Gateway to Kenai Fjords

Seward, Alaska, a scenic gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park, offers a unique blend of natural beauty, rich history, and vibrant community life in a stunning maritime setting.

Seward, Alaska, is a picturesque locale shaped by glaciers, nestled between mountains and the ocean, and known as the ancestral homeland of the Sugpiaq people. This town serves as the gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park and has attracted explorers since Alexander Baranov took refuge here in 1792. Modern visitors come to Seward to enjoy hiking, wildlife exploration, paddling, fishing, and learning about its historic community.

Despite its northern latitude, Seward benefits from a temperate maritime climate with cool summers and relatively mild winters. The town has a small year-round population of about 2,800 residents but plays a crucial role in the region.

It operates under a council-manager government system, has been designated an All-America City three times, and actively promotes diversity and economic growth. Seward’s economy is primarily driven by commercial fishing, commerce, tourism, and education, with major employers including the State of Alaska and the City of Seward. The town also boasts significant infrastructure like the Alaska Railroad, the only multi-service, ice-free port in the area, and the recently completed Seward Marine Industrial Center (SMIC) breakwater, which supports a thriving marine service industry.

Key institutions in Seward include 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, further highlighting its importance as a hub for marine biology and education.

Kat Sorensen, City Manager

410 Adams Street City Hall Building
Seward, AK 99664
Phone: (907) 224-4012
Contact: ksorensen@cityofseward.net
Website: City of Seward

Kris Peck, City Clerk

410 Adams Street City Hall Building Suite 204
Seward, AK 99664
Phone: (907) 224-4038
Contact: clerk@cityofseward.net
Website: City of Seward

Samantha Allen, Executive Director

2001 Seward Highway
Seward, AK 99664
Phone: (907) 224-8051
Contact: director@seward.com
Website: Seward Chamber

The City of Seward is home to 2,582 residents (as of 2023). Its population has declined in recent years, particularly among children and young adults. Despite this trend, the town has a younger population than the region overall.

Source: Alaska Department of Labor & Workforce Development.

Local economic activity in Seward has shown strong growth over the past 10 years, relative to the greater Kenai Peninsula Borough with local taxable sales increasing by 60% from 2013-2022. Increasing taxable sales activity is a sign of a strong local economy, and many Seward businesses benefit from its well-earned reputation as a major tourist destination. Sales taxes in Seward are 7%, with 4% going to the City and 3% going to the Borough to fund police, fire, education, recreation, and other services.

Source: City of Seward & Kenai Peninsula Borough Finance Departments.

Housing in Seward is generally less expensive than elsewhere in Alaska, including the Anchorage/Mat-Su region, but can be more expensive than elsewhere in the Kenai Peninsula. The typical home in Seward is priced 40% below the typical home in Washington.