Sterling, Alaska
|
|
Sterling is a census-designated place located in Kenai Peninsula Borough, Alaska. As of the 2000 census, the population of the CDP is 4,705.
| Contents |
Geography
Sterling is located at 60°31'47" North, 150°47'52" West (60.529635, -150.797887)Template:GR.
Sterling is 29 km (18 miles) east of Kenai.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 205.6 km² (79.4 mi²). 200.2 km² (77.3 mi²) of it is land and 5.4 km² (2.1 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 2.62% water.
Demographics
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there are 4,705 people, 1,676 households, and 1,305 families residing in the CDP. The population density is 23.5/km² (60.9/mi²). There are 2,554 housing units at an average density of 12.8/km² (33.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the CDP is 92.69% White, 0.36% Black or African American, 3.25% Native American, 0.53% Asian, 0.11% Pacific Islander, 0.60% from other races, and 2.47% from two or more races. 1.21% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 1,676 households out of which 40.0% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.5% are married couples living together, 6.7% have a female householder with no husband present, and 22.1% are non-families. 17.6% of all households are made up of individuals and 3.4% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.80 and the average family size is 3.16.
In the CDP the population is spread out with 30.6% under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 29.0% from 25 to 44, 26.8% from 45 to 64, and 6.7% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 36 years. For every 100 females there are 108.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 108.2 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP is $47,700, and the median income for a family is $53,889. Males have a median income of $45,063 versus $27,946 for females. The per capita income for the CDP is $20,741. 10.0% of the population and 7.7% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 11.8% of those under the age of 18 and 5.9% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
History
The area was home to a few homesteaders in 1954, when a post office was built there. The name Sterling was chosen for the post office. The name was taken from the name of the Sterling Highway that serves the area.
An archaeological site, containing prehistoric Dena'ina house pits, has been discovered near Sterling, showing that the area was inhabited in prehistoric times.
The main industries around Sterling today are support for tourism and sport fishing and hunting.