***More up-to-date and detailed town profiles and specific employment information about this Kodiak and Kodiak Island can be found at www.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Please use this town profile only for general information, as some of the information may be outdated.

Kodiak once served as the capital of Russian Alaska before it was moved to Sitka in 1804. It's a rugged place, after having survived a range of natural disasters. First Mt. Katmai exploded in 1912, covering the area with 12 inches of ash, destroying land and homes. Then a tidal wave following the 1964 Good Friday earthquake wiped out the town's center, including the harbor and numerous processing plants and canneries.

Though not connected to the mainland by road, Kodiak is accessible by frequent ferry dockings from Homer and Seward as well as daily flights from Anchorage.

Kodiak Island is the second-largest island in the United States, after Hawaii. Most of its 15,000 residents live in the city of Kodiak. Must-sees on the island include Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge, home to the island's massive brown bears; 300-person Port Lions, a quaint fishing village; and Shuyak Island State Park, with public-use cabins for sea kayakers and hikers. In 1996, Kodiak's seafood catch value was $82.3 million - the third highest in the country.

The town itself is quite pleasant, with good nightlife and good restaurants. Though a world away from the outside world, Kodiak offers diners everything from Chinese food to subs, pizza to Mexican. The Baranof Museum documents the blending of Russian and indigenous cultures over the last few centuries, and boasts the oldest wooden structure on the entire west coast of North America. Another interesting site in the city is the Fisheries Industries Technology Center, where technicians dream up more efficient ways of making fish products like surimi. The Kodiak Crab Festival, held during the five days leading up to Memorial Day, offers parades, kayak and crab races, and the traditional fleet blessing. There is even a spring golf tournament consisting of one hole - all the way up Pillar Mountain. Most places in town can be accessed on foot.

Kodiak Island Information

Population (city): 7,299

Location: Large island in the western Gulf of Alaska

Annual precipitation: 65 inches

July averages: Temperature 49.7 F; precipitation 3.37 inches

Inexpensive lodging: International Seafoods of Alaska, Inc.(ISA), (907) 486-6947. They rent out bunkhouse space to non-employees for $75/week. Russian Heritage Motel, 119 Yukon Street, (907) 486-5657; under new owners, recently remodeled. Rooms with refrigerators and coffee pots are $65-$75/day; weekly $420-$490. Inlet Guest Rooms, 1315 Mill Bay Road, (907) 486-4004; they rent out rooms for $55 - 65/night.

Camping: Unfortunately the city run tent city is no longer in operation and there is no convenient, legal camping in the city.

Transportation: The ferry M/V Tustumena makes the journey from Homer to Kodiak once a week for $48. It also makes weekly trips to Seward ($54), Valdez ($98), and Cordova ($98). Call (907) 486-3800 for tickets or more information. ERA (800) 426-0333 flies several times a day between Anchorage and Kodiak. Alaska Airlines (800) 426-0333 also makes the trip once a day.

Ferry terminal: Downtown

Airport: Five miles west of town

Chamber of Commerce: 100 Marine Way, Kodiak, AK 99615; (907) 486-5557

Hospital: Providence Kodiak Island Medical Center, (907) 486-3281

***More up-to-date town profiles and specific employment information about Kodiak 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 Job information. Please use this town profile only for general information, as some of the information may be outdated.

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