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Current Population: 3,146 (2002 DCED
Certified Population)
Incorporation Type: Home Rule City
Taxes: Sales: 6%, Property: 10.17 mills,
Accommodations 4%
Petersburg is located on the northwest
end of Mitkof Island, where the Wrangell Narrows meet
Frederick Sound. It lies midway between Juneau and
Ketchikan, about 120 miles from either community.
It lies at approximately 56.8125° North Latitude and
-132.95556° West Longitude. (Sec. 27, T058S, R079E,
Copper River Meridian.) Petersburg is located in the
Petersburg Recording District. The area encompasses
43.9 sq. miles of land and 2.2 sq. miles of water.
Petersburg's climate is characterized by mild winters,
cool summers and year-round rainfall. Average summer
temperatures range from 40 to 56; winters average
from 27 to 43. Annual precipitation averages 106.3
inches, including 97 inches of snow.
History, Culture and Demographics
Tlingit Indians from Kake utilized the
north end of Mitkof Island as a summer fish camp.
Some reportedly began living year-round at the site,
including John Lot. Petersburg was named after Peter
Buschmann, a Norwegian immigrant and a pioneer in
the cannery business, who arrived in the late 1890s.
He built the Icy Strait Packing Company cannery, a
sawmill, and a dock by 1900. His family's homesteads
grew into this community, populated largely by people
of Scandinavian origin. In 1910, a City was formed,
and by 1920, 600 people lived in Petersburg year-round.
During this time, fresh salmon and halibut were packed
in glacier ice for shipment. Alaska's first shrimp
processor, Alaska Glacier Seafoods, was founded in
1916. A cold storage plant was built in 1926. The
cannery has operated continuously, and is now known
as Petersburg Fisheries, a subsidiary of Icicle Seafoods,
Inc. Across the narrows is the town of Kupreanof,
which was once busy with fur farms, a boat repair
yard and a sawmill. Petersburg has developed into
one of Alaska's major fishing communities.
A federally recognized tribe is located
in the community -- the Petersburg Indian Association.
12% of the population are Alaska Native or part Native.
The community maintains a mixture of Tlingit and Scandinavian
history. It is known as "Little Norway" for its history
and annual Little Norway Festival during May.
During the 2000 U.S. Census, there were
1,367 total housing units, and 127 were vacant. 25
of these vacant housing units are used only seasonally.
1,528 residents were employed. The unemployment rate
at that time was 10.28%, although 36.44% of all adults
were not in the work force. The median household income
was $49,028, per capita income was $25,827, and 4.97%
of residents were living below the poverty level.
Facilities, Utilities, Schools and
Health Care
Water is supplied by Cabin Creek dam,
a 50-million gallon water reservoir, then is treated,
stored in a 600,000-gal. tank and distributed via
pipes to 80% of households. A few homes use individual
wells or water delivery. Nearly all homes are plumbed.
Piped sewage receives primary treatment. The City
is extending piped water to Scow Bay to replace individual
wells. The City currently ships baled refuse to Washington
State. A recycling and resource re-use facility, with
a balefill and hazardous waste disposal, is under
development. Petersburg Municipal Power & Light purchases
electricity from the Tyee Lake Hydro Facility, and
also owns the Crystal Lake Hydro Facility and three
diesel-fueled generators.
Electricity is provided by Petersburg
Municipal Power & Light.
There are 3 schools located in the community,
attended by 623 students.
Local hospitals or health clinics include
Petersburg Medical Center (772-4291). The hospital
is a qualified Acute Care and Long Term Care facility.
Specialized Care: Petersburg Council on Alcoholism
Auxiliary health care is provided by Petersburg Volunteer
Fire Dept./EMS (772-3355/772-3830).
Economy and Transportation
Since its beginning, Petersburg's economy
has been based on commercial fishing and timber harvests.
Petersburg currently is one of the top-ranking ports
in the U.S. for the quality and value of fish landed.
469 residents hold commercial fishing permits. Several
processors operate cold storage, canneries and custom
packing services. The state runs the Crystal Lake
Hatchery which contributes to the local salmon resource.
Residents include salmon, halibut, shrimp and crab
in their diet. Petersburg is the supply and service
center for many area logging camps. Independent sportsmen
and tourists utilize the local charter boats and lodges,
but there is no deep water dock suitable for cruise
ships.
Petersburg is accessed by air and water.
It is on the mainline State ferry route. The State-owned
James A. Johnson Airport and Lloyd R. Roundtree Seaplane
Base (on the Wrangell Narrows) allow for scheduled
jet and float plane services. The runway is paved,
at 6,000'. Harbor facilities include three docks,
two petroleum wharves, two barge terminals, three
boat harbors with moorage for 700 boats, a boat launch
and boat haul-out. Freight arrives by barge, ferry
or cargo plane. There is no deep water dock for large
ships such as cruise ships; passengers are lightered
to shore.
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