The new numbers from the U.S. Census Bureau show that the Kenai Peninsula Borough’s population grew by over 3,000 people from the April 2010 numbers in data released on Thursday. The census figures in April 2010 showed the Kenai Peninsula Borough at 55,400 compared to 58,799 in April 2020. Accurate 2020 census data means possible additional funding and representation for the Kenai Peninsula Borough.
Tim Dillon, Executive Director for the Kenai Peninsula Economic Development District told KSRM:
“This means a lot to the Kenai Peninsula Borough. We need to make sure that people are counted and counted correctly because it means dollars in the long run. Whether it be for some of the different social programs, some of the different loan programs, the re-districting of legislators and elected officials.”
The Associated Press reports that the release of the redistricting data chosen from the 2020 census was more than four months later than expected because of delays caused by the coronavirus pandemic. The redistricting numbers states use to redraw congressional and legislative districts show where white, Asian, Black and Hispanic communities grew over the past decade.
Population numbers from across the Kenai Peninsula Borough by census-designated place shows Kalifornsky as the largest with 8,487, up from 7,850. Kalifornsky was followed by the City of Kenai with 7,424, up from 7,112. Sterling’s population estimate was 5,918, up from 5,617. The City of Homer was 5,522, up from 5,003. The Nikiski census-designated place was 4,456, down from 4,493. Soldotna’s population estimate was 4,342, up from 4,163. A majority of the census designated places from across the Kenai Peninsula Borough showed population increases.
The top five census tract data, or geographic regions, showed the City of Kenai with 7,424, followed by the Kenai River region of the Kenai Peninsula Borough with 7,022. Soldotna’s estimate was 6,560. Kasilof was 5,876. Nikiski’s estimate was 5,692. A majority of the census tracts showed population increases.
For more detailed information on the 2020 Census Redistricting Data, click here.