KODIAK ALASKA
Enter the
Kodiak Archipelago
Kodiak Island is the second largest island in the United States. It is located in the Gulf of Alaska, 250 air miles from Anchorage and is accessed by daily jet service and by the Alaska Marine Highway. After a rapid expansion during World War II, Kodiak continued to expand its population and to diversify its economy.
The 2020 census recorded Kodiak’s population at 12,720 with an active labor force of 6,603. Kodiak’s resource-based economy causes fluctuations in employment; however, unemployment has ranged from 4% to 6% since 2013. Average annual wages in 2023 were $57,168 with a cost-of-living index that was 27% higher than the national average.
The seafood industry under manufacturing accounts for 28% of all employment. Healthcare, tourism, education, retail and government combine for an additional 44% of the economic base.
In the 1970’s, fishing for king crab and shrimp was the mainstay of the economy. In 1980, both of those fisheries experienced a dramatic downturn and fishermen and seafood processors turned to groundfish, particularly pollock, cod, halibut and black cod to continue the growth of the industry. Salmon has always been a mainstay throughout Alaska, and Kodiak continues to have a very strong pink salmon fishery. Kelp and oyster farming are beginning to expand throughout the archipelago which allows fishermen to diversify their fishing portfolios. Four major seafood processing companies sell fresh and frozen seafood both domestically and globally.
New industries have emerged on the island. Tourism remains a growth industry which reflects Kodiak’s world class fishing, brown bear viewing and outdoor activities. The City of Kodiak’s 600 ton marine travel lift, managed through a public-private partnership, has experience rapid growth and now serves both fishing and commercial vessels from around Alaska.
Kodiak’s health care sector is served by both Providence Hospital and the Kodiak Area Native Association and has enable residents to receive high quality health care in this remote region. Kodiak’s schools and Kodiak College offer unique educational opportunities that are tailored to the Kodiak environment.
The US Coast Guard Base operates within the Coast Guard’s 17th Coast Guard District. The Base is homeport to two vessels, the Air Station, the Aids to Navigation Team. A major expansion of the Coast Guard base is underway with new housing and shoreside infrastructure being built and two Fast Response Cutters (FRC) and two Offshore Patrol Cutters (OPC) scheduled to arrive in 2026.
Tax Rates
The City of Kodiak imposes a 7% tax rate on all sales and rentals within the City limits. The sales tax rate is capped at $3000 and residential rental taxes are restricted to a maximum of $52.50. Borough property taxes are assessed based on location at rates ranging from 11.6 mils to 14.0 mils.
The State of Alaska does not have a personal income tax.
Tax Rates for Kodiak
•Sales Tax Rate for Kodiak within city limits is 7.0%. US average is 7.3%.
•Income Tax Rate for Kodiak is 0.0%. US average is 4.6%
• The State of Alaska does not have a personal income tax.
-
Largest USCG Base
The US Coast Guard Base operates within the Coast Guard’s 17th Coast Guard District. The Base is homeport to two vessels, the Air Station, the Aids to Navigation Team. A major expansion of the Coast Guard base is underway with new housing and shoreside infrastructure being built and two Fast Response Cutters (FRC) and two Offshore Patrol Cutters (OPC) scheduled to arrive in 2026.
-
Seafood Industry
The Port of Kodiak is homeport to over 770 commercial fishing vessels of all gear types: trawlers, long liners, pot vessels, salmon seiners and jig vessels. Trident Seafoods, OBI Seafoods, APS, Silver Bay Seafoods, Pacific Seafood Group and Wildsource process seafoods to both the domestic and export markets. Kodiak is home to Alaska’s largest residential seafood workforce which is made possible by the diverse fisheries that and fishing gear types that work around Kodiak Island waters.
The McKinley Research (formerly McDowell Group) report from 2016 provides an in-depth assessment of Kodiak’s fisheries.
-
Outdoor Experiences
Many outdoor experiences draw tourists to Kodiak, including hunting, wildlife viewing, and hiking as well as fishing. The visitor industry is seasonal, with most tourists arriving in the summer and early fall. Visitors who make it as far as Kodiak tend to stay longer and spend more than the average visitor to Alaska.
-
Vibrant Healthcare
-
Quality Schools
-
Further Education
