Fast Facts about Juneau
City and Borough of Juneau
Population
The current population of Juneau is 30,903 (Census 2002).
Type of Government
The City and Borough of Juneau is a home-rule municipality under the Constitution of the State of Alaska. It has a Council/Manager form of government. The Borough Assembly is composed of the Mayor and eight Assembly members.
Economy and Transportation
The Juneau economy is based on State, local, and Federal government, tourism, mining, fishing, and logging.
As the state capital, Juneau is supported largely by State and Federal employment, and by tourists cruising the Inside Passage. It is the third largest community in Alaska. About one-third of residents live downtown or on Douglas Island; the remaining two-thirds live elsewhere along the roaded area.
The State, City & Borough of Juneau, and federal agencies provide nearly 45% of the employment in the community. Juneau is home to State Legislators and their staff during the legislative session between January and May. Tourism is a significant contributor to the private sector economy during the summer months, providing a $130 million income and nearly 2,000 jobs. Over 690,000 visitors arrive by cruise ship, and another 100,000 independent travelers visit Juneau each year. The Mendenhall Glacier, Juneau Ice field air tours, Tracy Arm Fjord Glacier, State Museum, and Mount Roberts Tramway are local attractions. Support services for logging and fish processing contribute to the Juneau economy, and 519 residents hold commercial fishing permits. DIPAC, a private non-profit organization, operates a fish hatchery that increases the local salmon population. The Kennecott Green's Creek Mine produces gold, silver, lead and zinc, and is the largest silver mine in North America.
Taxes: Sales: 5%, Property: 11.47 mills (3 service areas), Special: 7% Accommodations Tax, 3% Liquor Tax, 6% Tobacco Tax, $5/person Marine Passenger Fee
During the 2000 U.S. Census, there were 12,282 total housing units, and 739 were vacant. 185 of these vacant housing units are used only seasonally. 16,688 residents were employed. The unemployment rate at that time was 5.35%, although 28.51% of all adults were not in the work force. The median household income was $62,034, per capita income was $26,719, and 5.97% of residents were living below the poverty level.
Juneau is accessible only by air and sea. Scheduled jet flights and air taxis are available at the Municipally-owned Juneau International Airport. The airport includes a paved 8,456' runway and a seaplane landing area. Marine facilities include a seaplane landing area at Juneau Harbor, two deep draft docks, five small boat harbors and a State ferry terminal. The Alaska Marine Highway System and cargo barges provide year-round services.
Facilities, Utilities, Schools and Health Care
The municipal water supply is obtained from the Last Chance Basin well field on Gold Creek and the Salmon Creek Reservoir, and is treated and piped to over 90% of Juneau households. Juneau's water demand is 5 million gallons per day. The Borough is seeking funds to construct a million-gallon reservoir near South Lena Loop to serve the area north of Lena and Tee Harbor. The Borough's piped sewage system serves almost 80% of residents, and receives secondary treatment. Sludge is incinerated. North Douglas Island residents use individual septic tanks, and funds have been provided to begin planning a sewer main extension to this area. Refuse collection, the landfill and incinerator are owned by a private firm, Waste Management Co. Juneau has a sludge site, hazardous waste collection facility, and local organizations also provide recycling programs. Alaska Electric Light & Power Company receives the majority of its power from the state-owned Snettisham Hydroelectric Facility south of town. AEL&P owns the Annex Creek, Upper Salmon Creek and Lower Salmon Creek Hydro Plants, and the Gold Creek, Lemon Creek and Auke Bay Diesel back-up systems. The U.S. Geological Survey and AEL&P are collecting streamgaging data at Dorothy Lake for hydroelectric potential.
There are 12 schools located in the community, attended by 5,506 students. Local hospitals or health clinics include Bartlett Regional Hospital, SEARHC Medical/Dental Clinic and private clinics. The hospital is a qualified Acute Care facility and Medevac Service. Long Term Care: Juneau Pioneers' Home; St. Ann's Nursing Home. Specialized Care: Juneau Recovery Hospital/Bartlett; Aiding Women in Abuse & Rape Emergencies. Auxiliary health care is provided by Capital City Fire/Rescue/Medevac; Airlift Northwest/Air Ambulance; Greens Creek EMS; U.S. Coast Guard Rescue Coordination Center.
Size and Location
Located on the mainland of Southeast Alaska, opposite Douglas Island, Juneau was built at the heart of the Inside Passage along the Gastineau Channel. It lies 900 air miles northwest of Seattle and 577 air miles southeast of Anchorage. It lies at approximately 58.30194° North Latitude and -134.41972° West Longitude. (Sec. 23, T041S, R067E, Copper River Meridian.) Juneau is located in the Juneau Recording District. The area encompasses 2,716.7 sq. miles of land and 538.3 sq. miles of water.
Climate & Day Length
Juneau has a mild, maritime climate. The mean annual temperature is 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Winter temperatures seldom drop below 20 degrees Fahrenheit and summer temperatures seldom exceed 65 degrees. Abundant rainfall contributes to the growth of very large Sitka spruce and Western hemlock in the coastal forests and to abundant fish populations in local waters. Snowfall is heavy in most winters, averaging 101 inches. Statistically, June is the month with the least rainfall.
Juneau does not have the "midnight sun" experienced further north in Alaska, but day length is much longer in the summer and much shorter in the winter than in the "Lower 48" states.
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