Nikiski Alaska

Population: 4357

Location and Climate
Nikiski is located on the Kenai Peninsula, 9 miles north of the City of Kenai, off of the Sterling Highway. It is also known as Port Nikiski and Nikishka. It lies at approximately 60.716050° North Latitude and -151.34066° West Longitude. (Sec. 02, T006N, R012W, Seward Meridian.) Nikiski is located in the Kenai Recording District. The area encompasses 69.6 sq. miles of land and 6.6 sq. miles of water. Winter temperatures range from 14 to 27; summer temperatures vary from 45 to 65. Average annual precipitation is 24 inches.

History, Culture and Demographics
Traditionally in Kenaitze Indian territory, the area was homesteaded in the 1940s, and grew with the discovery of oil on the Kenai Peninsula in 1957. By 1964, oil-related industries located here included Unocal, Phillips 66, Chevron and Tesoro. 10.1% of the population are Alaska Native or part Native. During the 2000 U.S. Census, there were 1,766 total housing units, and 252 were vacant. 93 of these vacant housing units are used only seasonally. 1,652 residents were employed. The unemployment rate at that time was 15.67%, although 48% of all adults were not in the work force. The median household income was $51,176, per capita income was $20,129, and 11.36% of residents were living below the poverty level.

Facilities, Utilities, Schools and Health Care
The majority of homes use individual water wells and septic tank systems. The remainder of residences haul or have water delivered, and use privies. Almost all homes are fully plumbed. The schools operate their own well water systems. A Borough refuse transfer facility is located on Poolside Ave. Electricity is provided by Alaska Electric G&T; Homer Electric Assoc. There are 3 schools located in the community, attended by 967 students. Local hospitals or health clinics include Central Peninsula General Hospital in Soldotna (262-4404). Nikiski 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, coastal and helicopter access. Emergency service is provided by 911 Telephone Service and paid EMS Service. Auxiliary health care is provided by Nikiski Fire Dept./EMS (776-8400/5150) and Central Peninsula Hospital in Soldotna.

Economy and Transportation
Nikiski is the site of a Tesoro Alaska oil refinery, where Cook Inlet and some North Slope crude oil is processed into jet fuel, gasoline and diesel. BP has constructed a natural gas to liquid fuel pilot plant in Nikiski. Agrium, Inc. employs 500 residents at its fertilizer plant, producing 1 million tons of urea and 600,000 tons of ammonia annually. Timber, commercial and sport fishing, government, retail businesses and tourism-related services also provide employment. 56 residents hold commercial fishing permits. Alaska Petroleum Contractors and Natchiq Inc. are building portable modules in Nikiski to be shipped to the Alpine oil field in North Slope. The Sterling Highway provides access to Anchorage. Nearby Kenai offers an airport and docking facilities. The Port Nikiski docks service offshore drilling platforms. There are two private airstrips in the vicinity, one owned by Shell Oil Company.

Source: State of Alaska, Department of Community and Economic Development.

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