Relocation Guide
Compiled with the newcomer's needs in mind, this comprehensive package is a must have for those moving into the Sitka area. Featuring your business in our Relocation Guide is a great way to reach potential new clients. We receive hundreds of calls a year from people wanting information on relocating to Sitka!
You may download this Complete Relocation Packet (748 kb PDF file) or view the contents in the panels below. If you would like the Relocation Guide mailed to you, please call our office at 907-747-8604 or email us at ed@sitkachamber.com.
Please refer to our Local Links page for links to community resources like the City, the Visitors Bureau, Schools, Transportation, the Job Center, Realtors, the Daily Sentinel, etc. You may also download this convenient Sitka Community Resource Guide put out by the Sitka Legislative Information Office.
If you're looking for employment in Sitka, go to the Alaska Job Center Network.
If you're planning a trip to Sitka, and are looking for visitor information, we encourage you to visit the Sitka Convention and Visitor's Bureau and Sitka Through Four Seasons.
If you have any further questions or concerns please feel free to contact us here at the Sitka Chamber of Commerce.
Population in 2015: 9,328. Population change since 2000: +2.1%
Males: 4,624 Females: 4,396 Median age: 40
Marital status: Married: 42% Married with kids: 31%
Single: 9% Single parents: 18%
Estimated median household income in 2015: $83,044 (it was $51,901 in 2000)
Estimated per capita income in 2015: $32,345 (it was $23,622 in 2000)
Median gross rent in 2015: $1,158
Zip code: 99835 Area code: 907
Weather
Sitka has a mild, humid, temperate climate with warm summers and no dry season. The area within 25 miles Sitka is covered by oceans and seas 40%), tundra (29%), forests (16%), grasslands (9%), and shrub lands (6%).
Over the course of a year, the temperature typically varies from 31°F to 62°F and is rarely below 21°F or above 68°F. Average rainfall is 88 inches. Average snowfall is 33 inches; with rain likely in 81% of days in October and 62% of days in June.
Sunlight The shortest day in Sitka is December 21 with 6:42 hours of daylight.
The longest day is June 20 with 17:55 hours of daylight.Sitka is on a large, isolated island and is only accessible by plane or boat. We have to fly or ferry to reach even our closest neighbors in Southeast Alaska. Getting your household goods here will also require air, ferry or barge shipment.
Air
Airport Facilities
Rocky Gutierrez Airport
Major Air Carriers
Alaska Airlines - www.alaskaair.com
Delta Airlines (summer only) - www.delta.com
Local Air Carriers
Harris Air - www.harrisair.com
Alaska Seaplanes - www.flyalaskaseaplanes.com
Air Sitka at Fly In Fish Inn - www.flyinfishinn.com
Water
Harbors: Sitka has the largest small boat harbor in Alaska, including:
Eliason, Thomsen, ANB, Crescent, and Sealing Cove Harbors. Harbor Master: 747-3439
Permanent slips: 1,315. Permanent moorage rate: $2.99/foot/month. Seasonal moorage available.
Marine Passenger and Auto Ferry Service: Alaska Marine Highway System, www.ferryalaska.com. The ferry dock is 6 miles from downtown
Shipping
Parcel Service
US Postal Service, www.usps.com 800-275-8777
UPS, www.ups.com 800-742-5877
Federal Express, www.fedex.com 800-463-3339
Air Freight Service
Alaska Air Cargo, www.alaskaair.com 800-225-2752
Alaska Central Express, www.aceaircargo.com 888-722-0232
Marine Freight Service
Alaska Marine Lines/Lynden, www.lynden.com 800-326-8346
Samson Tug and Barge, www.samsontug.com 800-331-3522
All our local realtors sell residential and commercial property and manage rentals.
Baranof Realty 747-5636 www.baranofrealty.com
Davis Realty 747-1032 www.davisrealtysitka.com
Sitka Realty 747-8922 www.sitkarealty.com
2015 Properties for Sale (From Multiple Listing Service)
Single Family/
Single Family Average price............................... $413,834
with Apt. (6) Median price................................. $380,000
Condo/Townhome Average price............................... $184,250
(7) Median price................................ $184,250
Mobile w/lot Average price............................... $165,000
(1) Median price................................ $165,000
Homes sold in 2014 ................................................................ 47
2015 Fair Market Rent for Sitka, HUD Data
Efficiency………………………………………………$807
1-bedroom……………………………………………$856
2-bedroom…………………………………………$1,058
3-bedroom…………………………………………$1,613
4-bedroom…………………………………………$1,672
2015 Property Pricing data for Sitka
Typical residential lot size...................................... 9,000 square feet
Residential lot price..................................................$9 - $19/sq. ft.
Commercial lot price................................................$10 - $32/sq. ft.
Industrial lot price................................................... $3.50 - $7/sq/ ft.
ACCRA Cost of Living Index – 126% average in Sitka. US average – 100%
Cheap for Paradise!
Schools & TrainingSitka School District Baranof Elementary School (K-1) Keet Goshi Heen Elementary School (2-5) Blatchley Middle School (6-8) Sitka High School (9-12) Pacific High School (Alternative) Home School Support/Correspondence Sitka Native Education Program (Tutoring & Cultural Programs) Community Schools |
Mt. Edgecumbe High School Post Secondary EducationUniversity of Alaska Southeast, Sitka Campus UAS Continuing Education Adult Basic Education (at UAS) Alaska Marine Safety Education Association (AMSEA) |
Assembly of God Calvary Chapel Church of Christ Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Church of the Nazarene Eagle Quest Ministries First Baptist Church First Presbyterian Church Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church Jehovah’s Witnesses New Testament Light House |
Salvation Army St. Gregory’s Catholic Church St. Michael’s of the Archangel of God Orthodox Cathedral St. Peter’s by the Sea—Episcopal Church Seventh Day Adventist Sitka Christian Center Sitka Jewish Community Trinity Baptist Church Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Hall United Methodist Church United Pentecostal Church |
Hospitals & Clinics
Accupuncture & Oriental Medicine Phone: 747-6915
Mountainside Family Healthcare Phone: 747-1722
Neurobehavioral Consultants Phone: 747-3743
Oceanside Therapy Center Phone: 747-1490
Sitka Community Hospital Phone: 747-3241
Sitka Community Hospital Home Health Agency Phone: 747-1750
Sitka Medical Center Phone: 747-5861
Sitka Physical Therapy Phone: 747-4559
Sitka Public Health Phone: 747-3255
Sitka Pioneers’ Home Phone: 747-3213
Sitka Counseling & Prevention Services Phone: 747-3636
South East Alaska Regional Health Consortium
(SEARHC) Mt. Edgecumbe Hospital Phone: 966-2411
SEARHC Community Health Services Division Phone: 966-8710
Southeast Regional Emergency Medical Services Phone: 747-8005
U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Health Services Division Phone: 966-5430
Pharmacies
Whites Pharmacy Phone: 747-5755
Harry Race Pharmacy & Photo Phone: 747-8006
Chiropractors
Arctic Chiropractic Phone: 747-2726
Baranof Chiropractic Phone: 747-8502
Dentists
Ross Marley DMD LLC Phone: 747-6050
SEARHC Dental Clinic Phone: 966-2411
Sitka Dental Clinic Phone: 747-3203
Optometrists
Sitka Vision Clinic Phone: 747-6644
Fitness Centers
Hames Wellness Center Phone: 747-5080
Yoga Union Phone: 623-7022BANKS
First Bank 747-6636 www.firstbankak.com
First National Bank Alaska 747-7000 www.FNBAalaska.com
Northrim Bank 747-8688 www.northrim.com
Wells Fargo Bank 747-3226 www.wellsfargo.com
CREDIT UNIONS
Alps Federal Credit Union 747-6261 www.alpsfcu.org
INVESTMENT SERVICES
Edward Jones 747-1001 www.edwardjones.com
Waddell & Reed 966-2803 www.waddell.com
Pioneer Capital Management 747-8393
INSURANCE
Southeastern Title Agency 747-3278
Title Insurance, Escrow
Stedman Insurance Agency 747-8618 www.stedmanins.com
Business, Personal, Life, Health
State Farm Insurance 747-5801 www.statefarm.com
Auto, Home, Business, Life, Health
Venneberg Insurance Inc. 747-8625 www.venneberginsurance.com
Business – Property & Casualty, Marine and Personal
Did you know….. Sitka has the largest incorporated city limits in the United States, spanning a land area of approximately 2,874 miles, with over 300 miles of coastline? Approximately 90% of the land is in the Tongass National Forest.
Public Safety
Number of Full Time Police Officers…………..….16
Number of Full Time Fire Personnel……………….9
Number of Fire, EMS, SAR, Dive Volunteer…....105
ISO Fire Insurance Rating………………………..…..4
Average annual number of 911 calls…….....2,494
Average response to working fire…....................10-15 firefighters
Other law enforcement in the area……...............Alaska State Troopers
Sitka has been designated by the National Weather Service as a Tsunami-ready community.
Emergency Contacts
Fire Department (Information/business): 209 Lake Street, Sitka, Alaska
Phone: 747-3233; Fax: 747-7450; Emergency 911
Police Department (Information/Business): 304 Lake Street, Sitka, Alaska
Phone: 747-3245; Fax: 747-1075; Emergency 911
Sitka Community Hospital 209 Moller Drive, Sitka, Alaska
Phone: 747-3241
South East Alaska Regional Health Consortium (SEARHC)
222 Tongass Drive, Sitka, Alaska, Phone 966-2411
United States Coast Guard (Emergency) Phone: 966-2411 or 1-800-478-5555
Crisis Line Agency (24 hour line) Phone: 747-6511 or 1-800-478-6511
Poison Information Center Phone: 1-800-478-3193
Sitka hosts the US Coast Guard Air Station, the US Coast Guard Cutter Maple
and the Alaska Public Safety Training Academy.
Sitka is the home of US Coast Guard Air Station Sitka , the US Coast Guard Cutter Maple
and the Alaska Public Safety Training Academy.
Health & Social Services Agencies
Alaska Office of Children Services 747-2802
Alaska Division of Public Assistance 747-8234 or 1-800-478-8234
Alaska Legal Services Corporation 1-800-789-6426
Alcoholics Anonymous 747-8866
Brave Heart Volunteers 747-4600
Center for Community 747-6960
Community RIDE Public Bus System 747-7103
Raven’s Way (Youth treatment) 966-8714
Salvation Army 747-3358
SASSY Program (Seniors & Sitka Sound Youth) 747-8670
Sitka Cancer Survivors Group 747-5844
Sitka Counseling and Prevention Services Inc. 747-3636
Sitka Tribe of Alaska Social Services 747-2669
Southeast Alaska Independent Living (SAIL) 747-6859
Swan Lake Senior Center 747-8617
Sitkans Against Family Violence (SAFV) 747-3370
News & Media
Daily Sitka Sentinel 747-3219 www.sitkasentinel.com
Sitka’s, locally owned daily newspaper for 75 years
KCAW Raven Radio 747-5877 www.kcaw.org
Community supported public radio
KIFW/KSCT 747-6626 www.sitkaradio.com
Commercial radio
KSCT-TV 747-8200
Broadcasting all the local news and events
Youth Services
Babies and Books 747-8708
https://www.facebook.com/Sitka-Babies-and-Books-257707390970288/timeline/
Baranof Barracudas Swim Team
www.teamunify.com
Big Brothers Big Sisters 747-3500
www.bbbsak.org
Community Schools 747-8670
www.sitkaschools.org/Domain/14
Girls Scouts of America 1-800-478-8247
www.girlscoutsalaska.org
Kenwa Kai Karate of Sitka 747-5928
www.sitkakarate.org
www.eteamz.com/Sitka
Sitka Fine Arts Camp 747-3085
http://www.fineartscamp.org/
Sitka Studio of Dance 966-2557
www.thinkartthinksitka..com
Sitka Trail Works 747-7244
http://www.sitkatrailworks.org/
Sitka Youth Soccer Club 747-7504
www.alaskayouthsoccer.org
Youth Advocates of Sitka 747-3687
www.sitkayouth.org
The Sea Walk from downtown to Totem Park
Community & Recreation Facilities
Ball fields.......................... 9
Campgrounds.................. 2
Children’s Playgrounds... 4
City & State Parks............. 4
Libraries............................ 1
Museums.......................... 5
RV Parks........................... 3
Swimming Pools.............. 1
Trails.....................,,,,..... 14
Wellness Center............... 1
Did you know that…
Sitka was the capital of Russian America from 1799 until 1867 when Alaska was transferred from Russia to the United States? Sitka served as the capital of the AlaskaTerritory until 1906 when the seat of government was transferred to Juneau.
The main road extends only 16 miles from one end of town to another, and we have only two stop lights. We like it that way. If you move here, and feel the need to drive long distances, you’ll have to “get off the rock” once in a while.
If you’re coming for a visit, to check out the town before moving, here are some resources for your stay.
Car Rentals
Avis, www.avisalaska.com 907-866-2404
North Star Rent-a-Car, www.northstarrentacar.com 800-722-6927
Taxis
Hank’s Cab, www.facebook.com/HanksCab.com 907-747-8888
Baranof Taxi, 907-747-4722
Sitka Cabs, 907-747-5001
Lodging
Cascade Inn, www.cascadeinnsitka.com 800-532-0908
Eagle Bay Inn. www.sitkaseaglebayinn.com 907-623-9973
Fly In Fish Inn, www.flyinfishinn.com 907-747-7910
Super 8 Motel, www.super8.com 907-747-8804
Totem Square Hotel & Marina, www.totemsquarehotel.com 866-300-1353
Westmark Sitka Hotel, www.westmarkhotels.com 844-247-1613
This Spirit of Sitka video was filmed several years ago, so
some things have changed, but it's still a good representation of life here
in Sitka. |