Moving to Petersburg, Alaska

Petersburg, Alaska is located in the Alexander Archipelago of Southeast Alaska. It is situated on Mitkof Island, about 80 miles south of Juneau and about 500 miles north of Seattle. The city’s geography consists of a large harbor surrounded by mountains, making it a picturesque destination. The climate in Petersburg is mild and typically wet due to its proximity to the ocean and its location in the rainforest. Summers are cool with temperatures rarely exceeding 70 degrees Fahrenheit, while winters are cooler with temperatures occasionally dipping below freezing.

The history of Petersburg dates back to 1868 when it was settled by Norwegian fishermen who were attracted to the area’s abundance of fish and wildlife. Fishing remains an important part of the local economy today, as does logging and tourism. The city has also become known for its art galleries which feature works from local artists. Petersburg also has a strong political presence as it is home to several state representatives in addition to being represented at the federal level by Senator Lisa Murkowski.

Despite its small size, Petersburg boasts a variety of educational opportunities including K-12 public schools, private schools, charter schools, colleges and universities. Additionally, several vocational programs are available that allow students to gain real-world experience while earning college credit or certification in their chosen field.

Several landmarks can be found throughout Petersburg including Totem Park which features totems from various native tribes in Southeast Alaska; Fort Stikine which was built during World War II; and the Russian Orthodox Church which was built in 1873 and still stands today as a reminder of the city’s past when it was primarily populated by Norwegian settlers. Other notable sites include Deer Mountain Trailhead which offers spectacular views of nearby glaciers; Mitkof Island State Park with its trails for hiking or biking; and Point Lena where visitors can watch whales breaching during migration season.

Population: 3,224. Estimated population in July 2024: 3,010 (-6.6% change)
Males: 1,679 (52.1%), Females: 1,545 (47.9%)

Zip code: 99833

Demographics

Median resident age: 36.2 years
Median household income: $49,028
Median house value: $175,000

Population by Race

Races in Petersburg:

  • White Non-Hispanic (80.9%)
  • American Indian (12.0%)
  • Two or more races (6.0%)
  • Hispanic (2.9%)
  • Other race (1.9%)
  • Filipino (1.0%)
  • Chinese (0.6%)

Ancestries: German (18.9%), Norwegian (18.8%), English (13.1%), Irish (10.8%), Swedish (6.1%), United States (4.7%).

Land area: 43.9 square miles

Map of Petersburg, AK

Population by Education

Petersburg, Alaska is a small fishing town located on the south end of Mitkof Island in the Alexander Archipelago. It has a population of just over 3,000 people and is the seventh-largest city in Alaska. The majority of the population is made up of Native Alaskans, mainly Tlingit and Haida peoples. The town has a strong fishing industry with commercial and sport fishing being an important part of its economy. Many residents work in fish processing plants or on boats that go out to sea to catch fish. As well as this, there are many other industries such as logging, tourism and retail that provide employment opportunities for locals.

The town itself is quite laid back with locals having a relaxed attitude towards life and visitors often remarking on how friendly everyone is. Petersburg has some excellent amenities such as schools, health care facilities and recreational parks which provide plenty of activities for locals and visitors alike. There are also plenty of restaurants, shops, bars and museums to explore which offer something for everyone’s taste buds or interests. With its stunning views across the bay from almost every point within the city boundaries Petersburg can be a great place to visit or live if you want to experience true Alaskan life.

For population 25 years and over in Petersburg

  • High school or higher: 87.8%
  • Bachelor’s degree or higher: 17.7%
  • Graduate or professional degree: 5.2%
  • Unemployed: 10.3%
  • Mean travel time to work: 11.7 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Petersburg city

  • Never married: 23.2%
  • Now married: 57.0%
  • Separated: 2.0%
  • Widowed: 4.4%
  • Divorced: 13.5%

4.4% Foreign born (2.0% Asia, 1.2% Europe, 1.0% Latin America).

Population change in the 1990s: +20 (+0.6%).

Hospitals

Hospital/medical center in Petersburg:

  • PETERSBURG MEDICAL CENTER (103 FRAM STREET, PO BOX 589)

Other hospitals/medical centers near Petersburg:

  • WRANGELL MEDICAL CENTER (about 50 miles; WRANGELL, AK)
  • KETCHIKAN GENERAL HOSPITAL (about 132 miles; KETCHIKAN, AK)
  • BARTLETT REGIONAL HOSPITAL (about 155 miles; JUNEAU, AK)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Petersburg:

  • PETERSBURG JAMES A JOHNSON (about 1 miles; PETERSBURG, AK; Abbreviation: PSG)
  • WRANGELL (about 46 miles; WRANGELL, AK; Abbreviation: WRG)
  • KETCHIKAN INTL (about 132 miles; KETCHIKAN, AK; Abbreviation: KTN)

Other public-use airports nearest to Petersburg:

  • LLOYD R. ROUNDTREE SEAPLANE FACILITY (about 1 miles; PETERSBURG, AK; Abbreviation: 63A)
  • WRANGELL (about 47 miles; WRANGELL, AK; Abbreviation: 68A)
  • NORTH WHALE (about 50 miles; NORTH WHALE PASS, AK; Abbreviation: 96Z)

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Petersburg:

  • PENINSULA COLLEGE (about 891 miles; PORT ANGELES, WA; Full-time enrollment: 2,374)
  • WESTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY (about 911 miles; BELLINGHAM, WA; Full-time enrollment: 11,889)
  • WHATCOM COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 913 miles; BELLINGHAM, WA; Full-time enrollment: 2,656)
  • SKAGIT VALLEY COLLEGE (about 933 miles; MT VERNON, WA; Full-time enrollment: 3,420)
  • OLYMPIC COLLEGE (about 955 miles; BREMERTON, WA; Full-time enrollment: 3,889)
  • EVERETT COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 959 miles; EVERETT, WA; Full-time enrollment: 3,970)
  • EVERGREEN STATE COLLEGE (about 961 miles; OLYMPIA, WA; Full-time enrollment: 3,749)

Schools

Public high school in Petersburg:

  • PETERSBURG HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 219; Location: 109 CHARLES W. STREET; Grades: 09 – 12)

Public primary/middle schools in Petersburg:

  • RAE C. STEDMAN ELEMENTARY (Students: 276; Location: 303 DOLPHIN STREET; Grades: PK – 05)
  • MITKOF MIDDLE SCHOOL (Students: 166; Location: 500 FIRST STREET; Grades: 06 – 08)

Libraries

Library in Petersburg:

  • PETERSBURG PUBLIC LIBRARY (Operating income: $199,075; Location: 12 NORDIC AVENUE; 28,200 books; 631 audio materials; 1,242 video materials; 77 serial subscriptions)