina Island (population: 50). The subsidies were negotiated by Alaska's Rep. Don Young. It was hoped that the bridge would help spawn development on the island, which houses the city's airport.[link]

Demographics

Looking down Creek Street in Ketchikan, Alaska. Salmon travel up the creek during spawning season to lay their eggs.

As of 2004, there were 8,044 people, 3,300 households, and 1,997 families residing in the City. The population density was 2,348.6/mi² (907.6/km²). There were 3,645 housing units at an average density of 1,080.6/mi² (417.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 65.31% White, 0.84% Black or African American, 19.80% Native American, 6.85% Asian, 0.20% Pacific Islander, 0.52% from other races, and 6.68% from two or more races. 3.38% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 3,300 households out of which 52% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.6% were married couples living together, 13.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.4% were non-families. 31.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 3.09.

A view of downtown Ketchikan on a typical rainy day in May, 2002.

The population is spread out with 22.7% under the age of 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 32.95% from 25 to 44, 22.35% from 45 to 64, and 9.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 101.93 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.0 males.

The median income for a household in the City was $44,807, and the median income for a family was $52,529. Males had a median income of $41,926 versus $30,411 for females. The per capita income for the city was $22,484. About 4.9% of families and 7.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.3% of those under age 18 and 4.8% of those age 65 or over.

Colleges and universities

University of Alaska Southeast

Ketchikan's "Liquid Sunshine Gauge." The town experienced record annual rainfall in 1949, with 202.55 inches measured.

Trivia

One of Ketchikan's landmarks is Creek Street, a former red light district.
Ketchikan claims to have the heaviest average rainfall in North America, and therefore measures its rainfall in feet, not inches. Like many towns in Alaska, Ketchikan refers to precipitation as "Liquid Sunshine."
Part of the town sits over water, supported by piles.
The town was certified in 2005 as the 4th wettest spot on earth, with nearly 200 inches of rain (the general range is 130-150)
Ketchikan has the highest ZIP code in the United States: 99950 for post office boxes. Nearby Ward Cove is 99928. Ketchikan's street delivery ZIP code is 99901.

External links

[Maps and aerial photos] Coordinates: [55.347669° -131.664253°]
* Street map from [Google Maps] or [Yahoo! Maps]
* Topographic map from [TopoZone]
* Aerial image or topographic map from [TerraServer-USA]
* Satellite image from [Google Maps] or [Windows Live Local]
[Ketchikan Indian Community] official website
[Ketchikan Public Library]
[Photos of Ketchikan]

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