Moving to Ninilchik, Alaska

Ninilchik, Alaska is a small rural community located on the Kenai Peninsula in Southcentral Alaska. The population of Ninilchik is estimated to be around 1,000 people and is made up of a mix of Native Alaskan and non-Native residents. The geography of Ninilchik is characterized by rolling hills, dense forests, and the beachfront of Cook Inlet. The climate in Ninilchik is mild compared to other parts of Alaska, with average temperatures ranging from the mid-30s in winter to the mid-60s in summer.

Ninilchik has a long history that dates back to before the arrival of Europeans in Alaska. It was originally inhabited by Dena’ina Athabaskans who were later joined by Russian settlers around the 1800s. Today, Ninilchik remains part of an unincorporated community with no official municipal government or mayor. As such, its politics are determined by local organizations like the Ninilchik Traditional Council which serves as an advisory body for local issues.

The economy of Ninilchik relies heavily on fishing and tourism for its livelihood. Fishing plays an important role in both subsistence and commercial activities within the community while tourism provides additional economic opportunities through services like lodging, dining, and recreational activities such as fishing charters and wildlife viewing tours.

In terms of education, there are two schools located in Ninilchik: Ninilchik School which serves students from kindergarten through 12th grade; and Cook Inlet Academy which offers private Christian education for students from pre-K through 12th grade. Both schools are highly rated with strong academic programs that focus on preparing students for college or other post-secondary opportunities after graduation.

Finally, there are several notable landmarks found throughout Ninilchik including St Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church (built in 1896), Old Town (site of original Russian settlement), Spirit Mountain (sacred site with spiritual significance to local tribes), Salmon Lake Trail (popular hiking trail), Deep Creek State Recreation Area (home to numerous outdoor activities) and Mount Redoubt (an active volcano).

Population: 772
Males: 405 (52.5%), Females: 367 (47.5%)

Zip code: 99639

Demographics

Median resident age: 42.5 years
Median household income: $36,250
Median house value: $79,300

Population by Race

Races in Ninilchik:

• White Non-Hispanic (81.9%)
• American Indian (16.6%)
• Two or more races (3.1%)
• Hispanic (0.6%)

Ancestries: German (13.6%), Irish (10.9%), English (6.3%), Norwegian (5.7%), French (4.3%), United States (3.9%).

Land area: 207.6 square miles

Population by Education

Ninilchik, Alaska is a small fishing and farming community located on the Kenai Peninsula. It has an estimated population of just over 600 people, with the majority of them being Native Alaskans. The town is situated along the banks of the Ninilchik River and is surrounded by picturesque mountains and forests. The climate in Ninilchik is mild and temperate, with cold winters and warm summers.

The main industries in Ninilchik are fishing, subsistence living, and tourism. Fishing is a major source of income for many residents as it provides them with access to salmon, halibut, crab, and other seafood that can be sold commercially or consumed locally. Subsistence living is also popular among some residents who rely on hunting animals like moose or deer for food as well as gathering wild plants or berries for sustenance. Tourism also plays an important role in providing jobs for locals in Ninilchik as visitors come to enjoy activities like camping, fishing, hunting, and sightseeing in the area.

Education is another important aspect of life in Ninilchik. The local school system includes both public schools which are run by the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District as well as private schools such as Holy Assumption Orthodox School which provides religious instruction to students from preschool through 8th grade. In addition to traditional education options there are also several vocational training programs available at various institutions around town such as Ninilchik Traditional Council’s Vocational Education Center which offers courses related to carpentry and construction trades.

For population 25 years and over in Ninilchik

• High school or higher: 79.0%
• Bachelor’s degree or higher: 11.7%
• Graduate or professional degree: 4.5%
• Unemployed: 18.0%
• Mean travel time to work: 38.5 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Ninilchik CDP

• Never married: 23.2%
• Now married: 62.6%
• Separated: 1.3%
• Widowed: 3.2%
• Divorced: 9.8%

2.8% Foreign born (1.7% Asia, 0.5% North America, 0.4% Europe).

Hospitals

Hospitals/medical centers near Ninilchik:

• SOUTH PENINSULA HOSPITAL (about 24 miles; HOMER, AK)
• CENTRAL PENINSULA GENERAL HOSPITAL (about 50 miles; SOLDOTNA, AK)
• ALASKA NATIVE MEDICAL CENTER, PHS (about 146 miles; ANCHORAGE, AK)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Ninilchik:

• HOMER (about 26 miles; HOMER, AK; Abbreviation: HOM)
• KENAI MUNI (about 45 miles; KENAI, AK; Abbreviation: ENA)
• TED STEVENS ANCHORAGE INTL (about 135 miles; ANCHORAGE, AK; Abbreviation: ANC)

Other public-use airports nearest to Ninilchik:

• NINILCHIK (about 4 miles; NINILCHIK, AK; Abbreviation: NIN)
• HOMER-BELUGA LAKE (about 25 miles; HOMER, AK; Abbreviation: 5BL)
• KASILOF (about 32 miles; KASILOF, AK; Abbreviation: 5KS)

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Ninilchik:

• UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA ANCHORAGE (about 146 miles; ANCHORAGE, AK; Full-time enrollment: 9,453)
• UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA FAIRBANKS (about 422 miles; FAIRBANKS, AK; Full-time enrollment: 5,034)
• PENINSULA COLLEGE (about 2111 miles; PORT ANGELES, WA; Full-time enrollment: 2,374)
• WESTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY (about 2153 miles; BELLINGHAM, WA; Full-time enrollment: 11,889)
• WHATCOM COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 2156 miles; BELLINGHAM, WA; Full-time enrollment: 2,656)
• EVERGREEN STATE COLLEGE (about 2167 miles; OLYMPIA, WA; Full-time enrollment: 3,749)
• SOUTH PUGET SOUND COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 2168 miles; OLYMPIA, WA; Full-time enrollment: 2,908)

Public primary/middle school in Ninilchik:

• NINILCHIK SCHOOL (Students: 183; Location: BOX 39010; Grades: PK – 12)

Libraries

Library in Ninilchik:

• NINILCHIK COMMUNITY LIBRARY (Operating income: $15,745; Location: 15850 STERLING HIGHWAY; 11,046 books; 228 audio materials; 1,288 video materials)