City Town Info

Sitka, AK


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Sitka, Alaska

Introduction Sitka, Alaska

Sitka, Alaska, in Sitka county, is 630 miles SE of Anchorage, Alaska. The town is home to some 8,835 residents.

Sitka History

Sitka was originally inhabited by the Tlingit Indians. The town derived its name from an Indian term meaning ‘people on the outside of shee.’ In fact, it was derived from the Tlingit words ‘Shee Atika.’ It became the capital of Russian America in 1808. It was the first capital of Alaska and remained so until 1912. The official transfer of Alaska to the United States took place at Sitka on October 18, 1867. The city’s fortunes declined until World War II. Sitka was incorporated on December 2, 1971.

Sitka and nearby Attractions

  • Isabel Miller Museum
  • Sheldon Jackson Museum
  • Sitka National Historic Park
  • Baranof Castle State Historic Site

Things To Do In Sitka

The city of Sitka has a few museums worth visiting including the Sitka Historical Museum, which supplies information through it informative displays of the Tlingits, Finns, early Americans, and Russian settlers. The Kettleson Memorial Library is also worth visiting. At Sitka Wildlife Quest one has an opportunity to watch sea otters, puffins, bald eagles, and humpback whales in their natural habitat.

Sitka Transportation

The Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport provides facilities for air travel.

Sitka Higher Education

The University of Alaska Fairbanks, University of Alaska Anchorage, Peninsula College, Whatcom Community College, and Skagit Valley College offer higher education facilities.

High Points

Sitka strengths, compared to Peers (similar size places nationally) or State (other places in Alaska):

CategoryTrophy
Walking and Biking to Work
(vs. Peers)		Top 1%trophySitka Walking and Biking to Work
Short Commute Times
(vs. Peers)		Top 2%trophySitka Short Commute Times
College Educated Adults
(vs. State)		Top 3%trophySitka College Educated Adults
People in Middle Class or Better
(vs. State)		Top 10%Sitka People in Middle Class or Better
Median Family Income
(vs. State)		Top 18%Sitka Median Family Income
Well-Paid Single Women
(vs. State)		Top 18%Sitka Well-Paid Single Women

Comparative Profile of Sitka, AK

Comparing Sitka to similar size places nationwide (Peers) and to other places in Alaska (State):

Ratings range from 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest).


The People

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers		Compared
to State
Male Share of the Population103
Well-Paid Single Men87
Well-Paid Single Women79
Racial Diversity59
Children Under 5 Years Old53
Age of the Population48
Senior Citizens29
Female Share of the Population18

Families

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers		Compared
to State
Average Household Size73
Portion of People Married69

Wealth

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers		Compared
to State
Median Family Income89
College Educated Adults810
People in Middle Class or Better710
People Above Poverty69

Commute & Sprawl

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers		Compared
to State
Walking and Biking to Work1010
Short Commute Times104
Working at Home97
Public Transportation Use55

Housing

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers		Compared
to State
Seasonal and Vacation Housing107
Studio & One-Bedroom Rentals87
Housing Recently Built82
Affordability of Property Taxes65
People Living Alone46
Affordability of Rents22

Crime

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers		Compared
to State
Low Violent Crime57
Low Property Crime45

Detailed pages on related topics: Sitka travel.

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Additional Details

Sitka Hotels & TravelSitka Hotels & Travel
Sitka hotels, landmarks, tourism, transportation.

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