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Anchor Point, Alaska

K’kaq’
Anchorpoint.jpg
Location of Anchor Point, Alaska
Location of Anchor Point, Alaska
Country United States
State Alaska
Borough Kenai Peninsula
Area
 • Total 91.76 sq mi (237.66 km2)
 • Land 91.65 sq mi (237.36 km2)
 • Water 0.12 sq mi (0.30 km2)
Elevation
118 ft (36 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 2,105
 • Density 22.97/sq mi (8.87/km2)
Time zone UTC-9 (Alaska (AKST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-8 (AKDT)
ZIP code
99556
Area code(s) 907
FIPS code 02-03110
GNIS feature ID 1412516

Anchor Point (Dena'ina: K’kaq’) is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Kenai Peninsula Borough, in the U.S. state of Alaska. As of the 2010 census the population was 1,930, up from 1,845 in 2000. The community is located along the Sterling Highway, part of Alaska State Route 1. Anchor Point is the westernmost point in the North American highway system.

Anchor Point, Alaska
Sign designating North America's most westerly highway point

History

The name Anchor Point comes from a legend that when James Cook discovered the area, he lost an anchor. Settlers came beginning in the early 1900s.

Geography

Anchor Point is located at 59°46′39″N 151°46′13″W / 59.77750°N 151.77028°W / 59.77750; -151.77028 (59.777468, -151.770220).

The town is the furthest west on the U.S. highway system. (0.13%) is water.

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1880 29
1940 20
1950 65 225.0%
1960 171 163.1%
1970 102 −40.4%
1980 226 121.6%
1990 866 283.2%
2000 1,845 113.0%
2010 1,930 4.6%
2020 2,105 9.1%
U.S. Decennial Census

Anchor Point first appeared on the 1880 U.S. Census as the Tinneh village of Laida. It was listed as the Anchor Point Mining Camp on the 1890 census, but along with Laida, was combined with the population of nearby Ninilchik, which had 81 residents in total. It did not report again until the 1940 U.S. Census, then as Anchor Point Settlement. From 1950-onwards, it has reported as Anchor Point. It became a census-designated place (CDP) in 1980.

As of the census of 2000, there were 1,845 people, 711 households, and 467 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 20.3 people per square mile (7.8/km2). There were 979 housing units at an average density of 10.8/sq mi (4.2/km2).

The racial makeup of the CDP was 91.82% White, 3.36% Native American, 0.33% Asian, 0.11% Black or African American, 0.60% from other races, and 3.79% from two or more races. 1.73% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 711 households, out of which 35.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.3% were married couples living together, 6.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.3% were non-families. 25.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 4.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.19.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 29.3% under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 25.4% from 25 to 44, 31.3% from 45 to 64, and 7.0[% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 115.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 113.2 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $41,094, and the median income for a family was $49,821. Males had a median income of $39,688 versus $26,731 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $18,668. About 8.2% of families and 11.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.9% of those under age 18 and 1.5% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

A large portion of the Anchor Point economy relies on the Anchor River. Tourists come to fish the river during salmon runs in the summer. The river is also a source of coal. Along the coast, there are good spots for clam-digging, which draws tourists.

Education

Anchor Point is in the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District. The Chapman School is a pre-kindergarten through eighth grade school off the main highway. Older students generally attend Homer High School.

The Anchor Point Public Library has one employee, and its collection includes approximately 12,000 items.

Images for kids

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Anchor Point (Alaska) para niños

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