Anchor Point, Alaska

From Wikipedia, the free 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.

1 History
2 Education
3 Geography
4 Economy
5 Demographics
6 External links
7 References

[edit] 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.^[1]

[edit] Education

The Anchor Point Public Library has one employee.

[edit] Geography

Anchor Point is located at 59°46′39″N, 151°46′13″W (59.777468, -151.770220)^GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 235.4 km² (90.9 mi²). 235.1 km² (90.8 mi²) of it is land and 0.3 km² (0.1 mi²) of it (0.13%) is water.

[edit] 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 as well, which also draws tourists. The town is also the furthest west on the U.S. highway system.^[2] Anchor Point is currently experiencing a methamphetamine crisis.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 1,845 people, 711 households, and 467 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 7.8/km² (20.3/mi²). There were 979 housing units at an average density of 4.2/km² (10.8/mi²). 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.