Kenai Peninsula Borough, Alaska


Kenai Peninsula Borough is a borough in the U.S. state of Alaska. As of the 2020 census, the population was 58,799, up from 55,400 in 2010. The borough seat is Soldotna, the largest city is Kenai, and the most populated community is the census-designated place of 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

The borough has a total area of, of which is land and is water.

Adjacent boroughs and census areas

, 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 Some of the fish hatched at these facilities are released into the famous 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

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the borough had a population of 58,799; the median age was 42.3 years. 21.8% of residents were under the age of 18 and 19.2% were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 109.0 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 108.9 males age 18 and over.
The racial makeup of the borough was 78.9% White, 0.7% Black or African American, 7.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.4% Asian, 0.3% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 1.4% from some other race, and 10.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 4.0% of the population.
22.6% of residents lived in urban areas, while 77.4% lived in rural areas.
There were 23,873 households in the borough, of which 26.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 21.2% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 30.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.
There were 32,622 housing units, of which 26.8% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 74.2% were owner-occupied and 25.8% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.0% and the rental vacancy rate was 9.5%.

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. There were 24,900 housing units at an average density of. 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, and 4% from two or more races. Black or African Americans, Asians, and Pacific Islanders each were less than 1%. Just under 1% were from other races combined. 1.92% reported speaking Russian at home, while 1.74% spoke Spanish.
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 beetles that infested the borough in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Incorporated towns also have their own local governments and city councils. The Alaska Department of Corrections operates the Spring Creek Correctional Center near Seward 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.

Communities

Cities

The school district for the whole borough is Kenai Peninsula Borough School District.