PHOTO: ROCKET RAPTOR FILMS
Our Community
Alaska's Little Norway, where fishing heritage and island independence create a uniquely closeknit community.
Nestled on an island over 100 miles from the nearest large city, Petersburg isn't just geographically unique—it's created a special kind of community. When you're this beautifully isolated, you learn to be resourceful, self-reliant, and deeply connected to your neighbors. It's the kind of place where you'll quickly discover that everyone contributes something to the community—coaching kids, serving as volunteer EMS, lending a hand, or even dressing up as Vikings and Valkyries for our Little Norway Festival.
THE HEARTBEAT OF OUR ECONOMY
Commercial fishing and fish processing form the backbone of our local economy, with the rhythm of the seasons dictating much of our community's pulse. A thriving network of local businesses and entrepreneurs, along with government positions, create diverse employment opportunities. Our growing tourism sector brings additional economic possibilities as more visitors discover what makes Petersburg special.
PHOTO: TROY LARSON
TAKING CARE OF OUR OWN
You'll find something remarkable here: despite our small size, we've built big-city amenities. Our Petersburg Medical Center offers comprehensive care with a 14-bed hospital, while specialized physicians regularly visit from across Alaska and the lower 48 states—bringing expertise right to our doorstep. Modern dental facilities ensure your family's health needs are met locally. For our senior community, Mountain View Manor provides quality assisted living and elderly care, allowing residents to age gracefully without leaving the place they call home.
PHOTO: CAITLYN WARE
A COMMUNITY THAT COMES TOGETHER
With 13 churches serving our 3,000+ residents, faith plays a meaningful role in Petersburg life—so much so that many businesses honor Sunday as a day of rest. But spiritual life is just one thread in our rich community tapestry.
From Sons of Norway to Little League, from borough commissions to community interest groups, there's a place for every passion. Our Parks and Recreation Department keeps both young and young-at-heart active, while countless nonprofit organizations tackle everything from environmental conservation to community events. The beauty of Petersburg is that most residents don't just belong to one group—they're woven into the fabric of several, creating the kind of interconnected community that's increasingly rare.
PHOTO: CAITLYN WARE
OUR SEASONAL RHYTHM
Petersburg moves to a natural rhythm that visitors often find refreshing. During the school year, weekend games and meets and school performances bring the whole community together. From Octoberfest to local plays, there's always some community event to attend.
When summer arrives, our focus shifts to the waterfront. Families head out for commercial fishing or sport fishing adventures, the harbor buzzes with activity, and the midnight sun stretches our days into endless possibility. It's a dynamic, active place where there's always something happening—whether that's a community celebration, a fishing tournament, or simply neighbors gathering to share stories of the day's catch.
PHOTO: CAITLYN WARE
This is Petersburg: a place where isolation has bred not independence, but interdependence—where being far from everywhere else has taught us to be everything to each other.
Petersburg Schools
Where your child will be known, supported, and celebrated— not just by teachers, but by an entire community.
Petersburg Schools serves approximately 400 students across our elementary, middle, and high school campuses in grades PreK through 12. What makes our schools special isn't just their well-deserved high scholastic standing and outstanding heritage of dedicated teachers—it's the way an entire community rallies around every student's success.
Here, your child won't get lost in the crowd. Small class sizes mean teachers know not just every student's name, but their dreams, challenges, and potential. It's the kind of personal attention that helps kids thrive academically while building the confidence to tackle whatever comes next.
PHOTO: CAITLYN WARE
PHOTO: CAITLYN WARE
BEYOND THE CLASSROOM
Our active sports and extracurricular programs give students opportunities that might surprise you in a town of 3,000+. Student athletes and activity participants travel throughout the Inside Passage and across Alaska—by ferry and plane—competing and performing alongside peers from small villages to larger towns. It's a chance for our young people to test their skills while representing Petersburg with pride.
High school students can explore an impressive range of practical and creative courses. From welding and marine fabrication to culinary arts and music programs, students gain real-world skills while discovering their passions.
Perhaps most importantly, Petersburg Schools enjoys something that can't be measured in test scores: unwavering community support. Sports are central to our school culture, with basketball and wrestling leading the way, alongside volleyball, swim team, track and cross country. When our teams compete at home, students perform in activities, or academic teams represent Petersburg, the community shows up in impressive numbers. It's the kind of support system that tells every student they matter and their achievements are worth celebrating.
EARLY CHILDHOOD
We believe learning starts early. Several quality preschools and early childhood centers serve our youngest learners, including Tlingit-Haida Head Start (907-772-4751), the Lutheran Church's Good Beginnings Preschool (907-772-3044), REACH Infant Learning Program (907-772-3488), and Petersburg Children's Center Preschool (907-772-3419). Home-based childcare providers offer additional options for families seeking personalized care.
HOMESCHOOLING
Alaska is one of the most homeschool-friendly states in the U.S., offering families several educational pathways. Families can homeschool independently with no state notification required, or choose from state-supported correspondence programs like IDEA Homeschool, Raven Homeschool, and CyberLynx that provide annual allotments per student for educational expenses. Many school districts also allow part-time enrollment, letting homeschooled students participate in public school classes, sports, and extracurricular activities.
GED & ADULT EDUCATION
Petersburg Community Schools offers Adult Basic Education and GED programs for those seeking to complete their high school education or improve basic skills.
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Education doesn't stop at graduation. The University of Alaska Southeast extends learning opportunities right to Petersburg through correspondence and distance delivery courses (video/audio).
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Contact Petersburg Community Schools (907-772-3980) to explore GED, university and adult continuing education options.
MARTIME LEARNING
The Petersburg Marine Advisory Program connects our maritime community with information and resources worldwide. As a branch of the University of Alaska Fairbanks Marine Advisory Program, it provides crucial outreach and technical assistance for those working with Alaska's marine and coastal resources. Contact: (907) 772-3381.
Local Government
How Petersburg manages the day-to-day business of running our community.
PHOTO: WILD IRIS PHOTOGRAPHY
Petersburg operates as a borough. Our Borough Assembly consists of six members and a mayor, all elected at-large by the community. The Assembly modifies our municipal code as needed and establishes our annual borough budget. The day-to-day operations fall to our Borough Manager and staff, who work under the Assembly's direction to keep everything running.
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Petersburg's official population sits at about 3,000+ residents, with an additional 200 people living on Mitkof Island outside the borough limits.
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ESSENTIAL SERVICES:
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Power:
We've harnessed the power of Southeast Alaska's abundant water resources. Most of our electricity comes from Tyee Lake, a hydroelectric plant we share with Wrangell and Ketchikan through the Southeast Alaska Power Agency (SEAPA), supplemented by Crystal Lake, our own small hydroelectric facility right here on Mitkof Island. Diesel generators stand ready as backup power, ensuring the lights stay on.
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Water & Waste:
Clean water flows from Cabin Creek Reservoir, eight miles southeast of town in pristine wilderness. Our wastewater treatment plant processes 200 million gallons annually while protecting Frederick Sound's waters. Essential services that keep our community healthy and our environment protected.
Public Works:
The team that keeps Petersburg running year-round. From plowing snow and fixing potholes to weekly garbage and recycling pickup, they handle the behind-the-scenes work that makes daily life possible.
Petersburg Borough provides the essential services that keep our community functioning, from clean water and power to road maintenance and waste collection.
For more information about borough services and government, visit www.petersburgak.gov