Demographics

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Population

From 1900-1950 Kenai’s population was stable at about 300 people. When Kenai saw the first major oil strike in the mid 1950’s the population surged from 300 to over 6000 by 1990. This made the City of Kenai by far the Kenai Peninsula’s largest population center. Since 2000, Kenai has seen an 8% growth in population since 2000, moving the current population to about 7,600.

The pioneering spirit of Alaskans may create a desire for living in rural areas while working and shopping in cities and towns. Thus, the City of Kenai should expect to continue to grow as a regional center for business, trade, and services while seeing its population grow at a slower pace than surrounding areas.

Population Male vs. Female in Kenai:

Males: 3,430	(49.4%)
Females: 3,512	(50.6%)

(Provided by www.city-data.com)

AGE

Slower economic and population growth has changed the make-up of Kenai’s population with more long-term residents, fewer newcomers, and less population turnover.

Consistent with these trends, the median age of Kenai’s residents rose from 28.6 years in 1990 to 32.3 years by 2000 and has remained the same since. The average household size in Kenai is 2.6 people and has not changed significantly for almost two decades.

Median resident age:	(32.3 years)
Alaska median age:	(32.4 years)

(Provided by www.city-data.com)

Over the long run, these trends signify slower population growth, a steadily aging population with more seniors, little increase in school enrollments, a shift in housing demand mix, and a shift in local priorities for public facilities and services to meet changing needs of a changing population. Kenai’s population is somewhat less diverse than the state as a whole. In the 2000 census, whites accounted for 83 percent of Kenai’s residents, Alaska Natives 9 percent, Asians and other races 3 percent, and multi-racial persons 5 percent. The respective statewide figures were 69 percent, 16 percent, 10 percent, and 5 percent.

EDUCATION

Kenai has two elementary schools, two alternate or charter schools, one middle school and one high school. Students in the area generally score high on state proficiency exams and college entrance exams, and local schools have faired well against Federal “No Child Left Behind” standards. The area boasts a population of high school graduates 9% higher than the national average.

College level education is offered through the Kenai Peninsula College (KPC) whose main campus is located in the Kenai-Soldotna area. KPC offers two-year Associates of Arts and Associates of Applied Science degrees, as well as courses leading to vocational certificates. Some programs leading to baccalaureate degrees, such as the Bachelor of Liberal Studies, can be obtained entirely at KPC. A number of four-year degree programs are available at KPC via distance delivery through other University of Alaska campuses. The college also serves students needing Adult Basic Education, GED tutoring and testing, English as a Second Language and literacy instruction. Enrollments have remained steady at KPC since 1994.