Petersburg Borough
countyPetersburg Borough is located in central Southeast Alaska, also known as the Inside Passage, and is part of the Alexander Archipelago. With a population of approximately 3,379 in 2024, it's a community deeply rooted in its maritime setting. The borough is known for its stunning natural landscapes, including mountains and access to the Tongass National Forest, and strong Norwegian heritage, earning it the nickname "Little Norway". Its economy is centered around commercial fishing, being one of Alaska's top ports for halibut, salmon, and other species. This is supplemented by tourism, which focuses on whale watching, glacier tours to the LeConte Glacier, and outdoor recreation. The borough government provides essential services such as public works, public safety, and utilities. Petersburg Borough is distinctive for its blend of Alaskan wilderness and Norwegian cultural influences. Access to the borough is primarily by air or sea, as it has no road connections to the mainland. The annual Little Norway Festival celebrates its heritage, and the surrounding Tongass National Forest offers vast opportunities for outdoor activities.
Petersburg Borough, Alaska
- Classification
- Borough
- FIPS Code
- 02-195
- Country
- United States
- County
- Petersburg Borough
- Region
- Southeast Alaska
- Total Area
- 3,829 sq mi
- Land Area
- 2,921 sq mi
- Water Area
- 908 sq mi
- Latitude
- 56.8044
- Longitude
- -132.9419
- Climate
- Temperate rainforest climate typical of Southeast Alaska.
- Notable Features
- LeConte Glacier · Frederick Sound · Tongass National Forest · Mitkof Island · Wrangell Narrows
- Neighboring Areas
- Juneau Borough, Alaska · Wrangell Borough, Alaska · Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area, Alaska · Hoonah–Angoon Census Area · Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine, British Columbia, Canada
- Population (2020)
- 3,398
- Est. Population (2024)
- 3,436
- Median Age
- 45.7
- Median Income
- $77,026
- Poverty Rate
- 5.7%
- Owner-Occupied
- 71%
- Racial & Ethnic Composition
- The racial makeup of the borough was 59.1% White (Non-Hispanic), 13.1% Asian (Non-Hispanic), 10.1% Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic), 5.72% American Indian & Alaska Native (Non-Hispanic), and 2.59% White (Hispanic).
- Government Type
- Home-rule Borough
- Governing Body
- Borough Assembly
- School District
- Petersburg Borough School District
- Municipal Services
- Public Works · Public Safety · Water · Electric · Sewer · Garbage Utilities
- Unemployment Rate
- 6.1%
- Economic Profile
- Seafood Harvesting and Processing · Tourism
- Employment Sectors
- Health Care & Social Assistance · Retail Trade · Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting
- Major Employers
- Icicle Seafoods · Petersburg Medical Center · Petersburg Borough School District
- Schools
- 3
- Students
- 476
- Teachers
- 38
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.4:1
- Graduation Rate
- 98-100%
- School Districts
- Petersburg Borough School District
- Colleges & Universities
- University of Alaska Southeast (via correspondence and distance delivery courses)
- Transportation
- Alaska Airlines (daily jet service) · Alaska Marine Highway System (ferry) · Small cruise ships
- Utilities
- Municipal water · Municipal power
- Major Facilities
- Petersburg Medical Center · Airport
- Outdoor Access
- Yes
- Major Recreation Areas
- Tongass National Forest · LeConte Glacier · Frederick Sound · Sandy Beach Playground
- Parks & Trails
- Extensive trail systems · Day use areas with picnic tables and restrooms · Aquatic Center · Fitness Center
- Founded
- Late 1890s
- Incorporated
- 2013
- Named After
- Peter Buschmann
- Historical Significance
- A significant fishing and processing center with strong Norwegian cultural heritage.
- Key Events
- Settled by Norwegian immigrant Peter Buschmann · Incorporated as a town in 1910 · Became a borough in 2013