Editing Fritz Creek, Alaska

{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name            = Fritz Creek, Alaska
|settlement_type          = [[Census-designated place]]
|nickname                 = 
|motto                    =

<!-- Images -->
|image_skyline            = File:Fritz Creek General Store.png
|imagesize                = 
|image_caption            = Fritz Creek General Store and Post Office
|image_flag               = 
|image_seal               =

<!-- Maps -->
| image_map             = Fritz_Creek_Municipal_Map.png
| map_caption           = Location in Kenai Peninsula Borough, Alaska
|image_map1               = 
|mapsize1                 = 
|map_caption1             =

<!-- Location -->
|subdivision_type         = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
|subdivision_name         = [[United States]]
|subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_name1        = [[Alaska]]
|subdivision_type2        = [[List of boroughs and census areas in Alaska|Borough]]
|subdivision_name2        = [[Kenai Peninsula Borough, Alaska|Kenai Peninsula]]
|government_footnotes     = 
|government_type          = 
|leader_title             = Borough [[mayor]]
|leader_name              = [[Peter Micciche]]
|leader_title1            = [[Alaska Senate|State senator]]
|leader_name1             = [[Gary Stevens (politician)|Gary Stevens]] ([[Republican Party (United States)|R]])
|leader_title2            = [[Alaska House of Representatives|State rep.]]
|leader_name2             = [[Sarah Vance (politician)|Sarah Vance]] (R)
|established_title        = 
|established_date         =

<!-- Area -->
|area_magnitude           = 
|area_footnotes           = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web|title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_02.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=October 29, 2021}}</ref>
|area_total_km2           = 139.74
|area_land_km2            = 139.74
|area_water_km2           = 0.00
|area_total_sq_mi         = 53.95
|area_land_sq_mi          = 53.95
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.00

<!-- Population -->
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_footnotes     = 
|population_total         = 2248
|population_density_km2   = 16.09

<!-- General information -->
|timezone                 = [[Alaska Time Zone|Alaska (AKST)]]
|utc_offset               = -9
|timezone_DST             = AKDT
|utc_offset_DST           = -8
|elevation_footnotes      = 
|elevation_m              = 365
|elevation_ft             = 1198
|coordinates              = {{coord|59|43|54|N|151|15|2|W|region:US-AK|display=inline,title}}
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]
|postal_code              = 99603
|area_code                = [[Area code 907|907]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 02-27090
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info              = 1866947
|website                  = 
|footnotes                = 
|pop_est_as_of = 
|pop_est_footnotes = 
|population_est = 
|unit_pref = Imperial
|population_density_sq_mi = 41.66
}}
'''Fritz Creek''' is a [[census-designated place]] (CDP) in the [[Kenai Peninsula Borough, Alaska|Kenai Peninsula Borough]], [[Alaska]], United States, northeast of [[Homer, Alaska|Homer]]. At the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]] the population was 2,248,<ref name="2020 Census Data">{{cite web | url = https://live.laborstats.alaska.gov/cen/2020-census-data.html | title = 2020 Census Data - Cities and Census Designated Places | format = Web | publisher = State of Alaska, Department of Labor and Workforce Development | access-date = October 31, 2021}}</ref> up from 1,932 in 2010.<ref name="Census 2010">{{Cite web| url=http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/G001/1600000US0227090| title=Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Fritz Creek CDP, Alaska| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder| accessdate=January 15, 2019}}{{dead link|bot=medic|date=April 2020}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

==Fritz Creek Community center and general store==
In 1954, two acres of private land were designated by a local family for a Fritz Creek Civic and Social Center, intended to be an alternative to the rowdy bar scene in nearby Homer. A large stockade-style log building was built to house the center. Community events such as [[square dance]]s were held in the building for years. The center was damaged by the [[1964 Alaska earthquake]] and required major repairs to the foundation. Over time the building became less of a community center and was largely rented out for events.

In 1982 the property was sold and the building was converted into a general store and gas station, with a post office being added in 1983. Hot food and a small dining area were added later and the store returned to being something of a gathering spot for the surrounding community. Eventually a liqour store was added as well. In 2019, the store was told by the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation that Stormy, a cat that had lived in the store for years, was in violation of state law and would need to be removed. Stormy was rehomed with a local resident.<ref>Pacer, Megan [https://www.peninsulaclarion.com/news/fritz-creek-general-store-told-resident-cat-violates-code/ Fritz Creek General Store told resident cat violates code] [[Peninsula Clarion]],February 28, 2019</ref> The building changed hands several more times before being badly damaged in a fire in July 2023. The cause of the fire is not known.<ref>Springer, Emily, "History and memories of the Fritz Creek General Store" [[Homer News]], July 13, 2023</ref><ref>Cosman, Delcinia, "Fritz Creek General Store Burns" [[Homer News]], July 13, 2023</ref>

==Geography==
Fritz Creek is located at {{coord|59.731632|-151.250527|type:city_region:US|format=dms|display=inline}},<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|accessdate=April 23, 2011|date=February 12, 2011|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}}</ref> covering an area {{convert|6|to|20|mi|0}} northeast of Homer. It sits on the north side of [[Kachemak Bay]] and is bordered to the southwest by the city of [[Kachemak, Alaska|Kachemak]], to the west by the [[Diamond Ridge, Alaska|Diamond Ridge]] CDP, and to the northeast by the [[Fox River, Alaska|Fox River]] CDP.

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the CDP has a total area of {{convert|139.9|km2|order=flip}}, all of it recorded as land.

Climbing from sea level to over {{convert|1500|ft}}, the community offers fantastic views of the [[Kenai Mountains]] and Kachemak Bay.

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1970= 27
|1980= 302
|1990= 1426
|2000= 1603
|2010= 1932
|2020= 2248
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=U.S. Decennial Census|publisher=Census.gov|accessdate=June 6, 2013}}</ref>
}}
Fritz Creek first appeared on the 1970 U.S. Census as an unincorporated village. In 1980 it was made a census-designated place (CDP).

As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |accessdate=January 31, 2008 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref> of 2000, there were 1,603 people, 661 households, and 413 families residing in the CDP.  The population density was {{convert|29.5|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}.  There were 854 housing units at an average density of {{convert|15.7|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}.  The racial makeup of the CDP was 93.0% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 0.2% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 2.4% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 0.6% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.9% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 3.1% from two or more races.  2.3% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race.

There were 661 households, out of which 36.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.3% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 7.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.4% were non-families. 29.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 3.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.  The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 3.06.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 29.8% under the age of 18, 4.4% from 18 to 24, 30.4% from 25 to 44, 29.8% from 45 to 64, and 5.6% who were 65 years of age or older.  The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 103.7 males.  For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 109.1 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $41,400, and the median income for a family was $49,881. Males had a median income of $42,083 versus $31,250 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the CDP was $18,937.  About 3.6% of families and 9.6% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 11.4% of those under age 18 and 3.4% of those age 65 or over.

==See also==
* ''[[Alaska: The Last Frontier]]''

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Kenai Peninsula Borough, Alaska}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Census-designated places in Alaska]]
[[Category:Census-designated places in Kenai Peninsula Borough, Alaska]]
[[Category:Populated coastal places in Alaska on the Pacific Ocean]]