Editing Whittier, Alaska

{{short description|City in the Chugach Census Area in the Unorganized Borough, Alaska, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
|name                     = Whittier, Alaska
|settlement_type          = [[City (Alaska)|City]]
|image_skyline            = File:Whittier, Alaska (2006).jpg
|image_caption            = Whittier in July 2006
|image_flag               = Flag of Whittier, Alaska.png
|flag_size                = 105px
|image_seal               = Seal of Whittier, Alaska.gif
|seal_size                = 90px
|image_blank_emblem       = Logo of Whittier, Alaska.png
|blank_emblem_type        = Logo
|blank_emblem_size        = 130px       
<!-- Maps -->
|nickname                 = The Town Under One Roof
|motto                    = 
<!-- Images -->
|pushpin_map              = USA Alaska
|pushpin_map_caption      = Location in Alaska

<!-- Location -->
|coordinates              = {{Coord|60|46|27|N|148|40|40|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}
|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        = [[Unorganized Borough, Alaska|Unorganized]]
|subdivision_type3        = [[List of boroughs and census areas in Alaska|Census Area]]
|subdivision_name3        = [[Chugach Census Area, Alaska|Chugach]]

<!-- Government -->
|established_title        = Founded
|established_date         = 
|established_title2       = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]]
|established_date2        = July 15, 1969<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=161}}</ref>

<!-- Area -->
|government_footnotes     = 
|government_type          = [[Council–manager]]
|leader_title1            = City manager
|leader_name1             = Jim Hunt<ref name="autogenerated174">{{cite book|title=2020 Alaska Municipal Officials Directory|location=Juneau|publisher=Alaska Municipal League|year=2020|page=174}}</ref>
|leader_title             = Mayor
|leader_name              = Dave Dickason<ref name="autogenerated174"/>
|leader_title2            = [[Alaska Senate|State senator]]
|leader_name2             = [[Cathy Giessel]] ([[Republican Party (United States)|R]])
|leader_title3            = [[Alaska House of Representatives|State rep.]]
|leader_name3             = [[Laddie Shaw]] (R)
|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|archive-date=October 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211028015839/https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_02.txt|url-status=live}}</ref>
|area_magnitude           = 
|area_total_km2           = 50.86
|area_total_sq_mi         = 19.64
|area_land_km2            = 31.73
|area_land_sq_mi          = 12.25
|area_water_km2           = 19.13
|area_water_sq_mi         = 7.39

<!-- Population -->
|elevation_footnotes      = 
|elevation_m              = 13
|elevation_ft             = 43
|population_total         = 272
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_footnotes     = 
|population_density_km2   = 8.57

<!-- General information -->
|population_density_sq_mi = 22.20
|population_est           = 
|pop_est_as_of            = 
|pop_est_footnotes        = 
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP Code]]
|postal_code              = 99693
|area_code                = [[Area code 907|907]]
|area_code_type           = [[North American Numbering Plan|Area code]]
|website                  = {{URL|https://www.whittieralaska.gov/|whittieralaska.gov}}
|footnotes                = 
|timezone                 = [[Alaska Time Zone|Alaska (AKST)]]
|utc_offset               = −09:00
|timezone_DST             = AKDT
|utc_offset_DST           = −08:00
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 02-84510
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info              = {{GNIS 4|1415757}}
|unit_pref                = Imperial
}}

'''Whittier''' is a city at the head of the [[Passage Canal]] in the [[Chugach Census Area, Alaska|Chugach Census Area]] in the [[Unorganized Borough, Alaska|Unorganized Borough]] of [[Alaska]], about {{convert|58|mi|km}} southeast of [[Anchorage, Alaska|Anchorage]].<ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=http://www.whittieralaska.gov/|title=City of Whittier, Alaska|website=Whittier, Alaska|access-date=June 5, 2016|archive-date=June 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160604144606/http://www.whittieralaska.gov/|url-status=live}}</ref> The city is located within the [[Chugach Census Area, Alaska|Chugach Census Area]], established in 2019 when the former [[Valdez–Cordova Census Area, Alaska|Valdez–Cordova Census Area]] was dissolved.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/geography/technical-documentation/county-changes.html|title=Changes to Counties and County Equivalent Entities: 1970-Present|author=United States Census Bureau|website=census.gov|language=EN-US|access-date=February 28, 2020|archive-date=April 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210428100321/https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/geography/technical-documentation/county-changes.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

The city's population was 272 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], having increased from 220 in 2010.<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|publisher=State of Alaska, Department of Labor and Workforce Development|access-date=October 31, 2021|archive-date=October 31, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211031220447/https://live.laborstats.alaska.gov/cen/2020-census-data.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Almost all of its residents live in the [[Begich Towers|Begich Towers Condominium]], earning it the nickname of a "town under one roof".<ref name="northern enclosure"/>

Whittier has an extremely wet climate, receiving an average of {{convert|197|in|mm}} of precipitation per year.<ref name="northern enclosure">{{cite web |url=https://www.cnn.com/interactive/2015/07/us/whittier-alaska-american-story/ |title=Northern Enclosure: Alaska's One-House Town, Home to Hundreds |website=CNN |last=Basu |first=Moni |date=July 2015 |accessdate=December 3, 2021 |archive-date=February 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220221210704/https://www.cnn.com/interactive/2015/07/us/whittier-alaska-american-story/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name = NOAA>
{{cite web
|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USC00509829&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
|title = U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: 
|access-date = December 11, 2023
}}
</ref> It is a port for the [[Alaska Marine Highway]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dot.state.ak.us/amhs/routes.shtml|title=Alaska Marine Highway System: Route Guide|publisher=Alaska Marine Highway System|access-date=June 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160627030222/http://www.dot.state.ak.us/amhs/routes.shtml|archive-date=June 27, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==History==
[[File:Whittier - DPLA - aa715bfd4122309fc09aaa5c38b8d93e.JPG|thumb|left|Whittier harbor]]

The region occupied by Whittier was once part of the [[portage]] route of the [[Chugach]] people native to [[Prince William Sound]]. Later, the passage was used by [[Russians|Russian]] and [[United States of America|American]] explorers, and by prospecting miners during the [[Klondike Gold Rush]].<ref name=":0" /> The nearby Whittier Glacier was named for American poet [[John Greenleaf Whittier]] in 1915, and the town eventually took the name as well.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cruiseportinsider.com/whittierhistory.html|title=Whittier History|website=Cruise Port Insider|publisher=CruisePortInsider.com|access-date=June 5, 2016|archive-date=July 1, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160701113500/http://www.cruiseportinsider.com/whittierhistory.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

During [[World War II]], the [[United States Army]] constructed a military facility, complete with port and railroad, near Whittier Glacier and named the facility [[Camp Sullivan (Alaska)|Camp Sullivan]]. The spur of the [[Alaska Railroad]] to Camp Sullivan was completed in 1943, and the port became the entrance for United States soldiers into Alaska.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.worldportsource.com/ports/review/USA_AK_Port_of_Whittier_3494.php|title=Port of Whittier|website=World Port Source|access-date=June 5, 2016|archive-date=June 13, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160613110236/http://worldportsource.com/ports/review/USA_AK_Port_of_Whittier_3494.php|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Back to Whittier...Sun is out...Water is Rough (2571032531).jpg|thumb|[[Begich Towers]]]]

The two buildings that dominate the town were built after World War II. The 14-story Hodge Building (renamed [[Begich Towers]]) was completed in 1957 and contains 150 two-and-three-bedroom apartments plus bachelor efficiency units. Dependent families and Civil Service employees were moved into this high-rise. The Whittier School was connected by a tunnel at the base of the west tower so students could safely access school on days with bad weather. The building was named in honor of Colonel Walter William Hodge, who was a civil engineer and the commanding officer of 93rd Engineer Regiment on the [[Alaska Highway|Alcan Highway]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.alaskarails.org/historical/whittier-history/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150104230103/http://www.alaskarails.org/historical/whittier-history/|title=The History and Military Significance of Whittier, Alaska|archive-date=January 4, 2015|access-date=January 8, 2015}}</ref>

The other main structure in town, the [[Buckner Building]], was completed in 1953, and was called the "city under one roof". The Buckner Building was eventually abandoned. Buckner and Begich Towers were at one time the largest buildings in Alaska. The Begich Towers building became a condominium and, along with the two-story private residence known as Whittier Manor, houses a majority of the town's residents.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://whittieralaska.gov/2005%20update%20Whittier%20Comp%20Plan.pdf|title=Comprehensive Plan Update 2005|author=ASCG Incorporated|website=WhittierAlaska.gov|publisher=City of Whittier|date=September 26, 2005|access-date=June 18, 2017|archive-date=April 21, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150421091730/http://whittieralaska.gov/2005%20update%20Whittier%20Comp%20Plan.pdf|url-status=live}} p. 11 (number in corner, not of document)</ref>

The port at Whittier was an active Army facility until 1960. In 1962, the [[United States Army Corps of Engineers|U.S. Army Corps of Engineers]] constructed a petroleum products terminal, a pumping station and a {{convert|62|mi|km|adj=mid|-long}}, {{convert|8|in|adj=on}} pipeline to Anchorage in Whittier.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.alaskarails.org/historical/whittier-history/ |title=The History and Military Significance of Whittier |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150104230103/http://www.alaskarails.org/historical/whittier-history/ |archive-date=January 4, 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.alaskarails.org/historical/whittier-history/history.pdf|title=The History and Military Significance of Whittier, Alaska|last=Durand|first=Patrick|access-date=June 5, 2016|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304213834/http://www.alaskarails.org/historical/whittier-history/history.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

On March 27, 1964, Whittier suffered over $10&nbsp;million (equivalent to ${{Inflation|US|10|1964|r=2}}&nbsp;million in {{Inflation/year|US}}) worth of damage in what became known as the [[1964 Alaska earthquake|Good Friday earthquake]]. As of 2022, the earthquake remains the largest U.S. earthquake, measuring 9.2 on the [[moment magnitude scale]], and having caused [[tsunami]]s along the West Coast of the U.S. The tsunami that hit Whittier reached a height of {{convert|13|m|ft|abbr=on}} and killed 13 people.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ngdc.noaa.gov/hazardimages/picture/show/514|title=Surge Wave Produced By 1964 Alaska Earthquake|website=March 28, 1964, Prince William Sound USA earthquake and tsunami|publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|access-date=June 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160803100857/http://ngdc.noaa.gov/hazardimages/picture/show/514|archive-date=August 3, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Whittier was incorporated in 1969 and eventually became a [[Port#Port of call|port of call]] for cruise ships. It is utilized by local operations and about 100-passenger mid-sized cruise ships. When the [[Portage Glacier Highway#Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel|Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel]] opened to public access in 2000, it became the first highway to connect Whittier to Anchorage and inner Alaska—previously, the only ways to reach the town had been rail, boat and plane.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tunnel.alaska.gov/accomplishments.shtml|title=Accomplishments|website=Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel|publisher=Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities|access-date=June 6, 2016|archive-date=July 1, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160701221130/http://tunnel.alaska.gov/accomplishments.shtml|url-status=dead}}</ref>

After the tunnel expanded access to Whittier, it began to be visited by larger cruise lines. It is the embarkation/debarkation point of one-way cruises from Anchorage to [[Vancouver]] by [[Princess Tours]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.princess.com/learn/cruise-destinations/alaska-cruises/one-way/anchorage/index.jsp|title=One-Way Cruises From Anchorage to Vancouver|publisher=Princess Cruises|access-date=June 6, 2016|archive-date=June 7, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160607180447/http:\/www.princess.com/learn/cruise-destinations/alaska-cruises/one-way/anchorage/index.jsp|url-status=live}}</ref> Whittier is also popular with tourists, photographers, outdoor enthusiasts, paddlers, hikers, sport fishermen, and hunters because of its abundance of wildlife and natural beauty.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://whittieralaska.gov/mayor.html|title=Letter from the Mayor|last=Blair|first=Daniel|website=Whittier, Alaska|access-date=June 6, 2016|archive-date=June 30, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160630015352/http://whittieralaska.gov/mayor.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Whittier is located within the [[Chugach National Forest]], the second-largest national forest in the U.S.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://whittieralaskachamber.org/|title=Announcements|website=Greater Whittier Chamber of Commerce|publisher=City of Whittier|access-date=June 6, 2016|archive-date=May 22, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160522074525/http://whittieralaskachamber.org/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Whittier is in the [[Chugach School District]] and has one school serving approximately 48 students from preschool through high school, according to the 2019–2020 enrollment numbers.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://education.alaska.gov/DOE_Rolodex/SchoolCalendar/Home/SchoolDetails/100020|title=Whittier Community School|publisher=Alaska Department of Education & Early Development|access-date=December 11, 2019|archive-date=July 1, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160701221331/https://education.alaska.gov/DOE_Rolodex/SchoolCalendar/Home/SchoolDetails/100020|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Geography==
The only land access is through the [[Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel]], a mixed-use road and rail tunnel. The town is on the northeast shore of the [[Kenai Peninsula]], at the head of [[Passage Canal]], on the west side of [[Prince William Sound]]. It is {{convert|58|mi|km|abbr=off|sp=us}} southeast of Anchorage.<ref name=":0" />

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|19.7|sqmi|km2}}, of which, {{convert|12.5|sqmi|km2}} of it is land and {{convert|7.2|sqmi|km2}} of it (36.36%) is water.

===Climate===
[[File:Monthly Climate Normals (1991-2020) - WHITTIER, AK.svg|thumb|right|Climate chart for Whittier]]
Whittier has a [[subpolar oceanic climate]] (''Cfc'') using the {{convert|26.6|F}} isotherm and a [[subarctic climate]] (''Dfc'') using the {{convert|32.0|F}} isotherm under the [[Köppen climate classification]], and has an annual precipitation of {{convert|197.31|in|mm|0|abbr=}}. Whittier's main weather station receives just over {{convert|197|in|mm|abbr=on}} of precipitation in the average year.<ref name="NOAA"/>  Whittier is located at the northern tip of the world's northernmost [[temperate rainforest]], the [[Tongass National Forest|Tongass]].

Whittier's annual average temperature is {{convert|41.1|F}}, with the hottest month being July at {{convert|57.2|F}} and the coldest month being January at {{convert|28.2|F}}. Temperature extremes ranged from {{convert|-29|F}} on December 23, 1942, to {{convert|88|F}} on July 23, 1966. Whittier's coldest temperatures typically fluctuate between {{convert|0|F}} and {{convert|10|F}} each year, so Whittier falls in [[Hardiness zone|USDA Plant Hardiness Zone]]s 7a.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/# |title=USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map |publisher=Agricultural Research Center, PRISM Climate Group Oregon State University |access-date=November 1, 2019 |quote=Input 99603 in the ZIP Code box. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140227032333/http://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/ |archive-date=February 27, 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

{{Weather box
| location = Whittier, Alaska, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1942–2011
| single line = Y

|Jan record high F = 54
|Feb record high F = 53
|Mar record high F = 54
|Apr record high F = 66
|May record high F = 76
|Jun record high F = 82
|Jul record high F = 88
|Aug record high F = 87
|Sep record high F = 73
|Oct record high F = 71
|Nov record high F = 56
|Dec record high F = 48

|Jan avg record high F = 42.4
|Feb avg record high F = 42.1
|Mar avg record high F = 44.7
|Apr avg record high F = 53.5
|May avg record high F = 63.6
|Jun avg record high F = 71.8
|Jul avg record high F = 73.4
|Aug avg record high F = 71.0
|Sep avg record high F = 61.8
|Oct avg record high F = 51.5
|Nov avg record high F = 45.1
|Dec avg record high F = 42.1
|year avg record high F = 75.2

|Jan high F = 32.6
|Feb high F = 33.3
|Mar high F = 35.7
|Apr high F = 43.8
|May high F = 53.1
|Jun high F = 61.1
|Jul high F = 63.4
|Aug high F = 61.5
|Sep high F = 54.2
|Oct high F = 44.0
|Nov high F = 36.5
|Dec high F = 33.9
|year high F =

|Jan mean F = 28.2
|Feb mean F = 29.2
|Mar mean F = 31.2
|Apr mean F = 38.6
|May mean F = 46.8
|Jun mean F = 54.1
|Jul mean F = 57.2
|Aug mean F = 56.1
|Sep mean F = 49.5
|Oct mean F = 40.1
|Nov mean F = 32.5
|Dec mean F = 29.6
|year mean F =

|Jan low F = 23.9
|Feb low F = 25.2
|Mar low F = 26.8
|Apr low F = 33.3
|May low F = 40.6
|Jun low F = 47.1
|Jul low F = 51.1
|Aug low F = 50.7
|Sep low F = 44.7
|Oct low F = 36.1
|Nov low F = 28.5
|Dec low F = 25.2
|year low F =

|Jan avg record low F = 7.5
|Feb avg record low F = 11.1
|Mar avg record low F = 15.1
|Apr avg record low F = 24.6
|May avg record low F = 34.7
|Jun avg record low F = 41.2
|Jul avg record low F = 46.8
|Aug avg record low F = 45.0
|Sep avg record low F = 37.0
|Oct avg record low F = 25.6
|Nov avg record low F = 15.5
|Dec avg record low F = 12.3
|year avg record low F = 3.0

|Jan record low F = -18
|Feb record low F = -15
|Mar record low F = -5
|Apr record low F = 5
|May record low F = 15
|Jun record low F = 25
|Jul record low F = 35
|Aug record low F = 34
|Sep record low F = 23
|Oct record low F = 14
|Nov record low F = -10
|Dec record low F = -29

|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation inch = 18.82
|Feb precipitation inch = 16.15
|Mar precipitation inch = 13.65
|Apr precipitation inch = 14.71
|May precipitation inch = 14.93
|Jun precipitation inch = 9.21
|Jul precipitation inch = 11.19
|Aug precipitation inch = 16.52
|Sep precipitation inch = 22.52
|Oct precipitation inch = 21.05
|Nov precipitation inch = 18.75
|Dec precipitation inch = 19.81
|year precipitation inch =

|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
|Jan precipitation days = 17.6
|Feb precipitation days = 16.7
|Mar precipitation days = 16.3
|Apr precipitation days = 16.4
|May precipitation days = 14.7
|Jun precipitation days = 14.5
|Jul precipitation days = 17.9
|Aug precipitation days = 17.2
|Sep precipitation days = 18.4
|Oct precipitation days = 19.5
|Nov precipitation days = 18.3
|Dec precipitation days = 20.2

|Jan snow inch = 50.0
|Feb snow inch = 44.8
|Mar snow inch = 55.1
|Apr snow inch = 15.9
|May snow inch = 1.8
|Jun snow inch = 0.0
|Jul snow inch = 0.0
|Aug snow inch = 0.0
|Sep snow inch = 0.0
|Oct snow inch = 5.9
|Nov snow inch = 33.3
|Dec snow inch = 61.4
|year snow inch =

|unit snow days = 0.1 in
|Jan snow days = 11.0
|Feb snow days = 10.0
|Mar snow days = 10.2
|Apr snow days = 4.1
|May snow days = 0.5
|Jun snow days = 0.0
|Jul snow days = 0.0
|Aug snow days = 0.0
|Sep snow days = 0.0
|Oct snow days = 2.0
|Nov snow days = 8.5
|Dec snow days = 12.2

|Jan snow depth inch = 
|Feb snow depth inch = 
|Mar snow depth inch = 
|Apr snow depth inch = 
|May snow depth inch = 
|Jun snow depth inch = 
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|year snow depth inch =

|source 1 = NOAA<ref name = NOAA/>
|source 2 = XMACIS2 (mean maxima/minima 1981&ndash;2010)<ref name = XMACIS2>
{{cite web
|url = https://xmacis.rcc-acis.org/
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
|title = xmACIS2
|access-date = May 31, 2023
}}
</ref>
}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population|align=left
|1950= 627
|1960= 809
|1970= 130
|1980= 198
|1990= 243
|2000= 182
|2010= 220
|2020= 272
| estyear=2022
| estimate=265
| estref=<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/tables/2020-2022/cities/totals/SUB-IP-EST2022-POP-02.xlsx|title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places in Alaska: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2022|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=April 12, 2024}}</ref>
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015|archive-date=April 26, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150426102944/http://www.census.gov/prod/www/decennial.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
}}

Whittier first appeared on the 1950 U.S. census as an [[Unincorporated area#United States|unincorporated village]]. It formally incorporated in 1969.

As of 2018, there were 205 people living in the city, with 313 available housing units.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/search-results.html?q=whittier+alaska&search.x=0&search.y=0&search=submit&page=1&stateGeo=none&searchtype=web&cssp=SERP|title=Search Results|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=December 11, 2019|archive-date=June 10, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190610203103/http://www.census.gov/search-results.html?q=whittier+alaska&search.x=0&search.y=0&search=submit&page=1&stateGeo=none&searchtype=web&cssp=SERP|url-status=live}}</ref> Almost the entirety of this population lives within the 14-story Begich Towers.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/2015/01/18/378162264/welcome-to-whittier-alaska-a-community-under-one-roof|title=Around the Nation: Welcome To Whittier, Alaska, A Community Under One Roof|website=NPR.org|publisher=NPR|publication-date=January 18, 2015|access-date=January 1, 2016|archive-date=January 2, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160102193621/http://www.npr.org/2015/01/18/378162264/welcome-to-whittier-alaska-a-community-under-one-roof|url-status=live}}</ref> The racial makeup of the city was 68.3% White, 10.6% Asian, 6.9% Hispanic, 5.7% Native American.<ref name=":1">{{cite web|url=http://www.bestplaces.net/people/city/alaska/whittier|title=Whittier, Alaska People|publisher=Sperling: Best Places|access-date=December 11, 2019|archive-date=June 30, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160630115717/http://www.bestplaces.net/people/city/alaska/whittier|url-status=live}}</ref>

There are 124 households in the town and the average household size is roughly 1.79 people, according to 2014 statistics. Of these households, 56 are families and 68 are non-families. 40.30% of the population is married, and 32.34% are divorced. 51.78% of the population has children.<ref name=":1" />

The age distribution within the city shows that 13.96 percent of the population is under the age of 18, 3.15 percent is between the ages of 18 and 24, 23.87 percent is between the ages of 25 and 44, 52.25 percent is between the ages of 45 and 64, and 6.76 percent of the population is above the age of 65.<ref name=":1" />

The median income for a household in the city was $45,000 in 2019. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $29,106. Unemployment in Whittier was at a rate of 8.0 percent.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bestplaces.net/economy/city/alaska/whittier|title=Whittier, Alaska Economy|publisher=Sperling's: Best Places|access-date=December 11, 2019|archive-date=June 30, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160630111746/http://www.bestplaces.net/economy/city/alaska/whittier|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Government==
City government consists of a seven-member council with a mayor and six council members.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.whittieralaska.gov/council/|title=City Council - City of Whittier, Alaska - Gateway to Prince William Sound|author=Sundog Media|access-date=July 8, 2021|archive-date=July 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709184657/https://www.whittieralaska.gov/council/|url-status=live}}</ref>

The small city has three key departments: administration, public safety, and public works.

===Services===
Whittier Police Department is the main police force in the community. The department was founded in 1974 by Chief of Police Gordon Whittier and two officers, and retains the same level of permanent staff today, although in summer, temporary officers are hired when the town has many tourists. The office is in a one-room unit located on the first floor of the Begich Towers. The station has no place to hold or interrogate people.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://whittieralaska.gov/2005%20update%20Whittier%20Comp%20Plan.pdf|title=Comprehensive Plan Update 2005|author=ASCG Incorporated|website=WhittierAlaska.gov|publisher=City of Whittier|date=September 26, 2005|access-date=June 18, 2017|archive-date=April 21, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150421091730/http://whittieralaska.gov/2005%20update%20Whittier%20Comp%20Plan.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

Whittier Fire Department is a volunteer fire and rescue service with mutual aid from neighboring departments.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.whittieralaska.gov/public_safety_department.html|title=Department of Public Safety - City of Whittier, Alaska - Gateway to Prince William Sound|author=Sundog Media|access-date=February 1, 2015|archive-date=February 1, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150201191456/http://www.whittieralaska.gov/public_safety_department.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Transportation==
[[File:Alaska CRC.jpg|thumb|[[Alaska Railroad]] passenger train leaving Whittier towards the tunnel]]

===Harbor===
There is a harbor and a deep-water port used by cruise ships and the [[Alaska Marine Highway]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://whittieralaska.gov/whittier_harbor.html|title=Whittier Harbor|website=City of Whittier, Alaska|access-date=June 6, 2016|archive-date=June 16, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160616165427/http://whittieralaska.gov/whittier_harbor.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Airfield and seaplane dock===
Whittier Airport (ICAO:PAWR) is an airfield with one aircraft runway designated 4/22 (formerly 3/21) with a gravel surface measuring {{convert|1480|by|60|ft|m}}.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.airnav.com/airport/PAWR|title=AirNav: PAWR - Whittier Airport|website=www.airnav.com|access-date=February 1, 2015|archive-date=November 17, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171117130325/http://www.airnav.com/airport/PAWR|url-status=live}}</ref> There are no other facilities, and the runway is not maintained in winter. For the 12-month period ending December 31, 2005, the airport had 700 aircraft operations, an average of 58 per month: 97 percent [[general aviation]] and 3 percent [[air taxi]]. At that time there were two single-engine aircraft based at this airport.<ref name="FAA">{{FAA-airport|ID=IEM|use=PU|own=PU|site=50875.*A}}, effective July 2, 2009.</ref> The runway was {{convert|500|ft|m}} longer but was damaged by the [[1964 Alaska earthquake|1964 Good Friday earthquake]].

The city also operates a seaplane dock.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.commerce.state.ak.us/dca/commdb/CIS.cfm?Comm_Boro_Name=Whittier|title=Welcome to our New Website, Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091006013100/http://www.commerce.state.ak.us/dca/commdb/CIS.cfm?Comm_Boro_name=Whittier|archive-date=October 6, 2009}}</ref>

===Tunnel===
{{main|Portage Glacier Highway}}
Known by locals as the Whittier tunnel or the Portage tunnel, the [[Portage Glacier Highway#Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel|Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel]] is a tunnel through [[Maynard Mountain]]. It links the [[Seward Highway]] south of Anchorage with Whittier and is the only land access to the town. It is part of the Portage Glacier Highway and at {{convert|13300|ft|m}}, is the second-longest highway tunnel, and longest combined rail and highway tunnel in North America.<ref name="tunnel">{{cite web|url=http://www.dot.state.ak.us/creg/whittiertunnel/index.shtml|title=Whittier Tunnel, Transportation & Public Facilities, State of Alaska|author=©Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, all rights reserved.|access-date=January 8, 2015|archive-date=February 10, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150210050233/http://www.dot.state.ak.us/creg/whittiertunnel/index.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Alaska Rail connection===
Whittier is Alaska Rail ARRC's connection to the rail systems in Canada and the lower 48 states (by way of [[Car float|rail barge]]).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://whittieralaska.gov/2005%20update%20Whittier%20Comp%20Plan.pdf|title=page 66|access-date=March 18, 2010|archive-date=April 21, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150421091730/http://whittieralaska.gov/2005%20update%20Whittier%20Comp%20Plan.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

==See also==
{{portal|Alaska}}
* [[List of cities in Alaska]]

==References==
{{reflist|22em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Whittier, Alaska}}
* {{official|http://www.whittieralaska.gov}}
* [http://www.whittieralaskachamber.org Whittier Chamber of Commerce]


{{Adjacent communities
|Centre    = Whittier, Alaska
|North     = [[Lowell Peak (Chugach Mountains)|Lowell Peak]]
|Northeast = [[Passage Canal]]
|East      = 
|Southeast = [[Blackstone Bay]]
|South     = [[Shakespeare Shoulder]]
|Southwest = [[Portage Glacier]]
|West      = [[Maynard Mountain]]<br>[[Portage Lake (Alaska)|Portage Lake]]
|Northwest = [[Maynard Mountain]]
}}
{{Chugach Census Area, Alaska}}
{{Airports in Alaska}}

{{authority control}}


[[Category:Cities in Alaska]]
[[Category:Cities in Chugach Census Area, Alaska]]
[[Category:Kenai Mountains-Turnagain Arm National Heritage Area]]
[[Category:Populated coastal places in Alaska on the Pacific Ocean]]