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Seward, Alaska

Seward is a city located in Kenai Peninsula Borough, Alaska. As of the 2000 census, the population of the city is 2,830.

It was named after William H. Seward, early member of the United States Republican Party, United States Secretary of State under Abraham Lincoln. As Secretary of State, he fought for the U.S. purchase of Alaska which he finally negotiated to acquire from Russia for $7,200,000 on March 30, 1867. This translated into approximately 2.5 cents per acre ($6.18/km²) for 586,400 square miles (1,519,000 km²) of territory, three times the size of Texas. The purchase of this frontier land ("Seward's Icebox") was mocked as "Seward's Folly" and Andrew Johnson's "polar bear garden".

Geography

Location of Seward, Alaska

Seward is located at 60°7'28" North, 149°26'0" West (60.124505, -149.433465).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 55.8 km² (21.5 mi²). 37.4 km² (14.4 mi²) of it is land and 18.4 km² (7.1 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 32.93% water.

Demographics

As of the census2 of 2000, there are 2,830 people, 917 households, and 555 families residing in the city. The population density is 75.7/km² (196.0/mi²). There are 1,058 housing units at an average density of 28.3/km² (73.3/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 72.12% White, 2.44% Black or African American, 16.68% Native American, 1.84% Asian, 0.18% Pacific Islander, 0.88% from other races, and 5.87% from two or more races. 2.40% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 917 households out of which 35.7% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.6% are married couples living together, 12.1% have a female householder with no husband present, and 39.4% are non-families. 30.8% of all households are made up of individuals and 7.1% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.40 and the average family size is 3.04.

In the city the population is spread out with 21.9% under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 35.9% from 25 to 44, 25.7% from 45 to 64, and 7.5% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 37 years. For every 100 females there are 150.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 166.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $44,306, and the median income for a family is $54,904. Males have a median income of $36,900 versus $30,508 for females. The per capita income for the city is $20,360. 10.6% of the population and 8.3% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 12.7% of those under the age of 18 and 7.9% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

External links

  • Seward Chamber of Commerce http://www.seward.net/chamber
  • Photos of Seward - Terra Galleria http://www.terragalleria.com/america/alaska/seward
Last updated: 05-03-2005 17:50:55