***More up-to-date and detailed town profiles and specific employment information about Unalaska, Dutch Harbor and other Region 4 towns can be found at Alaska Job Finder.***

Unfortunately, our licensing agreement with AlaskaJobFinder doesn't allow us to use the most current version of their Alaska employment information. Please use this town profile only for general information, as some of the information may be outdated.

Roughly 760 miles southwest of Anchorage, in the middle of the Aleutian Island chain, you'll find the city of Unalaska and its port, Dutch Harbor ("Dutch"). The town of Unalaska is located on Unalaska, the largest island in the Aleutians, and just across the Bridge-to-the-Otherside from Dutch Harbor and its island, Amaknak. Together they share a population of around 3,500 permanent residents. Dutch Harbor is home to the most lucrative fishery in America.

Originally a quiet Aleut village, Unalaska's ice-free port, wealth of natural resources, and location along shipping lines between Asia and North America combine to make this a thriving community. The island also boasts some interesting history: Russian fur traders established a trading post here in 1741, and Unalaska was one of the few North American cities to actually be attacked by the Japanese during World War II. Visitors to the Unalaska Cemetery and Memorial Park can see the bow of the USS Northwestern, which was sunk in 1942. Those with some time to kill will want to climb 420-foot Bunker Hill for a view of the surrounding landscape.

There's no mistaking Unalaska and Dutch Harbor for anything other than a fishing port these days.

This is the hub of winter fishing activity. Taxis are always busy running fishermen around town and to the docks, and the town really goes crazy after every fishery ends, as thousands of cash-laden deckhands and processors hit the town's bars and restaurants looking for a good time. Unalaska's airport is somewhat of a legend itself. With one of the shortest landing strips on which Boeing 737s can land and ever-changing weather conditions, flying in and out of Dutch can be a real adventure.

But despite its expense and hazard, flying is probably your best bet for getting to or from Dutch Harbor, as the ferry only docks every two to three weeks.

Unalaska and Dutch Harbor are not for the faint-of-heart. There are jobs to be found, but because the cost of getting to this remote area is so high, we do not recommend first-timers head here without a secured position. Those that do end up in Dutch will be met with sky-high prices for food, transportation, and accommodation, but will be free from the hassle of tourism.

Dutch Harbor Information

Population: 4,300

Location: Bering Sea. Part of the Fox Islands in the Aleutian Island chain

Annual precipitation: 60.5 inches

Temperature averages: February, 31 F; August, 56 F; windy year-round

Inexpensive lodging: Alaska Ship Supply/Delta Western, (907) 581-1640; on the spit past City Dock; fifty-six bed bunkhouse from $51/night or $600/month. The Bunkhouse, (907) 581-4357; varying rates based on length of stay; Unisea Inn, (907) 581-1325; $90 single, $100 double.

Airport: Located a couple miles from town; cab fare runs about $5. Serviced by Peninsula Air, (800) 448-4226 and Reeve Aleutian, (800 ) 544-2248. Round trip airfare from Anchorage on Peninsula or on Reeve Aleutian is $694 with fourteen-day advance purchase; from Seattle on Peninsula is $855 with fourteen-day advance purchase.

Chamber of Commerce: P.O. Box 920833, Dutch Harbor, AK 99692, (907) 581-4242

Health Service: (907) 581-1202

Fire/Police/Ambulance: (907) 581-1233

***More up-to-date and detailed town profiles and specific employment information about Dutch Harbor can be found at AlaskaJobFinder.com. Unfortunately, our licensing agreement with AlaskaJobFinder doesn't allow us to use the most current version of their Alaska Job information. Please use this town profile only for general information, as some of the information may be outdated.***

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