Sterling Alaska

Population: 4888

Location and Climate
Sterling is located on the Sterling Highway at the junction of the Moose and Kenai Rivers, 18 miles east of the City of Kenai. It lies at approximately 60.537220° North Latitude and -150.76472° West Longitude. (Sec. 1, T005N, R009W, Seward Meridian.) Sterling is located in the Kenai Recording District. The area encompasses 77.3 sq. miles of land and 2.1 sq. miles of water. Winter temperatures range from 4 to 22; Summer temperatures vary from 46 to 65. Average annual precipitation is 20 inches.

History, Culture and Demographics
The Kenai Peninsula has been the home of the Kenaitze Indians for hundreds of years. Sterling is a community that apparently had its name formalized in 1954 when a post office was established. An archaeological site, containing prehistoric house pits, has been discovered at the Isaac Walton Campground. The State Department of Natural Resources plans to excavate the site around 2002. 4.6% of the population are Alaska Native or part Native. During the 2000 U.S. Census, there were 2,554 total housing units, and 878 were vacant. 706 of these vacant housing units are used only seasonally. 1,926 residents were employed. The unemployment rate at that time was 9.7%, although 43.98% of all adults were not in the work force. The median household income was $47,700, per capita income was $20,741, and 9.98% of residents were living below the poverty level.

Facilities, Utilities, Schools and Health Care
Occupied houses use individual water wells and septic tank systems, and are fully plumbed. The school operates its own well water system. Many homes in this area are used only seasonally. The Borough provides a refuse transfer facility at mile 85 Sterling Hwy. Electricity is provided by Homer Electric Association. There is one school located in the community, attended by 225 students. Local hospitals or health clinics include Central Peninsula General Hospital in Soldotna (262-4404). Sterling 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 and helicopter access, and are within 30 minutes of a higher-level satellite health care facility. Emergency service is provided by 911 Telephone Service and volunteers. Auxiliary health care is provided by Central Emergency Services (262-4792/262-4453); Central Peninsula Hospital in Soldotna.

Economy and Transportation
The community caters to the sport fishing industry and summer influx of recreational enthusiasts. The economy of the Kenai area is diverse: oil and gas processing, timber, fishing, government, retail and tourism-related services provide employment. 16 residents hold commercial fishing permits. The Sterling Highway provides access to Anchorage. There are four private airstrips in the Sterling area, and a private seaplane base at Scout Lake. There are two privately-operated boat launches. Nearby Kenai and Soldotna offer airports and docking facilities.

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

Sterling Alaska Links
If you would like your website listed here please contact .

Alaska Mountain View Cabins
Furnished cabins located in Sterling on the Kenai Peninsula within walking distance to world class fishing on the Kenai River.
http://www.alaskamountainview.com/

More Alaska Cities
Anchorage Alaska, Barrow, Bethel, Big Lake, Butte, Cantwell, Cooper Landing, Copper Center, Cordova, Delta Junction, Denali National Park, Dillingham, Douglas, Eagle River Chugiak, Fairbanks Alaska, Girdwood, Glennallen, Haines, Healy, Homer, Hoonah, Iliamna, Juneau, Kenai, Kenai Fjords National Park, Ketchikan, King Salmon, Knik Fairview, Kodiak, Kotzebue, Lake Louise, McGrath, Moose Pass, Nenana, Nikiski, Nome, North Pole, Palmer, Petersburg, Seward Alaska, Sitka, Skagway, Soldotna, Sterling, Talkeetna, Unalaska, Valdez, Wasilla, Whittier Alaska, Willow, Wrangell, Yakutat

[graphic version Sterling Alaska]