King Cove (Agdaaĝux̂ in Aleut; Russian: Кинг-Коув) is a city in Aleutians East Borough, Alaska. As of the 2020 census, the population was 757.
Geography
King Cove is located on a sand spit on the south of the Alaska Peninsula, with water feeding into the north pacific Ocean. King Cove is located about 625 miles southwest of Anchorage, Alaska, and 18 miles southwest of Cold Bay, Alaska. The City is located in the Aleutians East Borough and is accessible only by boat or plane.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 29.8 square miles, of which, 25.3 square miles is land and 4.5 square miles (15.23%) is water.
History
King Cove was founded in 1911 when Pacific American Fisheries built a salmon cannery. Early settlers were Scandinavian, European and Unangan fishermen. Of the first ten founding families, five consisted of a European father and an Aleut mother. The City was incorporated in 1949. The cannery operated continuously between 1911 and 1976, when it was partially destroyed by fire. The adoption of the 200-mile fisheries limit spurred rebuilding. King Cove remains tied to fishing and fish processing.
Demographics
The 2020 U.S. Census reported 757 residents living in King Cove. The community was founded in 1911 and incorporated in 1949. King Cove is mix of non-Native and Unangan residents. According to the 2020 census data, 327 residents identified as Alaska Native or American Indian, 213 identified as White, 109 identified as Asian, 29 identified as some Other Race, 10 identified as Black or African American, 6 identified as Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander, and 63 identified as two or more races, with 48 of those residents identifying as White and Alaska Native or American Indian.
The category employing the highest number of residents was Production, Transportation, and Material Moving Occupations, according to the U.S. Census American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year Estimates Subject Tables. The ACS survey shows the estimated number of employed U.S. citizens 16 years old and older from 2017 to 2021. The category employed 287 people – 268 of whom were un der the Production Occupation. Natural Resources, Construction, and Maintenance Operations was the third-highest employment category. Of 120 people reported under the category, 53 were employed in Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Occupations, 50 were employed in Construction and Extraction Occupations, and 17 were employed in installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations.
Culture
Scandinavians have historically influenced the cultural, economic and social structures. King Cove is a mixed non-Native and Unangan community.
Economy
King Cove is almost entirely dependent on year-round commercial fishing and seafood processing. While the Peter Pan Seafood plant closed in 2023, King Cove remains committed to its heritage in the fishing industry, and new opportunities continue to emerge. As we adapt to changing times, we remain optimistic and focused on innovation. Our community is actively exploring sustainable ways to preserve and grow the local economy, including embracing new industries, fostering small businesses, and enhancing the opportunities in our thriving harbor.
Facilities
King Cove is committed to providing reliable, sustainable services for its residents. The city’s $9 million water project ensures all homes are connected to a dependable piped water system, while its efficient sewage collection system features primary and secondary treatment to maintain a clean environment. King Cove also prioritizes waste management with garbage collection three times a week and aluminum recycling, while planning for a new landfill project, with earthworks and design already underway. Powering the community sustainably, the city operates two hydroelectric plants generating up to 1.3 megawatts of power, along with a backup power plant that supplies an additional 2.5 megawatts.
Transportation
King Cove is uniquely accessible only by air and sea. The city is served by a State-owned 3,360-foot gravel runway, though crosswinds can be challenging due to the valley’s location between two volcanic peaks. A key priority for the community is the ongoing push to build a 27-mile road connecting King Cove to Cold Bay, which would enhance accessibility by linking to the Cold Bay Airport. This project has sparked both state and national discussion due to its path through the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge.
For air transport, Aleutian Airways offers scheduled service from Anchorage to Cold Bay, and from there, Grant Aviation provides connecting flights from Cold Bay to King Cove. Lake Clark Air also provides service to King Cove. For more information on each airline’s schedule, please visit their websites or contact them.
For sea transport, the State Ferry operates monthly between May and September, offering another vital connection to the region allowing for both transport of passengers and vehicles. Additionally, the City of King Cove operates a deep-water dock, while also operating two harbors.
Healthcare
The King Cove Community Health Clinic, operated by Eastern Aleutian Tribes, offers a wide range of healthcare services, including routine medical care, behavioral health support, and emergency care. The clinic is open Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm and is closed on all Alaskan and federal holidays. After-hours emergencies are handled by on-call practitioners. The community also benefits from an active local volunteer Emergency Medical Services group, which provides ambulance service. Additionally, healthcare is delivered through Community Health Aide Practitioners (CHAPs), a unique and vital program in Alaska that ensures comprehensive care for the community.
Education
King Cove offers strong educational opportunities for its residents, with a focus on providing quality education from early childhood through high school. The Aleutians East Borough School District (AEBSD) operates the King Cove School, which serves students from preschool through 12th grade. The school is a central part of the community, offering a well-rounded education with a focus on both academic achievement and local cultural values.
Additionally, the Aleutian Pribilof Islands Association (APIA) operates a Head Start program in King Cove, providing early childhood education and support services to young children and their families. This program helps ensure that children get the best possible start in life, with a focus on school readiness, family engagement, and social development. Together, these programs contribute to the growth and development of King Cove’s future generations.
Climate
King Cove is in maritime climate zone and experiences cold and windy short summers and freezing, snowy, and windy long winters. The temperature throughout the year ranges from 26 to 56 degrees Fahrenheit. The wetter season in King Cove is nearly 7 months long from July to February, with over 33% chance of a given day being a wet day, which is characterized by liquid or liquid-equivalent precipitation of at least 0.04 inches. King Cove is generally rainy, with the least monthly rainfall averaging 1.4 inches in march and the most averaging 3.5 inches in September. The snowy season runs from November to April, with an average snowfall of 5.1 inches in February, the month with the most snow.
The winds prevail from the east and west with some strong northernly winds in the summer months. The average hourly wind speed varies greatly from season to season. The windier season in King Cove (September to April) leads to average wind speeds of more than 14.8 miles per hour. November, the windiest month, experiences 18.4 mile-per-hour winds on average.