Living in Sitka

Our official relocation guide is under construction. Please check back later for more information on the release of our relocation guide.

Sitka is a small community located on Baranof Island facing the pacific ocean, with approximately 8,500 year-round residents. For more details on the statistics of residents in Sitka, view Sitka’s profile on the U.S. Census website.

Sitka has a mild, humid, and temperate climate with warm summers and no dry season. Over the course of a year, the temperature typically varies from 27°F to 62°F. As part of the Tongass National Rainforest, it rains 300 days out of the year with an annual rainfall of nearly 100 inches.

Sitka’s colorful past is a unique blend of native Tlingit culture and Russian history.  In 1867, when the United States purchased Alaska from the Russians, the transfer ceremony was held in Sitka, and Sitka became Alaska’s first capital city. Read more about the history of Sitka here.

Housing in Sitka is unique. When moving, it is best to begin your housing search as early as possible and check your resources often for updates. Many housing opportunities come from word-of-mouth, and the Sitka, Alaska Housing Leads Facebook page is the most active housing forum for the community.

We have several realty agencies in Sitka. Click here for more information on additional housing resources. 

For more information on housing prices and availability statistics, view the Sitka profile on the U.S. Census website.

Sitka has a thriving economy, with the major industries being seafood, tourism, and healthcare. Year-round and seasonal opportunities are always available. Visit the Alaska Job Center Network for more information on employment in Sitka.

Sitka offers one elementary school, one middle school, one standard high school and one alternative high school, one university, and home school support programs. We have only one school district. Learn more about these education options below.

For more information on primary schools and homeschool support programs, visit the Sitka School District website.

For information on the university, visit the University of Alaska Southeast website.

For information on other businesses and community resources in Sitka, please visit our member directory.