Population: 3,038
Nikiski, Alaska, is on the Kenai Peninsula, nine miles north of the city of Kenai and along the Sterling Highway. It is also known as Port Nikiski and Nikishka.
Nikiski, with a population of about 3,050, is an unincorporated town in the Kenai Peninsula Borough and is the site of several oil refineries. Here North Slope oil is processed into gasoline for several retailers. The Port Nikiski docks service offshore drilling platforms.
Timber, commercial and sportfishing, government, retail businesses and tourism-related services also provide employment. More than 50 residents hold commercial fishing permits.
There are three schools in the community, attended by 979 students. One of every 10 residents is Alaska Native.
During the April 2000 U.S. Census, there were 1,766 total housing units, 252 of them vacant, and 93 of these used seasonally. Most homes use individual water wells and septic tank systems. The remainder of residents haul or have water delivered, and use privies. Almost all homes are fully plumbed.
History
Traditionally in Kenaitze Indian territory, the area was homesteaded in the 1940s and grew with the discovery of oil on the Kenai Peninsula in 1957. By 1964, oil-related industries located in Nikiski included Unocal, Phillips 66, Chevron and Tesoro.
Source: Alaska Department of Community and Economic Development
