Soldotna, Alaska

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Soldotna, Alaska
settlement_type = City
nickname =
motto =

imagesize =
image_caption =


image_

mapsize = 250px
map_caption = Location of Soldotna, Alaska


mapsize1 =
map_caption1 =
pushpin_

pushpin_mapsize = 300
pushpin_label_position = left
pushpin_map_caption =

subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = Alaska
subdivision_type2 = Borough
subdivision_name2 = Kenai Peninsula
government_footnotes =
government_type =
leader_title =
leader_name =
leader_title1 =
leader_name1 =
established_title =
established_date =

area_footnotes =
area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 19.2
area_land_km2 = 18.0
area_water_km2 = 1.2
area_total_sq_mi = 7.4
area_land_sq_mi = 6.9
area_water_sq_mi = 0.5

population_as_of = 2000
population_footnotes =
population_total = 3759
population_density_km2 = 209.2
population_density_sq_mi = 541.9

timezone = Alaska (AKST)
utc_offset = -9
timezone_DST = AKDT
utc_offset_DST = -8
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m = 32
elevation_ft = 105
latd = 60 |latm = 29 |lats = 12 |latNS = N
longd = 151 |longm = 4 |longs = 31 |longEW = W

postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 99669
area_code = 907
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 02-71640
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = [Gnis3|1414025 1414025]
website =
footnotes =

Soldotna is a city in Kenai Peninsula Borough, Alaska, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 3,759. According to 2005 Census Bureau estimates, the city had a population of 4,087.cite web | date = June 21 2006 | url = http://www.census.gov/popest/cities/files/SUB-EST2005-04-02.csv | title = Annual Estimates of the Population for All Incorporated Places in Alaska | format = CSV | work = 2005 Population Estimates | publisher = U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division | accessdate = 2006-11-09] It is the seat of the Kenai Peninsula Borough.

Geography

Soldotna is located at coor dms|60|29|12|N|151|4|31|W|city (60.486617, -151.075373)GR|1.

Soldotna is located on the banks of the Kenai River on the Kenai Peninsula of Alaska. It is named after nearby Soldotna Creek. There are three explanations of the origin of the word "Soldotna": one, that it is derived from "soldat", the Russian word for "soldier"; two, that it is derived from an Athabaskan word for "stream fork" and three, that it is derived from "Tseldatna", the Athabaskan name of an herb.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 7.4 square miles (19.2 km²), of which, 6.9 square miles (18.0 km²) of it is land and 0.5 square miles (1.2 km²) of it (6.34%) is water.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 3,759 people, 1,465 households, and 969 families residing in the city. The population density was 541.9 people per square mile (209.1/km²). There were 1,670 housing units at an average density of 240.7/sq mi (92.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 88.06% White, 0.29% Black or African American, 4.97% Native American, 1.73% Asian, 0.37% Pacific Islander, 1.28% from other races, and 3.30% from two or more races. 3.22% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 1,465 households out of which 39.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.5% were married couples living together, 13.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.8% were non-families. 29.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.13.

In the city the population was spread out with 31.5% under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 27.9% from 25 to 44, 23.3% from 45 to 64, and 9.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 90.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $48,420, and the median income for a family was $52,372. Males had a median income of $43,162 versus $24,598 for females. The per capita income for the city was $21,740. About 5.8% of families and 6.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.5% of those under age 18 and 2.6% of those age 65 or over.

History

In 1947, after World War II, United States government allowed settling of land on parts of the Kenai Peninsula under the Homestead Act. Veterans of the United States armed services were given a 90-day preference over non-veterans in selecting land and filing for property. Also in that year, the Sterling Highway right-of-way was cleared of trees from Cooper Landing to Kenai. The location of present-day Soldotna was selected as the site for the highway's bridge crossing the Kenai River.

The construction of the Sterling Highway provided a link from the Soldotna area to the outside world. More homesteads were taken and visitors came to fish in the area. The Soldotna post office opened in 1949 and other businesses opened in the next few years.

Oil was discovered in the Swanson River region in 1957, bringing some new economic development to the area. In 1960, Soldotna was incorporated as a city with a population of 332.

Sport fishing and tourism are currently the mainstays of the economy in Soldotna. It also receives some economic advantage from being the seat of the Kenai Peninsula Borough.

Fishing

Kenai River King Salmon Record

Les Anderson holds the record for the largest king salmon, caught on May 17, 1985 and weighing in at 97 lb 4 oz. Most local taxidermy businesses will stuff and mount a salmon for free if it is over 70 lb (32 kg) for the business exposure.

2004 Kenai River Salmon Count

Fish counts are determined by sonar fish counters [http://www.cf.adfg.state.ak.us/region2/pubs/joint_strategies/kenailaterunsockeye06mp.pdf] . It is not exact, but it gives averages.

*King Salmon - 68,649
*Red Salmon - 1,384,587

References

External links

* [http://www.ci.soldotna.ak.us/ Soldotna] official website
* [http://www.soldotnachamber.com/ Soldotna Chamber Of Commerce]