View source for Sitka, Alaska

{{Short description|Unified city-borough in Alaska, United States}}
{{redirect|Sitka}}
{{Use American English|date=June 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
 | name                     = Sitka
 | official_name            = City and Borough of Sitka
 | native_name              = {{native name|tli|Sheetʼká}}<br />{{native name|ru|Ситка}}
 | native_name_lang         = tli
 | settlement_type          = [[Consolidated city-county|Consolidated city-borough]]
 | image_skyline            = File:Sitka 84 Elev 135.jpg
 | image_caption            = Downtown Sitka in 1984
 | image_size               = 250
 | image_flag               = Flag of Sitka, Alaska.gif
 | flag_size                = 110
 | image_seal               = Seal of the City and Borough of Sitka, Alaska.png
 | seal_size                = 75
 | nickname                 = 
 | motto                    = 
 | image_map                = Map of Alaska highlighting Sitka City and Borough.svg
 | map_caption              = 
 | coordinates              = {{coord|57|03|12|N|135|20|05|W|region:US-AK|display=inline,title}}
 | subdivision_type         = 
 | subdivision_name         = 
 | subdivision_type1        = Country
 | subdivision_type2        = [[U.S. state|State]]
 | subdivision_name1        = {{flagu|United States}}
 | subdivision_name2        = {{flag|Alaska}}
 | established_title        = [[Colonization|Colonized]]
 | established_date         = 1799, 1804
 | established_title2       = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]]<ref>From November 1867 to February 1873, the earliest American settlers in Sitka established and conducted affairs under a "provisional city government", as Alaskan communities were prohibited from legally incorporating until the [[U.S. Congress]] passed legislation allowing them to do so in 1900. Mayors of Sitka under this government included William Sumner Dodge and [[John Henry Kinkead]]. See {{cite book |last1=Atwood |first1=Evangeline |last2=DeArmond |first2=Robert N. |author-link2=R. N. DeArmond |title=Who's Who in Alaskan Politics |year=1977 |publisher=[[Binford & Mort]] for the Alaska Historical Commission |location=[[Portland, Oregon]] |page=24}}; {{cite book |last=Wheeler |first=Keith |chapter=Learning to cope with 'Seward's Icebox' |title=The Alaskans |url=https://archive.org/details/alaskans00time |url-access=registration |year=1977 |publisher=[[Time–Life Books]] |location=[[Alexandria, Virginia]] |isbn=0-8094-1506-2 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/alaskans00time/page/57 57–64]}}</ref>
 | established_date2        = November 5, 1913 <small>(city)</small><br/>September 24, 1963<br><small>(borough)</small><br/>December 2, 1971<br><small>(unified municipality)</small>
 | government_type          = 
 | leader_title             = [[List of mayors of Sitka, Alaska|Mayor]]
 | leader_name              = Steven Eisenbeisz<ref name="mayor">{{cite web|title=City and Borough of Sitka Alaska - Government - City Assembly|url=https://www.cityofsitka.com/assembly|website=www.cityofsitka.com|publisher=City of Sitka|access-date=February 28, 2022|archive-date=July 31, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170731154635/http://cityofsitka.com/government/assembly/members/index.html}}</ref>
 | leader_title1            = [[Alaska Senate|State senator]]
 | leader_name1             = [[Bert Stedman]] ([[Republican Party (United States)|R]])
 | unit_pref                = Imperial
 | area_footnotes           = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web|title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_02.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=October 29, 2021}}</ref>
 | area_total_km2           = 12471.16
 | area_total_sq_mi         = 4815.14
 | area_land_km2            = 7433.42
 | area_land_sq_mi          = 2870.06
 | area_water_km2           = 5037.75
 | area_water_sq_mi         = 1945.09
 | area_urban_km2           = 5
 | elevation_m              = 8
 | elevation_ft             = 26
<!-- Population ------------>
 | population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
 | population_total         = 8458
 | pop_est_as_of            = 2024
 | population_est           = 8355 {{loss}}
 | population_density_sq_mi = auto
 | population_urban         = 7668
 | population_metro         = 
 | population_footnotes     = 
 | pop_est_footnotes        = 
 | postal_code_type         = [[ZIP Code]]
 | postal_code              = 99835
 | area_code                = [[Area code 907|907]]
 | area_code_type           = [[North American Numbering Plan|Area code]]
 | leader_title2            = [[Alaska House of Representatives|State rep.]]
 | leader_name2             = [[Rebecca Himschoot]] ([[Independent politician|I]])
 | timezone                 = [[Alaska Time Zone|Alaska (AKST)]]
 | utc_offset               = -9
 | timezone_DST             = AKDT
 | utc_offset_DST           = -8
 | blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
 | blank_info               = 02-70540
 | blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
 | blank1_info              = {{GNIS 4|1414736}}
 | named_for                = [[Tlingit language|Tlingit]] for "People on the outside of [[Baranof Island|Shee]]"
 | website                  = {{Official URL}}
 | footnotes                = 
}}

'''Sitka''' ({{langx|tli|Sheetʼká}}; {{langx|ru|Ситка}}) is a [[municipal home rule|unified]] [[Consolidated city-county|city-borough]] in the southeast portion of the [[U.S. state]] of [[Alaska]]. It was under [[Russian America|Russian rule]] from 1799 to 1867. The city is situated on the west side of [[Baranof Island]] and the south half of [[Chichagof Island]] in the [[Alexander Archipelago]] of the [[Pacific Ocean]] (part of the [[Alaska Panhandle]]). As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], Sitka had a population of 8,458,<ref name="QF">{{cite web|title=State & County QuickFacts |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/sitkacityandboroughcountyalaska/PST045222 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=April 20, 2023}}</ref> making it the [[List of cities in Alaska|fifth-most populated city]] in the state.

With a consolidated land area of {{convert|2,870.3|sqmi|km2|abbr=off|sp=us}} and total area (including water) of {{convert|4,811.4|sqmi|sp=us}}, Sitka is the [[List of United States cities by area|largest city by total area]] in the U.S.

==History==
As part of [[Russian America|Russia]], it was known as '''New Archangel''' ({{langx|ru|Ново-Архангельск|Novo-Arkhangelsk}}).<ref name="dict">{{cite book |last1=Everett-Heath |first1=John |title=Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Place Names |date=22 October 2020 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-190563-6 |url=https://www.oxfordreference.com/display/10.1093/acref/9780191905636.001.0001/acref-9780191905636-e-6893 |language=en |chapter=Sitka}}</ref>

The current name, ''Sitka'' (derived from ''{{lang|tli|Sheetʼká}}'', a contraction of the [[Tlingit language|Tlingit]] ''{{lang|tli|Shee Atʼiká}}''),<ref name="Joseph">{{cite web|last1=Joseph |first1=Charlie |last2=Brady |first2=I. |last3=Makinen |first3=E. |last4=David |first4=R. |last5=Davis |first5=V. |last6=Johnson |first6=A. |last7=Lord |first7=N. |title=Sheet'kwaan Aani Aya |publisher=[[Sitka Tribe of Alaska]] |year=2001 |url=http://www.sitkatribe.org/placenames/ |access-date=October 27, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080725064527/http://www.sitkatribe.org/placenames/ |archive-date=July 25, 2008}}</ref> means "People on the Edge of Shee", with ''Shee'' being the Tlingit name for [[Baranof Island]] (the Tlingit name for the island is ''{{lang|tli|Sheetʼ-ká Xʼáatʼl}}'' but is often contracted to ''{{lang|tli|Shee}}'').<ref name="dict"/>

===Russian America===
[[File:New Archangel, 1805.jpg|thumb|left|New Archangel, 1805]]
[[File:View_of_New_Archangel,_1837.tif|thumb|left|The Russian-American Company's capital at Novo Arkhangelsk in 1837]]
[[File:1827 illustration of Castle Hill (Old Sitka, Alaska) by Postels.jpg|thumb|''{{lang|tli|<u>G</u>ajaa Héen}}'' (Old Sitka), {{Circa|1827}}. The new Russian palisade atop "[[Castle Hill (Sitka, Alaska)|Castle Hill]]" (''{{lang|tli|Noow Tlein}}'') that surrounded the Governor's Residence had three watchtowers, armed with 32 cannons, for defense against [[Tlingit]] attacks.]]

Russian explorers settled [[Old Sitka Site|Old Sitka]] in 1799, naming it the ''Fort of Archangel Michael'' ({{langx|ru|форт Архангела Михаила|Fort Arkhangela Mikhaila}}). The governor of [[Russian America]], [[Alexander Andreyevich Baranov|Alexander Baranov]], arrived under the auspices of the [[Russian-American Company]], a colonial trading company chartered by Russian emperor [[Paul of Russia|Paul I]]. In June 1802, Tlingit warriors destroyed the original settlement, killing many of the Russians, with only a few managing to escape.<ref name=Khlebnikov>Khlebnikov, K.T., 1973, Baranov, Chief Manager of the Russian Colonies in America, Kingston: The Limestone Press, {{ISBN|0919642500}}</ref>{{rp|37–39}} Baranov was forced to levy 10,000 [[Russian ruble|rubles]] in ransom to Captain Barber of the British sailing ship ''Unicorn'' for the safe return of the surviving settlers.<ref name=Chevigny>{{cite book |last=Chevigny |first=Hector |title=Lord of Alaska: Baranov and the Russian adventure |year=1942 |publisher=Viking Press |location=Cornell University |page=320 |oclc=11877412 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qPg9AAAAYAAJ |access-date=March 16, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160811114137/https://books.google.com/books/about/Lord_of_Alaska.html?id=qPg9AAAAYAAJ |archive-date=August 11, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|title=Russians in Alaska|last=Black|first=Lydia|publisher=University of Alaska Press|year=2014|isbn=9781889963044|location=Alaska|pages=158–159}}</ref>

Baranov returned to Sitka in August 1804 with a large force, including [[Yuri Lisyansky]]'s ''[[Russian warship Neva|Neva]]''. The ship bombarded the Tlingit fortification on the 20th but was not able to cause significant damage. The Russians then launched an attack on the fort and were repelled. Following two days of bombardment, the Tlingit "hung out a white flag" on the 22nd, deserting the fort on the 26th.<ref name=Khlebnikov/>{{rp|44–49}}

Following their victory at the [[Battle of Sitka]] in October 1804, the Russians established the settlement called ''New Archangel'', named after [[Arkhangelsk]]. As a permanent settlement, New Archangel became the largest city in the region. The Tlingit re-established their fort on the [[Chatham Strait]] side of [[Peril Strait]] to enforce a trade embargo with the Russian establishment. In 1808, with Baranov still governor, Sitka was designated the capital of Russian America.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The City & Borough of Sitka Alaska - About Sitka |url=https://www.cityofsitka.com/about-sitka |access-date=November 6, 2022 |website=www.cityofsitka.com}}</ref>

[[Saint Innocent of Alaska|Bishop Innocent]] lived in Sitka after 1840. He was known for his interest in education, and his house, the [[Russian Bishop's House]], parts of which served as a schoolhouse, has since been restored by the [[National Park Service]] as part of the [[Sitka National Historical Park]].

The original [[St. Michael's Cathedral (Sitka, Alaska)|Cathedral of Saint Michael]] was built in Sitka in 1848 and became the seat of the [[Orthodox Church in America|Russian Orthodox]] bishop of Kamchatka, the Kurile and Aleutian Islands, and Alaska. The original church burned to the ground in 1966, losing its handmade bells, the large icon of the [[Last Supper]] that decorated the top of the royal doors, and the clock in the bell tower. Also lost was the large library containing books in the [[Russian language|Russian]], [[Tlingit language|Tlingit]], and [[Aleut language|Aleut]] languages. Although the church was restored to its original appearance, one exception was its clock face, which is black in photographs taken before 1966, but white in subsequent photos.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Swaney |first=Deanna |title=Alaska |date=2012 |publisher=DK |others=Inc DK Publishing |isbn=978-0-7566-9191-2 |location=London |pages=140 |oclc=794289670}}</ref>

Swedes, Finns and other nationalities of Lutherans worked for the Russian-American Company,<ref>[http://www.sitkalutheranchurch.org/archangel.htm Sitka Lutheran Church] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130602012055/http://www.sitkalutheranchurch.org/archangel.htm |date=June 2, 2013}}</ref> which led to the creation of a Lutheran congregation. The [[Sitka Lutheran Church]] building was built in 1840 and was the first [[Protestant]] church on the [[Pacific coast]]. After the transition to American control, following the purchase of Alaska from Russia by the United States in 1867, the influence of other Protestant religions increased, and [[St. Peter's by-the-Sea Episcopal Church (Sitka, Alaska)|Saint-Peter's-by-the-Sea Episcopal Church]] was consecrated as "the Cathedral of Alaska" in 1900.<ref name=NRHP>{{cite web|url={{NRHP url|id=78000538}}|title=NRHP nomination for St. Peter's Church|publisher=National Park Service|access-date=October 24, 2014}}</ref>

===Territorial Alaska===
[[File:Sitka chiefs 1868.jpg|thumb|Group of Distinguished Chiefs in Sitka (1868)]]
[[File:SitkaAlaska1886.jpg|thumb|Looking past downtown Sitka, up [[Indian River (Alaska)|Indian River]] valley, in an 1886 postcard. Probably taken from Castle Hill.]]
[[File:Sitka (Alaska) - NARA - 297241.jpg|thumb|Sitka in 1901]]

Sitka was the site of the transfer ceremony for the [[Alaska Purchase]] on October 18, 1867. Russia was going through economic and political turmoil after it lost the [[Crimean War]] to Britain, [[France]], and the [[Ottoman Empire]] in 1856, and decided it wanted to sell Alaska before British Canadians tried to conquer the territory. Russia offered to sell it to the United States. Secretary of State [[William Seward]] had wanted to purchase Alaska for quite some time, as he saw it as an integral part of [[Manifest Destiny]] and America's reach to the Pacific Ocean.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://memory.loc.gov/intldl/mtfhtml/mfak/mfaksale.html |title=Meeting of Frontiers: Alaska — The Alaska Purchase |access-date=July 28, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130730204803/http://memory.loc.gov/intldl/mtfhtml/mfak/mfaksale.html |archive-date=July 30, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> While the agreement to purchase Alaska was made in April 1867, the actual purchase and transfer of control took place on October 18, 1867. The cost to purchase Alaska was $7.2&nbsp;million, at 2 cents per acre.

Sitka served as both the U.S. Government Capital of the Department of Alaska (1867–1884) and District of Alaska (1884–1906). The seat of government was relocated north to [[Juneau, Alaska|Juneau]] in 1906 due to the declining economic importance of Sitka relative to Juneau, which gained population in the [[Klondike Gold Rush]].

===Alaska Native Brotherhood, Alaska Native Sisterhood===
The [[Alaska Native Brotherhood]] was founded in Sitka in 1912 to address racism against Alaska Native people in Alaska.<ref name="Hope"/> By 1914, the organization had constructed the [[Alaska Native Brotherhood Hall]] on Katlian Street, which was named after a Tlingit war chief in the early period of Russian colonization.<ref name=SMHS/>

===World War II===
In 1937, the United States Navy established the first seaplane base in Alaska on [[Japonski Island]], across the [[Sitka Channel]] from the town.<ref name="RayHistDist">{{Citation|last=Yarborough |first=Michael R. |title=Statement of Significance for the Fort Ray Historic District (Charcoal and Alice Islands) and the Mermaid Cove Mausoleum |publisher=Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities |date=April 10, 2009 |url=https://www.nps.gov/akso/history/PDF/Fort%20Ray%20Historic%20District%20CRC%20Report.pdf |access-date =October 24, 2016 |archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20161025112834/https://www.nps.gov/akso/history/PDF/Fort%20Ray%20Historic%20District%20CRC%20Report.pdf |archive-date =October 25, 2016 |url-status =dead}}</ref> In 1941, construction began on Fort Ray, an army garrison to protect the naval air station.<ref name="RayHistDist"/> Both the army and navy remained in Sitka until the end of WWII, when the army base was put into caretaker status. The naval station in Sitka was deactivated in June 1944.<ref name="RayHistDist"/>  A shore boat system was then established to transfer the approximately 1,000 passengers a day until the O'Connell Bridge was built in 1972.{{r|yesterday}}

===Economy===
The Alaska Pulp Corporation was the first Japanese investment in the United States after WWII. In 1959, it began to produce pulp harvested from the [[Tongass National Forest]] under a 50-year contract with the US Forest Service.<ref name="Paxton">{{cite web|url=http://www.sitka.net/sawmillcove/Park/History.html |title=The Evolution of a Marine Industrial Park |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |website=www.sitka.net |access-date=October 24, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161025111352/http://www.sitka.net/sawmillcove/Park/History.html |archive-date=October 25, 2016}}</ref> At its peak, the mill employed around 450 people before closing in 1993.

Sitka's Filipino community established itself in Sitka before 1929. It later became institutionalized as the Filipino Community of Sitka in 1981.<ref name="Klaney">{{cite book |last=Klaney |first=Carol Kelty |title=Gunalcheesh! |publisher=Ptarmigan Press |year=1995 |location=Haines, Alaska |pages=77–78}}</ref>

Gold mining and fish canning paved the way for the town's initial growth. Today Sitka encompasses portions of Baranof Island and the smaller [[Japonski Island]], which is connected to Baranof Island by the [[John O'Connell Bridge]] (which uses the [[cable-stayed bridge | cable-stayed]] suspension method as its means of support). Japonski Island is home to [[Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport]] ([[IATA|{{abbr|IATA|International Air Transport Association}}]]: SIT; [[ICAO|{{abbr|ICAO|International Civil Aviation Organization}}]]: PASI), the Sitka branch campus of the [[University of Alaska Southeast]], [[Mt. Edgecumbe High School]] (a state-run boarding school for rural Alaskans), Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium's Mt. Edgecumbe Hospital, [[List of United States Coast Guard air stations|U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Sitka]], and the port and facilities for the [[USCGC Kukui (WLB-203)|{{abbr|USCGC|United States Coast Guard Cutter}} ''Kukui'']].<ref>{{Cite web|date=September 21, 2017|title=Japonski Island|url=https://visitsitka.org/member/japonski-island|access-date=November 11, 2020|website=Visit Sitka}}</ref>

Sitka has become a destination for visiting [[Cruise ship|cruise ships]].<ref name="g224">{{cite web | author=The Maritime Executive | title=Sitka, a Small Town in Alaska, Resoundingly Rejects Cruise Ship Limits | website=The Maritime Executive | date=2025-05-29 | url=https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/sitka-a-small-town-in-alaska-resoundingly-rejects-cruise-ship-limits | access-date=2025-06-03}}</ref> In May 2025, a special referendum on restricting cruise ship tourism took place in the town with 3,000 votes cast.<ref name="g224"/> The referendum was less than 10 percent from their all-time high for a special election and some 73% of the voters rejected the limits on cruise ships with only 27% voting in favor of the proposed limits.<ref name="g224"/>

==Geography==
[[File:Sitka Harbor.jpg|thumb|A view of Sitka's [[Crescent Harbor]], [[Indian River (Alaska)|Indian River]] valley and, in the background, [[The Sisters (Alaska)|The Sisters]]]]
[[File:Sitka town view.jpg|thumb|View from across the Sitka Channel in 2024]]
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the borough is the largest [[list of United States cities by area|incorporated city by area in the U.S.]], with a total area of {{convert|4811|sqmi|1}}, of which {{convert|2870|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|1941|sqmi}}, comprising 40.3%, is water. As a comparison, this is almost four times the size of the state of [[Rhode Island]].

Sitka displaced Juneau, Alaska, as the largest incorporated city by area in the United States upon the 2000 incorporation with {{convert|2874|sqmi|km2}} of incorporated area. Juneau's incorporated area is {{convert|2717|sqmi|km2}}. [[Jacksonville, Florida]], is the largest city in area in the contiguous 48 states at {{convert|758|sqmi|km2}}.

===Climate===
[[File:Monthly Climate Normals (1991-2020) - SITKA AIRPORT, AK.svg|thumb|left|Climate chart for Sitka]]
Sitka has an [[oceanic climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]]: ''Cfb'') with moderate, but generally cool, temperatures and abundant precipitation. The average annual precipitation is {{convert|131.74|in|sigfig=3}}; average seasonal snowfall is {{convert|33|in|cm|0}}, falling on 233 and 19 days, respectively. The mean annual temperature is {{convert|45.3|°F|1}}, with monthly means ranging from {{convert|36.4|°F|1}} in January to {{convert|57.2|°F|1}} in August.

The climate is relatively mild when compared to other parts of the state. Only 5.1 days per year see highs at or above {{convert|70|°F|0}}; conversely, there are only 10 days with the high not above freezing.<ref name = NCDC/> The winters are extremely mild compared to inland areas of similar and much more southerly parallels, due to the intense maritime moderation. The relatively mild nights ensure that four months stay above the {{convert|50|F|C}} isotherm that normally separates inland areas from being boreal in nature. Due to the mild winter nights, [[hardiness zone]] is high for the latitude (from 6b to 8a).

The highest temperature ever recorded was {{convert|88|°F|°C|1}} on July 30, 1976, and July 31, 2020. The lowest temperature ever recorded was {{convert|-1|°F|°C|1}} on February 16–17, 1948.<ref name = NCDC/>

{{Weather box
|collapsed = Y
|location = Sitka, Alaska ([[Japonski Island]], 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1944–present)
|single line = Y
|Jan record high F = 60
|Feb record high F = 61
|Mar record high F = 67
|Apr record high F = 76
|May record high F = 82
|Jun record high F = 83
|Jul record high F = 88
|Aug record high F = 84
|Sep record high F = 77
|Oct record high F = 70
|Nov record high F = 65
|Dec record high F = 65
|year record high F =88
| Jan avg record high F = 50.9
| Feb avg record high F = 50.8
| Mar avg record high F = 52.1
| Apr avg record high F = 60.1
| May avg record high F = 65.8
| Jun avg record high F = 69.5
| Jul avg record high F = 70.8
| Aug avg record high F = 71.4
| Sep avg record high F = 67.1
| Oct avg record high F = 58.5
| Nov avg record high F = 52.7
| Dec avg record high F = 50.6
|year avg record high F = 75.6
|Jan high F = 40.5
|Feb high F = 41.2
|Mar high F = 42.5
|Apr high F = 48.1
|May high F = 53.3
|Jun high F = 57.6
|Jul high F = 60.4
|Aug high F = 61.8
|Sep high F = 57.9
|Oct high F = 50.8
|Nov high F = 44.3
|Dec high F = 41.5
|year high F= 50.0
|Jan mean F = 36.5
|Feb mean F = 36.7
|Mar mean F = 37.5
|Apr mean F = 42.6
|May mean F = 48.1
|Jun mean F = 53.0
|Jul mean F = 56.5
|Aug mean F = 57.3
|Sep mean F = 53.2
|Oct mean F = 46.4
|Nov mean F = 40.0
|Dec mean F = 37.5
|year mean F= 45.4
|Jan low F = 32.4
|Feb low F = 32.1
|Mar low F = 32.5
|Apr low F = 37.2
|May low F = 43.0
|Jun low F = 48.3
|Jul low F = 52.5
|Aug low F = 52.9
|Sep low F = 48.5
|Oct low F = 41.9
|Nov low F = 35.8
|Dec low F = 33.4
|year low F= 40.9
| Jan avg record low F = 18.1
| Feb avg record low F = 21.4
| Mar avg record low F = 21.8
| Apr avg record low F = 29.7
| May avg record low F = 35.9
| Jun avg record low F = 42.1
| Jul avg record low F = 47.5
| Aug avg record low F = 47.1
| Sep avg record low F = 40.1
| Oct avg record low F = 32.0
| Nov avg record low F = 25.3
| Dec avg record low F = 21.1
|year avg record low F = 13.3
|Jan record low F = 0
|Feb record low F = -1
|Mar record low F = 4
|Apr record low F = 15
|May record low F = 29
|Jun record low F = 35
|Jul record low F = 41
|Aug record low F = 34
|Sep record low F = 31
|Oct record low F = 20
|Nov record low F = 2
|Dec record low F = 1
|year record low F= -1
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation inch = 8.22
|Feb precipitation inch = 5.93
|Mar precipitation inch = 5.60
|Apr precipitation inch = 4.31
|May precipitation inch = 3.81
|Jun precipitation inch = 2.92
|Jul precipitation inch = 4.62
|Aug precipitation inch = 7.25
|Sep precipitation inch = 11.69
|Oct precipitation inch = 11.78
|Nov precipitation inch = 9.91
|Dec precipitation inch = 8.43
|year precipitation inch = 84.47
|Jan snow inch = 9.5
|Feb snow inch = 8.0
|Mar snow inch = 4.9
|Apr snow inch = 0.9
|May snow inch = trace
|Jun snow inch = 0.0
|Jul snow inch = 0.0
|Aug snow inch = 0.0
|Sep snow inch = 0.0
|Oct snow inch = 0.3
|Nov snow inch = 4.7
|Dec snow inch = 4.0
|year snow inch= 32.3
|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
|Jan precipitation days = 21.2
|Feb precipitation days = 16.9
|Mar precipitation days = 18.4
|Apr precipitation days = 17.5
|May precipitation days = 16.4
|Jun precipitation days = 16.7
|Jul precipitation days = 18.9 
|Aug precipitation days = 19.4
|Sep precipitation days = 22.4
|Oct precipitation days = 23.7
|Nov precipitation days = 22.0
|Dec precipitation days = 21.6
|unit snow days = 0.1 in
|Jan snow days = 4.5
|Feb snow days = 3.8
|Mar snow days = 3.4
|Apr snow days = 0.8
|May snow days = 0.1
|Jun snow days = 0.0
|Jul snow days = 0.0
|Aug snow days = 0.0
|Sep snow days = 0.0
|Oct snow days = 0.4
|Nov snow days = 3.3
|Dec snow days = 2.7
|year snow days=19.0
|source 1 = NOAA (snow/snow days 1981–2010)<ref name="NCDC">{{cite web |url=https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=ajk |title=NOAA Online Weather Data |publisher=[[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]] |access-date=February 16, 2013}}</ref><ref>
{{cite web
|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USW00025333&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
|title = U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: Sitka, Airport (1991–2020)
|access-date = February 15, 2023
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230506101232/https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USW00025333&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL
|archive-date = May 6, 2023
}}
</ref><ref>
{{cite web
|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly&stations=USW00025333&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
|title = U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: Sitka Airport, AK (1981-2010)
|access-date = February 15, 2023
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230506101215/https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly&stations=USW00025333&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL
|archive-date = May 6, 2023
}}
</ref>
}}

{{Weather box
| collapsed = Y
| location = Sitka, Alaska ([[Hidden Falls (Baranof Island, Alaska)|Hidden Falls]], 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1992–2020)
| single line = Y
|Jan record high F = 53
|Feb record high F = 57
|Mar record high F = 53
|Apr record high F = 66
|May record high F = 73
|Jun record high F = 85
|Jul record high F = 83
|Aug record high F = 83
|Sep record high F = 69
|Oct record high F = 61
|Nov record high F = 54
|Dec record high F = 51
| Jan avg record high F = 44.9
| Feb avg record high F = 44.9
| Mar avg record high F = 46.7
| Apr avg record high F = 53.7
| May avg record high F = 63.4
| Jun avg record high F = 66.7
| Jul avg record high F = 69.2
| Aug avg record high F = 68.8
| Sep avg record high F = 61.3
| Oct avg record high F = 53.8
| Nov avg record high F = 47.4
| Dec avg record high F = 44.4
|year avg record high F = 72.5
|Jan high F = 34.7
|Feb high F = 35.7
|Mar high F = 38.5
|Apr high F = 45.7
|May high F = 53.3
|Jun high F = 57.9
|Jul high F = 59.9
|Aug high F = 59.6
|Sep high F = 54.7
|Oct high F = 46.8
|Nov high F = 39.0
|Dec high F = 35.9
|year high F= 46.8
|Jan mean F = 31.3
|Feb mean F = 32.0
|Mar mean F = 34.0
|Apr mean F = 39.6
|May mean F = 46.8
|Jun mean F = 52.3
|Jul mean F = 55.0
|Aug mean F = 55.0
|Sep mean F = 50.5
|Oct mean F = 43.1
|Nov mean F = 35.6
|Dec mean F = 32.9
|year mean F= 42.3
|Jan low F = 27.8
|Feb low F = 28.2
|Mar low F = 29.4
|Apr low F = 33.5
|May low F = 40.3
|Jun low F = 46.6
|Jul low F = 50.2
|Aug low F = 50.4
|Sep low F = 46.3
|Oct low F = 39.4
|Nov low F = 32.2
|Dec low F = 29.9
|year low F= 37.8
| Jan avg record low F = 14.5
| Feb avg record low F = 17.1
| Mar avg record low F = 19.9
| Apr avg record low F = 27.5
| May avg record low F = 34.1
| Jun avg record low F = 40.5
| Jul avg record low F = 45.3
| Aug avg record low F = 45.4
| Sep avg record low F = 39.1
| Oct avg record low F = 31.5
| Nov avg record low F = 23.0
| Dec avg record low F = 17.9
|year avg record low F = 10.6
|Jan record low F = 4
|Feb record low F = 6
|Mar record low F = 6
|Apr record low F = 15
|May record low F = 28
|Jun record low F = 35
|Jul record low F = 33
|Aug record low F = 40
|Sep record low F = 29
|Oct record low F = 13
|Nov record low F = 11
|Dec record low F = 3
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation inch = 13.57
|Feb precipitation inch = 9.27
|Mar precipitation inch = 10.66
|Apr precipitation inch = 8.11
|May precipitation inch = 4.77
|Jun precipitation inch = 4.03
|Jul precipitation inch = 5.06
|Aug precipitation inch = 6.90
|Sep precipitation inch = 12.94
|Oct precipitation inch = 15.96
|Nov precipitation inch = 18.98
|Dec precipitation inch = 17.83
|year precipitation inch= 128.08
|snow colour = green
|Jul snow inch = 0.0
|Aug snow inch = 0.0
|Sep snow inch = 0.0
|Oct snow inch = 0.5
|Nov snow inch = 11.5
|Dec snow inch = 22.8
|Jan snow inch = 29.7
|Feb snow inch = 20.0
|Mar snow inch = 21.1
|Apr snow inch = 0.6
|May snow inch = 0.0
|Jun snow inch = 0.0
|year snow inch= 
|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
|Jan precipitation days = 21.1
|Feb precipitation days = 13.2
|Mar precipitation days = 20.4
|Apr precipitation days = 16.9
|May precipitation days = 13.1
|Jun precipitation days = 15.6
|Jul precipitation days = 14.9 
|Aug precipitation days = 12.8
|Sep precipitation days = 20.5
|Oct precipitation days = 22.0
|Nov precipitation days = 23.0
|Dec precipitation days = 23.6
|year precipitation days=
|unit snow days = 0.1 in
| Jul snow days = 0.0
| Aug snow days = 0.0
| Sep snow days = 0.0
| Oct snow days = 0.2
| Nov snow days = 3.1
| Dec snow days = 6.6
| Jan snow days = 7.1
| Feb snow days = 4.9
| Mar snow days = 6.1
| Apr snow days = 0.5
| May snow days = 0.0
| Jun snow days = 0.0
|year snow days =
| source 1 = NOAA<ref name="NCDC"/><ref>
{{cite web
|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USC00503605&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
|title = U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: Hidden Falls Hatchery, AK
|access-date = February 15, 2023
}}
</ref>
}}
{{Graph:Weather monthly history
| table=Ncei.noaa.gov/weather/Sitka.tab
| title=Sitka monthly weather statistics
}}

===Geology===
[[File:Sitka, 1805.jpg|thumb|upright|New Archangel and Sitka, 1805]]
[[Mount Edgecumbe (Alaska)|Mount Edgecumbe]], a {{convert|3,200|ft|m|adj=on}} "historically active"<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.avo.alaska.edu/news.php?id=1576 |title=Mount Edgecumbe volcanic field changes from 'dormant' to 'active' &ndash; what does that mean? |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=May 9, 2022 |website=Alaska Volcano Observatory |access-date=June 2, 2022 |quote=The Mount Edgecumbe volcanic field (MEVF) is now classed as 'historically active' by the standards of the Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) because it is experiencing deformation related to the presence of magma intruding three miles below the surface.}}</ref> [[stratovolcano]], is located on southern [[Kruzof Island]], approximately {{convert|24|km|mi|abbr=on}} west of Sitka and can be seen from the city on a clear day.

On April 22, 2022, the [[Alaska Volcano Observatory]] reported that: {{blockquote|[a] swarm of earthquakes was detected in the vicinity of Mount Edgecumbe volcano beginning on Monday, April 11, 2022. There were hundreds of small quakes in the swarm, though the large majority were too small to locate. Over the past few days, earthquake activity has declined and is currently at background levels.

[...]

The recent swarm inspired an in-depth analysis of the last 7.5 years of ground deformation detectable with radar satellite data. Analysis of these data from recent years reveals a broad area, about {{convert|17|km|mi|abbr=on}} in diameter, of surface uplift centered about {{convert|2.5|km|mi|abbr=on}} to the east of Mt Edgecumbe. This uplift began in August 2018 and has been continuing to the present at a rate of up to 8.7 cm/yr (3.4 in/yr) in the center of the deforming area. Deformation has been constant since 2018, and there has not been an increase with the recent earthquake activity. The total deformation since 2018 is about {{convert|27|cm|in|abbr=on}}. [...] The coincidence of earthquakes and ground deformation in time and location suggests that these signals are likely due to the movement of magma beneath Mount Edgecumbe, as opposed to tectonic activity. Initial modeling of the deformation signal shows that it is consistent with an intrusion of new material (magma) at about {{convert|5|km|mi|abbr=on}} below sea level. The earthquakes likely are caused by stresses in the crust due to this intrusion and the substantial uplift that it is causing.

Intrusions of new magma under volcanoes do not always result in volcanic eruptions. The deformation and earthquake activity at Edgecumbe may cease with no eruption occurring. If the magma rises closer to the surface, this would lead to changes in the deformation pattern and an increase in earthquake activity. Therefore, it is very likely that if an eruption were to occur it would be preceded by additional signals that would allow advance warning.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.avo.alaska.edu/news.php?id=1572 |title=Mount Edgecumbe Information Statement, April 22, 2022 |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=April 22, 2022 |website=Alaska Volcano Observatory |access-date=June 2, 2022}}</ref>}}

===Adjacent boroughs and census areas===
* [[Hoonah-Angoon Census Area, Alaska]] – north, northeast
* [[Prince of Wales–Hyder Census Area, Alaska]] – southeast

===National protected areas===
* [[Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge]] (part of Gulf of Alaska unit)
** [[Saint Lazaria Wilderness]] (formerly [[Saint Lazaria National Wildlife Refuge]])
* [[Sitka National Historical Park]]
* [[Tongass National Forest]] (part)
** [[South Baranof Wilderness]]
** [[West Chichagof-Yakobi Wilderness]] (part)

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1880= 916
|1890= 1190
|1900= 1396
|1910= 1039
|1920= 1175
|1930= 1056
|1940= 1987
|1950= 1985
|1960= 3237
|1970= 3370
|1980= 7803
|1990= 8588
|2000= 8835
|2010= 8881
|2020= 8458
|estyear=2024
|estimate=8355
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2024">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-counties-total.html|title=County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2024|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=June 3, 2025}}</ref>
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|author=United States Census Bureau|author-link=United States Census Bureau|access-date=September 11, 2013}}</ref><br>2010-2020<ref name="QF"/>
}}

===1880 and 1890 censuses===
Sitka first reported on the [[1880 United States census|1880 census]] as an unincorporated village. Of 916 residents, there were 540 Tlingit, 219 Creole (Mixed Russian and Native) and 157 Whites reported.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/1880a_v1-17.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=June 11, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170817184721/https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/1880a_v1-17.pdf |archive-date=August 17, 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> It was the largest community in Alaska at that census. In 1890, it fell to second place behind Juneau. It reported 1,190 residents, of whom 861 were Native, 280 were White, 31 were Asian, 17 Creole, and 1 Other.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/1890a_v8-01.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=June 11, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170829123830/https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/1890a_v8-01.pdf |archive-date=August 29, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> In 1900, it fell to 4th place behind Nome, Skagway and Juneau. It did not report a racial breakdown.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/33405927v1ch07.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=June 11, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170722204811/https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/33405927v1ch07.pdf |archive-date=July 22, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref>

===1910 and 1920 censuses===
In 1910, Sitka was reported as two separate communities based on race: the village with mostly non-natives (population 539) and the part of the village with natives (population 500).<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/41033927n358-359ch10.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=June 11, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170830104030/https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/41033927n358-359ch10.pdf |archive-date=August 30, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> Separately, they placed as the 15th and 17th largest communities. United, they would be 8th largest. For the purposes of comparison and the fact that the village was not officially politically/racially divided except by the census bureau report, the combined total (1,039) is reported on the historic population list. In 1913, Sitka was incorporated as a city, rendering the division by the census bureau for 1910 moot. In 1920, Sitka became the 4th largest city in the territory.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/41084484v1ch5.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=June 11, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170817233607/https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/41084484v1ch5.pdf |archive-date=August 17, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> In 1930, it fell to 7th place with 1,056 residents. Of those, 567 reported as Native, 480 as White and 9 as Other.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/00476569ch2.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=June 11, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170829115400/https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/00476569ch2.pdf |archive-date=August 29, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> In 1940, it rose to 5th place, but did not report a racial breakdown.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/33973538v1ch11.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=June 11, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170829194003/https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/33973538v1ch11.pdf |archive-date=August 29, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref>

===1950 and 1960 censuses===
In 1950, it reported as the 9th largest community in Alaska (6th largest incorporated city).<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/41601749v2p51-54ch2.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=June 11, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170723111211/https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/41601749v2p51-54ch2.pdf |archive-date=July 23, 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> It did not report a racial breakdown. At statehood in 1960, it became the 6th largest community (5th largest incorporated city). With the annexations increasing its population to 3,237, it reported a White majority for its first time: 2,160 Whites, 1,054 Others (including Natives) and 23 Blacks.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/37721577v1p3ch2.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=June 11, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170723021503/https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/37721577v1p3ch2.pdf |archive-date=July 23, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> In 1970, it fell to 14th place overall (though 7th largest incorporated city) with 3,370 residents. Of those, 2,503 were White, 676 Native Americans, 95 Others, 74 Asians and 22 Blacks.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/1970a_ak-01.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=June 11, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170817190146/https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/1970a_ak-01.pdf |archive-date=August 17, 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 1980, Sitka rose to 4th largest city with 7,803 residents (of whom 5,718 were non-Hispanic White, 1,669 were Native American, 228 were Asian, 108 were Hispanic (of any race), 87 were Other, 44 were Black and 7 were Pacific Islander).<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/1980a_akABCD-02.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=June 11, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170818050043/https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/1980a_akABCD-02.pdf |archive-date=August 18, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref>

===1990 and 2000 censuses===
In 1990, Sitka fell to 5th largest (4th largest incorporated) with 8,588 residents. 6,270 were non-Hispanic White; 1,797 were Native American; 315 were Asian; 209 were Hispanic (of any race); 60 were Other; 39 were Black and 18 Pacific Islanders.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1990/cp-1/cp-1-3.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=June 11, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170830120148/https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1990/cp-1/cp-1-3.pdf |archive-date=August 30, 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2000, Sitka retained its 5th largest (and 4th largest incorporated) position. In 2010, it slipped to 7th largest community overall (but still remained the 4th largest incorporated city).

===2010 census===
As of the [[census]] of 2010, there were 8,881 people living in the borough. The racial makeup of the borough, based on one race alone or in combination with one or more other races, was, 64.6% [[White Americans|White]] (including [[White Hispanic and Latino Americans]]), 1% [[African Americans|Black]] or African American, 24.6% [[Alaska Natives|Native American]], 8.1% [[Asian American|Asian]], 0.9% [[Pacific Islands Americans|Pacific Islander]], 1.8% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]]. In addition, 4.9% of the population were [[Hispanic and Latino Americans]] of any race.

There were 3,545 households, out of which 29.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.5% were married couples living together, 10.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 6.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 37.6% were non-families. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 3.01.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=DEC_10_DP_DPDP1&prodType=table |archive-url=https://archive.today/20190521214830/https://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=DEC_10_DP_DPDP1&prodType=table |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 21, 2019 |title=American FactFinder: Results |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>

===2020 census===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|+'''Sitka city and borough, Alaska – Racial composition'''<br><small>{{nobold|''Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.''}}</small>
!Race <small>(''NH = Non-Hispanic'')</small>
!{{partial|% 2020}}<ref>{{cite web |title=HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE (2020) |url=https://data.census.gov/table?t=Race+and+Ethnicity&g=160XX00US0270540&d=DEC+Demographic+and+Housing+Characteristics |website=data.census.gov |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau}}</ref>
!% 2010<ref>{{cite web |title=HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE (2010) |url=https://data.census.gov/table?t=Race+and+Ethnicity&g=160XX00US0270540&y=2010 |website=data.census.gov |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau}}</ref>
!% 2000<ref>{{cite book |title=Alaska: 2000 |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau |pages=30–31 |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/2002/dec/phc-1-3.pdf}}</ref>
!{{partial|Pop 2020}}
!Pop 2010
!Pop 2000
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino whites|White]] alone (NH)
|style='background: #ffffe6; |59.7%
|63.5%
|67.1%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |5,050
|5,641
|5,927
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino African Americans|Black]] alone (NH)
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.4%
|0.5%
|0.3%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |37
|43
|24
|-
|[[Native Americans in the United States|American Indian]] alone (NH)
|style='background: #ffffe6; |14.3%
|16.2%
|18.1%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |1,206
|1,442
|1,597
|-
|[[Asian Americans|Asian]] alone (NH)
|style='background: #ffffe6; |6.8%
|5.7%
|3.7%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |573
|509
|329
|-
|[[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]] alone (NH)
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.2%
|0.3%
|0.4%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |14
|29
|31
|-
|[[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|Other race]] alone (NH)
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.6%
|0.1%
|0.2%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |53
|11
|17
|-
|[[Multiracial Americans|Multiracial]] (NH)
|style='background: #ffffe6; |12.1%
|8.7%
|7%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |1,024
|769
|620
|-
|[[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic/Latino]] (any race)
|style='background: #ffffe6; |5.9%
|4.9%
|3.3%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |501
|437
|290
|}
The most reported detailed ancestries in [[2020 United States census|2020]] were:<ref>{{cite web |title=TOTAL POPULATION |url=https://data.census.gov/table?t=-06:-1000E:-3000F:-4000G:-5000K:-7000E:-8000B&g=160XX00US0270540&d=DEC+Detailed+Demographic+and+Housing+Characteristics+File+A |website=data.census.gov |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau}}</ref>
* [[Germans|German]] (16.8%)
* [[Irish people|Irish]] (15.3%)
* [[English people|English]] (14.6%)
* [[Tlingit]] (7.7%)
* [[Filipinos|Filipino]] (7.3%)
* [[Sitka Tribe of Alaska]] (6%)
* [[Scottish people|Scottish]] (5.3%)
* [[Norwegians|Norwegian]] (4.6%)
* [[Italians|Italian]] (3.5%)
* [[Mexicans|Mexican]] (3.3%)

==Economy==
In 2010, Sitka's two largest employers were the [[Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium]] (SEARHC), employing 482 people, and the Sitka School District, which employs 250 people. However, there are more people employed in the seafood industry than in any other sector. An estimated 18% of Sitka's population earns at least a portion of their income from fishing and seafood harvesting and processing. Many Sitkans hunt and gather [[subsistence economy|subsistence]] foods such as fish, deer, berries, seaweeds and mushrooms for personal use.<ref name="SEDA">{{cite report |title=Sitka, Alaska: 2010–2011 Community Profile |publisher=Sitka Economic Development Association |page=3}}</ref>

Within the total 2010 population of 8,881 residents, an estimated 7,161 were over 16 years of age. Of residents aged 16 and over, an estimated 4,692 were employed within the civilian labor force, 348 were unemployed (looking for work), 192 were employed in the armed forces (U.S. Coast Guard), and 1,929 were not in the labor force. The average unemployment rate between 2006 and 2010 was 6.9%. The median household income in 2010 inflation adjusted dollars was $62,024. An estimated 4.3% of all families / 7% of all residents had incomes below the poverty level "in the past twelve months"(2010).<ref>{{cite web |title=American Community Survey, 2006–2010 5-Year Estimates |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=ACS_10_5YR_DP03&prodType=table |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200212213253/http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=ACS_10_5YR_DP03&prodType=table |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 12, 2020 |access-date=December 15, 2011}}</ref>

Sitka's electrical power is generated by dams at [[Blue Lake (Alaska)|Blue Lake]] and [[Green Lake (Alaska)|Green Lake]], with supplemental power provided by burning diesel when electric demand exceeds hydro capacity. In December 2012 the Blue Lake Expansion project began, which added 27 percent more electricity for the residents of Sitka. The project was completed in November 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://waterpowermagazine.com/features/featurecompleting-the-blue-lake-expansion-4482724/|title=Completing the Blue Lake expansion|date=January 6, 2015|website=International Water Power & Dam Construction magazine|access-date=December 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171223160546/http://www.waterpowermagazine.com/features/featurecompleting-the-blue-lake-expansion-4482724/|archive-date=December 23, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Port===
[[File:RegattaSitka.jpg|thumb|right|Cruise ships moored in Sitka]]
Sitka is the 6th largest port by value of seafood harvest in the United States.<ref name=SEDA/> International trade is relatively minor, with total exports and imports valued at $474,000 and $146,000, respectively, in 2005 by the [[American Association of Port Authorities]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://aapa.files.cms-plus.com/Statistics/2005%20US%20PORT%20RANKING%20BY%20CARGO%20VALUE.xls|title=Table of 2005 U.S. Port Rankings by Foreign Commerce Cargo Value: American Association of Port Authorities|website=cms-plus.com|access-date=November 26, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100407173407/http://aapa.files.cms-plus.com/Statistics/2005%20US%20PORT%20RANKING%20BY%20CARGO%20VALUE.xls|archive-date=April 7, 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref> The port has the largest harbor system in Alaska with 1,347 permanent slips.

During [[Russian America|Russian rule]], Sitka was a busy seaport on the west coast of North America,<ref name=Bunten>{{Cite journal |last=Bunten |first=Alexis Celeste |title=Sharing Culture or Selling Out?: Developing the commodified persona in the heritage industry |journal=American Ethnologist |volume=35 |issue=3 |page=382 |publisher=American Anthropological Association |year=2008 |issn=0094-0496 |doi=10.1111/j.1548-1425.2008.00041.x}}</ref> mentioned a number of times by [[Richard Henry Dana Jr.|Dana]] in his popular account of an 1834 sailing voyage ''[[Two Years Before the Mast]]''. After the transfer of Alaska to U.S. rule, the Pacific Coast Steamship Company began tourist cruises to Sitka in 1884. By 1890, Sitka was receiving 5,000 tourist passengers a year.<ref name="McClelland">{{cite speech |title=The Art of Innovation: The Effects of Trade and Tourism on Tlingit Dagger Production in the Nineteenth Century |first=McClelland |last=Ashley |event=Wooshteen Kana<u>x</u>tulaneegí Haa At Wuskóowu / Sharing Our Knowledge, A conference of Tlingit Tribes and Clans: Haa eetí ḵáa yís / For Those Who Come After Us |location=Sitka, Alaska |date=March 31, 2012 |url=http://ankn.uaf.edu/ClanConference2/course/view.php?id=4 |access-date=March 31, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130127023252/http://ankn.uaf.edu/ClanConference2/course/view.php?id=4 |archive-date=January 27, 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

Old Sitka Dock,<ref name="halibutpoint">{{cite web|title=Halibut Point Marine Services: Cruise Terminal; Boat Yard|url=http://www.halibutpointmarine.com/|access-date=September 13, 2017|quote=Old Sitka Dock located at Halibut Point is the docking location for the majority of the large cruise ships that visit Sitka.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170926182522/http://halibutpointmarine.com/|archive-date=September 26, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> located at Halibut Point, one mile south of the [[Old Sitka Site|Old Sitka State Historical Park]], commemorating the 1800s Russian settlement, and six miles north of downtown Sitka, is a private deep water port offering moorage facilities.<ref name="freelibrary">{{cite web|title=Sitka's new dock is old Sitka Dock: private infrastructure for public good.|url=https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Sitka%27s+new+dock+is+old+Sitka+Dock%3A+private+infrastructure+for+public...-a0350574767|website=thefreelibrary.com|access-date=September 13, 2017|date=November 1, 2013|quote=McGraw [owner] designed his floating dock and named it the Old Sitka Dock in recognition of its proximity to the Old Sitka historical site.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170915070713/https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Sitka%27s+new+dock+is+old+Sitka+Dock%3A+private+infrastructure+for+public...-a0350574767|archive-date=September 15, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>  A 470-foot-long floating dock for vessels up to 1100 feet was constructed there by its owners in 2012 and was first used in 2013.<ref name="Kcaw2020-12-28">{{cite web|title=Sitka dock to get first regular visits in 2013|url=https://www.kcaw.org/2012/12/04/sitka-dock-to-see-first-regular-customers-in-2013/|website=kcaw.org|access-date=September 13, 2017|date=December 4, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170915113354/https://www.kcaw.org/2012/12/04/sitka-dock-to-see-first-regular-customers-in-2013/|archive-date=September 15, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> In Spring 2016, Holland America Line agreed to dock its ships at the Old Sitka Dock.
<ref name="hal">{{cite web|title=Sitka cruises to bring passengers to shore|url=http://www.alaskapublic.org/2016/04/26/sitka-cruises-to-bring-passengers-to-shore/|website=Alaska public media|access-date=September 13, 2017|date=April 26, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170915024316/http://www.alaskapublic.org/2016/04/26/sitka-cruises-to-bring-passengers-to-shore/|archive-date=September 15, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>  Since then, the majority of the cruise ships calling on Sitka berth at the Old Sitka Dock, with the remainder anchoring offshore in Crescent Harbor and tendering their passengers to downtown Sitka. In the 2017 season, there were 136 cruise ship calls at Sitka with more than 150,000 passengers in total; of these fewer than 30,000 were tendered.<ref name="rfp">{{cite web|title=RFP for transit services between Old Sitka Dock and Harrigan Centennial Hall|url=http://cityofsitka.com/government/departments/publicworks/documents/RFPTransitServicesOSDtoHCH.pdf|website=cityofsitka.com|access-date=September 13, 2017|date=March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170915022912/http://cityofsitka.com/government/departments/publicworks/documents/RFPTransitServicesOSDtoHCH.pdf|archive-date=September 15, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> The number of cruise ships visitors to Sitka more than doubled over two seasons in the years 2022 and 2023.<ref name="g224"/> At its peak, the city can receive some 13,000 visitors a day, exceeding the number of residents.<ref name="g224"/>

The [[United States Coast Guard]] plans to homeport one of its [[Sentinel-class cutter]]s in Sitka.<ref name="Kcaw2020-12-28" />

==Arts and culture==
There are 22 [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Sitka, Alaska|buildings and sites in Sitka]] that appear in the [[National Register of Historic Places]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com/AK/Sitka/state.html |title=National Register of Historic Places, Sitka, Alaska |access-date=May 17, 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040816220058/http://www.nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com/AK/Sitka/state.html |archive-date=August 16, 2004 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

On October 18, Alaska celebrates [[Alaska Day]] to commemorate the Alaska purchase. The City of Sitka holds an annual Alaska Day Festival. This week-long event includes a reenactment ceremony of the signing of the Alaska purchase, as well as interpretive programs at museums and parks, special exhibits, aircraft displays and film showings, receptions, historic sites and buildings tours, food, prose writing contest essays, Native and other dancing, and entertainment and more. The first recorded Alaska Day Festival was held in 1949.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.alaskadayfestival.org |title=Alaska Day Festival, Sitka, Alaska |access-date=December 3, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130728115443/http://www.alaskadayfestival.org/ |archive-date=July 28, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Government==
{{see also|List of mayors of Sitka, Alaska}}
{{PresHead|place=Sitka, Alaska|source=<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS|title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections|first=David|last=Leip|website=uselectionatlas.org|access-date=April 30, 2023|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180323225526/https://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/|archive-date=March 23, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cityofsitka.com/departments/MunicipalClerk-1/election-results-and-sample-ballots-by-year|website=cityofsitka.com|access-date=April 30, 2023|url-status=bot: unknown|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230612184223/https://www.cityofsitka.com/departments/MunicipalClerk-1/election-results-and-sample-ballots-by-year|archive-date=June 12, 2023|title=The City & Borough of Sitka Alaska - Election Results and Sample Ballots by Year}}</ref>}}
<!-- {{PresRow|Year|Winner|GOP #|Dem #|3rd #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|1960|Democratic|982|1,140|0|Alaska}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|629|1,571|0|Alaska}}
{{PresRow|1968|Democratic|1,023|1,148|139|Alaska}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|1,280|1,080|73|Alaska}}
{{PresRow|1976|Republican|1,559|1,004|106|Alaska}}
{{PresRow|1980|Republican|1,862|1,212|439|Alaska}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|2,380|1,403|113|Alaska}}
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|2,232|1,720|114|Alaska}}
{{PresRow|1992|Republican|1,741|1,695|1,171|Alaska}}
{{PresRow|1996|Republican|1,823|1,732|775|Alaska}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|2,067|1,484|737|Alaska}}
{{PresRow|2004|Democratic|1,726|1,737|164|Alaska}}
{{PresRow|2008|Democratic|2,129|2,355|144|Alaska}}
{{PresRow|2012|Democratic|1,832|2,340|243|Alaska}}
{{PresRow|2016|Democratic|1,830|2,135|510|Alaska}}
{{PresRow|2020|Democratic|1,745|2,124|162|Alaska}}
{{PresRow|2024|Democratic|1,659|2,057|149|Alaska}}
{{PresFoot}}

The City and Borough of Sitka is a Unified Home Rule<ref>{{cite web
 |url=http://www.commerce.state.ak.us/dca/osa/pub/11Taxable.pdf
 |title=Alaska Taxable 2011: Municipal Taxation – Rates and Policies
 |publisher=Division of Community and Regional Affairs, [[Alaska Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development]]
 |date=January 2012
 |access-date=January 23, 2013
|url-status=dead
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130425132818/http://www.commerce.state.ak.us/dca/osa/pub/11Taxable.pdf
 |archive-date=April 25, 2013
}}</ref><ref>
 {{Cite FTP |title      = City-Borough Sitka
 |url        = ftp://ftp.dcbd.dced.state.ak.us/DCBD/Municipal_charters/Charters%20-%20Home%20Rule/Borough/City_Borough_Sitka.pdf
 |server     = [[Alaska Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development]]
 |url-status = dead
 |access-date = July 16, 2008
}}</ref> city.
The home rule charter of the City and Borough of Sitka was adopted on December 2, 1971,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://cityofsitka.com/asmbly/pdf/charter.pdf|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070203043939/http://www.cityofsitka.com/asmbly/pdf/charter.pdf|url-status=dead|title=Home Rule Charter of the City and Borough of Sitka|archivedate=February 3, 2007}}</ref> for the region of the Greater Sitka Borough, which included Japonski Island and [[Port Alexander, Alaska|Port Alexander]] and [[Baranof Warm Springs, Alaska|Baranof Warm Springs]] on Baranof Island. The city was incorporated on September 24, 1963.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ak-prepared.com/serc/images/REAA_Map.pdf|title=Community/Borough Map: State of Alaska Department of Community and Economic Development|website=ak-prepared.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070619200046/http://www.ak-prepared.com/serc/images/REAA_Map.pdf|archive-date=June 19, 2007}}</ref> On October 23, 1973, the city of Port Alexander was detached from the borough.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dcra.commerce.alaska.gov/DCBD/Municipal%20Certificates/Boroughs/Sitka.pdf |title=Certificate of Organization of the Unified Home Rule Municipality of the City an Borough of Sitka |date=June 18, 1990 |publisher=[[Alaska Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development]], Division of Community and Regional Affairs (DCRA) |access-date=May 4, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100615143818/http://dcra.commerce.alaska.gov/DCBD/Municipal%20Certificates/Boroughs/Sitka.pdf |archive-date=June 15, 2010}}</ref>

=== Police ===
{{Main article|Sitka Police Department}}

==Education==
===Colleges and universities===
Sitka hosts one active post-secondary institution, the University of Alaska Southeast-Sitka Campus, located on Japonski Island in an old World War II hangar. [[Sheldon Jackson College]], a small [[Presbyterian]]-affiliated private college, suspended operations in June 2007, after several years of financial stress.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.newsminer.com/news/alaska_news/group-targets-sheldon-jackson-campus-for-new-college/article_0c863fa0-a772-11e5-a518-277bec2027c3.html|title=Group targets Sheldon Jackson campus for new college|last=Hesse|first=Tom|date=December 20, 2015|work=Daily Sitka Sentinel|access-date=December 22, 2017|language=en|via=Fairbanks Daily News-Miner|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180708043815/http://www.newsminer.com/news/alaska_news/group-targets-sheldon-jackson-campus-for-new-college/article_0c863fa0-a772-11e5-a518-277bec2027c3.html|archive-date=July 8, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Outer Coast College]], a private liberal arts college established in 2015, is currently in development as an undergraduate institution founded on the former campus of Sheldon Jackson College.

===Schools===
[[File:Sitka High School1.JPG|thumb|[[Sitka High School]]]]
The [[Sitka School District]], the designated public school district,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st02_ak/schooldistrict_maps/c02220_sitka/DC20SD_C02220.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st02_ak/schooldistrict_maps/c02220_sitka/DC20SD_C02220.pdf |archive-date=October 9, 2022 |url-status=live|title=2020 Census – School District Reference Map: Sitka City and Borough, AK|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|accessdate=July 22, 2022}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st02_ak/schooldistrict_maps/c02220_sitka/DC20SD_C02220_SD2MS.txt Text list]</ref> runs several schools in Sitka, including [[Sitka High School]] and [[Pacific High School (Sitka)|Pacific High School]], as well as the town's only middle school, [[Blatchley Middle School]]. It also runs a home school assistance program through Terry's Learning Center.

[[Mt. Edgecumbe High School]], a State of Alaska-run [[boarding school|boarding]] [[High school (North America)|high school]] for rural, primarily Native students, is located on Japonski Island adjacent to University of Alaska Southeast.

One private school is available in Sitka: Sitka Adventist School.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.privateschoolreview.com/alaska/sitka|title=Sitka, AK Private Schools|website=www.privateschoolreview.com|access-date=April 25, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170425121021/https://www.privateschoolreview.com/alaska/sitka|archive-date=April 25, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Alaska State Trooper Academy===
The [[Alaska State Trooper Academy]] – the academy for all [[Alaska State Troopers]] – is located in Sitka.

===Libraries===
[[Sitka Public Library]], formerly Kettleson Memorial Library, is the public library for Sitka. It receives about 100,000 guests annually and houses a collection of 75,000 books, audiobooks, music recordings, reference resources, videos (DVD and VHS), as well as an assortment of Alaskan and national periodicals. Its annual circulation is 133,000. The library is well known by visitors for its view. The large windows in front of the reading area look south across [[Eastern Channel]] towards the Pyramids.

Until its closing, Sitka was also home to Stratton Library, the academic library of Sheldon Jackson College.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.kcaw.org/2010/12/22/book-sale-brings-end-to-stratton-library-story/|title=Book sale brings end to Stratton Library story|last=Woolsey|first=Robert|date=December 22, 2010|work=KCAW|access-date=December 22, 2017|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171223104538/https://www.kcaw.org/2010/12/22/book-sale-brings-end-to-stratton-library-story/|archive-date=December 23, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Media==
===Print===
Sitka is served by the ''[[Daily Sitka Sentinel]]'', one of the few remaining independently owned daily newspapers in the state. Sitka also receives circulation of the ''[[Capital City Weekly]],'' a weekly regional newspaper based out of Juneau.

Alaska's first newspaper following the Alaska purchase, the ''Sitka Times'', was published by Barney O. Ragan on September 19, 1868. Only four issues were published that year, as Ragan cited a lack of resources available at the time. The paper resumed publishing the following year as the ''Alaska Times''. In 1870, it moved to [[Seattle]], where the year following it was renamed the ''Seattle Times'' (not to be confused with [[Seattle Times|the modern-day newspaper of the same name]]).<ref>{{cite book |title=Guide to Alaska Newspapers on Microfilm |url=http://www.library.state.ak.us/hist/hist_docs/newspapers/by_place.pdf |year=1998 |publisher=[[Alaska State Library]] |location=Juneau |pages=324, 332 |access-date=October 29, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071128014232/http://www.library.state.ak.us/hist/hist_docs/newspapers/by_place.pdf |archive-date=November 28, 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Radio===
Sitka has three radio stations, public radio station [[KCAW]] (Raven Radio), and commercial radio stations [[KIFW]], and [[KSBZ]]. Sitka previously had a Presbyterian Church owned [[KSEW (Sitka, Alaska)|KSEW]].

===Television===
[[KTNL-TV]] (MeTV) broadcasts out of Sitka on Channel 13 (Cable 6) serving Southeast Alaska. Additionally, [[KSCT-LP]] (NBC) Channel 5, [[KTOO-TV|KTOO]] (PBS) Channel 10,<ref>[http://www.ktoo.org/dial.cfm How to Find KTOO on Your Dial] ''www.ktoo.org'' {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727010211/http://www.ktoo.org/dial.cfm|date=July 27, 2011}}</ref> and [[KJUD]] (ABC/CW) serve the region. There was a previous NBC affiliate in the Region, [[KSA-TV]], available to cable systems, which is now defunct.

==Infrastructure==
===Transportation===
[[File:Fast Ferry Chenega at Sitka.jpg|thumb|right|The Alaska Marine Highway system fast ferry 'Chenega' at Sitka]]
Sitka is only accessible by boat or plane as it is on a pair of islands in the Pacific Ocean. Vehicles are usually brought to Sitka via the [[Alaska Marine Highway]] ferry system or the barge. However, a vehicle is not an absolute necessity in Sitka, as there are only {{convert|14|mi|km|abbr=off|sp=us}} of road from one end of the island to another. Almost everything is within walking distance from the downtown area, which is where the majority of employers are situated. Public transportation is also available.

By air, [[Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport]] offers scheduled passenger jet service operated year-round by [[Alaska Airlines]] and seasonally by [[Delta Connection]].

Delays in fall and winter due to Sitka's weather are frequent. The airport is located on Japonski Island, which is connected to Baranof Island by the [[John O'Connell Bridge|O'Connell Bridge]]. The O'Connell Bridge, completed in 1972, was the first vehicular cable-stayed bridge in the United States. The [[Sitka Seaplane Base]] is a [[seaplane]] landing area situated in the Sitka Channel, adjacent to the airport.

Ferry travel back and forth to Juneau, Ketchikan and other towns in Southeast Alaska is provided through the [[Alaska Marine Highway System]]. The ferry terminal is located {{convert|7|mi|km}} north of downtown and a ferry ticket costs about $89 per person each way to Juneau (as of February 2023). Vehicles, pets and bicycles can also be taken on the ferry for an additional charge.

Sitka's location on the outer coast of the Alaska Panhandle is removed from routes running through Chatham Strait. The tides of Peril Strait allow mainline vessels through only at slack tide.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tides - Suemez Island, Port Santa Cruz, Sitka, Alaska |url=http://www.geotides.com/usalaska/alaska/sitka/portsantacruz/suemezisland/tidestation/ |access-date=November 6, 2022 |website=www.geotides.com}}</ref>

Alaska Marine Lines, a barge and freight company, has the ability to move cars to other communities connected to the mainland by road systems.

A three-way partnership of non-profits (Center for Community, [[Sitka Tribe of Alaska]], and Southeast Senior Services) offers public bus transit, funded by the [[Federal Transit Administration]] and the [[Alaska Department of Transportation]]. All buses are fully accessible, with service from 6:30&nbsp;a.m. to 7:30&nbsp;p.m., Monday through Friday.

In 2008, the [[League of American Bicyclists]] awarded Sitka the bronze level in bicycle friendliness, making Sitka the first [[League of American Bicyclists#Bicycle Friendly Communities|bicycle-friendly community]] in Alaska. In 2013, the Walk Friendly Communities<ref>{{cite web|url=http://walkfriendly.org/communities/sitka-ak/|title=Walk Friendly Communities|date=January 5, 2017|website=www.walkfriendly.org|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180408073522/http://walkfriendly.org/communities/sitka-ak/|archive-date=April 8, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> program awarded Sitka with a bronze award, making Sitka the first Alaska community with a Walk Friendly Communities designation. Sitka is the only Alaska community to have both a Bicycle Friendly Community and a Walk Friendly Communities designation.

===Healthcare===
There is currently one hospital serving Sitka, Edgecumbe Hospital, which sits on Japonski Island across Sitka Harbor from the city. The facility is part of the Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium, or SEARHC, a non-profit tribal health consortium of 18 Native communities. The hospital serves as a regional referral center for people throughout Southeast Alaska, and also provides primary outpatient care. Numerous specialty clinics are offered at the hospital that are not available in the smaller communities such as neurology, orthopedic, dermatology, ophthalmology and denture clinics.

The former Sitka Community Hospital was purchased by the Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium (SEARHC) in April 2019, and now functions as a long-term care facility for patients of Edgecumbe hospital.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.kcaw.org/2019/04/16/assembly-approves-sale-of-sitka-community-hospital/#:~:text=The%20city%20of%20Sitka%20is%20moving%20forward%20with,must%20go%20to%20the%20SEARHC%20board%20for%20approval.|title = Assembly approves sale of Sitka Community Hospital|date = April 16, 2019}}</ref>

==Notable people==
*[[Augusta Cohen Coontz]] (1867–1940), American First Lady of Guam
*[[Dale DeArmond]] (1914–2006), printmaker, book illustrator
*[[Annie Furuhjelm]] (1859–1937), Finnish journalist, legislator
*[[Sheldon Jackson]] (1834–1909), [[Presbyterian Church in the United States|Presbyterian]] [[missionary]] in Alaska in the late 19th century
*[[Rebecca Himschoot]], State representative
*[[Richard Nelson (author)|Richard Nelson]] (1941–2019), cultural anthropologist, writer, activist
*[[Teri Rofkar]] (1956–2016), Tlingit weaver
*[[John Straley]] (born 1953), award-winning author
*[[China Mary|Mary Bong]] (1880-1958), as Sing Deuh, Ah Fuh/Fur, or Qui Fah.<ref>[https://www.cinarc.org/Women.html CHINESE WOMEN IN THE NORTHWEST] ''www.cinarc.org''</ref>  One of the first Chinese immigrants to live in Sitka; also known as "China Mary".<ref>[https://genealogytrails.com/alaska/sitka/bios_01.htm Welcome to Sitka Borough, Alaska] ''genealogytrails.com''</ref>

==Twin towns – sister cities==
{{Further|List of twin towns and sister cities in the United States}}
Sitka has the following sister city:<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.gov.state.ak.us/trade/2005/sister_states.php|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120205045516/http://www.gov.state.ak.us/trade/2005/sister_states.php|url-status=dead|title=Alaska sister cities index|archivedate=February 5, 2012}}</ref>
* {{flagdeco|JPN}} [[Nemuro, Hokkaidō|Nemuro]], [[Hokkaido]], Japan<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://asiamattersforamerica.org/asia/data/sister-partnerships | title=Data Visualizations – Asia – Sister Partnerships – Asia – Asia Matters for America |access-date=January 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200113144354/https://asiamattersforamerica.org/asia/data/sister-partnerships |archive-date=January 13, 2020 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Attractions==
[[File:The Pioneer House Sitka.jpg|thumb|The [[Sitka Pioneer Home|Pioneer Home]], one of Sitka's many historic structures, in May 2002]]
[[File:Russian Orthodox Church.jpg|thumb|[[St. Michael's Cathedral (Sitka, Alaska)|Saint Michael's Russian Orthodox Cathedral]] in Sitka]]
Sitka's attractions include:

* [[Alaska Raptor Center]]
* [[Castle Hill (Sitka, Alaska)|Baranof Castle Hill]]
* [[Fortress of the Bear]]
* [[Sheet'ká Kwáan Naa Kahídi]]
* [[Russian Bishop's House]]
* [[Saint Lazaria National Wildlife Refuge]]
* [[St. Michael's Cathedral (Sitka, Alaska)|St. Michael's Cathedral]]
* [[Sheldon Jackson Museum]]
* [[Sitka Fine Arts Camp]]
* [[Isabel Miller Museum|Sitka Historical Museum]]
* [[Sitka Jazz Festival]]
* [[Sitka Lutheran Church]]
* [[Sitka National Historical Park]]
* [[Sitka Pioneer Home]]
* [[Sitka Summer Music Festival]]
* [[Swan Lake (Alaska)|Swan Lake]]
* [[Tongass National Forest]]

The flora and fauna of Sitka and its surrounding area are popular. Day cruises and guided day trips (hiking) are large enterprises in Sitka. [[Seaplane|Floatplane]] "flightseeing" excursions are a way to view the area's sights from above.

===Outdoor opportunities===
{{Further|List of geographic features on Baranof Island}}
Sitka's position between the Pacific Ocean and the most mountainous island in the [[Alexander Archipelago]] creates a variety of outdoor opportunities:

[[File:SitkaChannel.JPG|thumb|Looking down [[Sitka Channel]] in the early morning]]

* Kayaking is a popular activity and small guided day excursions are offered locally.
* There are a number of maintained trails in the Sitka area, many of which are accessible from Sitka's road system.
* The dormant volcano [[Mount Edgecumbe (Alaska)|Mount Edgecumbe]] is also a popular mountain to summit and features a seven-mile (11&nbsp;km) trail up to the top. Guided day-trips are available, but the trip does not require much knowledge to undertake.

==In popular culture==
* [[Louis L'Amour]] penned ''Sitka'', his fictional account of the events surrounding the United States' purchase of the Alaska Territory from the Russians for $7.2 million in 1867.
* Novelist [[James Michener]] lived at Sitka's [[Sheldon Jackson College]] while doing research for his epic work, [[Alaska (novel)|''Alaska'']].
* The 1952 film ''[[The World in His Arms]]'' has Russian Sitka as one of its settings.
* Sitka is the opening setting in [[Ivan Doig]]'s 1982 historical fiction, ''The Sea Runners''.
* Sitka is mentioned in Chapter 53 of [[James Clavell]]'s 1993 historical fiction about Japan, ''[[Gai-Jin (novel)|Gai-Jin]]''.
* Mystery author [[John Straley]] described Sitka as "...an island town where people feel crowded by the land and spread out on the sea."
* Part of the action in the novel ''[[César Cascabel]]'' by [[Jules Verne]] takes place in Sitka in May–June 1867, during the transfer of ownership to the United States.
* A fictionalized Sitka, inhabited by several million [[Emigration of Jews from Nazi Germany and German-occupied Europe|Jews who fled from Nazi-occupied Europe]] and their descendants, is the setting of the [[alternate history]] [[detective fiction|detective]] novel ''[[The Yiddish Policemen's Union]]'', by [[Michael Chabon]].
* Sitka is featured in the episode "Z-9000" of the Argentine TV series ''[[Los simuladores]]'' as the place where its antagonist, Lorenzo, is sent to keep him away from his wife whom he used to assault, under the pretext that a clone of him is trying to kill him.
* Sitka is a setting in the 2009 film ''[[The Proposal (2009 film)|The Proposal]]'' starring [[Sandra Bullock]] and [[Ryan Reynolds]], although the scenes were filmed in [[Rockport, Massachusetts]].
* Sitka is the name of one of the characters in the Disney film ''Brother Bear'' (2004).
* Sitka was featured in a 2012 episode of the Travel Channel's popular series ''[[Bizarre Foods]]'',<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.travelchannel.com/video/diving-for-dinner-in-alaska |title=Diving for Dinner in Alaska |publisher=Travel Channel |access-date=July 28, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130731040215/http://www.travelchannel.com/video/diving-for-dinner-in-alaska |archive-date=July 31, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> starring [[Andrew Zimmern]]. In this episode Zimmern ate herring eggs, stink heads, and sea cucumbers.
* Sitka was named one of the ''Top 20 Small Towns to Visit in 2013''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/The-20-Best-Small-Towns-to-Visit-in-2013-196855051.html|title=The 20 Best Small Towns to Visit in 2013|last=Spano|first=Susan|date=March 31, 2013|work=[[Smithsonian (magazine)|Smithsonian]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130821194227/http://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/The-20-Best-Small-Towns-to-Visit-in-2013-196855051.html|archive-date=August 21, 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> by ''[[Smithsonian (magazine)|Smithsonian]]'' magazine.

==See also==
{{Portal|Alaska}}
* [[List of United States cities by area]]
* [[Maritime fur trade]]
* {{USS|Sitka|APA-113|6}}

==References==
{{Reflist|refs=
<ref name=SMHS>{{cite map |publisher=Sitka Maritime Heritage Society |title=Historic Sitka Harbor and Waterfront Self-Guided Tour:Points of Interest on Sitka's Historic Waterfront}}</ref>
<ref name=yesterday>{{Citation
| last = 
| first = 
| author-link = 
| last2 = 
| first2 = 
| title = Sitka Yesterday
| newspaper = Daily Sitka Sentinel
| pages = 2
| date = September 2, 2022
| url = 
| access-date = }}</ref>
<ref name=Hope>{{cite press release |title=ANB celebrates 100th at ANB/ANS Grand Camp in Sitka |publisher=Raven Radio |date=September 29, 2012 |url=http://www.kcaw.org/2012/09/29/anb-celebrates-100th-at-anbans-grand-camp-in-sitka/ |access-date=January 7, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121203034209/http://www.kcaw.org/2012/09/29/anb-celebrates-100th-at-anbans-grand-camp-in-sitka/ |archive-date=December 3, 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref>
<!-- <ref name=NOAAJuly2020>{{cite news
| url         = https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/july-recap-record-heat-in-many-states/
| title       = July Recap: Record Heat in Many States
| work        = WeatherNation
| author      = 
| date        = August 4, 2020
| access-date = February 5, 2021
}}</ref>
<ref name=Kcaw2020-12-28>{{cite news
| url         = https://www.kcaw.org/2020/12/27/trumps-defense-veto-could-sink-sitkas-coast-guard-dock/
| title       = Trump's Defense veto could sink Sitka's Coast Guard dock
| work        = [[KCAW]]
| author      = Robert Woolsey
| date        = December 27, 2020
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201228052651/https://www.kcaw.org/2020/12/27/trumps-defense-veto-could-sink-sitkas-coast-guard-dock/
| archive-date = December 28, 2020
| access-date = December 28, 2020
| url-status  = live
| quote       = Sitka was selected as a homeport for one of the six vessels. And while the actual ship itself doesn’t appear in jeopardy, there might not be anyplace to put it, if the veto stands.}}</ref>
-->
}}

==Further reading==
{{refbegin}}
* {{Cite book |author=Andrews, C.L. |year=1944 |title=The Story of Alaska |publisher=The Caxton Printers, Ltd. |location=Caldwell, Ohio}}
* {{Cite book |author=Fedorova, Svetlana G.  |year=1973 |title=The Russian Population in Alaska and California: Late 18th century – 1867 (trans. & ed. by Richard A. Pierce and Alton S. Donnelly) |publisher=Limestone Press |location=Kingston, Ontario |isbn=0-919642-53-5}}
* {{Cite book |author=Hope, Herb |year=2000 |chapter=The Kiks.ádi Survival March 1804 |title=Will the Time Ever Come? A Tlingit Source Book |editor1=[[Andrew Hope III]] |editor2=Thomas F. Thornton |pages=48–79 |location=Fairbanks, Alaska |publisher=Alaska Native Knowledge Network}}
* {{Cite book |author1=Naske, Claus-M |author2=Herman E. Slotnick |name-list-style=amp |year=2003 |title=Alaska: A History of the 49th State |publisher=[[University of Oklahoma Press]] |location=Norman, Oklahoma |isbn=0-8061-2099-1 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/alaskahistoryof40000nask }}
* {{Cite book |author=Nordlander, David J. |year=1994 |title=For God & Tsar: A Brief History of Russian America 1741–1867 |publisher=Alaska Natural History Association |location=Anchorage |isbn=0-930931-15-7}}
* {{cite book |author=Vaillant, John |year=2006 |title=The Golden Spruce: A True Story of Myth, Madness and Greed |publisher=Vintage Canada |isbn=978-0-676-97646-5}}
* {{Cite book |author=Wharton, David |year=1991 |title=They Don't Speak Russian in Sitka: A New Look at the History of Southern Alaska |publisher=Markgraf Publications Group |location=Menlo Park, California |isbn=0-944109-08-X}}
* {{Cite book |author=Wilber, Glenn |year=1993 |title=The Sitka Story: Crown Jewel of Baranof Island |publisher="Land of Destiny"—Alaska Publications }}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20050108073940/http://www.sitkatribe.org/placenames/home.html Tlingit Geographical Place Names for the Sheet'ká Kwáan — Sitka Tribe of Alaska], an interactive map of Sitka Area native place names.
{{refend}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Sitka, Alaska}}
{{wikivoyage|Sitka}}
* [http://www.cityofsitka.com City & Borough of Sitka website]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100605080337/http://narademo.umiacs.umd.edu/cgi-bin/isadg/viewseries.pl?seriesid=1408 Historic images]
* {{Cite EB1911|wstitle=Sitka |short=x}}
* {{Cite Collier's|wstitle=Sitka |short=x}}
* {{Cite NSRW|wstitle=Sitka |short=x}}
* {{Cite NIE|wstitle=Sitka |short=x}}

{{Geographic location
|Centre    = Sitka, Alaska
|North     = Hoonah-Angoon Census Area
|Northeast = [[Hoonah-Angoon Census Area, Alaska|Hoonah-Angoon Census Area]]
|East      =
|Southeast = [[Petersburg Census Area, Alaska|Petersburg Census Area]]
|South     =
|Southwest =
|West      = [[Gulf of Alaska]]
|Northwest =
}}
{{Sitka, Alaska}}
{{Alaska borough seats}}
{{Sitka Borough, Alaska}}
{{Russian America}}
{{Alaska}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Sitka, Alaska| ]]
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[[Category:Alaska boroughs]]
[[Category:Cities in Alaska]]
[[Category:Populated coastal places in Alaska on the Pacific Ocean]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1799]]
[[Category:Populated places in Russian America]]
[[Category:Former colonial and territorial capitals in the United States]]
[[Category:1790s establishments in the Russian Empire]]
[[Category:Consolidated city-counties]]