Anchor Point, Alaska
Encyclopedia
Anchor Point is a census-designated place
(CDP) in Kenai Peninsula Borough
, in the U.S. state
of Alaska
. As of the 2000 census
the population was 1,845. Anchor Point is the westernmost point in the North American highway system.
that when James Cook
discovered the area, he lost an anchor
. Settlers came beginning in the early 1900s.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the CDP has a total area of 90.9 square miles (235.4 km²), of which, 90.8 square miles (235.2 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square mile (0.258998811 km²) of it (0.13%) is water.
. 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 as well, which also draws tourists. The town is also the furthest west on the U.S. highway system.
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
, 0.11% Black
or African American
, 3.36% Native American
, 0.33% Asian
, 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.
Census-designated place
A census-designated place is a concentration of population identified by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes. CDPs are delineated for each decennial census as the statistical counterparts of incorporated places such as cities, towns and villages...
(CDP) in Kenai Peninsula Borough
Kenai Peninsula Borough, Alaska
-National protected areas:* Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge ** Chiswell Islands** Tuxedni Wilderness* Chugach National Forest * Katmai National Park and Preserve ** Katmai Wilderness...
, in the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Alaska
Alaska
Alaska is the largest state in the United States by area. It is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait...
. As of the 2000 census
United States Census, 2000
The Twenty-second United States Census, known as Census 2000 and conducted by the Census Bureau, determined the resident population of the United States on April 1, 2000, to be 281,421,906, an increase of 13.2% over the 248,709,873 persons enumerated during the 1990 Census...
the population was 1,845. Anchor Point is the westernmost point in the North American highway system.
History
The name Anchor Point comes from a legendLegend
A legend is a narrative of human actions that are perceived both by teller and listeners to take place within human history and to possess certain qualities that give the tale verisimilitude...
that when James Cook
James Cook
Captain James Cook, FRS, RN was a British explorer, navigator and cartographer who ultimately rose to the rank of captain in the Royal Navy...
discovered the area, he lost an anchor
Anchor
An anchor is a device, normally made of metal, that is used to connect a vessel to the bed of a body of water to prevent the vessel from drifting due to wind or current. The word derives from Latin ancora, which itself comes from the Greek ἄγκυρα .Anchors can either be temporary or permanent...
. Settlers came beginning in the early 1900s.
Education
The Anchor Point Public Library has one employee and its collection includes approximately 12,269 items. There is also a kindergarten through eighth grade school located off the main highway.Geography
Anchor Point is located at 59°46′39"N 151°46′13"W (59.777468, -151.770220).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the CDP has a total area of 90.9 square miles (235.4 km²), of which, 90.8 square miles (235.2 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square mile (0.258998811 km²) of it (0.13%) is water.
Economy
A large portion of the Anchor Point economy relies on the Anchor RiverAnchor River
The Anchor River is a river on the Kenai Peninsula in the U.S. state of Alaska. It is 30 miles long and empties into Cook Inlet on the beach below Anchor Point. The Anchor River State Recreation Area is a popular spot for camping and fishing in the summer months, when there are salmon runs, and ...
. 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 as well, which also draws tourists. The town is also the furthest west on the U.S. highway system.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 1,845 people, 711 households, and 467 families residing in the CDP. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
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
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.11% Black
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 3.36% Native American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.33% Asian
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.60% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 3.79% from two or more races. 1.73% of the population were Hispanic
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or Latino
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
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
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
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
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
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.