Valdez-Cordova Census Area, Alaska

In southeastern AK, bounded on east by Yukon Territory of Canada and on south by the Gulf of Alaska. Established by combining the former divisions of Cordova-McCarthy and Valdez-Chitina-Whittier with part of Southeast Fairbanks Division. Name Origin:

For the city of Valdez.

Area (sq mi):: 40199.15 (land 34319.10; water 5880.05) Population per square mile: 0.30
Population 2005: 9,899 State rank: 9 Population change: 2000-20005 -2.90%; 1990-2000 2.40% Population 2000: 10,195 (White 74.70%; Black or African American 0.30%; Hispanic or Latino 2.80%; Asian 3.60%; Other 20.30%). Foreign born: 5.10%. Median age: 36.10
Income 2000: per capita $23,046; median household $48,734; Population below poverty level: 9.80% Personal per capita income (2000-2003): $30,011-$33,321
Unemployment (2004): 10.20% Unemployment change (from 2000): 0.80% Median travel time to work: 12.70 minutes Working outside county of residence: 3.70%

Cities with population over 10,000: None

See other counties in Alaska.

Mentioned in

Alaska

References in periodicals archive

Kodiak Has Highest Rent Average 2-bedroom apartment, 2016 Kodiak Island Borough $1,429 Juneau, City and Borough $1,381 Anchorage, Municipality $1,337 Valdez-Cordova Census Area $1,294 Sitka, City and Borough $1,293 Fairbanks North Star Borough $1,191 Ketchikan Gateway Borough $1,188 Kenai Peninsula Borough $1,021 Matanuska-Susitna Borough $999 Wrangell Borough-Petersburg $828 Census Area Source: Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Research and Analysis Section and Alaska Housing Finance Corporation, Rental Market Survey Note: Table made from bar graph.

Alaska's cost of living

Most of the Sound's residents live and work in Valdez and Cordova, making the Valdez-Cordova Census Area a prominent place within the region.

Over the years, the population--and work force--of the Valdez-Cordova Census Area have been slowly declining.

Prince William Sound: southern pipeline terminus

* Valdez-Cordova Census Area, 284 people in the industry, with associated wages of $35.5 million.

AOGA: in the know: an organization behind the scenes, but actively involved in, oil and gas efforts statewide

Additionally, oil and gas generates more payroll than any other non-governmental industry in key parts of the state, including the North Slope Borough, the Municipality of Anchorage, Fairbanks North Star Borough, Kenai Peninsula Borough and the Valdez-Cordova Census Area. (In the Matanuska-Susitna Borough, oil and gas is second only to the service industry.)

Alaska's North slope: the state's most-northern region and an economic powerhouse

Also included in the Valdez-Cordova census area are communities that are farther inland, including Glennallen, Copper Center, Kenney Lake and a handful of smaller settlements, most with populations well under 100.

The region encompassed by the Valdez-Cordova census area lies primarily in the maritime weather zone, where temperatures are comparatively mild and precipitation -- mostly rain -- is heavy.

Communities in the Valdez-Cordova census area have a lot to offer visitors, especially those interested in outdoor activities such as hiking, rafting and kayaking.

Know Alaska: Prince William Sound, Valdez-Cordova Census Area, including Glennallen