Kenai Peninsula Borough, Alaska

Kenai Peninsula Borough is a borough of the U.S. state of Alaska. As of the 2020 census, the population was 58,799, up from 55,400 in 2010.[3] The borough seat is Soldotna,[4] the largest city is Kenai, and the most populated community is the census-designated place of Kalifornsky.

Kenai Peninsula Borough
Borough
Left to right, from top: Overhead view of Homer and Kachemak Bay, sunrise on Kachemak Bay, view of Kenai Lake, the Coral Seymour Memorial Ballpark, view of Mount Alice at Seward, view of the Kenai Mountains
Official seal of Kenai Peninsula Borough
Seal
Map of Alaska highlighting Kenai Peninsula Borough
Location within the U.S. state of Alaska
Map of the United States highlighting Alaska
Alaska's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 60°25′00″N 151°15′00″W
Country United States
State Alaska
IncorporatedJanuary 1, 1964[1][2]
Named forKenai Peninsula
SeatSoldotna
Largest cityKenai
Area
 • Total24,752 sq mi (64,110 km2)
 • Land16,075 sq mi (41,630 km2)
 • Water8,677 sq mi (22,470 km2)  35.1%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total58,799
 • Estimate 
(2022)
60,690 Increase
 • Density2.4/sq mi (0.92/km2)
Time zoneUTC−9 (Alaska)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−8 (ADT)
Congressional districtAt-large
Websitewww.borough.kenai.ak.us

The borough includes most of the Kenai Peninsula and a large area of the mainland of Alaska on the opposite side of Cook Inlet.

Geography
View of Seldovia, located along Kachemak Bay

The borough has a total area of 24,752 square miles (64,110 km2), of which 16,075 square miles (41,630 km2) is land and 8,677 square miles (22,470 km2) (3.4%) is water.[5]

Adjacent boroughs and census areas

National protected areas

Ecology

Bear Lake, Tutka Bay, and the Trail Lakes, have been the site of salmon enhancement activities. All three sites are managed by the Cook Inlet Aquaculture Association[6] Some of the fish hatched at these facilities are released into the famous Homer fishing hole. Cook Inlet Keeper and the Cook Inlet Regional Citizen's Advisory Council are groups that attempt to influence public policy on the use of the areas resources.

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
19606,097—
197014,250133.7%
198025,28277.4%
199040,80261.4%
200049,69121.8%
201055,40011.5%
202058,7996.1%
2022 (est.)60,690[7]3.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[8]
1790-1960[9] 1900-1990[10]
1990-2000[11] 2010-2020[3]

2020 census

As of the census of 2020, there were 58,799 people.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 49,700 people, 18,400 households, and 12,700 families residing in the borough. The population density was 1/km2 (3/sq mi). There were 24,900 housing units at an average density of 2 per square mile (0.77/km2). The racial makeup of the borough was 86% white, 7% Native American, 2% Hispanic or Latino (any race), and 4% from two or more races. Black or African Americans, Asians, and Pacific Islanders each were less than 1%.[12] Just under 1% were from other races combined. 1.92% reported speaking Russian at home, while 1.74% spoke Spanish.[13]

Of the 18,400 households, 38% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55% were married couples living together, 9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31% were non-families. 25% of households were one person, and 5% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.6 and the average family size was 3.2.

In the borough the population was spread out, with 30% under the age of 18, 7% from 18 to 24, 30% from 25 to 44, 26% from 45 to 64, and 7% 65 or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 109 males; for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 110 males.

Government and infrastructure

There is a borough-wide government based in Soldotna, consisting of a strong mayor and an assembly of representatives from all areas of the borough. They collect sales and property taxes and provide services such as road maintenance, waste collection facilities, emergency services and major funding for public schools, along with mitigation of damage from spruce bark beetles that infested the borough in the late 1990s and early 2000s.[14] Incorporated towns also have their own local governments and city councils. The Alaska Department of Corrections operates the Spring Creek Correctional Center near Seward [15][16] and the Wildwood Correctional Complex near Kenai.

United States presidential election results for Kenai Peninsula Borough, Alaska[17]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 21,761 64.10% 10,965 32.30% 1,222 3.60%
2016 18,408 67.02% 7,578 27.59% 1,481 5.39%
2012 17,157 67.35% 7,721 30.31% 598 2.35%
2008 18,949 67.30% 8,362 29.70% 845 3.00%
2004 10,478 67.93% 4,648 30.13% 299 1.94%
2000 15,053 66.81% 4,633 20.56% 2,846 12.63%
1996 10,606 58.13% 5,177 28.37% 2,462 13.49%
1992 6,902 37.50% 4,828 26.23% 6,676 36.27%
1988 8,633 61.05% 4,718 33.37% 789 5.58%
1984 10,297 70.38% 3,687 25.20% 646 4.42%
1980 7,020 60.78% 2,178 18.86% 2,352 20.36%
1976 4,697 61.56% 2,528 33.13% 405 5.31%
1972 3,214 57.45% 1,520 27.17% 860 15.37%
1968 2,044 39.35% 2,169 41.76% 981 18.89%
1964 1,265 35.49% 2,299 64.51% 0 0.00%
1960 1,573 47.29% 1,753 52.71% 0 0.00%

Communities
The George A. Navarre Building on Binkley Street in downtown Soldotna serves as the administrative headquarters for the borough and its school district. Navarre moved to Kenai in 1957, owned and operated a variety of Kenai-based businesses, and was the borough's mayor from 1966 to 1972. His son, Mike Navarre, was mayor from 1996 to 1999 and 2011 to 2017.

Cities

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

Ghost town

Education

The school district for the whole borough is Kenai Peninsula Borough School District.[18]

See also

References
  1. "Kenai Peninsula Borough, Resolution No. 1: Legal Status - Borough and Borough School District" (PDF). Kenai Peninsula Borough. January 4, 1964. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved May 3, 2012.
  2. 1996 Alaska Municipal Officials Directory. Juneau: Alaska Municipal League/Alaska Department of Community and Regional Affairs. January 1996. p. 8.
  3. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
  4. "Kenai Peninsula Borough Profile". National Association of Counties. Retrieved November 3, 2021.
  5. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  6. "Project Bear Lake". Archived from the original on September 7, 2007. Retrieved February 3, 2007.
  7. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2022". Retrieved April 15, 2023.
  8. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 18, 2014.
  9. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved May 18, 2014.
  10. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 18, 2014.
  11. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved May 18, 2014.
  12. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  13. "Language Map Data Center". Mla.org. July 17, 2007. Retrieved December 20, 2012.
  14. "Kenai Peninsula Borough Government official site". Borough.kenai.ak.us. Retrieved December 20, 2012.
  15. "City of Seward 2020 Comprehensive Plan Volume II Archived June 8, 2011, at the Wayback Machine." City of Seward. 94/97. Retrieved on August 15, 2010.
  16. "Spring Creek Correctional Center Archived August 26, 2010, at the Wayback Machine." Alaska Department of Corrections. Retrieved on August 15, 2010.
  17. Elections, RRH. "RRH Elections". rrhelections.com. Retrieved January 12, 2020.
  18. "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Kenai Peninsula Borough, AK" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved July 27, 2022. - Text list
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