City of Seward

Seward – a breathtaking land shaped by glaciers, nestled between mountains and the ocean. This is the ancestral homeland of the Sugpiaq people, and the gateway to the spectacular Kenai Fjords National Park. Explorers and pioneers have been drawn to Resurrection Bay since Alexander Baranov first sought refuge here from a storm in 1792. Since then, adventurous travelers have made the journey to Seward to hike stunning trails, explore abundant wildlife, paddle and fish vibrant waters, and learn about our historic community.

Despite its location at Latitude 60 degrees North, Seward enjoys a temperate maritime climate with cool summers (highs in the low 50s to mid 60s for) and relatively warm winters (lows typically in the 20s). The typical rainfall is 65 – 75 inches a year, average snowfall 80 inches per year.

Seward’s year-round population is approximately 2,800 residents. We are a home-rule city located within the Kenai Peninsula Borough. In the council-manager form of government, the city manager is appointed by an elected seven-member council. Seward has received the All-America City designation three times.

Seward is a progressive community that enjoys a beautiful and scenic natural Alaskan environment with numerous visitor attractions and activities. This town encourages diversity and economic growth for business. As the southern terminus for the Alaska Railroad and the only multi-service, ice-free port with rail and road service to the Interior, Seward has historically been a transportation center and is strategically positioned for Pacific Rim maritime commerce. With the recent completion of the Seward Marine Industrial Center (SMIC) breakwater, marine support service businesses have been thriving. Seward is home to the world-class Alaska SeaLife Center, the Alaska Vocational Technical Center, the University of Alaska’s Institute of Marine Science and the Alutiiq Pride Shellfish Hatchery. 

The mainstay of Seward’s economy are commercial fishing, commerce, tourism, and education with the largest employers being the State of Alaska, the City of Seward, Providence Medical Center, the Alaska SeaLife Center, the Kenai Peninsula School District and Safeway.