Editing Kenai Peninsula Borough, Alaska

{{short description|Borough in Alaska, United States}}
{{use mdy dates|date=May 2021}}
{{More citations needed|date=July 2016}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
 | county               = Kenai Peninsula Borough
 | state                = Alaska
 | ex image             = {{multiple image
| border                 = infobox
| total_width            = 290
| image_style            = border:1;
| perrow                 = 2/2/2
| image1 = Overhead view of Homer and Kachemak Bay.jpg
| image2 = Sunrise on Kachemak Bay.jpg
| image6 = Turnagain Arm and Kenai Mountains (1).jpg
| image4 = Coral Seymour Memorial Ballpark.jpg
| image3 = Kenai River Alaska.jpg
| image5 = Mount Alice seen from Mount Marathon.jpg
}} 
 | ex image size        = 
 | ex image cap         = Left to right, from top: Overhead view of [[Homer, Alaska|Homer]] and [[Kachemak Bay]], sunrise on Kachemak Bay, view of [[Kenai Lake]], the [[Coral Seymour Memorial Ballpark]], view of [[Mount Alice (Alaska)|Mount Alice]] at [[Seward, Alaska|Seward]], view of the [[Kenai Mountains]] 
 | seal                 = Kenai Peninsula Borough, Alaska seal.png 
 | founded year         = 1964<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www2.borough.kenai.ak.us/AssemblyClerk/assembly/Resolutions/1964/1.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://www2.borough.kenai.ak.us/AssemblyClerk/assembly/Resolutions/1964/1.pdf |archive-date=October 9, 2022 |url-status=live|title= Kenai Peninsula Borough, Resolution No. 1: Legal Status - Borough and Borough School District|date=January 4, 1964|publisher= Kenai Peninsula Borough|access-date=May 3, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=1996 Alaska Municipal Officials Directory|location=[[Juneau]]|publisher=Alaska Municipal League/[[Alaska Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development|Alaska Department of Community and Regional Affairs]]|date=January 1996|page=8}}</ref>
 | founded date         = January 1
 | founded title        = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]]
 | seat wl              = Soldotna
 | largest city wl      = Kalifornsky
 | area_total_sq_mi     = 24752
 | area_land_sq_mi      = 16075
 | area_water_sq_mi     = 8677
 | area percentage      = 35.1%
 | population_as_of     = 2020
 | population_total     = 58799
 | pop_est_as_of        = 2023
 | population_est       = 61223 {{increase}}
 | density_sq_mi        = auto
 | web                  = https://www.kpb.us/
 | district             = At-large
 | time zone            = Alaska
 | named for            = [[Kenai Peninsula]]
}}

'''Kenai Peninsula Borough''' is a [[Borough (United States)|borough]] of the [[U.S. state]] of [[Alaska]]. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the population was 58,799, up from 55,400 in 2010.<ref name="QF">{{cite web|title=State & County QuickFacts |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/kenaipeninsulaboroughalaska/PST045222 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=April 15, 2023}}</ref> The [[borough seat]] is [[Soldotna, Alaska|Soldotna]],<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=https://www.naco.org/county-profile/02122|access-date=November 3, 2021|title=Kenai Peninsula Borough Profile|publisher=National Association of Counties|archive-date=November 3, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211103232200/https://www.naco.org/county-profile/02122|url-status=dead}}</ref> the largest city is [[Kenai, Alaska|Kenai]], and the most populated community is the [[census-designated place]] of [[Kalifornsky, Alaska|Kalifornsky]].

The borough includes most of the [[Kenai Peninsula]] and a large area of the mainland of Alaska on the opposite side of [[Cook Inlet]].

==Geography==
[[File:Seldovia.jpg|left|thumb|View of [[Seldovia, Alaska|Seldovia]], located along [[Kachemak Bay]]]]
The borough has a total area of {{convert|24752|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|16075|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|8677|sqmi}} (3.4%) is water.<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=April 23, 2011|date=February 12, 2011|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}}</ref>

===Adjacent boroughs and census areas===
* [[Bethel Census Area, Alaska]] - northwest
* [[Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Alaska]] - north
* [[Anchorage, Alaska|Municipality of Anchorage, Alaska]] - north
* [[Chugach Census Area, Alaska]] - east
* [[Lake and Peninsula Borough, Alaska]] - west
* [[Kodiak Island Borough, Alaska]] - south

===National protected areas===
* [[Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge]] (part of Gulf of Alaska unit)
** [[Chiswell Islands]]
** [[Tuxedni Wilderness]]
* [[Chugach National Forest]] (part)
* [[Katmai National Park and Preserve]] (part)
** [[Katmai Wilderness]] (part)
* [[Kenai Fjords National Park]]
* [[Kenai National Wildlife Refuge]]
** [[Kenai Wilderness]]
* [[Lake Clark National Park and Preserve]] (part)
** [[Lake Clark Wilderness]] (part)

==Ecology==
[[Bear Lake (Alaska)|Bear Lake]], Tutka Bay, and the [[Trail Lakes]], have been the site of [[salmon]] enhancement activities. All three sites are managed by the [[Cook Inlet Aquaculture Association]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ciaanet.org/content_sub1.asp?SUB1_ID=21&CAT_ID=5&SUB_ID=10 |title=Project Bear Lake |access-date=February 3, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070907191533/http://www.ciaanet.org/content_sub1.asp?SUB1_ID=21&CAT_ID=5&SUB_ID=10 |archive-date=September 7, 2007}}</ref> Some of the fish hatched at these facilities are released into the famous [[Nick Dudiak Fishing Lagoon|Homer fishing hole]]. [[Cook Inlet Keeper]] and the [[Cook Inlet Regional Citizen's Advisory Council]] are groups that attempt to influence public policy on the use of the area's resources.

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1960= 6097
|1970= 14250
|1980= 25282
|1990= 40802
|2000= 49691
|2010= 55400
|2020= 58799
|estyear=2023
|estimate=61223
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2023">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/data/tables.html|title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=March 28, 2024}}</ref>
|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=United States Census Bureau|access-date=May 18, 2014}}</ref><br />1790-1960<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu|title=Historical Census Browser|publisher=University of Virginia Library|access-date=May 18, 2014}}</ref> 1900-1990<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/ak190090.txt|title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=May 18, 2014}}</ref><br />1990-2000<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-date=October 9, 2022 |url-status=live|title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=May 18, 2014}}</ref> 2010-2020<ref name="QF"/>
}}

===2020 census===
As of the [[census]] of 2020, there were 58,799 people.

===2000 census===
As of the [[census]] of 2000, there were 49,700 people, 18,400 households, and 12,700 families residing in the borough. The population density was {{convert|1|/km2|/mi2|disp=preunit|people|people|abbr=on}}. There were 24,900 housing units at an average density of {{convert|2|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}. The [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census#2000 census|racial makeup]] of the borough was 86% white, 7% Native American, 2% Hispanic or Latino (any race), and 4% from two or more races. Black or [[African Americans]], [[Asians]], and [[Pacific]] Islanders each were less than 1%.<ref name="GR8">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=May 14, 2011|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref> Just under 1% were from other races combined. 1.92% reported speaking [[Russian language|Russian]] at home, while 1.74% spoke [[Spanish language|Spanish]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mla.org/map_data_results&state_id=2&county_id=122&mode=geographic&zip=&place_id=&cty_id=&ll=&a=&ea=&order=r |title=Language Map Data Center |publisher=Mla.org |date=July 17, 2007 |access-date=December 20, 2012}}</ref>

Of the 18,400 households, 38% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55% were married couples living together, 9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31% were non-families. 25% of households were one person, and 5% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.6 and the average family size was 3.2.

In the borough the population was spread out, with 30% under the age of 18, 7% from 18 to 24, 30% from 25 to 44, 26% from 45 to 64, and 7% 65 or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 109 males; for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 110 males.

==Government and infrastructure==
There is a borough-wide government based in Soldotna, consisting of a strong mayor and an assembly of representatives from all areas of the borough. They collect sales and property taxes and provide services such as road maintenance, waste collection facilities, emergency services and major funding for public schools, along with mitigation of damage from [[spruce bark beetle]]s that infested the borough in the late 1990s and early 2000s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.borough.kenai.ak.us/ |title=Kenai Peninsula Borough Government official site |publisher=Borough.kenai.ak.us |access-date=December 20, 2012}}</ref> Incorporated towns also have their own local governments and city councils. The [[Alaska Department of Corrections]] operates the [[Spring Creek Correctional Center]] near Seward <ref>"[http://www.cityofseward.net/documents/root/City%20of%20Seward%202020%20Comprehensive%20Plan%20Volume%20II.pdf City of Seward 2020 Comprehensive Plan Volume II] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110608214704/http://www.cityofseward.net/documents/root/City%20of%20Seward%202020%20Comprehensive%20Plan%20Volume%20II.pdf |date=June 8, 2011 }}." City of Seward. 94/97. Retrieved on August 15, 2010.</ref><ref>"[http://www.correct.state.ak.us/corrections/institutions/sccc/sccc.jsf Spring Creek Correctional Center] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100826022004/http://www.correct.state.ak.us/corrections/institutions/sccc/sccc.jsf |date=August 26, 2010 }}." [[Alaska Department of Corrections]]. Retrieved on August 15, 2010.</ref> and the [[Wildwood Correctional Complex]] near Kenai.

Kenai Peninsula is one of the most Republican boroughs in the state, having last backed a Democrat for president in 1968.

{{PresHead|place=Kenai Peninsula Borough, Alaska|source1=<ref>{{cite web|url=https://rrhelections.com/index.php/2018/02/02/alaska-results-by-county-equivalent-1960-2016/|title=RRH Elections|first=RRH|last=Elections|website=rrhelections.com|access-date=January 12, 2020}}</ref>}}
<!--{{PresRow|Year|Winner|GOP #|Dem #|3rd #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|2024|Republican|21,861|10,347|1,168|Alaska}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|21,761|10,965|1,222|Alaska}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|18,408|7,578|1,481|Alaska}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|17,157|7,721|598|Alaska}}
{{PresRow|2008|Republican|18,949|8,362|845|Alaska}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|10,478|4,648|299|Alaska}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|15,053|4,633|2,846|Alaska}}
{{PresRow|1996|Republican|10,606|5,177|2,462|Alaska}}
{{PresRow|1992|Republican|6,902|4,828|6,676|Alaska}}
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|8,633|4,718|789|Alaska}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|10,297|3,687|646|Alaska}}
{{PresRow|1980|Republican|7,020|2,178|2,352|Alaska}}
{{PresRow|1976|Republican|4,697|2,528|562|Alaska}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|3,214|1,520|860|Alaska}}
{{PresRow|1968|Democratic|2,044|2,169|981|Alaska}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|1,265|2,299|0|Alaska}}
{{PresFoot|1960|Democratic|1,573|1,753|0|Alaska}}

==Communities==
[[File:Kenai Peninsula Borough Building.jpg|thumb|280px|The George A. Navarre Building on Binkley Street in downtown Soldotna serves as the administrative headquarters for the borough and [[Kenai Peninsula Borough School District|its school district]]. Navarre moved to Kenai in 1957, owned and operated a variety of Kenai-based businesses, and was the borough's [[mayor]] from 1966 to 1972. His son, [[Mike Navarre]], was mayor from 1996 to 1999 and 2011 to 2017.]]

===Cities===
* [[Homer, Alaska|Homer]]
* [[Kachemak, Alaska|Kachemak]]
* [[Kenai, Alaska|Kenai]]
* [[Seldovia, Alaska|Seldovia]]
* [[Seward, Alaska|Seward]]
* [[Soldotna, Alaska|Soldotna]] (Borough seat)

===Census-designated places===
{{Div col|colwidth=18em}}
* [[Anchor Point, Alaska|Anchor Point]]
* [[Bear Creek, Alaska|Bear Creek]]
* [[Beluga, Alaska|Beluga]]
* [[Clam Gulch, Alaska|Clam Gulch]]
* [[Cohoe, Alaska|Cohoe]]
* [[Cooper Landing, Alaska|Cooper Landing]]
* [[Crown Point, Alaska|Crown Point]]
* [[Diamond Ridge, Alaska|Diamond Ridge]]
* [[Fox River, Alaska|Fox River]]
* [[Fritz Creek, Alaska|Fritz Creek]]
* [[Funny River, Alaska|Funny River]]
* [[Halibut Cove, Alaska|Halibut Cove]]
* [[Happy Valley, Alaska|Happy Valley]]
* [[Hope, Alaska|Hope]]
* [[Kalifornsky, Alaska|Kalifornsky]]
* [[Kasilof, Alaska|Kasilof]]
* [[Lowell Point, Alaska|Lowell Point]]
* [[Moose Pass, Alaska|Moose Pass]]
* [[Nanwalek, Alaska|Nanwalek]]
* [[Nikiski, Alaska|Nikiski]]
* [[Nikolaevsk, Alaska|Nikolaevsk]]
* [[Ninilchik, Alaska|Ninilchik]]
* [[Point Possession, Alaska|Point Possession]]
* [[Port Graham, Alaska|Port Graham]]
* [[Primrose, Alaska|Primrose]]
* [[Ridgeway, Alaska|Ridgeway]]
* [[Salamatof, Alaska|Salamatof]]
* [[Seldovia Village, Alaska|Seldovia Village]]
* [[Sterling, Alaska|Sterling]]
* [[Sunrise, Alaska|Sunrise]]
* [[Tyonek, Alaska|Tyonek]]
{{div col end}}

===Unincorporated communities===
* [[Jakolof Bay, Alaska|Jakolof Bay]]
* [[Kachemak Selo, Alaska|Kachemak Selo]]
* [[Razdolna, Alaska|Razdolna]]
* [[Voznesenka, Alaska|Voznesenka]]

===Ghost town===
* [[Portlock, Alaska|Portlock]]

==Education==
The school district for the whole borough is [[Kenai Peninsula Borough School District]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st02_ak/schooldistrict_maps/c02122_kenai_peninsula/DC20SD_C02122.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st02_ak/schooldistrict_maps/c02122_kenai_peninsula/DC20SD_C02122.pdf |archive-date=October 9, 2022 |url-status=live|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Kenai Peninsula Borough, AK|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|accessdate=July 27, 2022}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st02_ak/schooldistrict_maps/c02122_kenai_peninsula/DC20SD_C02122_SD2MS.txt Text list]</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Alaska}}
* [[2006 Arctic Winter Games]]
* [[Kalgin Island]]
* [[List of airports in the Kenai Peninsula Borough]]
* [[List of Alaska state parks#Kenai Peninsula area parks|State parks on the Kenai Peninsula]]

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}
<!--1960 population based on larger present boundaries by combining smaller Kenai borough that had 6097 people with the 2956 people in the short-lived Seward borough for total of 9,053 people in 1960.-->

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110721032732/http://labor.alaska.gov/research/alari/images/maps/2_12_0map.pdf Borough map, 2000 census: Alaska Department of Labor]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20141217222957/http://labor.alaska.gov/research/census/borcamaps/2_12_0map.pdf Borough map, 2010 census: Alaska Department of Labor]

{{Geographic Location
|Centre    = Kenai Peninsula Borough, Alaska
|North     = [[Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Alaska|Matanuska-Susitna Borough]] and [[Anchorage, Alaska|Municipality of Anchorage, Alaska]]
|Northeast =
|East      = [[Chugach Census Area, Alaska|Chugach Census Area]]
|Southeast =
|South     = [[Kodiak Island Borough, Alaska|Kodiak Island Borough]]
|Southwest =
|West      = [[Lake and Peninsula Borough, Alaska|Lake and Peninsula Borough]]
|Northwest = [[Bethel Census Area, Alaska|Bethel Census Area]]
}}

{{Kenai Peninsula Borough, Alaska}}
{{Alaska}}

{{Coord|60|25|N|151|15|W|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-AK_source:gnis_scale:3000000}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Kenai Peninsula Borough, Alaska| ]]
[[Category:1964 establishments in Alaska]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1964]]