Editing Ninilchik, Alaska

{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
| official_name      = Ninilchik
| native_name        = {{lang|ru|Нинильчик}}<br>Niqnalchint
| native_name_lang   = tfn
| settlement_type    = [[Census-designated place]]
| nickname           = 
| motto              = <!-- Images -->
| image_skyline      = Ninilchik Village.jpg
| image_caption      = Ninilchik in 2010
| imagesize          = 250px
| image_flag         = Flag of the Ninilchik.svg
| image_seal         = <!-- Maps -->
| image_map             = Ninilchik_Municipal_Map.png
| map_caption           = Location in Kenai Peninsula Borough, Alaska
| image_map1         = 
| mapsize1           = 
| map_caption1       = <!-- Location -->
| subdivision_type   = 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_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_magnitude     = 
| area_total_km2     = 536.84
| area_land_km2      = 536.76
| area_water_km2     = 0.07
| area_total_sq_mi   = 207.27
| area_land_sq_mi    = 207.25
| area_water_sq_mi   = 0.03

<!-- Population -->| population_as_of   = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_footnotes = 
| population_total   = 845
| population_density_km2 = 1.57
| population_density_sq_mi = 4.08

<!-- General information -->| timezone           = [[Alaska Time Zone|Alaska (AKST)]]
| utc_offset         = -9
| timezone_DST       = AKDT
| utc_offset_DST     = -8
| elevation_footnotes = 
| elevation_m        = 
| elevation_ft       = 50
| coordinates        = {{coord|60|02|47|N|151|40|02|W|region:US-AK|display=inline,title}}
| postal_code_type   = [[ZIP code]]
| postal_code        = 99639
| area_code          = [[Area code 907|907]]
| blank_name         = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info         = 02-54480
| blank1_name        = 
| blank1_info        = 
| website            = 
| footnotes          = 
| pop_est_as_of      = 
| pop_est_footnotes  = 
| population_est     = 
| unit_pref          = Imperial
}}
[[File:Landing Fields - Alaska - New Airport through Ninilchik - NARA - 68158932 (cropped).jpg|thumb|right|Ninilchik Airstrip in 1940]]
'''Ninilchik''' ([[Denaʼina language|Dena'ina]]: ''Niqnalchint'', {{langx|ru|Нинильчик}}, [[Alaskan Russian]]: ''N'in'íl'chik'')<ref>https://www.ninilchikrussian.com/dictionary/index-english.php?letter=14</ref> is a [[census-designated place]] (CDP) in [[Kenai Peninsula Borough, Alaska|Kenai Peninsula Borough]], [[Alaska]], United States. At the [[2010 United States Census|2010 census]] the population was 883,<ref name="Census 2010">{{cite web| url=http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/G001/1600000US0254480| title=Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Ninilchik CDP, Alaska| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder| access-date=January 22, 2019}}{{dead link|bot=medic|date=April 2020}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> up from 772 in 2000.

It is considered an [[Alaska Native]] village under the [[Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act]]. In the 1970s, villagers formed the [[Ninilchik Native Association Incorporated]]. Later the [[Ninilchik Traditional Council]] (NTC) was established as the government of Alaska Natives in this area.

The [[Alaska Native]] people of Ninilchik have ancestors of [[Aleut]] and [[Alutiiq people|Alutiiq (Sugpiaq)]] descent, as well as some [[Dena'ina people|Dena'ina]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ciri.com/content/history/villages.aspx |title=Cook Inlet Villages and Lands – CIRI |publisher=Ciri.com |access-date=May 1, 2017 |archive-date=November 12, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131112003706/http://www.ciri.com/content/history/villages.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref> Many also include Russian ancestors, from a couple of men who settled here with their Alutiiq wives and children in 1847, and later migrants. [[Alaskan Russian]] was widely spoken in the village for almost 200 years. Due to the community's isolation, this Russian dialect continued much in its mid-19th century form. In the 21st century, the dialect has been studied and preserved from local speakers.

==Geography==
Ninilchik is on the west side of the [[Kenai Peninsula]] on the coast of [[Cook Inlet]], {{convert|38|mi}} by air southwest of [[Kenai, Alaska|Kenai]], and {{convert|100|mi|km}} southwest of [[Anchorage, Alaska|Anchorage]]. Road access is by the [[Sterling Highway]]. By actual road miles it is a distance of {{convert|188|mi}} from Anchorage and {{convert|44|mi}} from [[Homer, Alaska|Homer]].<ref>[[The Milepost]], 59th edition, page 630, {{ISBN|978-1-892154-21-7}}</ref>

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the CDP has a total area of {{convert|536.7|km2|order=flip}}, of which {{convert|0.07|km2|order=flip|2}}, or 0.01%, are water.<ref name="Census 2010"/>

===Climate===
Ninilchik has a [[continental subarctic climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]] Dsc).
{{Weather box
|collapsed=Y
|open=
|metric first= 
|single line=     same
|width = 65%
|location=        Ninilchik, Alaska (1940-1968 normals and extremes)
| Jan record high F = 45
| Feb record high F = 44
| Mar record high F = 46
| Apr record high F = 56
| May record high F = 68
| Jun record high F = 75
| Jul record high F = 74
| Aug record high F = 72
| Sep record high F = 66
| Oct record high F = 59
| Nov record high F = 47
| Dec record high F = 44
|Jan high F=24.4
|Feb high F=30.7
|Mar high F=29.7
|Apr high F=40.3
|May high F=52.2
|Jun high F=62.2
|Jul high F=61.4
|Aug high F=61.5
|Sep high F=54.9
|Oct high F=42.6
|Nov high F=28.9
|Dec high F=23.0
|year high F=42.7
|Jan mean F = 17.6
|Feb mean F = 23.0
|Mar mean F = 19.5
|Apr mean F = 32.2
|May mean F = 43.3
|Jun mean F = 51.3
|Jul mean F = 52.5
|Aug mean F = 52.0
|Sep mean F = 45.6
|Oct mean F = 33.4
|Nov mean F = 21.4
|Dec mean F = 16.5
|year mean F = 34.0
|Jan low F=10.8
|Feb low F=15.3
|Mar low F=9.4
|Apr low F=24.0
|May low F=34.5
|Jun low F=40.3
|Jul low F=43.6
|Aug low F=42.5
|Sep low F=36.2
|Oct low F=24.2
|Nov low F=13.8
|Dec low F=10.1
|year low F=25.4
| Jan record low F = -20
| Feb record low F = -22
| Mar record low F = -33
| Apr record low F = 0
| May record low F = 22
| Jun record low F = 29
| Jul record low F = 26
| Aug record low F = 33
| Sep record low F = 24
| Oct record low F = 0
| Nov record low F = -12
| Dec record low F = -32
|precipitation colour=green
|Jan precipitation inch=1.69
|Feb precipitation inch=1.28
|Mar precipitation inch=0.94
|Apr precipitation inch=1.50
|May precipitation inch=1.50
|Jun precipitation inch=1.22
|Jul precipitation inch=2.44
|Aug precipitation inch=3.41
|Sep precipitation inch=2.74
|Oct precipitation inch=2.68
|Nov precipitation inch=1.77
|Dec precipitation inch=2.07
|year precipitation inch=23.23
|snow colour=
|Jan snow inch=13.3
|Feb snow inch=8.8
|Mar snow inch=12.7
|Apr snow inch=10.0
|May snow inch=0.0
|Jun snow inch=0.0
|Jul snow inch=0.0
|Aug snow inch=0.0
|Sep snow inch=0.0
|Oct snow inch=2.6
|Nov snow inch=9.0
|Dec snow inch=22.8
|year snow inch=79.2
|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
|Jan precipitation days = 6
|Feb precipitation days = 5
|Mar precipitation days = 4
|Apr precipitation days = 7
|May precipitation days = 5
|Jun precipitation days = 6
|Jul precipitation days = 10
|Aug precipitation days = 10
|Sep precipitation days = 10
|Oct precipitation days = 9
|Nov precipitation days = 6
|Dec precipitation days = 9
|year precipitation days = 86
|source 1= WRCC<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://wrcc.dri.edu/cgi-bin/cliMAIN.pl?ak6441 |title=NINILCHIK, ALASKA (506441) |publisher=Western Regional Climate Center |accessdate=August 20, 2022 }}</ref> 
}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1880= 53
|1890= 81
|1920= 87
|1930= 124
|1940= 132
|1950= 97
|1960= 169
|1970= 134
|1980= 341
|1990= 456
|2000= 772
|2010= 883
|2020= 845
|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|access-date=June 6, 2013}}</ref>
}}

In [[Russian Alaska]], Creole ''[[promyshlenniki]]'' intermarried with and [[Aleut people|Aleut]]s and [[Alutiiq]]s gave rise to a small but influential population of '''[[Alaskan Creole people|Alaskan Creoles]].''' Ninilchik first appeared on the 1880 U.S. Census as an unincorporated Creole village.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Rr9RAQAAMAAJ&q=Ninilchik&pg=PA49 | title=Geological Survey Professional Paper| year=1949}}</ref> All 53 of its residents were Creole. It returned in 1890 with 81 residents, however the census combined the adjacent locales of the Laida native village and [[Anchor Point, Alaska|Anchor Point]] mine along with Treadwell coal mine (not to be confused with the [[Treadwell gold mine|Treadwell]] that is now within [[Juneau, Alaska|Juneau]]). There were 53 Creole residents (probably all Ninilchik residents), 16 Natives (probably the Tinneh residents of Laida), and 12 Whites (probably the residents of the two mining locales).<ref>{{cite web | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CRcwAAAAYAAJ&q=%22Annovokhamiut%22&pg=RA2-PA164 |title = Report on Population and Resources of Alaska at the Eleventh Census, 1890|year = 1893|last1 = Census Office|first1 = United States}}</ref> Ninilchik did not return again until 1920, when it was spelled as "Ninilchic" on the census. It returned as Ninilchik again in 1930, and in every successive census to date. It was made a census-designated place (CDP) in 1980.

As of the census<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref> of 2000, there were 772 people, 320 households, and 223 families residing in the CDP.  The population density was {{convert|3.7|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}.  There were 762 housing units at an average density of {{convert|3.7|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}.  The racial makeup of the CDP was 82.25% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 13.99% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 0.52% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.13% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 3.11% from two or more races.  0.65% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race.

There were 320 households, out of which 29.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.4% were married couples living together, 6.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.3% were non-families. 23.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.  The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 2.87.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 24.1% under the age of 18, 5.4% from 18 to 24, 26.3% from 25 to 44, 29.5% from 45 to 64, and 14.6% who were 65 years of age or older.  The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 110.4 males.  For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 114.7 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $36,250, and the median income for a family was $41,750. Males had a median income of $29,861 versus $22,750 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the CDP was $18,463.  About 10.4% of families and 13.9% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 13.2% of those under age 18 and 7.2% of those age 65 or over.

==History==
{{further|Alaskan Creole people}}
Before the arrival of Europeans in Alaska, Ninilchik was a [[Dena'ina people|Dena'ina]] [[Athabaskan]] lodging area used for hunting and fishing. The name ''Ninilchik'' probably derives from ''Niqnilchint'', a [[Dena'ina language|Deni'ana Athabaskan]] word meaning "lodge is built place".

The first Europeans who permanently settled in the village were Russian colonists who moved there from [[Kodiak Island]] in 1847, two decades before the [[Alaska Purchase]] in 1867 by the United States. They were Russian Grigorii Kvasnikov (anglicized to Kvasnikoff), his Russian-[[Alutiiq]] wife Mavra Rastorguev (daughter of Agrafena Petrovna of Afognak), and their children. They were soon joined by the Oskolkoff family, also headed by a Russian man and Alutiiq woman. These were the core families, and their descendants, who often married Alutiiq, made up most of the village.

Their dialect<ref>See the online dictionary, [http://www.ninilchikrussian.com/ Ninilchik Russian]</ref> of Russian as spoken in the mid-1800s (plus a few words borrowed from Alaska Native languages) became the primary language spoken in Ninilchik, and it survived in that form long past the 1867 Alaska Purchase. A few speakers of the [[Ninilchik Russian dialect]] were still alive in 2013. Russian and American linguists are documenting and cataloging this isolated dialect.<ref>{{cite news | title = Russian language's most isolated dialect found in Alaska | date = May 29, 2013 | publisher = Russia Beyond the Headlines | url = http://rbth.ru/society/2013/05/29/russian_languages_most_isolated_dialect_found_in_alaska_26519.html | work = РИА Новости | access-date = May 31, 2013}}</ref>

The [[1880 United States Census]] listed 53 "Creoles" living in Ninilchik in nine extended families. All nine old families of Ninilchik are descendants<ref>{{cite web|last=Leman|first=Wayne|title=Agrafena's Children|url=http://www.geocities.ws/agrafenas_children/}}</ref> of the original Kvasnikoff and Oskolkoff families, with numerous marriages to [[Alaska Natives]], primarily Alutiiq.
[[File:Ninilchik Russian church.jpg|thumb|[[Holy Transfiguration of Our Lord Chapel]]]]
In 1896, a school was built and staffed by [[Russian Orthodox]] priests and laymen. Russian Orthodox priests were respected by Alaska Natives because in several areas of southwest Alaska, they had learned indigenous languages and held religious services in those languages. In 1901, the [[Holy Transfiguration of Our Lord Chapel|local Russian Orthodox Church]] was redesigned and constructed at its current site. In 1911 the first school sanctioned by the U.S. government was started, known as the [[Ninilchik School]]. In 2011 the community celebrated the 100th anniversary of the school.

In the 1940s, a number of American [[Homestead Act|homesteaders]] began to live in the area. In 1949, Berman Packing Company began fish canning operations at Ninilchik. In 1950, the [[Sterling Highway]] was completed through the town.

===Caribou Hills fire===
{{main|2007 Caribou Hills fire}}
A 2007 fire that burned near Ninilchik, known as the Caribou Hills fire, moved toward the town. At its peak threatened approximately 300 structures. It eventually burned nearly {{convert|60000|acre|km2}} and destroyed 197 structures.

==Alaska Native people==
[[File:Flag of the Ninilchik.svg|thumb|Flag of the Ninilchik]]
The [[Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act]] recognized Ninilchik as an [[Alaska Native]] village. Under this law, villagers formed the [[Ninilchik Native Association Incorporated]]. The [[Congress of the United States|US Congress]] recognized that the people of Ninilchik comprised a quasi-sovereign government (equivalent to [[Native Americans in the United States|American Indian]] tribes). The [[Ninilchik Traditional Council]] (NTC) was authorized as the governing body for Natives who live in the area surrounding Ninilchik or who descended from the original inhabitants.

==Community==
[[File:NinilchikAlaska.JPG|thumb|right|250px|Ninilchik Village]]
The original village is located at the mouth of the [[Ninilchik River]]. A small harbor has been constructed near the mouth of the river. The name "Ninilchik" is used today, however, to refer to the original village as well as the community that has grown up around it, extending several miles north, east, and south. Residents of Ninilchik sometimes refer to the original village as Ninilchik Village or simply "the village".

Ninilchik as a town is not incorporated, but it is under the jurisdiction of the [[Kenai Peninsula Borough]] (KPB) and the State of Alaska. Volunteer groups, the NTC, the [[Alaska#Law and government|State of Alaska]], and the KPB carry out most of the governmental functions in the area. These include fire-fighting (volunteer), highway snow-removal (state), health services (NTC), and primary and secondary schooling (KPB). A [[Russian Orthodox Church|Russian Orthodox]] church, the [[Holy Transfiguration of Our Lord Chapel]], is located in the community.

==Tourism==
Ninilchik is a popular tourist attraction. Other attractions in the area are [[salmon]] fishing, typically now either with commercial guides or private commercial family operations, either along the beach north of [[Ninilchik River]] or in [[Cook Inlet]] whose waters touch the beach next to the village. [[Halibut]] can also be caught in Cook Inlet close to Ninilchik. [[Pacific razor clam]]s<ref>{{cite web|author=dfg.webmaster@alaska.gov |url=http://www.adfg.state.ak.us/pubs/notebook/shellfsh/razrclam.php |title=Home Page, Alaska Department of Fish and Game |publisher=Adfg.state.ak.us |date= |accessdate=February 27, 2021}}</ref> are popular for digging on the beaches near Ninilchik, when the tides are low enough. Clammers should check regulations before digging, as this clam fishery has been closed until further notice.<ref name=DNR/> Panoramic views of four Cook Inlet volcanos, historical Old Village, the iconic Russian Orthodox church, Ninilchik River and Deep Creek watersheds, abundant wildlife, and bluff-lined beaches provide photogenic opportunities rich in diversity and depth.

Ninilchik is the host community for the annual Kenai Peninsula Fair and the annual Salmonfest Alaska (formerly Salmonstock) Music Festival.  Ninilchik Chamber of Commerce sponsors the annual Clam Scramble, a river to river obstacle run held during or close to the solstice.<ref>http://www.salmonstock.org {{webarchive|url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20120803144152/http://www.salmonstock.org/ |date=August 3, 2012 }}</ref>

==Parks==
There are two [[Alaska State Parks]] units in the Ninilchik area. Just north of town at mile 135 of the Sterling Highway is the '''Ninilchik State Recreation Area''', which features two campgrounds, beach and river access, and scenic overlooks of Cook Inlet.<ref name=DNR>[http://dnr.alaska.gov/parks/units/nilchik.htm Ninilchik SRA] [[Alaska Department of Natural Resources]]</ref>

Just to the south of Ninilchik is the '''Deep Creek State Recreation Area''' which has a large campground on the beach, several parking areas for access to fishing in Deep Creek, and tractor-assisted boat launching. Both areas are known for the near-constant presence of [[bald eagles]].<ref>[http://dnr.alaska.gov/parks/aspunits/kenai/deepcreeksra.htm Deep Creek SRA] [[Alaska Department of Natural Resources]]</ref><ref>[[The Milepost]], 2018 edition, page 560 {{ISBN|9781892154378}}</ref>

==Notable Person==
* [[Loren Leman]], politician, member of both houses of the legislature and [[lieutenant governor of Alaska]]. He grew up in Ninilchik and graduated from the [[Ninilchik School]] in 1968.  He later moved to Anchorage, where he worked as a [[civil engineer]] and served in elected office continuously from 1989 to 2006. He was the first person of Alaska Native ancestry to be elected to statewide office.

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Portal|Alaska}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100811063530/http://www.kenaipeninsula.com/1_Ninilchik_Alaska.html Community profile]
* [http://www.ninilchikrussian.com Ninilchik Russian website]
* [http://www.ninilchiktribe-nsn.gov Ninilchik Traditional Council]
* [http://kenaipeninsulafair.com Kenai Peninsula Fair]

{{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]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1847]]
[[Category:1847 establishments in the Russian Empire]]
[[Category:Denaʼina]]